Feet pattered into the large open cafeteria on the third level. The Cafe was wide open. 20 or so meters wide and long. Tables sitting across the floor. All ready to be used in whatever brawl was surely coming into the area.
Standing at 6'3 and 178 lbs. Was a man with an athletic gymnastic build. Long slicked back Blond and brown hair. A small face with a scar from his ear to his lower jawline. He wore a simple white tank top and the standard prison pants. His waist was wrapped in a bandage. As was his forearms
Branda
Holding a bounty of 87 Million before his Arrest and imprisonment. This was once a mercenary who worked as a middle of the road wetworker. Some stories say that he had been hired by the World Government to put an island of Fishmen 'into cooperative attitude' to work with the Government directly.
There'd always been rumors about the true fact of the Governments meddling in Independent Fishman Islands. Forcing them to become compliant with them. And in turn it bolstered the economy of the world as they offered cheap labor. All cheaper than most. Others through contracts of Indentured Servitude. And some via share cropping. The act of essentially renting themselves in exchange for housing and a share of the profits often at a very low margin.
But many considered it better than the slavery that their ancestors endured. Including members of the Fishmen Communities. Some saw it as opportunities being handed to them by authorities. And others saw it as nothing more than a repeat of what their families had gone through
The one fact of the matter regardless. Was that it was most certainly a strong arm agreement that unequally benefited the Humans around them. With it allowing for much cheaper produced goods and services in the countries where these workers were…
The other man was much taller. And stood at nearly 6'8. 240 lbs. And had a long mess of brown roast hair down to his middle back. It was wild and unkempt. Spiking into random swoops and directions. His build was also athletic. But looked like one that never saw an ounce of water, given his muscles were on full constant display
In his hand he held a large bowie knife.
Before his imprisonment. This man had been a mass murderer on his Island with in the south blue. The Country's name was never listed. Only the crime. Many suspected this was because the names reveal would be bad for the reputation of the country.
With an astonishing body count of nearly 250 Victims. Each killed via being flayed. He had a M.O of using the skin to tan and leather. And keep as small keepsakes of his killings by sewing and stitching the pieces of flesh into his body. Cold. Pragmatic. Blood Lustful.
Lopez had a Bounty of nearly 90,000,000 on his home country when accounted and translated to the bounty system.
"Great. It's you." Branda said as he cocked his head to the side. "Here I thought I'd never have to have a rematch with you after last time." He said pointing to the scar on his face
"Oh. I've been waiting to get a patch out of you Branda. I got a spot for you…Right here." He tapped a spot just below his clavicle. The rest of the skin looking just like a patchwork quilt. Filled with different skintones all across his abdomen, ribs, chest, hips. His pectorals were always used for…Special cases
"Alright big guy. Then come fuckin' get some!" Branda raised his two first fingers and gestured with quick flicks for him to come!
With his brow furrowing, Lopez shot forward as fast as a bullet! Blur to any normal guard in this prison! His blade palmed and backed with his other hand ready to give an expert thrust forward! His muscles were taught like steel cables.
With a thrust that flew forward at blinding speeds of a rifle round, his arms shot out! Attempting to impale Branda! Quickly however, as this was the exact same way that Lopez opened the fight last time. This Predator of Habit was caught mid motion as the bandages from around his waist unraveled and wrapped around his wrists! Its structure seemed to harden to a rigid state!
"Hrah!" Whipping his free hand, another bandage came unfurled as Lopez attempted to free himself with hard tugs! The bandage, almost like a whip, smacks into the side of Lopez's chiseled face! Leaving a scrape against his cheek. Blood beginning to pool from the torn skin
"Son of a-" Smack! Another one into his face! Another scrape formed. His composure began to crack ever so slightly. He thought quickly, and with his right leg, hooked his ankle and kicked him out from underneath himself!
Branda began to fall! Concentration failing, the bandages loosened, and Branda hit the ground!
Lopez acted quickly, flicking his knife around and attempted to stab it down to pierce straight through him! Another bandage came up and was held out in front of him like a ribbon! Blade piecing but stopped the razor sharp weapon he had acquired from the boot sheath of one of the Styxian Guards
When it came to fighters like these…
Branda used his mild martial arts prowess, lifted his legs up, locked his ankles, and shifted his body with a twist! The larger man lost balance!
....There is something to be made acutely aware of. Not all fighters are Captains, All-Rounders, Aficionado, or simply known as a Prodigy. Especially of those of lower prowess and power. When you are individuals like these whose strength is a mild threat within the Grand Line. It is required to specialize oneself in some aspect of ones physicality….
Hastily, Lopez rose his arms that was locked up! And slammed down! Branda impacting into the tiled concrete with strength to shatter it! Trickles of blood coming down in droplets from the razor edges from the shards!
....Speed, Dexterity, Strength, Resilanceness. Martial arts, training, powers and abilities and a myriad of Fighting Styles focus on any of these….
Branda used his mild martial arts prowess, lifted his legs up, locked his ankles, and shifted his body with a twist! The larger man lost balance!
....There is something to be made acutely aware of. Not all fighters are Captains, All-Rounders, Aficionado, or simply known as a Prodigy. Especially of those of lower prowess and power. When you are individuals like these whose strength is a mild threat within the Grand Line. It is required to specialize oneself in some aspect of ones physicality….
Hastily, Lopez rose his arms that was locked up! And slammed down! Branda impacting into the tiled concrete with strength to shatter it! Trickles of blood coming down in droplets from the razor edges from the shards!
....Speed, Dexterity, Strength, Resilanceness. Martial arts, training, powers and abilities and a myriad of Fighting Styles focus on any of these….
Branda attempted to tighten his lock on the arm! And pulled hard! A Loud pop reported around as the shoulder came loose! A pained roar came from the Serial Killer! In retaliation, Lopez shot his free hand over to him!
....One can only become a so called prodigy whose able to have better physicality in themselves in most aspects rather than leaning in one or another only through vigorous training, experience and skill. Which did not come plentiful in a world that the two were used to
...But at the end of the day. Everyone had their downsides…
Lopez's was reaction speed. His mind was to concentrated on think of a plan that he did not notice as his opponent got behind him by the time they were both on his feet! A tightening was felt around the larger mans neck! Hair Forced against his skin as the Bandage being manipulated by years of experience and practice tightened!
"Agk! Argh!!" Chokes and gags escaped the collapsing windpipe! Fingers attempting to scramble at the noose! But Branda's biceps flexed! Bulging with veins as he used all the force he could muster! Ground beneath both cracking slightly, one attempting to stay steady, and the other pushing against it as leverage right as-!
Crack! Lopez's neck snapped backwards! Bone protruding against the skin of his throat! The full form slammed against the ground as the resistance gave way! Following the tug backwards all the way through!
"Ha…Ha…Hafff…" Branda sweats heavily. Breathing harshly. All that training against other knife wielders in this level…Paid off…
But this was just one of dozens of fights just like it happening all around this same level…