Pirate: I have a Hollow living inside me!

The principles behind both are indeed the same, but the techniques are different.

What's different about it?

It's like someone who just got their driver's license can drive, but what if you ask them to try racing?

It all involves using the car's steering wheel, gear shifting, accelerator, and brakes. Can a driver who has just passed his driving test really challenge Schumacher on the racetrack?

No!

The situation is similar to external flow and internal destruction.

While the principles are similar, the skills and proficiency required are vastly different.

This requires time and experience to gradually develop.

Rocks was still somewhat lacking in the fundamentals of Armament Haki...

As for the Conqueror's Haki that lingers...

Yixiao knew how to use it, but he didn't have Conqueror's Haki, so he couldn't explain it clearly.

Even Lockes himself was baffled.

Even more perplexing than the internal destruction caused by Armament Haki, he had never even encountered this application before.

I hope to meet Teacher Kai someday and "discuss" things with him...

This will reduce the time he spends figuring things out on his own...

In short, Lox felt, as always—

The improvement in strength gained through self-exploration and cultivation is far less than that gained through fighting and battling with powerful individuals.

This situation is perfectly embodied in him and in the rubber sun god!

"Although you look like you're seriously injured, you still have the strength to fight, right?"

The wings formed from dark green energy behind Lox spread out, just like the banner of the Blackwing Demon Adventurer's Guild.

His gaze was fixed on Kizaru, and he grinned, saying, "A Marine Admiral shouldn't lack even this kind of perseverance."

"Fight me to the bitter end for the sake of your men!"

"If this continues, I'll die here..."

Seeing Rocks's eyes still gleaming with fighting spirit, Kizaru took a deep breath.

He said slowly, "I have tried my best, but I still can't defeat you, not to mention there is another blind swordsman..."

"I admit defeat!"

"Let's talk terms, black-haired swordsman. What price do you want me to pay for you to spare my men?"

Kizaru didn't want to continue fighting.

He was really exhausted, and if he continued fighting, he might not be a match for his opponent.

Even... he himself might perish here.

However, he didn't want to abandon his subordinates, so he could only negotiate with the other party.

If they can't reach an agreement...

There was nothing he could do about it.

He has done his best, and his subordinates have seen that; they won't blame him.

And he was a Navy Admiral.

He cannot die here, much less die for the sake of some subordinates.

This is not something that can be discussed in terms of benevolence and righteousness...

The title of Admiral involves many things.

In situations where all else fails, he has to sacrifice some things, including the lives of his subordinates.

Even if it's a little cruel, he has to do it...

Lox narrowed his eyes: "What if we can't reach an agreement?"

"If we can't reach an agreement, I'll have no choice but to retreat."

Kizaru reverted to his previous unreliable behavior.

He spread his hands, pouted, and said, "My subordinates don't want me to die here for them either; that would be irresponsible to the navy..."

"Although I don't want to threaten you as a defeated man at this time, I feel guilty if my subordinates die here..."

At this point, Kizaru paused for a moment before continuing, "In the future, he might ignore everything else and just focus on your Blackwing Daima Pirates..."

However, when he saw Rocks' eyes narrow and reveal a strong killing intent, Kizaru's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly stopped speaking.

Such intense killing intent...

He had a premonition that if he continued to make threats, the other party might even dare to hunt him down to the Navy Headquarters.

This guy is crazy...

Then Kizaru changed his tone and said with a forced smile in a voice only the two of them could hear, "So... I'm begging you, sit down and have a proper talk?"

"There's no need to make things so tense, is there?"

"Even setting aside our differing stances, we don't necessarily have to be enemies. To be honest, old man... I quite admire you..."

What is face?

It's not worth mentioning to him.

If admitting defeat could save his subordinate's life, he wouldn't mind doing so...

His subordinates' lives were far more important than his own pride.

Despite his somewhat unreliable nature, he's a caring and supportive boss...

Chapter 161 The events that have happened at sea during this time... Please give this old man some face!

"..."

Rocks was speechless at Kizaru's admission of defeat.

Although I know this guy upholds an ambiguous sense of justice, and even when he has a mission, he mostly just goes through the motions.

I just didn't expect them to back down so quickly.

They even used the word "ask"?

However, the fact that a Marine Headquarters admiral bowed his head and admitted defeat pleased Rocks to some extent.

Rocks originally didn't intend to kill Kizaru.

If you want to, you won't have to do it alone...

Moreover, given Kizaru's speed, if he's determined to escape, they really won't be able to stop him.

If they really killed Kizaru's subordinates, that old guy would definitely keep a close eye on the Blackwing Daimyo Adventurer Group from then on.

If a user of the Glint-Glint Fruit were to target and kill them, it would be a huge hidden danger.

There's no reason to guard against thieves for a thousand days.

"Is it really okay for a Navy Admiral to be so shameless?"

Lox curled his lip.

He didn't continue attacking, sheathed the Seven Star Sword, and said to Kizaru, "You're even willing to beg a criminal like me; you've really surprised me..."

As Rocks sheathed his demon sword and withdrew his aura, Kizaru breathed a sigh of relief: "..."

I'm afraid this madman is only interested in killing people...

Then he really couldn't guarantee the lives of his subordinates...

Kizaru pouted: "Well, shame is worthless compared to the precious lives of subordinates."

Lockes raised an eyebrow and said, "You make a competent boss."

Kizaru shrugged: "That's the Navy for you..."

"We became friends after a fight, but it's only because you didn't show any killing intent during the battle that I've managed to let it go so easily..."

"Since we've admitted defeat, we'll have to pay a price," Lockes said calmly.

"Don't worry, I'm not interested in your life."

"Although I dislike the Navy, I don't act indiscriminately. There are righteous people in the Navy, and you... could you barely be considered one?"

This chaotic sea certainly needs the navy to maintain order, and Lockes does not deny the navy's contribution to this.

Some naval personnel are worthy of respect.

Rocks shows no mercy only to naval scoundrels and those who provoke him...

Kizaru did not show any killing intent just now.

In fact, if he hadn't forced them, the other party might not have actually fought him...

"What do you mean by barely qualifying? I'm working hard to maintain the stability of the sea!"

Kizaru refuted Rocks's words.

Although he upheld an ambiguous sense of justice, he made a significant contribution to the stability of the sea.

How can you say he can barely be considered a righteous navy officer?

Rocks smirked: "Heh..."

Kizaru: "..."

The laughter was full of sarcasm.

He, a high-ranking admiral of the Navy Headquarters, was ridiculed for saying that he was maintaining the stability of the sea.

"Let's get down to business."

Letting out a breath, Kizaru cut to the chase: "What price must I pay to save my subordinates' lives?"