The powerful output of the three vice admirals shattered the frozen sea, creating massive waves that were truly spectacular.
Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino stood on the warship, their expressions grim as they scanned the sea, searching for Bennedic.
They desperately wanted to finish Bennedic here and now.
It was because of Bennedic that their respected mentor had faced mortal danger and nearly died.
It was because of Bennedic that the Demon Extermination Order, halfway through, was halted.
It was because of Bennedic that, besides the three of them, only Vice Admiral Onigumo and others remained conscious.
"This is truly troublesome!"
"I originally intended to kill you, but after confronting you all, I couldn't resist the urge to beat you up."
"In the end, I was still caught off guard by you."
"This time..."
Bennedic emerged from the surging sea. Even so, he stood on the water as if on solid ground.
As Bennedic grumbled, Borsalino, who had already been beaten, attacked him without a word.
Innumerable light spheres rained down, and Bennedic's expression sharpened.
With his Observation Haki, the Six Powers of the Navy, and the continuously activated Eight Inner Gates, Bennedic's speed was amplified tenfold.
"Gate of Life, open."
"Gate of Rest, open."
"Gate of Life, open."
"Gate of Injury, open."
"Morning Peacock!"
Having opened four gates in succession, the aura Bennedic unleashed caused Zephyr, standing on the beach, to change his expression drastically.
Such immense power; even if he himself were to face Bennedic, with all his might, a moment's carelessness would lead to unconsciousness.
Sakazuki and the others were simply no match for him.
"Bennedic, you scoundrel, stop!"
Zephyr did not hesitate, unleashing his full strength. The moment he charged out, he struck a clone of Bennedic, causing it to dissipate into smoke.
It seemed Zephyr's power was even greater now than during his previous battle with Bennedic.
The reason for this was that Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino were among his most talented students.
Although they still relied excessively on their Devil Fruit abilities, their formidable combat strength could not be ignored.
With Bennedic's current strength, his three most prized students would be killed.
*Bang!*
The moment Bennedic's attack arrived, Borsalino turned into light and narrowly dispersed.
Bennedic did not cease his assault just because this attack missed. Instead, he continued his offensive.
This was because Kuzan was on this side.
Kuzan also instantly turned into ice and vanished through elementalization. At the same time, he unleashed his Devil Fruit ability.
"Ice Age Capsule!"
A thumb-sized object exploded instantly, freezing the entire warship.
However, Bennedic was not frozen by this.
*Bang!*
Sakazuki was quite unlucky.
His reaction was fast enough, but Bennedic suddenly delivered a kick, precisely pinpointing his location and sending him flying.
"Hiding is useless."
"It's better to face me head-on."
"That way, your defeat won't be too embarrassing."
Bennedic grabbed Sakazuki by the neck and swiftly slammed him onto the warship.
*Bang!*
Sakazuki was pinned tightly to the warship by Bennedic. The warship shook violently, emitting creaking sounds, and cracks began to appear.
"Ice Lancer!"
Kuzan provided timely support, his sharp ice lances piercing towards Bennedic.
However, Bennedic's speed was faster. He kicked Sakazuki in the back, freeing his hands. He then easily grabbed Sakazuki again and crushed the incoming ice lances.
"Kuzan, you also need to be taught a lesson by society."
Bennedic's gaze fixed on Kuzan, whose expression turned ugly. He immediately elementalized and retreated.
From the recent exchange, Kuzan clearly understood that with their current strength, engaging Bennedic in close combat was suicidal.
Therefore, long-range output became his strategy.
Borsalino shared Kuzan's thoughts, and was even more cunning.
Even in close combat, if an attack failed, he would immediately retreat.
"Bennedic!"
Admiral Zephyr finally arrived, his terrifying fist smashing down towards Bennedic.
Bennedic dared not be careless, counterattacking with a backhand.
*Boom!*
The immense shockwave tore through the already frozen ice once more, and the warship was propelled away by this powerful force.
"Wouldn't it be better for you to just watch from the side?"
Bennedic exchanged a punch with Zephyr, then unleashed a flurry of blows. They traded blows back and forth. Sakazuki and the other two manifested, watching the two engaged in fierce combat, but they found no opportunity to intervene.
"Damn it!" Sakazuki spat out a mouthful of blood, clenching his fist as magma erupted, filled with unwillingness.
"What a terrifying man," Borsalino's expression was also very grim. Gone was his usual laziness and cleanliness; he now appeared extremely disheveled.
"Still too weak," Kuzan murmured softly.
As future admirals, they were all only twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old. To have achieved the rank of vice admiral at such a young age was already remarkable.
This indicated that their growth rate was sufficiently fast and that they were highly valued.
Before this, regardless of their inner thoughts, they had some pride.
But now?
They had suffered more beatings, more severe ones, than they had even during their time as Zephyr's students.
*Bang!*
Bennedic's fist landed heavily on Zephyr's abdomen.
Zephyr, not to be outdone, retaliated, his cheek being struck.
Bennedic was somewhat enraged. "Don't hit the face!"
"Gate of Wonder, open!"
"Morning Peacock!"
Bennedic's strength grew once more, and Zephyr's expression changed repeatedly.
Damn it, how much more strength did this guy have hidden?
*Bang!*
Zephyr blocked with his hands, but the fists covered in Armament Haki possessed an overwhelmingly powerful force. Zephyr was sent flying like a cannonball into the sea.
"Admiral Zephyr?"
Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino were horrified, but at this moment, they could not leap into the sea.
"Onigumo, quickly, quickly go and save Admiral Zephyr!" Kuzan called out to the already heavily injured Onigumo.
Onigumo did not hesitate, leaping into the sea and swimming towards where Zephyr had fallen.
Bennedic stood on the sea's surface, watching the scene unfold without intervening.
"Seeing as you Marines are still somewhat useful, I'll let you off today."
"If you still wish to capture me, then come."
"However, when we meet again, you should be prepared for death."
Bennedic gazed coldly at the three of them, uttered these words, and turned to leave.
The three of them remained silent for a long time, watching as Bennedic strode far across the sea without making a move.
They were no match for him.