060 Shiryu, the Terrifying Genshiro (1)

Stepping forward, Xuan Ye gazed calmly at Geng Shirō and the two formidable figures behind him. Perhaps sensing Xuan Ye's gaze, Magellan, the user of the Venom-Venom Fruit, met his eyes only briefly, while Shiryu arched his brows with interest.

"Hey! What are you staring at, you mere Rear Admiral!" Shiryu sneered provocatively, irked by the unsettling calmness in Xuan Ye's eyes. Here, in this hellish prison, Shiryu's character had grown increasingly twisted. He took Xuan Ye's attitude as disdain, as if he were being looked down upon the way humans ignore ants—a look that, to someone with a dark heart, was nothing short of a challenge.

Shiryu's words cut off the conversation between Sengoku and Geng Shirō, drawing everyone's attention to Xuan Ye.

"Trying to assert dominance?" Xuan Ye tilted his head, a faint smile at his lips.

"Interesting!" Shiryu strode up beside him, flashing white teeth in a chilling grin. "Kid, are you aware how easy it is to die here?"

"One dead jailer isn’t a big deal, is it?" Turning, Xuan Ye fixed his gaze on Sengoku, his eyes now cold as ice.

"Oho! Looks like things are about to get lively," Kizaru laced his fingers behind his head, his interest piqued. Truth be told, he was curious just how much Xuan Ye had grown in strength over the past year—not just his own curiosity, but that of everyone present. The last time, during Xuan Ye’s confrontation with Akainu, nothing had really been made clear.

"Hmph!" Akainu snorted with displeasure.

"Ha ha ha… Fascinating, fascinating! Who’d have thought we’d see a fight even before entering the prison?" Roger laughed heartily, clapping his hands, clearly drawn in by the spectacle.

"No, this isn’t the time for that. We're here to deliver him," Sengoku said sternly, shaking his head at Xuan Ye and pointing at Roger. "Our task is to guard him. Let’s not create any further complications."

"It’s unfortunate, but our Admiral would prefer not to see any deaths right now," Xuan Ye replied calmly, his thoughts unreadable.

Kizaru and the others were surprised, wondering since when this madman had become so agreeable. By all rights, Xuan Ye should have exploded by now—this wasn’t how things usually went.

"Oho! For a mere Rear Admiral, you have quite the mouth," Shiryu laughed scornfully, only contempt in his voice. "But picking on you is pointless. Maybe killing your teacher would be a real achievement."

"And your teacher must be a coward, too. Otherwise, how could he have produced a waste like you?"

"So, who is your teacher anyway? Is he here? Which Vice Admiral?" Shiryu ignored Xuan Ye, scanning the room.

"Heh." Smiling sincerely, almost naively, Xuan Ye looked at Shiryu. "Did you just call my teacher a coward? Or is it that you’re trying to find some sense of accomplishment through me?"

"Huh! Did I not make myself clear, or are you deaf? Need me to say it again?"

"I said your teacher is a coward, a coward, a coward, a weakling—did you get that?"

Leaning in close, Shiryu taunted shamelessly, his voice echoing through all of Impel Down.

Silence fell. The air grew cold—so cold it seemed to pierce the bone, raising goosebumps.

"If you want to die, I’ll oblige you."

With a deafening blast, flames erupted without warning, scorching the entire hall.

A metallic screech followed. Face flushed, Shiryu had already drawn his blade, holding it firmly before his chest—right where a jet-black foot hovered ominously.

"Flame Impact."

Narrowing his eyes, Xuan Ye gave a cold smile. His right foot erupted like a volcano, a torrent of fire raging forth.

With a thunderous crash, Shiryu was sent flying, carving two deep ruts into the ground. He took a long drag on his cigar, a cruel smile flickering on his lips.

But before he could savor it, a fiery spear swept across the floor, gouging a deep furrow as it charged forward with fierce momentum.

"Rain Slash."

A blade of energy nearly a hundred meters long shot upward from the earth. Yet before the spear’s might, the terrifying slash was reduced to mere motes of light.

The din was deafening. Shiryu gripped his sword with both hands, shrouded in darkness, barely managing to block the flaming spear.

A split second later, the air exploded as a whip-like leg lashed out. Eyes narrowing, Shiryu raised his right hand, blocking the strike.

The impact was crushing—a shadowy figure tumbled across the shattered earth.

A sharp whoosh split the air as Xuan Ye, wreathed in fire like a god of flames, his long hair blazing, charged forward with sword in hand.

Kneeling, Shiryu lifted his sword, bracing himself.

Fire burst forth; stones flew everywhere. Xuan Ye spun, mercilessly driving a foot at Shiryu’s chest.

"Armament!"

Blood sprayed as Shiryu crashed heavily to the ground, eyes reddening.

"Ten Million Degrees: Spear of the Fire God."

The temperature soared. Xuan Ye spread his arms wide; instantly, the sky blazed gold and white as a colossal spear—over a kilometer long—wreathed in flame, descended from above.

"Rain: Absolute Slash."

From the dust, a thousand-meter slash erupted skyward.

"Ten Million Degrees: Infinite Arrows."

Flames raged. Countless vicious weapons filled the sky, densely packed and overwhelming.

"This guy…" Akainu’s face was dark, veins bulging on his arms.

"Terrifying," Kizaru’s pupils contracted.

"No wonder they call him a madman—he’s utterly dominating," Aokiji remarked, unsurprised but impressed.

"Another world, Huaxia, was it? How I’d love to see it," Roger thought wistfully, regret swelling in his heart.

Whatever the others felt, Xuan Ye pointed a finger at Shiryu. Instantly, the sky roared as countless streaks of light rained down.

"Flowing Slash!"

A dazzling beam swept by, devastating all in its path, brushing past Xuan Ye’s cheek.

A single strand of black hair drifted to the ground. Xuan Ye turned, regarding Geng Shirō, who had sheathed his weapon, with detached calm.

"Amaterasu, my apologies—it was my error in disciplining my subordinates. I offer you my regrets. After all, no one wants to see Impel Down destroyed," Geng Shirō said gently, bowing his head to Xuan Ye.

"I am no match for you, but this pain of a severed strand—I’ll come to learn from you another day," Xuan Ye replied, eyes golden-red, flames flickering, meeting Geng Shirō’s gaze with unyielding resolve.

"What a headache," Geng Shirō sighed, rubbing his brow, knowing he’d stirred up trouble.

"Amaterasu Xuan Ye Tang?" Shiryu, climbing to his feet, face twisted, forced a grin. "Truly a formidable opponent."

"Next time, I’ll defeat you."

Ignoring Shiryu’s challenge, Xuan Ye strode to the prison gate and addressed a nearby jailer. "May I have a look around?"

The jailer swallowed nervously, glancing at Geng Shirō.

"Go ahead," Geng Shirō waved a hand.

"Rear Admiral, please follow me," the jailer said respectfully, his fear evident.

With Xuan Ye’s departure, the tension eased.

"Sengoku, this generation of the Navy is truly powerful! They say Amaterasu disappeared for a year—who’d have thought we’d see him today," Geng Shirō resumed his conversation with Sengoku.

"Heh, it’s not all good. These guys never obey orders—it’s enough to give me a headache," Sengoku replied with a weary smile.

"So, the next generation—will the Navy break precedent and have four Admirals?" Geng Shirō asked, frowning.

"That’s not for me to decide. It’s up to Commander Kong and the Five Elders," Sengoku sighed, then smiled. "But let’s not dwell on that. Sorry to trouble you these next few days. We’ll be leaving in a week."

"The execution is in a week? That soon?"

"The Five Elders are afraid of complications—the date’s been moved up."

"I see. Well, rest up while you’re here."

"Thank you, old friend," Sengoku said, clapping Geng Shirō’s shoulder.

"This is just the right time for a good drink. Soon, I plan to enjoy a few years of peace—she’s already over a year old now," Geng Shirō said with a foolishly gentle smile.

"Kuina, you mean?" Sengoku asked in surprise.

"Yes!" Geng Shirō nodded emphatically.

"Ah… Once you’re gone, even fewer of our era’s friends will remain," Sengoku said, his tone tinged with melancholy.

"Don’t say that," Geng Shirō replied softly.

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Thanks to (Solitary Cup, Drunk Beneath the Moon) for the 500 Qidian coins. Three chapters today—I feel utterly drained.