Vampire in One Piece

Chapter 15 Joining Headquarters

When Bruch regained consciousness, it was already the following day.

At that moment, he recalled being struck by a giant fist but could not remember anything that transpired afterward.

As he surveyed his surroundings,

he noticed a broad expanse of white, accompanied by the combined scent of various medicinal substances.

"Hospital? "

At that point, a man dressed in a navy uniform entered; it was Kiora.

Upon seeing Bruch awake, Kiora presented him with the lunch box he was holding.

"You have been asleep for an entire day; perfect timing to enjoy the hot meal I just brought from the restaurant! "

Bruch accepted the lunch box and inquired, somewhat perplexed,

"How did I end up here? "

"Do you not recall? You were punched into the ocean by Vice Admiral Garp, and it was Salo who rescued you by carrying you on his back. You might be surprised by Salo's exceptional aquatic abilities. "

Kiora sighed and then gazed at Bruch in astonishment, stating,

"You are truly remarkable. The extent to which you fought with Vice Admiral Garp yesterday is astonishing! "

Bruch opened the lunch box and replied while eating,

"I am a genius."

Upon hearing Bruch's response, Kiora promptly rolled his eyes.

Indeed, you are a genius, the genius! The entire headquarters is aware of your brilliance now.

Reflecting on this, Kiora suddenly felt somewhat dispirited.

With such extraordinary talent, when might he ever match his strength?

After three or four bites, Bruch finished all the food.

He retrieved a tissue from the bedside to wipe his mouth and then patted Kiora on the shoulder with his greasy right hand, still stained from the chicken drumstick.

He then wiped his hand again

"Do not feel disheartened. I believe you can surpass me."

"Well, that is merely a dream," Kiora replied.

Observing Bruch's large oily hands and his teasing expression, he responded in irritation,

"Bruch! You are asking for trouble! "

As he spoke, he removed the navy uniform that Bruch's greasy hands had touched and then embraced his head, delivering one punch, two punches, and three punches with his right hand.

Once he left the hospital, Kiora walked ahead feeling refreshed,

while Bruch followed behind, sporting two dark circles on his forehead.

——————

"Terminate Bruch's further training! " Sengoku commanded.

"Understood! " Hobison saluted.

Sengoku then glanced at Garp, who was already asleep.

The bubble of snot over his nose expanded and contracted with every breath.

Veins suddenly appeared on Sengoku's forehead.

With a forceful blow, he struck Garp on the head, sending him flying from the chair.

"Take this more seriously! "

As Garp was propelled away,

he crashed against the wall.

Then Garp sat up in a daze, rubbing his sore head.

" Who hit me?? "

As he looked around, Garp noticed an irate Sengoku—

stunned, and then laughed out loud.

"Ahahahaha! "

Garp scratched his hair, rose to his feet, and returned to his seat.

"Garp, Bruch will be reassigned to serve under you, and it will be up to you to determine his position. "

Upon being informed of Bruch's reassignment to work under him,

Garp appeared nonchalant, removed a piece of mucus from his nostril, and flicked it away.

"Understood. "

"Effective immediately, Second Lieutenant commander Bruch of the branch will be appointed as captain of the headquarters under Vice Admiral Garp! "

"Yes! "

Two days later.

Warship Island, reef region

Bruch regarded Garp's Adjutant with a serious demeanor.

He had not anticipated that the previously Garp's Adjutant would possess such remarkable strength.

"Bruch, are you prepared? It is approaching! "

"Hmph! Bogard, do not underestimate me! "

Bogard offered a slight smile.

His right hand stroked the sword at his hip.

A surge of lethal aura erupted around him.

The atmosphere resonated ominously.

The palpable aura bore down on Bruch.

He felt as though countless blades were slicing against his skin.

"Is this the aura of a great swordsman? "

Bruch pondered silently.

Indeed, a Great Swordsman!

A formidable swordsman possessing the gaze of an eagle.

However, he was not exceedingly formidable.

Yet, he surpassed the average Vice Admiral in power.

A dual-colored Haki swordsman.

Upon first receiving this information, Bruch was rendered speechless for an extended period.

As a swordsman at his pinnacle,

He comprehended the challenging nature of achieving greatness as a swordsman.

Such powerful individuals are scarce throughout the entire pirate world.

Only a small number exist, approximately fifteen to twenty.

With someone of such caliber before him,

Bruch was not only taken aback but also thrilled.

During his time at the zenith of his swordsmanship, his greatest aspiration was to surpass his current limits and attain the status of a great swordsman.

After all, he was also a devoted swordsman.

His abilities were predominantly derived from his innate talent, relying on his skill rather than any external devil fruit powers.

A genuine swordsman can sense the essence of all things and appreciate both their hardness and softness.

Otherwise, he would not have achieved this level by training aimlessly alone.

However, this was where his advancement ceased.

"It truly is exhilarating, heh. "

Bruch exclaimed with enthusiasm.

He then drew Sandai Kitetsu from his belt, immediately amplifying his aura to its peak.

Under the weight of Bogard's aura, his energy became increasingly refined.

"Oh? The Sandai Kitetsu? A demon sword! "

Bogard glanced at the Kitetsu and remarked:

"I can see your eagerness for a breakthrough, thus,"

"Are you feeling the whispers of death? "

Bogard raised his blade and executed a rapid, slicing motion.

Like a crescent moon, it moved with incredible speed.

In an instant, he stood before Bruch.

With his momentum at its maximum, Bruch faced the incoming slashes, gripping Sandai Kitetsu with both hands.

He prepared to counter with a horizontal and powerful strike.

Wheng~

A sharp sound of a knife resonated.

The cutting strike impacted against Sandai Kitetsu Kitetsu, nearly dislodging Bruch's sword.

"What immense power!"

He then executed a downward slash, redirecting the attack, which sailed past him and plunged directly into the sea.

"You manage to block it? "

Bogard expressed his astonishment.

"What about this strike? "

Bogard rotated the sword with his right hand. The sword spun like a specter before being sheathed.

Silence~

A stillness enveloped the atmosphere.

Clang!

Suddenly, Bruch's eyes widened.

Grasping the handle of the knife with one hand, he gently ran his other hand along the blade, positioning it diagonally before himself.

WHENGG~

After a sharp sound, Bruch was propelled away as if he were a cannonball.

BOOOM—

Upon landing, Bruch rolled several dozen meters away before coming to rest in a gravel-strewn area.

Poof-

After spitting out a mouthful of blood, Bruch experienced dizziness and numbness in his arms.

Particularly, his chest felt unlike his own.

It was evident that he had been thwarted.

Is this the might of a master swordsman?