Kapitel 14: Duel 12
On a particularly humid day in Rondy Island, North Blue, two figures stood. Their clothes ragged, their breathing labored. Both held a sword. One held a katana, and the other held a cursed sword. Both had a maniacal expression in their faces.
It was the monthly duel between Law and I. We were now both strong enough to seriously injure each other. So, we agreed to only go all out once a month. This was our final bout before entering the Grand Line.
And the score was 9-2. Even those two wins mostly because Law underestimated me. His fruit was just too powerful to face without Armament Haki.
But today's battle was on a whole other level. Law has improved a lot in the last year. He has stopped using his devil fruit as a crutch and started using it as a weapon.
I've become stronger too, although I still couldn't cut through steel. Every swordsman knew that cutting through steel was a major breakthrough in their journey. I felt that I was close, but it remained just out of reach.
I shook off the distracting thoughts and refocused on Law. He was grinning, just like me. Our crew was spectating the fight from a safe distance.
They even had a betting pool. And of course, it was Ikkaku's idea. That woman was a professional scammer, and poor Penguin was still falling for her tricks regularly.
Bepo acted as the cheerleader. He was such a nice guy that he cheered for both of us with different placards. I loved that guy. Saachan was naturally cheering for Law. Despite earning the crew's trust over the past year, I still had fewer admirers than Law. Which was only natural. He was the captain after all. But it still stung.
Was I not handsome enough? Or was it my personality? No, that can't be. I was a "ray of sunshine" in their lives. I'm sure of it.
It must be because of my looks.
Tch. Shallow bastards!
The fight was nearing its end, and we were both exhausted. Law was getting ready to attack. His 'Room' was already active. With a quick hand motion, he murmured,
'Shambles'
And he was right in front of me with his brandished sword, ready to cut me in half. But I had long since predicted it. Even before he could materialize, I was already right behind him using 'Flash Step'. My katana, aiming right for his neck, came down swiftly.
'Flash Strike'
But it hit nothing but air. My senses screamed at me to move!
Law was right behind me, menacingly targeting his sword towards my vitals.
Two consecutive 'Shambles'!
His control over his fruit increased!
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Still, I wasn't out of options. Mid-swing, I pushed harder, using the momentum to twist my body in an unnatural way.
Crack.
I felt my ankle fracture. Pain surged through me, but adrenaline dulled it enough to keep moving. My legs screamed to stop, but I ignored their cries.
'Spinning Slash'
Two swords met with enormous power, kicking up a dust cloud around us.
A tie.
We clashed again, neither side wanting to back down.
The stalemate continued for some time. But I was just maintaining my footing with a single leg. My hands shook under the strain, yet I pressed on. My body was ready to collapse, but my mind urged me forward.
Gritting my teeth, I poured everything into a final attack, screaming with determination.
And that's when I made the biggest mistake I ever could. In the midst of battle, I forgot what kind of fighter Trafalgar Law was. He wasn't the type to win his fights with brute force. No, he was the type who used insane and brilliant tactics to win against opponents that he could never hope to beat.
Just as I pushed forward with all my energy, Law teleported right before me in a crouching position while leaving his sword behind. This whole thing was a bluff! So that I would try and give it my all in a very powerful attack without keeping anything in my defense.
And his plan worked perfectly.
My balance was totally fucked by this sudden movement; my sword cut through the back of the crouching figure in front of me. It was a large cut, but not deep enough.
Law ignored the pain from the gash on his back and thrust his hands forward to my chest and screamed,
"Counter Shock"
Electricity surged through me as it overwhelmed my body in an instant.
And then, the world went black.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein