One Piece: Mandala Swordsman

Chapter 41 The Man with Eight Swords

No prize for guessing: Who is the character who has wielded the most knives among the known figures?

I think most people would hesitate for a moment, and then say uncertainly—Zoro with three swords? Kaku with four swords?

No, it's Vice Admiral Onigumo.

He not only learned the Six Styles, which surpass the limits of human physical ability, but also mastered a special skill beyond the Six Styles—Life Return.

Life Return, the seventh technique that transcends the limits of the human body, allows for free control of the body, hair, and internal organs. Once consciousness is infused into it, any place can be freely controlled.

Vice Admiral Onigumo is a master of life restoration, capable of making his hair move as flexibly as an arm.

He carries swords in both hands, while his hair holds six knives.

Was that hair trying to ambush us?

From the very beginning, she keenly sensed that something was amiss; it seemed as if something was following her and Val.

The moment she saw the hair, she was reminded of Onigumo.

"Quick reaction, huh?" Seeing that his sneak attack had failed, Onigumo revealed his true form.

He wore a helmet with a double-headed dragon pattern, had a fierce expression, and exuded a chilling aura that made the surrounding air seem thin. His hair was as flexible as his arms, and he wielded six knives. He was also over two meters tall.

If it weren't for the fact that he was in the navy, Roman would probably have believed anyone who said he burned down several villages.

"Navy... Rear Admiral?" Roman judged the other party's current rank by looking at the insignia on his shoulder.

Onigumo frowned. After all, the newcomer's voice was unexpectedly young, and he was wearing a marine uniform, making the usually confident Onigumo wonder if he had mistaken the person for someone else.

Suddenly, Roman had an interesting idea: Val's deviation from the route and the Ghost Spider's sneak attack must be related.

If their identity as the old woman's daughter is exposed, the Navy Headquarters will likely send more than just these two people to arrest them.

So it's related to how you came here.

Is he being treated as a future troublemaker who will not be disciplined and is being prepared to be taught a lesson?

It's very likely.

Wales said that most of the specially invited people were not law-abiding citizens, and he was already an exception, since Wales had been preparing the special invitation process ever since he realized that he might exist.

The navy is a collective, and if there is no sense of obedience to discipline, then there will be a lot of trouble.

Of course, if you have the fighting prowess of a naval hero, then you can disregard what I said before.

So, a show of force?

So, according to tradition, you have to fight someone yourself?

So accept tradition.

Roman leaped up and slashed at Onigumo with his sword.

Thanks to his battle with his sister Smoothie, Roman has special experience dealing with tall people, and besides, compared to Smoothie, Onigumo isn't even that tall.

Onigumo quickly parried.

During this brief moment, Roman didn't forget to check Val's expression. Although he seemed a little worried, he didn't seem inclined to stop him, so Roman's guess was correct.

Since it's a tradition, we should enjoy it to the fullest.

Her blade began to turn black; had Armament Haki already covered it?

"Haki?" Onigumo's expression turned serious. After all, there weren't many people who possessed Haki in the first half of the Grand Line, yet the little girl in front of him did it so easily.

Roman didn't respond. Instead, he did a backflip in mid-air, imbued his legs with Haki, and stepped directly onto Onigumo's sword.

Onigumo discovered that he was actually feeling a bit of pressure.

However, this also triggered his ferocity.

Onigumo was an extremely hawkish general. Casualties due to non-combat reasons were common under his command, simply because his subordinates were concerned that his attack range might harm civilians.

Even though the other party is a little girl, Onigumo will never let her insult him easily.

Eight knives attacked Roman simultaneously, and the immense pressure caused the ground beneath Roman's feet to crack, extending even dozens of meters away.

Wow, that's incredibly strong!

The immense pressure caused Roman's hands to also begin to be covered in Armament Haki; otherwise, her hands would likely have broken.

But that's not enough; compared to Simuji's strength, this level is still insufficient.

Onigumo was surprised to see that Roman had managed to resist despite the difficulties.

What's even more subtle is that, starting from the stalemate phase, his sword seemed to be getting closer and closer to him.

She was actually able to resist herself.

Roman's hand began to rise, one centimeter, two centimeters, and then suddenly he launched a powerful attack.

The ultimate sword technique – Torrent Slash.

This time, Roman's focus is not on the knife, but on the hair holding the knife.

Eight knives? That's far too many. They'd be too much trouble as enemies.

The immense impact caused Onigumo to lose his balance, revealing a slight opening.

Roman used a massive sword aura to cleave the hair on the right side of Onigumo's head, and Val, standing to the side, was secretly alarmed just by feeling the residual force.

What a monster! If it weren't Onigumo who came, we might have turned the tables.

However, Onigumo is indeed a Marine Admiral-level officer.

"shave".

In an instant, he appeared behind Roman and swung his knife down.

But it only made a sharp sound, and Roman's clothes on the back turned black.

This is also the result of Armament Haki entangling the area.

Just kidding, Smoothie went even further. To avoid getting hurt again, Roman used this technique of strengthening his body parts with ease in several strikes.

Moreover, he did not completely escape.

Once Roman was certain the attack had been blocked, he didn't even bother to give a glance, but instead destroyed a knife that had fallen to the ground.

This knife belongs to Onigumo.

This made Onigumo's face extremely ugly. He had just dodged at his maximum speed, but Roman had indeed cut off a corner of him.

For a swordsman, having his sword knocked away is a great disgrace, and Roman went so far as to destroy his own sword.

Roman, who frequently changes her sword, naturally finds it difficult to understand the bond between a swordsman and his weapon. Or rather, even if she did understand, destroying the major general's weapon would be her duty.

After succeeding, Roman immediately distanced himself, but it seemed to be just an illusion.

"The ultimate sword technique - the Slash of All Things".

The massive slash, like a dragon, charged straight at him, causing Onigumo to break out in a cold sweat.

You can hide, but... there's no need.

Why would I be afraid of a little girl?

Armament Haki gathered in the remaining seven swords, and they began to defend with all their might.

The massive slash collided with Onigumo, unleashing a violent storm that devastated the surrounding environment. Onigumo, caught in the storm, had bloodstains on his face, and even his swords were cracked.

But then he suddenly laughed, and that's how he blocked it.

He could clearly feel that the power had weakened, so...

But a petite figure swiftly approached and delivered another blow to Onigumo.

Of course, you can use a basic attack after using your ultimate skill.