"Since I can't get the answer I want, then I'll just fight until we're both satisfied."
Benedict looked at Zephyr and said calmly, "I don't have much time right now to waste here with you."
Hearing Benedict's words, Zephyr's expression turned cold. He said to his副官, "Fire!"
The副官 immediately complied and relayed the order.
The next moment, all cannons and guns were aimed at the cargo ship Benedict was on.
When one can deliver a destructive blow to the enemy from a distance, never engage in close combat lightly.
This was one of the beliefs Zephyr promoted and enforced during his anti-pirate operations.
Benedict, with only one ship, possessing immense strength and a rather special identity, was not suitable for capture. Obliteration was the only fitting end for him.
Benedict narrowed his eyes slightly. The moment he opened them again, a powerful pressure instantly spread outwards.
Haoshoku Haki.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The Navy soldiers preparing to operate the cannons and bombard Benedict all collapsed under the impact of Haoshoku Haki.
Only a very few remained standing after a brief moment, those who could withstand the surge of Haoshoku Haki.
Sauron was not within the range of Benedict's Haoshoku Haki, but he was still affected to some extent.
This further increased his confidence in Benedict's power.
"Admiral Zephyr, you're quite ruthless."
"That kind of fight is meaningless."
"If we're going to fight, let's fight, just the two of us. That would be more interesting."
Zephyr felt the arrogance and overconfidence in Benedict's words, which made him even more displeased with Benedict.
Was he looking down on them?
However, Benedict's next action caused Zephyr's expression to change drastically, and he was utterly shocked.
"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu."
The abundant chakra allowed Benedict to easily unleash hundreds of clones.
They stood on the cargo ship or on the sea, each possessing considerable combat power.
For a moment, everyone was stunned.
Benedict would not give up his attack just because they were shocked.
Showing off wasn't just about posturing; it was about crushing the opponent with actual actions.
"When it comes to numbers, I am enough."
"Take them all down," Benedict said with a wave of his hand and a hearty laugh.
At this moment, Benedict felt like he was commanding and pointing the way, as if he were in charge of the world.
"Is this a Devil Fruit ability?"
"How is this possible? Aren't Devil Fruit users afraid of the sea?"
"Why are there so many Benedicts?"
"Are they all fake? Is this an illusion?"
"This? This? Who is the real one?"
...
Watching hundreds of Benedicts running on the sea as if on solid ground, unaffected by the ocean, covering a hundred-meter distance in an instant, everyone was once again amazed, tinged with fear.
Zephyr's expression turned solemn. Facing the charging Benedicts, his fists, covered in powerful Armament Haki, immediately launched an attack.
"Zephyr, you simply don't understand the Xuanwu Navy."
"I am very disappointed with your answer."
The Benedict clone who clashed head-on with Zephyr was defeated after only two sentences and vanished in a puff of smoke.
Against a powerful Admiral like Zephyr, a one-on-one fight was no match for Shadow Clones.
However, for the other Marines, it was much simpler.
Hundreds of Benedict clones were nothing more than an easy ganging-up.
In a moment, after Zephyr defeated over a hundred surrounding Benedict clones and gained a moment to breathe, the next scene made Zephyr so angry he spat blood.
Benedict had controlled all the dazed Marines and crammed them onto one warship.
The other three warships had, under the control of the Shadow Clones, separated from their fleet.
The warships had been hijacked?
"Benedict, how dare you?" Zephyr roared in anger, looking at Benedict.
Benedict chuckled upon hearing this, "Not killing them is already the greatest mercy."
"If I didn't have to stuff these people, I would have taken one of those warships too."
"Of course, I will still be very grateful for your gift, dear Admiral Zephyr."
Zephyr was furious. When had he ever said he was gifting him warships?
What did he mean by not killing them being the greatest mercy?
This was the greatest humiliation to a soldier.
In a fit of rage, Zephyr attacked. In moments, all the Benedict clones on Zephyr's warship were defeated and turned to dust.
Benedict was not surprised by this.
His opponent was Zephyr in his prime, not something a hundred Shadow Clones could handle.
"Benedict, die!"
Zephyr used the Geppo from the Rokushiki, crossing the sea and landing on Benedict's large ship, preparing for a fierce battle.
As long as the real Benedict was defeated, those Benedicts who looked like clones would also vanish, and the warships would not be taken away.
Benedict would not indulge Zephyr. His body flickered, and he kicked towards Zephyr's face at high speed.
The speed was too great. Zephyr could only shield his face with his fists, covered in Armament Haki, to block Benedict's powerful strike.
"My ship is very precious, it can't withstand your recklessness."
Benedict kicked Zephyr away and also used Geppo, chasing after Zephyr again.
Aerial combat was good; it wouldn't damage the ship.
Zephyr flipped in the air, moving forward, stabilizing himself with Geppo, and launched an immediate counter-attack against the attacking Benedict.
With a powerful blow, he blocked Benedict's incoming fist and said fiercely, "Bastard!"
The collision of fists and feet, each blow carrying immense force and terrifying might.
Sauron stood on the cargo ship, watching the two figures fighting in the air at incredible speed, his eyes filled with shock.
As a Vice Admiral, he knew very well the power of an Admiral was terrifying.
Especially a powerful Admiral like Zephyr, he was even more terrifying.
Yet, Benedict was still fighting Zephyr back and forth, showing no signs of strain.
After countless exchanges, Benedict narrowly dodged Zephyr's consecutive punches, creating distance. He panted slightly and looked at Zephyr, saying, "Zephyr, I understand your past."
"Your wife and daughter were retaliated against by pirates because of your 'justice'."
"So, you believe all pirates are evil and deserve to die?"
At this moment, after fighting Zephyr, Benedict couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for his talent and, to prevent the events of twenty years later, tried to probe Zephyr again.
Zephyr clenched his fists, staring at Benedict. For a Devil Fruit user to possess such strong taijutsu was beyond his imagination.
People nowadays, once they possessed a Devil Fruit, would rely excessively on its power, neglecting their own strength, which was the true foundation.
But despite his admiration for Benedict's power, this touched wound made Zephyr's veins bulge.
"Some pirates deserve to die, at least the pirates who killed your wife and daughter are deserving of death."
"But not all pirates are 'evil scum'."
"Not all pirates are 'evil scum' enticed by greed."
"Among them, some are forced."
"Some among them simply yearn for the sea, some are just seeking freedom, they have loyalty, principles, and are upright. Do such pirates also deserve to die?"
Benedict gazed at Zephyr, observing his expression, wanting to know Zephyr's thoughts in this state.
The unsoothable pain and hatred for pirates, faced with Benedict's inquiry, Zephyr's heart could not find peace. Only by roaring and fighting, by killing all pirates, could he express the anger in his heart.
"You don't understand at all!"
"Pirates' ambitions are insatiable."
"They are the root of all evil!"
"All pirates are evil and must face the judgment of justice."
"It all started from the moment they became pirates; they were already evil."