One Piece: Starting from Awakening the Cosmo at Marineford

Bista is right.

If Aaron loses to him in the written test, there's really no need to compete again.

It's not that Aaron is definitely no match for Marco, although Marco is significantly stronger than Vista.

Rather, it means that since the match between Finbdi and Joz is already considered a draw, if Aaron loses another match, even if he wins the fight against Marco, it will still be a situation of one win, one loss, and one draw.

According to Marco, even if Aaron's side wins, he will still have to leave one of his lives behind.

Aaron would be powerless to escape or resist.

At least, that's how it seems to me, according to Bista.

Aaron slowly drew his sword, gazing at the blade. "My swordsmanship isn't as refined as your decades of experience. I'll use something else, like domineering aura and special abilities. You don't mind, do you?"

Vista laughed, "No problem. It's a serious matter. Of course, I won't hide anything from you, so you'd better be careful."

Aaron smiled: "You're the one who should be careful."

Vista drew two rapiers from his waist: "I won't let you have your way. Come on!"

Aaron pushed off with his feet and charged toward Bista.

A flash of silver light and the clang of metal clashing rang out as the two exchanged over a dozen blows in the blink of an eye.

Vista was somewhat surprised that such a young marine had such solid swordsmanship skills. Without years of hard work and accumulation, one could not have reached this level.

Vista's swordsmanship is characterized by its lightness and agility, with complex and varied techniques. His moves are as elegant and beautiful as blooming flowers, hence the name "flower sword."

Aaron's swordsmanship, which he learned from Bogart, is based on "speed and accuracy" and follows a refined approach.

Of course, this doesn't mean that Aaron's swordsmanship wasn't "ruthless" enough.

During his training, Aaron deliberately increased the strength and power of his moves. Even with powerful and heavy attacks, he could still split a strand of hair in half in mid-air.

Even the slowest, most effortless moves can slice through rocks and iron blocks as easily as cutting tofu.

Vista, of course, knew his stuff. After exchanging a dozen or so blows, he had already recognized the origin of Aaron's swordsmanship.

"You learned your swordsmanship from Bogart, didn't you?"

"good."

"Your swordsmanship, renowned for its precision, has been wielded with such power and force—truly remarkable!"

"You're not bad either. Your moves change so quickly and are so complex. You must have mastered the strengths of many schools, right?"

"Good lad, you have a good eye!"

The two talked as they worked, and soon another dozens of moves were exchanged.

Having witnessed Aaron's swordsmanship firsthand, Vista was ready to get serious: "Kid, if you don't have any other moves, I'm going to unleash my full power!"

Aaron said, "That's less than a hundred moves. I want to play a little longer."

Vista said, "You're not trying to steal my swordsmanship, are you?"

"I want to broaden my horizons."

"Then why don't you try using your new move yourself!"

"Alright, I'll show you!"

With a "boom", Aaron's blade was instantly engulfed in flames.

Vista's gaze sharpened, his smile turning cold: "Kid, you're provoking me with this kind of move!"

"So what if it is?"

"Hey kid, watch out!"

Vista gripped his hands tightly, and the two rapiers were instantly enveloped in Armament Haki, turning them as black as ink.

His moves changed abruptly, attacking with lightning speed and ruthlessness, each strike aimed at Aaron's vitals.

Aaron was faster and parried each attack.

The flames on the blade flickered in the air, creating plumes of smoke and scorching heat that shot straight toward Vista's face.

Vista changed his style again, adopting a powerful and heavy approach. Every move was incredibly heavy, and if he could land a single blow, he could instantly cleave a person in two.

Aaron's moves immediately became fierce and domineering, and he fought him head-on.

After another thirty or forty moves, Aaron had basically figured out the variations in Vista's moves.

"Vita, if you don't play your trump card soon, you'll miss your chance!"

After exchanging three or four hundred blows with Aaron, Besta hadn't gained much of an advantage. He realized that to defeat the young man before him, he would indeed need to use his ultimate move.

"Look closely! Let a hundred flowers bloom!"

In an instant, Vista wielded his two rapiers with countless flourishes, reflecting the sunlight and dazzling the eye.

This move might seem dazzling to others.

But in Aaron's eyes, it was still clear as if in slow motion.

These sword flourishes were no mere feints; any strike that landed on the skin would immediately tear it open.

Aaron didn't catch the sword flourishes; he just grinned, activated his Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability, and a transparent aura immediately enveloped the blade.

This is an aura caused by the Tremor-Tremor Fruit violently vibrating the air in a small area.

Aaron swung his sword horizontally: "Shockwave Slash!"

The shockwave from the slash created a violent shockwave, whipping up a gale that caused the sea to shake violently, making the warship and the dozen or so pirate ships teeter on the brink of capsizing.

The shockwave ravaged Vista's body, then passed right through it.

With two clangs, Vista's twin swords fell to the ground. He half-squatted on the ground, one hand covering his chest, which was already soaked with blood, while looking at Aaron in disbelief.

Marco and the other dozen or so captains looked at Aaron in disbelief, their faces showing a complex mix of emotions—pain, anger, joy...

Marco's eyes flickered, brimming with tears: "The Tremor-Tremor Fruit... You obtained the Tremor-Tremor Fruit?"

Aaron said, "That's right."

Marco's breathing quickened: "My father's fruit has actually fallen into the hands of a marine... that's really... really unexpected..."

Jozu then realized, "You used the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power to crush my diamond-like body earlier?"

Aaron smiled and said, "Not bad. My finger strength is also good, but not enough to shatter diamonds. Your diamond can withstand the world's number one slash, but unfortunately, it can't withstand the shockwave."

Jozu said, "I accept defeat because of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power."

Aaron opened his arms wide: "Marco, what do you say? Do you want to kill me and reclaim the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power?"

Marco gritted his teeth and said, "I'm not killing you for the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power, but simply to avenge Fossa."

Aaron said, "I don't care, the result is the same anyway."

Marco nodded and said, "That's true. Anyway, you're going to die."

Aaron shook his finger: "No, what I mean is that you can't beat me, even if you all come at me together."

Marco couldn't help but chuckle: "You're too confident."

Aaron laughed and said, "You can give it a try."

Marco said, "Let's finish the third match first. Go ahead and use the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power. I want to see how much of it you can unleash."

Aaron said, "No. I don't intend to use the Tremor-Tremor Fruit to fight you."

"Oh? You're preparing to draw your sword?"

No. With your fists.

As Aaron finished speaking, flames rose from his body, condensing in the air into a phoenix that gazed proudly at Marco.

It's a provocation, and even more so, it's disdain.

"Let's fight!"