Clang!
Just as the slash was about to approach the bow of one of the warships, Strawberry leaped out, crossed his dual blades, and easily deflected the slash, landing on the bridge, directly facing Sage.
The other four also jumped down from the bow and stood in line with Strawberry.
"Calamity, Norton Sage, don't underestimate the Navy!"
Doberman pointed his sword straight at Sage and shouted, "You criminal, the only outcome for you is capture!"
"Oh? Didn't call for support right away... Leading the Buster Call, they're all Navy Vice Admirals, huh? You look stronger than the ones I encountered at Carnival City."
Sage spread his hands to his sides, stepped his right foot forward to line up with his left, and chuckled lowly, "Defeat you all, and I can call for support, can't I?"
Both sides just stared at each other, neither Sage's eyes nor the eyes of those five vice admirals showed any fear.
Sage was naturally unafraid, while the five vice admirals were battle-hardened, having seen it all.
Just Supreme King...
At most, it surprised them a bit.
Whoosh!
Strawberry made the first move, crossing his dual blades swiftly, creating an 'X'-shaped Soaring Slash.
Sage grinned, too lazy to dodge, and took a deep breath, suddenly opening his mouth wide to drink.
Qi Drinking Technique!
Ferocious waves of air, whipped up by his sonic wave, shattered the 'X'-shaped slash.
But just then, Flying Squirrel had already jumped into the air, assuming an Iaido stance as the slash shattered below. With a twist of his hand, his sword drew, its once bright gleam now coated in a layer of black.
Clang!
The quick and fierce black blade was stopped by a single finger.
Sage's index finger stretched out horizontally, emanating a flowing blackness, like burning flames, blocking the descending blade.
He raised his head and flashed a disdainful smile at Flying Squirrel.
Flying Squirrel's eyes sank, and in an instant, he landed, the blade sliding off Sage's finger, quickly turning to cut toward his neck.
Clang!
Sage extended his arm, turning the horizontal finger vertical, blocking the slash once again.
Flying Squirrel drew upwards, his sharp blade sliding up Sage's finger. Gripping the sword hilt with both hands, the already Haki-covered blade flowed even more as he fiercely slashed downward.
Whoosh!!
A slanted gap appeared on the bridge, tilting the bridge beneath Flying Squirrel downward, almost submerging half of the bridge.
And Sage, who had been in front of him, was already gone.
"The power of that move isn't bad."
A voice echoed from behind, and Flying Squirrel was startled, feeling the gust of wind by his head as Sage's fingers, covered with Haki, moved to stab his temples.
Yet, even at this moment, Flying Squirrel didn't look back, maintaining his position silently.
As Sage's fingers were close to Flying Squirrel's head, a flash of red unexpectedly appeared in his eyes. Instinctively, he stepped and jumped into the sky. Behind him, Strawberry's crossed blades came slashing down, hitting nothing but air.
Just as he reached the air, a figure emerged behind him, Yamakaji drew his sword, slashing viciously downwards.
Sage stepped in the air, creating a smoky circle, and quickly turned around using Moon Step, his arms flowing with Haki to block the descending blade of Yamakaji.
Clang!
Bam!
The Haki-infused blade struck Sage's arms, and the immense force surprised even Sage, sending his body inevitably plunging downward from the slash.
Where he landed, Ghost Spider was already waiting. Spitting out smoke and gripping dual blades, his long hair suddenly lifted, transforming into six arm-like shapes, grabbing six additional swords from nowhere, looking like eight arms, all aimed at the descending Sage.
Clang clang clang clang!
As Sage's body landed, he spun sharply, with all his limbs covered in Haki, whirling like a cyclone, clashing fiercely against the eight blades, sparks faintly visible.
Whoosh!
Doberman turned into a remnant shadow, appearing behind Sage in the split second he engaged, stabbing straight down.
Thud!
The blade stabbed forward, splattering a pool of blood. But just then, the whirlwind under the assault of eight blades rose up, pushing away the front and rear blades, spinning in the air like a bullet, landing toward the back of the bridge.
Sage wiped the wound on his waist, looking at the blood on his palm, and laughed, "Seems like you're not cannon fodder like the ones I encountered at Carnival City."
The proficiency of the Six Styles, Body Techniques, Swordsmanship, Haki... all freely and skillfully mastered.
Stronger than Ennio.
One might say if Ennio were at his peak, he'd be at this level.
Among vice admirals, definitely elite.
"Norton Sage!"
Ghost Spider pointed his eight blades at Sage, "Surrender! You're no match for us!"
"Hohohoho, overly confident, aren't we? Just a scratch on my skin..."
Sage laughed heartily, and the wound on his waist emitted white steam, swiftly healing.
Seeing this, Ghost Spider's pupils shrank, "Life Return?"
"I won't be playing with you anymore..."
Sage removed all the gold adornments and jewels from his fingers, pocketed them, and casually took off his cape.
Sage hadn't yet reached a level where he could ignore such elite vice admirals, especially not five of them.