I am the Bandit King of the East Sea.

"Because I only used one-third of my strength."

“N-Nani?!” Sig’s eyes widened, his shock evident in his expression.

"Three points of strength? After years of training, you've actually become this powerful?!"

The two CP0s in the distance also perked up.

"Hey, hey, hey... Perhaps the situation is better than we thought! Admiral Higuma is stronger than we imagined; he only used three-tenths of his power!"

"Even Sieg was shocked... Maybe Admiral Higuma could defeat him?"

The short, stout CP0 spoke up.

Under their gazes, the bandit king, who stood at the pinnacle of the world with unparalleled strength, couldn't help but show a look of dejection.

Is...is that so?

"It seems there's no point in us fighting anymore, because the outcome is already decided..."

He slightly raised his chin, the previous dejection vanishing, replaced by utter contempt:

"You used three-tenths of your strength, but I only used half a tenth of my strength!"

Higuma's eye twitched slightly, then a look of understanding appeared on his face:

"I see, Sig. You're stronger than I thought. So I won't lie to save face for you."

"Actually, I lied just now. I didn't use three-tenths of my strength; I only used 0.25%!"

Sieg immediately replied, "Then I only used negative one part of my strength!"

After arguing for a while, the two of them gradually became irritated.

Sieg thought to himself, "This guy is so annoying, I really don't want to admit that he is me."

Higuma thought to himself, "I've waited ten years for this? Am I really that annoying?"

"Forget it."

Rixiong shook his head.

His knees were slightly bent, and his body leaned forward slightly. The same jet-black flames as Sieg appeared like wisps of silk, swirling around his entire body.

"Warm-up complete."

His eyes returned to their usual indifference as he spoke in a low voice.

The ground beneath his feet suddenly collapsed, creating a small crater as he stomped down. His figure, bathed in black flames, transformed into a blur as he lunged forward, the black flames billowing behind him like ribbons.

Sig's expression also returned to solemnity.

His fists, encased in power gloves, began to vibrate.

The power glove is essentially a component of the Germa combat suit. Although it does not carry additional weapon systems, it does enhance punching power.

Dark flames raged on his body, finally converging wildly in his fists.

Sig inhaled, clenched his fists, and with amplified power, slammed them forward, colliding with Higuma's fists.

Fist against fist, black flame against black flame!

Boom!

Amidst the deafening roar, the surging black flames rose like a raging tide. With the sudden burst of shockwaves, the surrounding soil was overturned, and the trees were all blown up by the gale.

The raging, pitch-black flames acted like a thick, dark curtain, blocking the view of Veben, Ian, and the others outside the battlefield.

Both young women were breathing slightly rapidly, and they couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

"Is this what a battle between Jinchuriki is like?" CP0's Flying Eagle frowned deeply.

"What... happened inside the flames?"

"Who has the upper hand and who has the lower hand... I really want to see."

The pitch-black flames obscured his vision, making it impossible for him to detect anything happening inside.

Chapter 1074 The Bearing of a Great General 1-2

Marineford, Naval Headquarters, Admiral's office.

Sengoku sat behind his desk, handling official business, occasionally glancing up at Zephyr, who was sitting on the sofa drinking tea. The two exchanged a few words about official matters.

"It's been so long since I've had days like this..."

Sengoku looked at Zefa, a touch of nostalgia in his heart.

He and Zephyr had been friends for many years, but since Zephyr failed to win the position of marshal and the NEO Legion was established, the two sides have had more and more disagreements.

Of course, this is essentially a difference in the concept of justice, and has nothing to do with the relationship between the two sides.

If justice in the Warring States period was justice for those who ruled the world, then it was justice for those who ruled the land.

Zephyr's justice, then, should perhaps be called heroic justice.

As a naval officer, he captured countless pirates with his exceptional skills, and fought countless battles decades ago but never killed a pirate.

This old man had been adhering to his unwavering beliefs for many years and was trying to cultivate a completely new heroic force.

The term "NEO Navy" is derived from "new," meaning a new navy.

Of course, the World Government could not agree to this, so the original NEO Navy eventually became a relatively independent special organization under the Navy, the NEO Guerrilla Legion.

Because of the NEO Legion, the two sides have had constant disagreements and arguments for many years.

Although our friendship remains the same, we do see each other much less often.

Recently, there has been little official business, and both sides have enjoyed a rare period of peace.

While the Warring States period was filled with emotion.

Brub bru....

The Den Den Mushi (a type of electric scoop) rang in Zephyr's arms.

“Zeff-sensei…” Ain’s voice on the Den Den Mushi was clearly urgent, and there was a barely perceptible sob in it:

"Admiral Higuma encountered the bandit king, Sig, on Luoshan Island. They have already recognized each other and started fighting!"

"what?"

Zefa's relaxed expression vanished instantly, and he immediately said:

"Don't rush, speak slowly. I'm in Marshal Zhan Guo's office right now."

Sengoku also put down his official duties, stood up, stared intently at the Den Den Mushi, and explained the whole story.

"Didn't I warn Higuma not to be reckless?" Sengoku shouted.

A familiar sense of foreboding welled up in Zhan Guo's heart.

This dialogue, this event... it's clearly a replay of what happened just over a month ago, when Dol died at the hands of Sieg!

why?

Why have we ended up in this state?

Ain said, "I've already reminded Admiral Sunkuma, and about Admiral Dor, I've already mentioned it... but..."

Zephyr said decisively, "Now is not the time to argue about this... Ain, do not participate in the battle, stay away from the battlefield and await orders."

"We will send reinforcements immediately."

After hanging up the phone, he frowned and looked at Sengoku, asking in confusion:

"That's a bit strange... Higuma isn't usually the type to act rashly, and Sengoku, didn't you order him to turn back? Sengoku, do you have any clues?"

This question, however, gave Zhan Guo a jolt.

He recalled the phone call he had with Higuma after CP0 arrived at headquarters.

It seems... that phone call triggered something in Higuma; after all, he's young and impetuous.

He took the blame for Dol's death upon himself, so when he was in the same situation as Dol, he did not choose to avoid Sieg's sharp edge, but instead faced Sieg head-on!

"this....."

Zhan Guo unconsciously clenched his fist, feeling a sudden emptiness in his heart.

Many years ago, when he first heard about the bounty hunter Sun Kuma and suspected that he was Sun Kuma, he used Conqueror's Haki to knock him unconscious, and the scene became very awkward.

Not long ago, because of what CP0 said, he began to have some doubts about Higuma, which is why he conducted that test...

The two instances of suspicion both resulted in embarrassing situations for the Warring States period.

Now it seems...

His probing might be a disguised way of pushing Higuma into the deadly battlefield of fighting Sig!

"Sengoku, what's wrong? Say something?" Zephyr tapped the table, startling Sengoku from his thoughts.

"Luoshan Island is in a remote location. Will reinforcements arrive in time?" he asked.

Zhan Guo spread the map out on his desk and pondered for a moment.

"It's too late to leave from headquarters."

"Lou Shan Island is a bit remote. It seems that Sig's appearance on that island may not be a coincidence. He's probably using himself as bait to lure Higuma, who is also a Jinchūriki..."

"The surrounding branch forces are also insufficient to influence a battlefield of that scale..."

After a moment of thought, Zhan Guo suddenly had an idea and looked at Zefa beside him.

“…Speak plainly, Sengoku.” Zephyr frowned.

"After Dor's death, I have been worried about Higuma's similar recklessness," Sengoku said slowly.

"So, if nothing unexpected happens, CP0 personnel should be keeping watch in secret right now, and they may have already discovered this incident."

"Furthermore, Borsalino is also on leave and on standby in the surrounding waters. If this is combined with CP0's trump card..."

"As long as the Sun Bear can hold out for a while, it should be fine. I'll inform Borsalino right away..."

Zephyr exclaimed with delight, "That's wonderful! CP0 and Borsalino happen to be nearby, what a coincidence!"

He seemed to realize something halfway through his sentence, the joy on his face vanished, and he stared intently at the Warring States.