บท 31: vs Straw Hats (II)

After I one-shot Usopp, the Straw Hats hesitated for only a moment before regrouping, assessing their approach. To their credit, they didn't rush in mindlessly. Instead, Luffy called out with a determined glint, "Zoro, Sanji—let's go!"

Within a second, all three of them moved. Luffy threw a punch from the front, Sanji closed in from my left, and Zoro's swords aimed to slice in from my right. Observing the timing of their attacks, I realized that all three of those attacks will come at me almost at the same time. Their attacks have been honed by experience, working together with an instinctive rhythm. Their strikes were tightly coordinated—a combination that could crush most foes.

But almost synchronized wasn't synchronized enough.

Sanji's kick was the first to arrive, sweeping toward the back of my neck with lethal precision. I redirected it with my free arm, nudging the kick to intersect with Luffy's punch. Luffy managed to retract his fist in the last second, showing impressive reflexes. And that meant I could face the three swords that came at me relentlessly without any interruptions.

Every slash from Zoro's sword carried enormous weight and strength, each one filled with intent to break through. But for every swing he threw, I matched with precise, effortless parries, turning each blow aside with minimal effort. Zoro was putting his full weight into each strike, exhausting his energy, while I used barely any. With every parry, I could see the frustration building in his eyes, a frustration that could lead to one small lapse—a single opening.

As I expected, after our fifteenth clash, an opening appeared on Zoro's left. Just as I moved to exploit it, a small spinning object—a coin?—spun into the path of my sword, distracting me just enough for Karoo to yank Zoro back, away from my strike.

Smart and sneaky. Vivi was good at what she did. But I didn't have time to dwell on it, as Luffy's "Gum-Gum Pistol!" came rocketing toward me alongside Sanji's "Collier." Both attacks carried real power.

It was time to make my first true move.

'Black Lotus Style, First Form: Blooming Step'

My figure blurred with frightening speed, and in a blink, my sword flashed to block both attacks, moving so swiftly that it seemed I was in two places at once. As their strikes rebounded, faint slashes appeared on Luffy and Sanji's arms and legs. They were learning—quickly to recognize that even my defensive moves could cut.

But they were relentless. Every time I countered them, they got back up and attacked. The 'Never Give Up' thing was really dangerous. And it showed it's result as after almost ten minutes of continuous fighting, they made an opening in my defense. Which they planned to utilize it to its fullest.

At my periphery, I spotted Nami and Vivi charging in with their weapons, Karoo giving them a speed boost. Zoro's swords glinted as he prepared his signature "Onigiri," while Luffy rebounded and launched his "Gum-Gum Gatling," fists targeting my vitals with incredible accuracy. Each attack was calculated: Luffy to disrupt my movements, Sanji aiming for my abdomen, Nami and Vivi for my legs, Zoro to go straight for my heart. And just behind me, I caught sight of an explosive projectile—Usopp, who'd recovered and was setting his aim to fire.

I grinned. This crew—they were amazing. They'd read my movements, adapted, and devised a strategy mid-battle. No one had even given instructions aloud; they simply understood each other that well. There was a spark of brilliance in their coordination, not just from battle experience, but from something more powerful—trust.

Every time they moved, they improved. Their battle senses were off the charts. And I really was a fool to suggest that their teamwork was lacking.

As they closed in, I gave myself a mental reprimand, a lesson I'd thought I'd learned long ago: never underestimate your opponent. I'd thought I could handle them with the skills I'd honed three years ago, but I was wrong.

They were good; I'll give them that. They have earned my respect, so in return, I'll show them something extraordinary.

Planting my feet, I gripped my sword with both hands and took a stance.

"You're good. Really good," I said, meeting their gazes with a smirk. "But here's your second lesson—when you face an overwhelmingly powerful opponent, and I mean truly overwhelming..." I leveled my sword at them, "RUN."

'Swordsmanship of the Giants, Only Form: Titan's Impact.'

And my sword slashed downwards.