The North Star Hundred Split Fist wasn't without effect; it just wasn't completed. This guy's Haki protected his vital parts, but other areas weren't shielded. Most Secret Holes were struck, and the bleeding is just on the surface. He's certainly hurt internally, and not lightly.
With such injuries, he can't possibly be my match!
"Rankyaku!"
Ennio aimed a Rankyaku kick at Sage's head. The horizontal slash came crashing down, but Sage leaned back, lifting his leg forward, thrusting it like a sword right into Ennio's protruding belly.
Bam!
The kick embedded directly into his belly, and Haki couldn't react in time to protect it.
"North Star Soft Breaking Slash!"
Sage showed no mercy, his legs became a blur, kicking Ennio's body all over.
Ennio trembled from the kicks, stepping back several paces as deep red blood seeped through the rain-soaked, jewel-like clothes. His body wobbled again, wanting to raise a fist, yet he couldn't lift his hand at all.
"Is it ruined..." Ennio looked at his right arm indifferently. As he spoke, blood began to spill from the corner of his mouth.
Like the Hundred Split Fist, this move, aside from hitting the Secret Holes, also possessed immense power. Once hit, his body's tissues would collapse.
That guy's right hand, though appearing intact, is probably mush inside...
Sage flexed his fingers, slightly bent his body, and said coldly, "My moves aren't that easy to withstand."
Ennio coughed out blood, looking at Lily lying on the ground, not yet getting up, then at the bandits as docile as rabbits, and finally at the citizens chased by soldiers...
"You think that by defeating me, you can make this country better? Impossible!"
He shouted loudly, "The Heavenly Tribute is already a fact. Even without me, you still have to pay it. Changing a king won't change that! Not paying means we're not a member of the World Government and won't be protected. On the contrary, we'll be punished and live even worse than now!"
"Then, even being a bandit will be a luxury for you. You'll face all the misfortunes this world can offer! If you run now, you'll lose everything! I won't let you set sail, Colonel Mouse, capture them! Otherwise, the Heavenly Tribute will escape!"
Ennio looked menacingly at Sage, "Especially you, Pirate, wanting them to set sail, unless over my dead body!"
"?"
Sage was momentarily stunned; he was planning to become a Pirate instead of a Bounty Hunter, but not now...
But quickly, he realized something, and his expression turned peculiar.
No way?
At this moment, Colonel Mouse, from behind, drew out a handgun along with the remaining Navy, chasing after the citizens.
This battle indeed frightened people, but he didn't forget his original mission.
He was here to temporarily escort the Heavenly Tribute!
Failure would truly cost him his life!
"Suppress the riot!" Colonel Mouse shouted.
The Navy and soldiers, mingled together, crazily drove the citizens away. One citizen fell to the ground, tripping the approaching Colonel Mouse.
Colonel Mouse, already anxious and enraged, grew even angrier and aimed his handgun at him.
"No, please don't!" The citizen cried out in panic, but amidst the chaos, no one could hear him.
What kind of superior, such kind of subordinate.
Colonel Mouse of the Sixteenth Branch is a profiteering scoundrel, so naturally, his subordinates aren't any better. The Navy cared only about following orders, not minding if they saw the colonel killing people.
"Die!" Colonel Mouse was about to pull the trigger, but at that moment, there was a swishing sound from behind, and a glint pierced through his chest.
"You..."
He turned around in shock to see the resolute face under those golden curls.
Lily withdrew her rapier, letting Colonel Mouse fall, the rain washing over the blade, washing away the blood, also washing away that dirty face...
"Set sail!"
The words she shouted out stunned both the citizens and the bandits.
Swish!
Lily moved like a swimming dragon, her sword stirring up a dazzling flash beneath the rain. She then struck the incoming Navy and soldiers, dispersing the group, blocking the pursuers.
Ennio's words made her resolve completely.
Indeed, the Heavenly Tribute still needs to be paid. Even if she becomes queen, there's no way to exempt it. Since ancient times, there's been no precedent for exemption.
The citizens can no longer afford the Heavenly Tribute taxes, so they might as well...
"Set sail! Run to the harbor, once at sea there are no taxes to pay, everyone will have a new life, so... let's set sail together!" Lily shouted with all her strength.
The bandits, who were lost, and the chaotic citizens weren't running to the harbor first; instead, they looked at Ennio.
The king, who was supposed to show cruelty and ruthlessness, now had his right arm hanging limp, body covered in blood, completely devoid of his former demeanor.
He's hurt...
The strong soldiers and Navy were also defeated by that princess-like golden-haired woman, and no one could stop them now.
Set sail...
Setting sail would mean no more high taxes; they could survive. Would setting sail... really be different?
In the eyes of the people of the Oyekot Kingdom, even becoming a Navy at sea would be disdained, for they experienced the battles between the Navy and Pirates on this land, not to mention setting sail on their own accord...