The largest battlefield on the shore of Ore Island.
The entire battlefield was shrouded in a haze of dust, yet the center of the battlefield remained untouched.
The entire battlefield was spiraling downwards. Although it was a beach, apart from a layer of sand on the outermost edge, the rest was mostly rock.
"Well! Old man, it looks like you're done for!"
Kōta stood shirtless, his chest bruised and battered from Merason's punches.
As expected of a veteran powerhouse of the seas, this was the first time he had been injured since he set sail. Although these were minor injuries that meant nothing to him, being able to strike him and leave a mark was truly remarkable.
Of course, this was also because he allowed it; Merason's attacks only landed because he let them.
He had shed all his defenses when fighting this guy!
He tore off his wine gourd and took a deep swig.
Gulp—!
"Hoo~"
He then looked down at Merason, who was supporting himself on his knees, panting heavily.
"Old man, thank you very much!"
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have known when I would have learned 'Ryuō'!"
As he spoke, he extended his hand and clenched it tightly. His fist was instantly covered in black Armament Haki. Then, with another exertion of force, the Armament Haki covering his fist became irregular and fluid, looking as if it had been coated with a layer of water.
He had known the "Ryuō" technique for a long time; it was only the strength of his Armament Haki that was lacking.
Although he hadn't comprehended it during his previous fight with Shiki, it had greatly strengthened his Armament Haki. Now, after half a day of fighting with Merason, a pure martial artist, his Armament Haki had finally reached the level where he could comprehend Ryuō.
So, it was only natural that he comprehended it.
Merason straightened his back and looked at the Armament Haki on Kōta's fist with an unprecedentedly solemn expression.
He knew Kōta's intentions as soon as they clashed.
This brat had been using him as a whetstone, and now that the whetstone had sharpened the blade, Kōta was about to use this blade to kill him, wasn't he!
Judging from Kōta's ability to instantly kill Corvus and Black Spear, he could have killed him long ago.
After all, Merason was only strong in Armament Haki; his Observation Haki was average.
If Kōta had fought him with his teleportation ability from the start, he might not have lasted more than a few rounds before being defeated.
This wasn't pessimism; it was self-awareness.
Before meeting Kōta, he still had confidence in capturing him. But after witnessing Kōta's silent teleportation ability, and the Conqueror's Haki infusion, which only world-class pirates possessed, his confidence had shifted from capture to simply not being easily defeated.
Kōta relaxed his clenched fist, his Armament Haki dissipating. He raised his wine gourd and took several large gulps.
"Old man, my gut tells me you are a true man of justice, so I won't kill you today. You can leave!"
"Hmm!"
Merason looked up at Kōta, slightly startled. Then, veins bulged on his forehead, and his eyes turned bloodshot with anger.
"What did you say?"
"I said, I don't dislike people like you, so you can leave!"
"Brat, don't be so arrogant!"
Merason stared at Kōta, his recently recovered breathing becoming rapid again.
"Do you know how humiliating it is for a Marine to be spared by a pirate!"
"Oh..."
"Do you want to die?"
Kōta paused with his wine gourd raised, looking at Merason with curiosity.
"Old man, dying is easy. I could finish you off with one strike, but I don't understand!"
"What?"
"I don't understand where this inexplicable self-pride of yours comes from. Isn't it better to use your remaining strength to do more of the things you believe in?"
As he spoke, his gaze sharpened, and he looked at Merason, his tone intensifying, "Do you know how many people in this world are struggling desperately for even a sliver of hope to survive!"
This guy felt insulted just because he, a pirate, spared him. It reminded him of Bāda, who had given up everything just to survive.
Gulp—!
Kōta set down his wine gourd and looked at Merason.
"And also! Old man, do you even know the preciousness of life!"
"If you really want to die, don't bother me!"
Merason looked at Kōta, and the anger in his eyes gradually faded.
Although he didn't understand why Kōta had suddenly erupted in anger about his sense of shame, he heard something different in Kōta's tone.
"The preciousness of life?"
He indeed could not die so easily. He still had to personally investigate the secrets of the uninhabited island near G-1 Branch, which he had guarded for decades.
Thinking this, he took out a cigar, lit it, took a deep puff, and slowly soothed his weariness. Then, without a word, he began to walk towards the Marines standing at the perimeter.
Although Kōta had spared him, he was a Marine, and he wouldn't offer Kōta any words of thanks.
Half a day was enough for these Marine soldiers to sober up.
"Vice Admiral, are you alright!"
"I'm fine."
Merason glanced at Davy's chest. "As for you, is your wound being treated properly!"
"It's alright."
Davy pushed up his glasses and glanced at Kōta, who was floating in the air behind them, a trace of fear flashing in his eyes.
During a brief lull in Merason and Kōta's battle, he had attempted a surprise attack on Kōta, only to be cut by Kōta.
He touched his chest, his eyes filled with resentment.
He could feel that if Kōta hadn't held back at the end, he would have met the same fate as Corvus.
"Resentful?"
Davy turned to look at Merason, his eyes welling up.
"Very resentful!"
Merason's steps didn't stop; he continued to walk forward. However, from his trembling shoulders, it was clear that his inner turmoil was far from calm, as his tone suggested.
"You're resentful, and I'm also very resentful! In my decades as a Marine, I've captured countless pirates. I've even crossed paths with the Pirate King 'Gol D. Roger', but alas!"
Merason paused, then moved forward resolutely. "But alas! Just as this brat said, life is precious!"
"Since this brat spared us, we will use our remaining strength to steadfastly uphold our justice."
"I know, but my heart still feels resentful!"
Davy removed his glasses, and tears finally gushed out uncontrollably.
He didn't have Merason's broad-mindedness. Being spared by a pirate made him feel unprecedented shame.
Merason, smoking his cigar, turned to Davy and roared, "Wipe the tears from your eyes. That's a sign of weakness. Since you're resentful, then train hard to defeat and capture more pirates!"
"I... I will."
Davy wiped away his tears, put on his glasses again, and his eyes were filled with fighting spirit. He was still young, and he firmly believed that he would personally uphold his justice, rather than being powerless to face a pirate as he was today.
At this moment, from amidst the rubble ahead, two of Bāda's henchmen came running towards them in quick strides.
As they ran, they shouted loudly, "Silver-haired Big Brother, Silver-haired Big Brother..."