บท 86: "Blades and Kicks: The Dance of Defiance"

The clash of steel echoed across the battlefield as Zoro locked eyes with Hatchan, the six-armed Fishman swordsman of Arlong's crew. Hatchan grinned, a wicked gleam in his eyes as he swung his six swords, each one as sharp and deadly as the last. Zoro cracked his neck, gripping his three swords tightly, one clenched between his teeth. The air between them was tense, a quiet before the storm.

"So, you're that swordsman everyone's talking about," Hatchan taunted. "I'd hate to break it to you, but six swords will always beat three!"

Zoro narrowed his gaze, unfazed. "Quantity over quality, huh? You're going to regret that."

With a thunderous roar, Hatchan launched forward, his six swords spinning in a dizzying whirlwind. Zoro watched the blur of blades and, with a sharp inhale, steadied himself.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Their swords collided, sparks flying as Zoro blocked three of Hatchan's blades with ease, twisting to deflect the remaining three with swift, precise moves. The force of the impact sent vibrations up his arms, but Zoro held his ground, his eyes never leaving his opponent. Hatchan smirked, pressing forward with brute force, trying to overpower Zoro.

"You might be tough, but let's see you handle all six of these!" Hatchan growled, pressing down with his swords from every direction.

Zoro grinned, a flash of excitement in his eyes. "Then let's take this up a notch."

With a burst of strength, Zoro pushed back, forcing Hatchan to retreat a step. Then, in a swift motion, Zoro spun around, aiming a powerful slash at Hatchan's side. Hatchan barely managed to parry, his eyes widening with shock at Zoro's speed.

"You're faster than you look!" Hatchan spat, swinging two of his swords in a wide arc. "But that won't save you!"

Zoro dodged, dropping low and weaving past the flashing blades, then countered with his own series of attacks. His swords flashed in rapid succession, each strike calculated and precise.

"Tiger Hunt!"

Zoro's swords cut through the air like a storm, clashing against Hatchan's blades. Hatchan grunted as he blocked each one, but Zoro's relentless strikes pushed him back, forcing him onto the defensive. Hatchan, frustrated, swung all six of his swords simultaneously, attempting to overwhelm Zoro in one powerful strike.

Zoro braced himself, crossing his swords to block the oncoming attack. The force was immense, and the impact pushed him back, his feet skidding against the ground. But instead of backing down, Zoro's expression hardened, his grin widening.

"That all you got?" Zoro taunted, his voice a low growl. "You think six swords scare me?"

Enraged, Hatchan let out a roar and launched into his next move, swinging his swords in a brutal flurry. Each swing was meant to decimate, to break Zoro down with raw power and speed. But Zoro, with a focused glint in his eye, dodged and parried with the fluidity of a seasoned swordsman.

With every clash, Hatchan's attacks grew more reckless, while Zoro's movements became more precise, more calculated. He waited, reading Hatchan's attacks and looking for an opening. And then, he saw it.

With a flash, Zoro shifted into his signature stance, his swords ready as he glared at Hatchan.

"Three Sword Style…"

Hatchan's eyes widened as he realized what was coming, but it was too late. Zoro moved with blinding speed, launching himself forward in a powerful, spiraling attack.

"Oni Giri!"

Zoro's blades sliced through the air with deadly accuracy, and before Hatchan could react, Zoro's attack landed. He tore through Hatchan's defenses, slashing through his swords and landing a brutal hit across Hatchan's chest. Hatchan staggered back, gasping as blood trickled down from the wound.

But despite the pain, Hatchan gritted his teeth, still standing. "You… You think that's enough to stop me?"

Zoro gave a slight smirk, a look of respect flashing in his eyes. "You're tougher than I thought, Fishman. But I haven't shown you everything yet."

Hatchan raised his swords, anger blazing in his eyes. He charged forward, his swords spinning like a cyclone. But Zoro, unbothered, steadied himself, preparing for one last strike.

With a calm, collected focus, Zoro closed his eyes, blocking out everything but the feel of his swords and the rhythm of his own heartbeat. He could feel the weight of his swords, the balance of each blade, and the calmness that came from absolute focus.

As Hatchan closed in, Zoro's eyes snapped open, a fierce determination burning within them.

"Tatsumaki!"

Zoro spun, his swords creating a spiraling vortex of wind and steel. The force of his attack clashed against Hatchan's charge, creating a shockwave that reverberated across the battlefield. The two forces collided, but Zoro's Tatsumaki overpowered Hatchan's, breaking through his defenses and sending him flying back.

Hatchan crashed to the ground, his six swords scattered around him. He struggled to stand, but his injuries were too severe, his strength depleted.

Zoro sheathed his swords, turning to walk away as Hatchan lay defeated, his once arrogant grin replaced by a look of shock and disbelief. Zoro paused, glancing back with a smirk.

"Six swords, huh? Guess quality does beat quantity."

With that, Zoro walked off, his victory assured, leaving Hatchan defeated and broken in his wake.

Battle Scene: Sanji vs. Kuroobi

The air around the Arlong Park pool crackles with tension as Sanji stares down Kuroobi, the hulking Fish-Man smirking with confidence. Sanji's eyes are cold, calculating, as he removes his cigarette with a flick, discarding it onto the ground.

"Let's get this over with, fish sticks," Sanji mutters, bending into a fighting stance. Kuroobi only chuckles, leaping into the pool with a massive splash.

As Sanji approaches the water's edge, Kuroobi bursts out from below, his hair extending like chains around Sanji's legs. Before Sanji can react, Kuroobi yanks him into the pool with terrifying force, plunging them both deep underwater. The water grows dark and heavy, and Kuroobi's advantage is obvious as he grins through the swirling bubbles.

Underwater, Sanji struggles to stay afloat as Kuroobi's hair coils tighter around him, preventing any escape. Kuroobi raises a massive fist, bringing it down in a devastating strike. THWACK! Sanji's body jerks under the impact of Fish-Man Karate, the brutal force knocking the air from his lungs as he's flung backward.

"You're out of your depth, little human!" Kuroobi sneers, his voice muffled in the depths. He grabs Sanji around the waist, dragging him deeper, and the water pressure presses painfully against Sanji's chest, crushing his ribs.

But Sanji, refusing to surrender, narrows his eyes and opens his mouth slightly, drawing in what little air he has left. Just as Kuroobi leans in for another blow, Sanji strikes, exhaling a powerful blast of air straight into Kuroobi's gills.

Kuroobi roars, jerking back as the blast disrupts his sensitive gills, causing him to recoil in pain. Seizing his chance, Sanji kicks off the bottom, shooting toward the surface and pulling in a huge breath of air as he breaks free.

Back on solid ground, Sanji catches his breath, glaring at Kuroobi, who's surfaced and is seething with fury. Kuroobi stomps out of the pool, baring his teeth, his muscles flexing as he prepares another attack.

"You're finished, straw-hat cook!" Kuroobi snarls, his fists raised.

Sanji smirks, raising a single eyebrow. "You're the one about to be filleted, tuna breath."

With that, Sanji launches forward in a blur, beginning with his Collier attack—a devastating neck strike that catches Kuroobi off guard. Kuroobi stumbles back, but Sanji doesn't let up.

Sanji's Rapid-Fire Assault

Sanji follows with a relentless series of attacks, each one precise and brutal.

Épaule!—Sanji's knee crashes into Kuroobi's shoulder, driving him backward.

Côtelette!—A swift side kick lands in Kuroobi's ribs, causing the Fish-Man to gasp in pain.

Selle!—Sanji flips, bringing his heel down hard on Kuroobi's back, knocking him to the ground.

Poitrine!—Another strike slams into Kuroobi's chest, and he reels, eyes wide in shock.

Despite the barrage, Kuroobi snarls, struggling to his feet. "You think you can defeat me with these little taps?!" he bellows, charging forward, but Sanji is ready.

Gigot! Sanji spins, his leg whipping up in a perfect arc to catch Kuroobi's jaw, snapping his head back. The Fish-Man's confidence is shaken as he stumbles, fury in his eyes, but Sanji isn't finished.

Sanji steadies himself, his eyes sharp and focused. "This is where it ends."

He draws back, tensing for his final move: Mouton Shot. With a powerful leap, Sanji flies forward, his leg snapping out like a battering ram. His kick lands squarely against Kuroobi's midsection with bone-crushing force, driving straight through his defenses.

Kuroobi's eyes widen in shock and agony as the impact sends him hurtling backward, crashing through the building walls behind him with a thunderous explosion of stone and debris. He lies motionless, defeated, as the dust settles.

Sanji straightens, adjusting his tie with a smirk. "Cooked to perfection," he mutters, lighting a new cigarette. With a satisfied exhale, he turns his back on the wreckage, victorious and thinking about the smooth leg movements and no leg strains from the Fight.