There's a saying: If I'm not embarrassed, then someone else will be.
"Lady Uruti is peerless!!!"
Rogan and his four little partners waved heart-shaped flags and flowery fans, chanting cheers of praise for Uruti.
The energy? Immaculate.
They quickly became the center of attention on the battlefield.
Even Yamato, still locked in a fierce fight, was drawn by the shouting. She turned her head toward Rogan's group—her eyes instantly sparkling like stars.
"Oooh! So cool!!"
So envious!
She really wished she had a group of close friends cheering her on from the sidelines.
But sadly, she had none.
All the people who used to be her friends were killed by her old man. Eventually, no one dared get close to her at all.
The girl's heart sank.
In battle, emotional swings could be fatal.
"An opening!"
Uruti seized her chance. She struck Yamato's kanabō aside, then immediately transformed into a Pachycephalosaurus, her claws gripping Yamato's shoulders tightly.
Crap!
Yamato sensed danger and tried to break free—but didn't have the strength. And seeing Haki coating Uruti's dinosaur forehead, she knew what was coming.
"Uruti Head Lance!"
"Busoshoku—Hardening! (Armament—Hardening!)"
BOOM!!!
Their foreheads slammed into each other with brutal force!
"Ugh!"
Yamato's head snapped back, eyes rolling white.
According to some theories, white eyes meant defeat. But as the Oni's Daughter, after years of beatings from her old man, her endurance was maxed out.
Her blurred pupils quickly refocused.
"Hisss—damn that hurts!"
She hissed through gritted teeth. Seeing Uruti's forehead charging with Haki again, Yamato tensed her whole body.
No choice. She had to fight back!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Their heads crashed again and again! The pounding made them dizzy, but neither backed down—instead, they doubled down. Their repeated headbutts blurred into rapid shadows.
ORA ORA ORA! & MUDA MUDA MUDA!
CRACK!
The sound of bone cracking rang out clearly.
Yamato and Uruti paused, still pressed forehead to forehead, panting heavily. Blood trickled down between them.
"Your skull's the one that cracked!"
"No way—yours did first!"
Their foreheads locked, their eyes glared in defiance. Though both were near their limits and desperate to collapse, they continued trash-talking through gritted teeth.
I won't lose to you!
Bring it on, cowhead!
Like two bulls locking horns, they pushed against each other with everything they had. Sparks flew from their clashing horns.
The bizarre sight left the nearby pirates stunned.
Now's the time!
"Lady Uruti, I'm coming to help!"
Rogan let out a roar and charged into the battlefield.
He hadn't acted earlier—strong fighters didn't like others interfering in their duels. But now, both girls were at their limit. A little push would tip the balance, and Uruti would be grateful.
Jejejeje… just as planned!
Just as expected, Uruti's eyes lit up when she heard Rogan's voice. She pressed Yamato down even harder and gloated:
"HAHAHA! You're done for, Yamato!"
"Damn it!"
Yamato's heart clenched.
Uruti had subordinates. She didn't. No one would come help her. All she could do was wait for defeat—utterly helpless.
"I'm sorry, Lady Yamato…"
Rogan leapt behind Uruti, grinning viciously. He raised his massive sword high, aiming straight for Yamato's head.
Gaga! Time to crack that skull open!
"I've lost…"
Yamato closed her eyes and stopped resisting.
But since she was still pushing against Uruti, her sudden loss of strength caused her to be shoved backward—right out of the way.
Uruti slid right into her place.
THWACK!
The massive sword smashed into the back of Uruti's head.
THUD!
She collapsed face-first in front of Yamato, the giant sword still stuck in her skull—peacefully unconscious.
"…"
Silence fell across the battlefield.
Rogan stared at the fallen Uruti… and the sword in her head… and the dumbfounded Yamato…
His brain nearly crashed.
HOLY SHIT—I HIT THE WRONG PERSON!!
Why'd that dumb girl suddenly fall back?!
I'm dead—I'm dead I'm DEAD—
Wait!
Think positive! If Uruti bowed out mid-fight… then all the credit was his now!
From a 70/30 split… to 100% his!
As for hitting the wrong person—
Yeah, time to find a scapegoat!
Rogan scooped up Uruti in his arms and glared at Yamato, full of grief and rage.
"Lady Yamato! How dare you use Lady Uruti as a shield?! That's so underhanded!!"
"Huh? Me?!"
Yamato looked even more confused.
Pretty sure that was YOU!
Also… why did this scene feel familiar?
Hearing Rogan's accusation, the watching pirates—especially the Uruti Support Squad—finally "understood" what had happened.
So that's how it was!
Righteous fury exploded.
"Too despicable!"
"Lady Uruti! Uwahhh!!"
"I almost doubted Rogan-nii!"
(You were right to doubt me, Rogan thought quietly.)
Thank god pirates are dumb.
Mission: Save Face—Success!
Next…
Rogan gently laid Uruti down, then pulled the bloody sword from the back of her head and pointed it at Yamato.
Sorry, Lady Yamato…
"How DARE you knock out the world's cutest Lady Uruti?! Prepare to pay the price—I will avenge her!"
"I didn't—I swear—!"
Yamato tried to defend herself, but Rogan's sword was already swinging. No chance to explain.
These bastards… they never listen!!
No time to think. Yamato raised her kanabō to block. The sheer power of the strike numbed her arms and forced her back.
Normally, this level of attack wouldn't even be warm-up material—but now she could barely handle it.
Too tired…
And so hungry…
The sword rained down like a storm—no technique, just brute force. Yamato broke into a sweat trying to keep up.
Uuuu… I want sashimi…
Zssslurp~
CLANG!
Her kanabō was knocked out of her hands!
Staggering back, her guard was wide open.
But Rogan didn't press the attack. Instead, he spun the massive sword and drove it deep into the ground with both hands.
A strange pulse rippled through the earth.
"What's he doing…?"
Yamato sensed danger, but she was too exhausted to maintain her Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki). All she could do was stare at him warily.
Her hairs stood on end.
CRACK—CRACK—!!
Yamato's ears twitched. Something was coming. She glanced down at the ground—now splitting open.
Something was beneath her!
She wanted to dodge—but her body wouldn't move!
"Cliff-Splitting Sword!!!"
With Rogan's roar, a glowing, jagged stone spike burst from the ground and pierced Yamato's butt, launching her high into the sky!
"UWAAAAAAAH!!!"
Her scream echoed across the entire back mountain.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][www.p@treon.com/euridome]
[Thank You For Your Support!]