Everyone was left in utter disbelief at the sudden, almost impossible turn of events.
"What is this?! A sword technique?"
"The Haki didn't even increase… yet the slash suddenly doubled in power… This kind of move, it's insane!"
It wasn't just the vice admirals who were shocked; even Aokiji and Kizaru were shaken.
"I haven't seen this before."
"Is there really such a technique?"
In the arena, Momonga had just unleashed his full strength, pushing his Armament Haki to the extreme to barely block Roya's strike. Yet, the overwhelming sword energy had still blasted him back over ten steps, leaving his hands numb.
"You…!"
Momonga's face showed pure shock. He never expected Roya to possess such swordsmanship.
Boom!!
In the next instant, Roya's aura surged to the sky. He swung his sword again, sending scorching flames sweeping across the arena. The blast was even more intense than when he fought Strawberry earlier.
Tens of meters of fire surged upward, threatening to dye the sky crimson!
"This is bad!"
Momonga's mind raced. He had no idea what this sudden, vastly stronger sword technique was or whether Roya could keep using it. Yet, it was clear—the tide of battle had completely reversed.
Swoosh!!
Faced with the raging inferno, Momonga could only slash with his sword, using the pressure of his blade to tear through the flames.
But almost immediately after cutting the fire, a silver-white sword wave flew toward him.
This wasn't the Getsuga Tenshō, just an ordinary sword wave—but Momonga, already shaken by Roya's previous strike, wavered slightly even against this "normal" attack.
Buzz!!
As he blocked it, the fire suddenly split in two. A dazzling half-moon-shaped sword wave erupted, tearing a massive chasm through the ground, as if ready to sweep away everything in its path.
Momonga didn't dare take it head-on this time. He immediately dodged to the side.
This sword wave cut across the arena, carrying a piercing edge, even threatening the back rows of the spectators.
"That brat…"
Garp shook his head in exasperation but it was obvious from his eyes that he was also filled with pride and joy.
Swoosh!!
Garp leaped from the stands, Armament Haki covering his fist, and punched, intercepting the Getsuga Tenshō.
Boom!!
His punch shattered the sword wave, crashing into the ground and forming a spiderweb of cracks radiating outward, causing a massive explosion.
"GARP!! You damn idiot!"
Sengoku's eyes widened. The destruction from Roya and Momonga's battle was nothing compared to Garp's single punch—he nearly collapsed the entire arena!
Bwahahaha.
Garp didn't care about the destruction; he simply laughed, watching the ongoing battle.
Roya and Momonga continued their fight.
Momonga didn't know how Roya's Getsuga Tenshō worked, so he couldn't engage directly. But if he avoided a head-on clash, he would still be burned by Roya's flames.
Even someone like Momonga couldn't stand unharmed in the inferno.
Under the overwhelming heat, he quickly began to falter, clearly pushed into a losing position.
If he attacked, Roya's sword wave would blast him back. If he defended, he had to withstand both flames and sword strikes simultaneously—an impossible task.
Although it was clear that using that sword technique drained Roya's stamina—his speed gradually slowed—the outcome was inevitable.
Roya didn't care. He wielded his sword recklessly, ignoring his own exhaustion. His eyes burned with unparalleled battle intent, and his presence radiated terrifying dominance.
Presence belongs to the strong—and Roya had undoubtedly become strong. His presence pressed forward, unstoppable.
As Roya's aura strengthened, Momonga's was naturally suppressed.
Boom! Boom! Boom!!
Terrifying sword waves erupted continuously, crisscrossing the arena.
The battlefield had been completely transformed. Smoker, Shu, and the others had retreated to a safe distance, watching in awe. Roya's current power was incomparably beyond their comprehension, like the difference between a firefly and the full moon.
Sword waves tore through the flames, flying unpredictably. Even ordinary sword waves could slice anyone in half in an instant—they were impossible to defend against!
At this point, no one could tell how strong these waves were, even Garp and Sengoku had to intervene to keep the destruction under control. The center of the plaza had effectively become the battleground.
Infernos raged in all directions, obscuring the combatants' figures.
Finally.
Another sword wave roared through the arena, blasting Momonga from the flames. His sword slipped from his hands, flying into the distant ground.
Meanwhile, Roya stepped forward from the inferno, like a Flame King surveying the battlefield, exuding unmatched might.
Except for the crackling of the fire, there was complete silence.
Although Roya's stamina was nearly exhausted, the outcome of the battle was already clear.
Momonga had yet to admit defeat, but now he could only force a bitter smile. He had fought seriously, but… he was no match for Roya!
"I… I lose."
In the silent arena, Momonga gave his surrender with a resigned smile.
Even he couldn't believe it—Roya's power was that great. He, a Marine Headquarters vice admiral, had gone all out and still could not win.
And Roya was just a graduating recruit!
Judging by his appearance, Roya was at most around twenty years old. To possess strength comparable to a vice admiral at such a young age was beyond imagination. It wasn't just shocking—it was terrifying.
Even Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu hadn't reached this level when they had just graduated.