[Ding! Congratulations to the host for defeating a Star-Level powerhouse — Donquixote Doflamingo! Reward: 2000 Supreme Points!]
[Current total points: 3100!]
The aftermath on Rubeck Island was apocalyptic.
Malverick's black sphere had left the land in ruin—
when the darkness finally dispersed, it looked as though a giant beast had taken a bite out of the island.
The mountain that once stood proudly there was gone, leaving behind a vast, gaping crater.
Up above, Malverick hovered in the sky, not yet leaving with Corazon.
After all, this had been his first time using a large-scale skill like that—he wanted to see the results for himself.
"Not bad at all."
A satisfied smile curved his lips.
He had already decided what to name the move—
"Profound Nether Black Hole."
"Did they die?" Corazon asked nervously, swallowing hard as he gazed down at the devastation.
"No," Malverick replied after a brief pause. "They escaped."
Using his Fivefold Vision, Malverick easily located Doflamingo and his subordinates fleeing far away.
Doflamingo was dragging his officers along with strings, his body covered in burn-like black wounds—
and so were the others.
Even their blood had turned black.
Hearing that his brother was still alive, Corazon finally exhaled in relief.
Despite everything, Doflamingo was still his kin.
"Alright, you should rest for now," Malverick said. "Leave the rest to me."
He opened the Black Hole Space, placing Corazon inside before turning his gaze downward—toward the approaching Navy ships.
Below, Vice Admiral Tsuru had already spotted him.
[Vice Admiral Tsuru — Paramecia-type Wash-Wash Fruit user]
[Power Level: Star-Class]
[Defeating her will grant: 2000 Supreme Points]
Tsuru of the Marines—one of the legendary figures who stood on equal footing with Sengoku and Garp.
Though she held the title of Vice Admiral, her influence within the Navy was second to none.
Known as the brains of the Marines, Tsuru possessed both wisdom and formidable power—
certainly not weaker than Doflamingo himself.
"A troublesome woman," Malverick muttered with a smirk as he tidied his slightly tousled hair and slowly descended, landing not far from the naval warship.
Tsuru opened her mouth to speak, but Malverick cut her off immediately.
"Yes, it's me," he said flatly. "And Vice Admiral Tsuru, don't bother asking why I'm here. I've already heard that question twice today—it's boring."
As he spoke, his eyes swept over the two female officers standing behind her.
[Marine Rear Admiral: Gion — No Devil Fruit — Power Level: Peak Diamond (About to Breakthrough)]
"Gion, huh?" Malverick's eyes gleamed.
Future Admiral Candidate 'Peach Rabbit.'
A decade later, she and 'Tea Dolphin' would both be Admiral candidates.
But right now, she was only Tsuru's aide—a capable and promising subordinate.
The other woman behind Tsuru was also no weakling—another Diamond-Level officer.
"So… are you planning to attack us?" Tsuru's gaze turned sharp and cold.
She had come here to apprehend Doflamingo—but instead, she'd found Malverick, the Dark King's son, standing amid the ruins.
The destruction on Rubeck Island could only be his doing.
Malverick shrugged. "Nah. I just fought a battle. I'm not really in the mood to fight again—especially not against women."
"I rarely hit women," he added, tone dripping with arrogance.
"Especially older ones. I'd hate to accidentally kill you."
The mockery in his voice was unmistakable.
Of course, Malverick didn't really underestimate Tsuru—on the contrary, he respected her strength.
But teasing her was just too fun to resist.
"Oh? So you look down on women, is that it, Dark King Malverick?"
Before Tsuru could respond, Gion stepped forward, her voice sharp with indignation.
Malverick turned his eyes toward her.
Not bad—beautiful, fierce, and full of fire.
She had bright, expressive eyes, flawless skin, and a small beauty mark at the corner of her lips.
Combined with the slender blade at her waist, she was every inch the image of a warrior goddess—
the kind of woman countless Marines must have dreamed about.
"What's wrong?" Malverick grinned. "Not convinced?"
Gion's expression hardened. "Do you think I would be?!"
She drew her sword in a flash.
"Gion, don't—!" Tsuru called out, but it was too late.
The young officer leapt into the air, her blade gleaming as she unleashed a flying slash straight toward Malverick.
Tsuru's brow furrowed in worry.
Gion was still young—barely in her twenties, brimming with pride and confidence.
In the Navy, few could match her swordsmanship, and that had made her bold… maybe too bold.
But she had no idea what kind of monster she was picking a fight with.
Malverick's strength was praised even by Garp himself.
Gion didn't stand a chance.
Sure enough—
Malverick's fist shattered the incoming slash with a single blow,
and before she could react, he caught her blade between two fingers like a pair of steel pincers.
Gion's eyes widened.
She poured all her strength into trying to pull it free—but it wouldn't budge an inch.
"Pretty girl," Malverick said lightly, "if you don't have the strength to stand tall, don't try to make a scene."
"Otherwise, you'll regret it."
He flicked the sword with his finger—clang!
The blade vibrated violently before flying out of her hands, embedding itself into the Navy flag above the ship.
Then—
Swoosh!
A flash of blue light streaked toward him.
Malverick twisted his body to evade—but not fast enough.
The light grazed his arm.
At once, his arm began to flatten, its flesh turning soft and fabric-like—just like a dangling sleeve.
Malverick's eyes narrowed.
He looked down to see Vice Admiral Tsuru, her hand raised, fingers glowing faintly blue.
The Wash-Wash Fruit.
A power that could literally wash a person and turn them into laundry—a ridiculous yet terrifying ability.
"Heh… interesting."
Malverick wasn't rattled.
After all, overwhelming Haki could suppress even Devil Fruit powers.
With a deep shout, he unleashed his aura—his Haki exploding outward in a violent storm.
The sea itself trembled, and the Navy's warship tilted precariously in the waves.
When Tsuru looked again, his arm had already returned to normal.
But before he could move again, Gion had reclaimed her sword and struck once more—
her body spinning through the air in a brilliant arc.
This time, Malverick reacted a heartbeat too late.
Slash!
A thin line of blood streaked across the sky.
His face stung sharply, warm blood dripping down his cheek.
The blade had cut a two-centimeter gash across his jawline.
In a flash, Malverick grabbed Gion's sword with one hand and wiped the blood from his face with the other.
He stared at the red staining his fingertips.
Blood. His blood.
His expression darkened instantly.
Then, with a cold, murderous gleam in his eyes, he released the sword—
only to seize Gion by the throat.
"Woman," he said, voice low and dangerous, "you've got some nerve."
~~--------------------------
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