Upon hearing Carnes' arrogant words, Tsuru's two subordinates became instantly infuriated.
Without hesitation, the two of them took a step forward and angrily confronted Carnes.
"What the hell are you saying?!"
"It's you who needs to explain!!"
As soon as the two female officers spoke, Demiurge's expression turned cold.
An invisible aura of killing intent immediately enveloped the two female officers!
How dare these mere insects speak so boldly?
At that moment, Carnes made a move.
He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and slowly stepped towards Tsuru.
"Captain... Captain," Power timidly called out, feeling afraid.
If she had caused trouble for herself, that would be one thing, but now she was troubling the captain to personally handle the situation and clean up the mess.
Wouldn't the captain think she was useless?
If she was useless, would she be killed?
As her thoughts raced, Power grew more and more fearful.
Then, trembling, she spoke to Carnes in a shaky voice.
"C-Captain! I can handle them. Let me take care of them, I can definitely handle them."
Power began to struggle.
However, no matter how she struggled, she still couldn't escape Ulquiorra Cifer's grasp.
It was at this moment that Carnes, who was slowly walking towards Tsuru, spoke again.
"This is my personal grudge. Stay out of it."
"I understand." Demiurge cleared the path and respectfully responded.
Ulquiorra Cifer also released Power and coldly said to her at the same time.
"Stay in line."
As Carnes approached, Tsuru's two subordinates were ready to draw their swords to face him.
But before they could take a step forward, Tsuru stopped them first.
"I alone am enough to deal with them. Go back and wait for my message."
Having said that, Tsuru passed by the two of them and walked up to Carnes.
Carnes, with a smile that seemed almost mocking, found Tsuru's words quite interesting.
He didn't rush to expose Tsuru's words. Carnes patiently stopped his steps and waited for a while.
However, the two female officers hesitated at Tsuru's words.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru..."
Tsuru slightly turned her head, her tone unfriendly. "As my subordinates, as Marines, when did you become so undisciplined?"
"I told you to go back and wait for my message. This is my personal matter!"
As Tsuru spoke these words, a strong sense of unease instantly arose in the hearts of the two female officers.
"But... Vice Admiral Tsuru, they..."
The two female officers seemed to want to say something more.
However, Tsuru didn't give them a chance at all.
Her gaze turned icy, and she coldly looked at the two of them, her voice low.
"What? Do you think I'm old and useless now? Can't even handle a few novice kids?"
Seeing Tsuru's resolute attitude, the two female officers gritted their teeth unwillingly, their hands gripping the sword handles tightly.
But they still refused to leave.
Tsuru's eyes gradually grew colder because of this.
"When did you become so disrespectful? I'll say it one last time, this is an order!!"
Upon hearing the word disrespectful, both women trembled.
But it wasn't out of fear; it was because they understood that if they stayed here, they would become a burden to her.
The two women clenched their teeth and slowly sheathed their swords, looking at Tsuru with determination.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, wait for us!"
Having said that, without any hesitation, the two of them turned around and ran back in the direction of the warship.
Witnessing this scene, Tsuru was finally able to release the heavy stone that had been weighing on her chest.
However, she didn't let her guard down. Instead, she turned around and stood in front of Carnes.
Facing this scene, Carnes couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle lightly.
"So, this is the final matter you have to settle?"
"I thought you wouldn't settle it after all!"
"Hmph, when did you start talking nonsense?" Tsuru sneered, her tone sharp.
But Carnes didn't seem to care.
"Clang~"
Accompanied by a crisp sound of a sword being unsheathed, Carnes slowly drew his Eclipse sword from his waist.
"I have no idea! Perhaps it's because I've encountered an old acquaintance and wanted to catch up?"
"After all, it's been nearly forty years since we last met, right?"
"Or maybe, it's the decades of peaceful times that have made me a bit sentimental."
"Compared to the old me, the current me is much more merciful."
"You and I don't have anything to talk about!" Tsuru retorted coldly, assuming a defensive stance.
"True, there's nothing to talk about. This sentence will conclude our conversation," Carnes said with a faint smile. His sword was fully unsheathed.
In the next second, his figure disappeared from the original spot.
"Whoosh!"
"He disappeared?! So fast!" Tsuru's heart was filled with astonishment at this sudden turn of events.
However, in the next second, a dark red blade aura suddenly appeared beside her.
"Clang!!"
A piercing sound of the air being torn apart resounded, and the intense red light emitted by the blade aura illuminated the entire small town!
Wherever it passed, even the sturdy stone path was split open, leaving behind a huge chasm!
"Whoosh!!"
Tsuru didn't retreat, no to be precise she couldn't!
The dazzling and terrifying blade aura had occupied her entire field of vision!
Haki surged through her arms, and with her head held high, Tsuru forcefully met Carnes' attack!
"Boom!"
"Thud!"
A tremendous roar echoed as several buildings collapsed, crashing down onto the ground.
Thick smoke rose into the air, causing the surrounding area to tremble.
"Boom boom boom!"
The two female officers, who were heading back towards the warship, couldn't help but stop in their tracks upon hearing the commotion behind them.
They turned around and glanced at Tsuru's location.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru..."
They whispered softly, but without lingering, they immediately turned around and hurried back towards the warship at their fastest speed.
Meanwhile, the battle between Carnes and Tsuru continued.
However, the commotion of their battle didn't last for too long.
Within a few minutes, the area returned to quietness once again...
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