"So this is how you can counter! This angle, this method," Natalie watched with fascination. The little sea cow at her feet observed carefully too, nodding as if understanding.
"You can see it?" A sailor who had once taken down thirty Marines alone looked at Natalie and the sea cow, feeling a bit defeated—he couldn't see a thing.
"Yes, we can."
"Yeah," they both nodded.
"I want some quiet…"
"Finger Gun. Torrent." Rosen's fingers blurred, Haki flaring as energy burst from his fingertips. Leaping into the air, he flipped once and landed behind Hathaway like a crescent moon, punching out.
Hathaway, her back covered in Haki, didn't dodge. A muffled thud sounded, but her body remained steady. She frowned. "Why aren't you attacking at full strength? What's the point of this fight? No holding back. Even if you get hurt, your abilities will protect you. Show me everything."
The first stage, win or lose, was boring for Hathaway.
She drew her Sun Blade, scarlet energy rising as she entered her burst phase, signaling the second stage of the fight.
"Is she a Devil Fruit user?" The Empress wondered as Hathaway transformed.
"She must be in red-eye mode. Hathaway hasn't forgotten she's here to study Haki with me, right? Well, free time is rare—let's play along."
"I won't hold back anymore."
"Perfect."
Boom!
Fists and blades collided with full force, generating storms that made standing difficult. Conqueror's and Armament Haki were unleashed without reserve.
"Someone's passing out."
The sky turned crimson and gold in that instant.
"Don't die. Black Prison Bullets, 44 shots, concentrated strike."
"Demonic Hell Slash!"
Boom!
"Hope the building doesn't get damaged," Robin muttered, using many arms to anchor herself.
"Hathaway's fine, but why is that guy's strength so high?" The Empress bit her thumb in frustration.
"They're even stronger now. Damn it," Enel muttered, calculating that he'd lose in a direct fight.
Hathaway had grown. Her Haki attacks over distance and through obstacles were masterfully executed.
"You've grown stronger," Rosen felt. Hathaway's development was incredible—almost catching up to him.
Though he knew Hathaway was strong, as a vice-admiral-level fighter, Rosen had never considered she could surpass him. Now, it was different.
Hathaway's Haki, combined with her Sun Blade's sharpness, made her attacks piercing. Without using his sand abilities, Rosen's Haki and physical defense alone could be breached.
"You've exceeded my expectations," Hathaway said, unsatisfied, her attacks growing more frenzied. The first time they met, she had over a 70% chance to win. Now, barely 10–20%, maybe less.
Two hours later, Rosen struck Hathaway with sand particles, knocking her to the ground. Her burst phase ended—Rosen had won, but it was far from easy.
Two full hours of high-intensity combat. If this weren't a sparring match, it might have taken even longer to truly defeat Hathaway.
Hathaway's will to fight was strong. After losing, she didn't continue because she was satisfied with the exhilarating battle.
Panting, sweat soaking her clothes, Hathaway savored the pure joy of combat—fighting for fighting's sake—a feeling she hadn't had in a long time.
"So… you really just wanted an excuse to fight me?" Rosen asked, slightly exasperated.
"Not exactly. Your Haki has huge potential for growth. I see three areas to improve: first, speed. You rely on thought to control it, which slows you. Train it to react instinctively, so Haki is ready before the attack launches.
"Second, focus. Your Haki is too scattered, mostly concentrated at attack points. It should freely cover all areas of your body, with maximum strength at every point.
"Third, power. You've mastered possession and hardening, but haven't refined its use. Haki is force, indestructible—it can be sharp, not just amplifying strength and defense."
Rosen listened carefully. Though Hathaway lost, her Haki was far stronger. He couldn't enhance Haki through tasks—only by testing and refining it in battle.
"So, what should I do?" Rosen asked, eager to improve.
"Simple. Fight me more."
…Surely she just wants to fight herself?
"BOSS, about 6,500 meters to the front-left, there's an extremely powerful presence watching through a telescope," Enel said after the battle.
"Let's go meet him." Rosen had vaguely felt the gaze but hadn't cared much. The noise from the fight naturally drew attention.
Rosen hadn't minded, but with Enel pointing out a strong presence, it was worth checking.
"Monster-level strength. This will be troublesome, harder than I thought. Force won't work—too risky. Another method is needed…" Rufus murmured from a high-rise, lowering his telescope.
"How's the situation?"
"Aberdeen is confirmed dead," a guard reported. Earlier suspicions were now confirmed.
"Discovered… quite the esteemed guest. But how did you find out?" Rufus said, as four people entered: Hathaway, Enel, Rosen, and the Empress, who followed Hathaway.
No one present recognized Rufus. CP0, the World Government's covert intelligence, was usually in uniform. Civilians wouldn't know their plainclothes commanders.
"I was just checking who was spying on us. But then I heard a familiar name… So you're the Soldier Lord?" Rosen asked the composed man.
"Sir." The guards drew blades—dangerous, as Rosen's group had followed him unnoticed.
"No need to rush. Your tension confirmed what was uncertain," Rufus smiled.
"Sorry."
"No problem. Yes, I'm the Soldier Lord, but I prefer 'King of Mercenaries.' Sorry for sending Tezoro after you—I thought it would suffice."
As Rufus spoke, a sand spike shot from Rosen's hand toward Rufus's head.
"Straight to the point?" Rufus said, unmoving, watching the spike distort mid-air and explode.
"Let's talk."
(End of Chapter)