Whoosh...
A fierce gust of wind swept across the battlefield, scattering yellow sand over the two warriors.
Zoro and Mr. 1 stood five meters apart, back-to-back, saying nothing.
A deep slash had cleaved through the black Armament Haki covering Mr. 1's body, but no blood flowed immediately.
"...What a terrifying swordsman."
He gently touched his abdomen, silent for a long time, then finally exhaled a sigh.
"You win."
Zoro slowly closed Wado Ichimonji, its Armament Haki fading away, and said with conviction,
"Thank you. I will become even stronger."
Pfft!
A deep, savage gash tore open across Mr. 1's abdomen, nearly splitting him diagonally.
"Heh... I actually let my defense be broken by someone who's just awakened Armament Haki."
Kneeling on the ground, Mr. 1 stared down at the grievous wound before collapsing.
Bright crimson blood soaked into the sun-scorched streets of Alubarna—streets already poisoned by deceit and warfare.
"You... managed to evolve mid-battle... mastering both Observation Haki and Armament Haki at once..."
He laughed bitterly, his voice growing faint.
Then, as if a lingering question tugged at him, he looked up with effort and croaked,
"Three-Sword Style... between you and that Shirogai... who's stronger?"
The memory of being effortlessly defeated by Shirogai still haunted him. He had once believed that using Armament Haki from the beginning could've changed the outcome. But after today, that confidence was gone.
Zoro staggered forward, retrieving Yubashiri and Sandai Kitetsu, sliding them calmly into their sheaths.
"Who's stronger between Shirogai and me?"
Turning with difficulty, Zoro met Mr. 1's gaze.
He grinned.
"Right now? Shirogai is stronger. But I'll catch up."
Mr. 1 coughed, blood trickling from his lips, but a faint smile tugged at his face.
"Is that so...? Then I guess my defeat was... justified..."
His breathing slowed… and then faded to a whisper.
"Phew... damn, my body's aching..." Zoro muttered, stumbling forward. "Where the hell did Nami run off to..."
His knees gave out.
"Cough... crap, even moving hurts. Is this what Shirogai meant when he said 'whoever wins with low HP is the embarrassed one'?"
With a strained grin, Zoro looked up at the cloudless sky.
"Guess I'm the embarrassed one then..."
His eyelids fluttered closed as unconsciousness took him.
---
Alubarna Royal City – North District
Winner: Zoro
Loser: Mr. 1
Outcome: Zoro awakened both Observation Haki and Armament Haki. His strength has doubled.
---
Three figures and a camel burst into the city through side streets, skillfully avoiding the ongoing battle between the Rebel Army and the King's Army.
"Wuwuwu! That old rat-faced woman said Luffy's been killed by Crocodile!" Usopp sobbed dramatically, lying across Eyelashes the camel's back, wrapped in bandages.
Chopper, clinging to Eyelashes' head like a plush parasite, cried out,
"Is that true?! Is Luffy really dead!?"
"Don't be idiots!" Sanji barked, his suit dirtied with footprints from Bon Clay's antics. "Luffy doesn't die that easy. Idiots like him live long lives."
He adjusted his bent cigarette and continued,
"And don't forget—Crocodile said Shirogai was dead too, remember? But the guy's alive and kicking."
"Huh? Oh, right!" Usopp's confidence returned.
"Yeah... if Luffy's in danger, Shirogai will definitely save him!"
Boom!
A thunderous clap echoed from a nearby street, making Usopp jump so hard he nearly fell off.
"Th-that thunder came out of nowhere!" he stammered.
"It's a clear sky. Why would there be thunder?" Sanji narrowed his eyes.
Chopper's ears twitched. He sniffed the air.
"It came from that direction... and I smell someone familiar!"
Bang!
A body was flung through a stone wall and crashed into another, leaving a crater in the shape of an explosion-haired woman.
"Who's there!?" Usopp gasped, tightening his grip on Eyelashes' reins.
A furious female voice rang out from behind the wall.
"I'm so pissed! This thing's way too dangerous—why didn't you warn me beforehand?!"
"That's Nami-swaaan's voice!" Sanji's eyes turned into hearts, and he vanished in a blur, rushing toward her.
"Nami-san!!"
"Shirogai! Usopp! You jerks! Why didn't you tell me this Weather Wand was so powerful?!" Nami stormed out from the wreckage, waving the wand indignantly. "I almost blasted myself just figuring it out!"
A dark figure dashed toward her.
"Ah! An enemy!"
On instinct, Nami swung the Clima-tact.
"Today's sunlight's harsh—beware of heat stroke!"
Boom!
A massive fireball exploded from the wand, engulfing Sanji.
Pfft!
Sanji's cigarette disintegrated. His face turned pitch black from soot.
"Nami-swaan..." he croaked lovingly, "you burn with such intensity..."
And with that, he collapsed.
"Sanji! I didn't know it was you!" Nami shrieked, crouching beside him.
"You okay?!"
Sanji's arm 'accidentally' brushed her chest. He groaned dramatically.
"Nami-san... Only your kiss can heal me..."
Thud!
"Then go die, pervert!" Nami yelled, dropkicking him back to the ground.
---
Alubarna Royal City – North District, Women's Duel
Winner: Nami
Loser: Miss Doublefinger
Outcome: Nami gains preliminary mastery of the Clima-tact and acquires reliable self-defense.
---
Outskirts of Alubarna – Desert Ruins
Inside the wreckage of a collapsed wall:
Mr. 4 lay unconscious, a hammer embedded in his skull—courtesy of Chopper's antlers and Usopp's trickery.
Miss Merry Christmas had fainted after taking a hit from Mr. 4's own bat during the confusion.
Even Lasso, the dachshund cannon-dog, had been KO'd by friendly fire.
Winners: Usopp and Chopper
Losers: Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas
Outcome: Usopp and Chopper strengthened their bond. Friendship increased by 70%.
---
Alubarna Royal City – South Street
Mr. 2 Bon Clay lay sprawled on the ground, his face full of boot prints. He mumbled something about friendship flowers and betrayal.
Though evenly matched in the original story, here Bon Clay had been on the back foot most of the fight. Sanji's speed was just too much.
Bon Clay had managed to trick Sanji by transforming into Nami and exploiting his chivalry. It worked—for a while.
But Sanji quickly realized the deception.
When Bon Clay was in his normal form, he could fight effectively. But when transformed, his power was limited.
Bon Clay had tried to pretend otherwise, but Sanji saw through it.
And the moment Bon Clay switched back to his original form, Sanji unleashed hell.
---
Alubarna Royal City – South City Wall
Winner: Sanji
Loser: Mr. 2 Bon Clay
Outcome: Sanji earned Bon Clay's respect and friendship.
---
I've held up my end.....so, where are my power stones?