one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 229: The Sharp Edge of Loyalty

A strong slash burst out in an instant.

It exuded a sharp breath and a terrifying pressure.

Whitebeard raised his eyebrows slightly, as if he didn't expect the little girl in front of him to get angry because of his words, and he was even more surprised by Erica's swordsmanship. At least in this slash, he could feel a sense of oppression.

Of course, feeling it was one thing, and whether it could suppress him was another.

Buzz.

Whitebeard clenched his right fist, and a glowing white light ball suddenly appeared, wrapping around the fist as he punched forward.

The atmosphere vibrated. Spiderweb-like cracks appeared in the air, and the slash shattered in an instant.

However, Erica's expression did not change at all. She held her two swords tightly and prepared to attack again.

Mio raised his hand and pressed it gently on Erica's shoulder, smiling. "Okay, this old guy was just joking. Don't be angry."

"Got it, sir." After hearing Mio's words, Erica withdrew the sharp aura and nodded lightly.

The idea of someone wanting to take Mio away was something that made Erica extremely angry, and that was why she had attacked.

Even if the other party was Whitebeard, it was no different.

"You're a good captain," Whitebeard said as he looked at Mio and grinned. He wasn't angry about Erica's attack—he wouldn't be. After all, it was his fault for teasing, and the other party was still just a little girl. With his pride and temperament, he wouldn't get upset over something like this.

On the contrary, it made him admire Mio even more.

Just from his words alone, Erica was enraged and attacked. That clearly showed how important Mio was to her.

"I am naturally a good captain," Mio replied lightly, looking at Whitebeard and saying bluntly, "But this kind of thing should only happen once, old man. Poaching my people in front of me—even if you're Whitebeard—you can't just do whatever you want."

"Gurarara! It was just a whim." Whitebeard laughed.

"Hmph. There won't be a next time." Mio sneered. Once was enough.

"Boy, there aren't many people on the sea who dare speak to me in this tone. You're quite bold," Whitebeard said with a faint smile.

"Coincidentally, I'm one of them now." Mio shrugged and then looked at Erica. "Go. Show them the strength of our Black Crow."

"Don't worry, sir," Erica replied with a confident expression. "He is not my opponent."

"Gurarara! A very confident little girl. But my son isn't weak either—it won't be that easy to win." Whitebeard laughed again, then looked toward Vista and shouted, "Vista! You want to challenge this little girl, don't you? Go. Don't let Whitebeard's name be disgraced."

"Is it okay, Dad?" Vista looked excited, though slightly hesitant.

Wouldn't this provoke a fight?

"Don't worry. This kid isn't that petty—it's just a friendly challenge." Whitebeard waved his hand.

Besides, he planned to spar with Mio later anyway. Both he and Mio had that intention from the start.

"Yes, Dad. I won't lose!" Vista nodded seriously after getting Whitebeard's permission. She then looked at Erica with a serious expression, drawing her dual swords and saying, "Then please teach me, lady."

Vista, still in her twenties, hadn't reached her peak fame yet, but she already had quite a reputation.

Erica also unsheathed her twin swords and responded calmly. "Please teach me."

A powerful sword intent burst forth.

Erica's gaze became razor-sharp once more.

The two stepped into an open area under the watchful eyes of everyone.

Marco, arms folded, said, "That's Erica, a combat member of the Black Crow Pirates. Looks like she's one of the old crew members. I bet her strength isn't weak. I wonder if Vista can handle her."

"I believe in Vista," Joz said confidently. "No way a little girl could beat Vista."

"Don't underestimate her just because she's a woman," Marco replied, shaking his head. His gaze swept across the Black Crow crew. "Aside from the demon child Nico Robin, the other women on Black Crow's ship—even the youngest-looking one, Mashi—are terrifyingly strong. There's hardly a single weak person aboard."

Whether it was Mashi or Lilith—

Though their appearances were eye-catching—

Marco wasn't ordinary. He could tell that behind those delicate faces lay danger.

Deadly danger.

"That may be, but I still don't think a little girl can beat Vista. His swordsmanship is top-notch," Joz replied. His faith in his crewmate was unshakable.

Marco sighed. While he believed in Vista too, belief alone didn't determine outcomes—especially not in this world.

In this world, strength wasn't based on age or gender.

There were monsters out there who looked young, yet their power was enough to make even veterans tremble.

The Black Crow crew was a perfect example.

As everyone watched intently—

Erica looked calmly at Vista. Without hesitation, she stepped forward—and in the blink of an eye, her figure disappeared.

"So fast!"

Vista's pupils contracted. Without delay, he crossed his twin swords in front of him. In the next second, a "clang" echoed through the air as Erica reappeared, her blades crashing against his.

Sparks flew.

The sheer force of the impact caused Vista's heart to sink—he felt genuine pressure.

"Strength, speed... she's incredibly powerful," Vista muttered, surprised. As a swordsman, he knew most female swordsmen struggled with strength compared to men, but this girl was stronger than him.

But then his expression turned resolute. "Good. A swordsman this strong is worth facing."

Vista flexed his arms, parrying Erica's blades. Then, with a twist of his wrists, he unleashed his own attack—petals flew, obscuring vision, as he took advantage of the cover to strike.

His twin swords, coated in Armament Haki, slashed forward fiercely.

Clang!

Erica blocked the blow with ease.

Without a word, she backed away and raised her aura—her presence flared explosively.

She wanted to show her strength to her captain. She wouldn't tarnish the name of Black Crow.

"Dual Sword Style! Great Destruction!"

She shouted.

Erica swung her swords fiercely, unleashing a terrifying wave of sword energy.

It flew straight toward Vista.

Seeing the slash, Whitebeard frowned slightly, then shook his head. "Terrifying little girl... Looks like Vista is going to lose."

His eyes had already seen through the power and uniqueness of the slash.

And he knew Vista well enough to know—he wouldn't be able to stop it.

Sure enough—

As the slash hurtled forward, Vista readied himself to fight back, but a sudden pressure weighed heavily on his body. His arms felt like lead, and it was difficult to even lift them.

In an instant, the slash was right in front of him.

Vista finally managed to raise his swords, preparing to counter...

Hum!

A sharp blade was already pressed against Vista's neck.

Erica had arrived in a flash and stopped, her weapon resting at his throat.

"You lose," Erica said calmly.