63 Clash!
Around Nightfall, Blaize and his unit reached the proximity of Alabasta Kingdom. But, a huge crisis followed them.
Don't know when Sakazuki's ship caught upon them. If not for the storm, they may have dropped the five world noble slaves and escaped from Sakazuki's pursuit.
But now, even if they want to they can't outrun Sakazuki's battleship. They are cornered with no escape route.
Sakazuki stood on the ship deck, smoking a cigar while his marine coat fluttered by the sea breeze. Wearing a standard Marine cap, having a grim disposition he resembled a typical villain.
Staring at Blaize, he commanded the soldiers on his ship. "Fire!" Without any objections, the Marines began to fire at Blaize's ship.
Without bothering, Blaize called Regis and Jotto. "Regis, you are responsible for sending Airi and Seia to their home. Nothing should happen to them!
Can I trust you on this?" Blaize stared at Regis and asked.
"I will safely send them to their home, even if it means I lose my job as a Marine." Regis gave Blaize a military salute.
He'd been following Blaize for more than six months, he knew what kind of person his captain is. He respects him for his beliefs and courage.
Like for now, even when facing someone of higher ranking and strength, he didn't flinch. That's how a Marine should be, firmly sticking to their belief.
For the first time, the feeling of justice arose in his heart. He also began to understand the type of Justice Blaize believes in.
"Jotto, you are responsible for the other three. Do you have any opinion?" Blaize asked.
"No," Jotto replied. In truth, he wants to reject Blaize's request but he wasn't that brave.
Blaize inwardly shook his head as he could sense Jotto's reluctance. He wasn't as firm as Regis, it's also why Blaize entrusted Airi and Seia to Regis.
But other than Jotto and Regis, he can't trust other soldiers on this ship as they aren't strong enough.
He glanced at Airi and Seia. He made a promise to send them home safely, but in this situation, he can only entrust them to Regis.
"Mr. Marine..." Airi called, gazing at Blaize. The tense atmosphere scared them a little.
"Don't worry. He will take you both home, safely." Blaize ruffled her hair and turned around. Walking towards the ship's back, he said. "I will distract them."
"Captain Blaize, I hope you emerge as a Victor!" Regis shouted, clenching his Fist.
"Go!" Blaize waved his hand.
Sakazuki's ship began to fire the cannon but none of them hit his ship as they are out of range. They wanted to deter his unit and win without a fight.
Any Marine unit would be frightened facing the pressure of a battle-class ship and Vice-Admiral rank officer. It's also why Blaize decided to face them, alone.
He didn't want to implicate the soldiers in his unit as he knew Sakazuki is the type of person who won't show any compassion and will be heartless even if they are Marines.
During the Summit war, Akainu killed any Marines who contradict his beliefs, as he even executed a soldier for leaving his post in fear. If not for Shanks, Koby would have also lost his life too.
--
Blaize jumped from the ship and stood in mid-air while his ship proceeded to sail ahead.
Blaize and Sakazuki looked at each other, there were sparkles in the air while everyone in the surrounding began to feel hot.
None of them made the move but the pressure itself began to suffocate the ordinary Marines. The marine soldiers on Sakazuki's ship gulped a little.
They didn't expect the captain-level officer would induce fear in them. They had been in countless battles but facing Blaize's lone figure, they felt different.
"What are you all doing? Fire at the ship! No criminals should escape today!"Sakazuki ordered and lept from the ship.
Blaize took action. Flames surged from his hands and concentrating them on his fist, he punched the sea below them.
"Boom!!"
A dense column of fire burst from both his fist and hit the water below. The extreme temperature steamed the water into mist, engulfing the entire region.
Since it's nightfall, the mist perfectly concealed the area and acted as a cover. Soon, Blaize's entire unit along with the ship disappeared from their view.
"We missed them!"
"Target their last position and fire." Marine officers commanded the soldiers to fire blindly.
Since they were near the port of Nanohana, their confrontation attracted the residents of the town.
"What's happening?" The residents discussed but they couldn't see as the mist concealed their sight.
Blaize didn't wait for Sakazuki and began to launch his best attack. As he knew wasting and stalling time isn't going to do any good.
Flames erupted from his body and swirled around him in overpowering momentum. The heat is so intense, the marines present on Sakazuki's ship began to perspire heavily.
Even Sakazuki creased his brows as he was surprised by Blaize's strength. He could tell the temperature of the flames is close to his Magma ability.
The flames around Blaize massed around a single point and began to take shape. A flame bird materialized, it was as tall as a 6-feet human with a huge wingspan.
The flame bird was a fiery red with golden fumes around its edges. It doesn't look like a scary existence but more like a noble creature.
"This is..." The Marines on board were awestruck but Blaize's ability. Not just them, the onlooking residents were also stunned by the sudden appearance of a huge flame bird.
Though Mist shrouded their vision, it was hard to miss the fiery thing fluttering in the sky.
"Sakazuki!" With a huge roar, Blaize commanded the fiery bird to attack Sakazuki who stood before his ship.
The flame bird flew towards Sakazuki and breathed a huge blast. The flames rushed forward rapidly carrying intense force and extreme heat.
Facing the attack, the marines behind Sakazuki were scared witless as if their end is coming. But Sakazuki stood in his place and countered the strike with his own.
"Dog Biting Crimson Lotus"
Sakazuki's fist transformed into pure magma shaped like a fanged doghead and expanded towards the flames akin to rocket completely shattering it apart.
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