Sanji kept getting beaten down by Bon Clay, who was relentlessly exploiting his one major weakness—his inability to strike anyone who bore the face of Nami. Time and time again, Bon Clay would switch into her form, and every time, Sanji would hesitate. But as the fight dragged on, Sanji's observant nature kicked in. Through each exchange, each movement, he began to notice a subtle but consistent flaw in Bon Clay's fighting style—a weakness embedded not just in his technique, but in how he used his Devil Fruit.
Still believing himself untouchable, Bon Clay danced around confidently, celebrating in between taunts and flamboyant kicks. He moved in with another attack.
"Keri Pointe!" Bon Clay shouted, launching a powerful spinning kick. Mid-air, he shifted from Nami's form back into his original body—his standard technique whenever he went on the offensive.
That single transition confirmed everything Sanji had been observing. Without wasting another breath, Sanji countered immediately.
"Collier Shoot!" Sanji shouted, his foot crashing against Bon Clay's neck with brutal precision. The impact flung Bon Clay across the battlefield and straight into a stone wall. The structure cracked, and debris rained down over Bon Clay as he collapsed into the rubble.
"I've finally figured out your weakness," Sanji said calmly, his voice laced with satisfaction.
From beneath the crumbled wall, Bon Clay erupted with fury, his face red and his voice trembling. "Hah?! You think landing one lucky shot means you've figured me out?!"
Pointing accusingly, Bon Clay glared daggers at Sanji, but the cook remained unbothered.
"No," Sanji began coolly, "I figured it out the moment you transformed right before attacking. You can't properly use your Okama Kenpo when you're in someone else's body. You're not used to executing your techniques with unfamiliar limbs. So you always return to your original form right before you strike."
Bon Clay froze, his face twitching.
"AHHHHH!! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" he screamed defensively, pressing his hands over his ears.
Sanji smirked. "Bingo."
He rushed forward. Bon Clay, in a panic, transformed into Nami again and tried his usual trick: waiting for Sanji to hesitate, then transforming back for a surprise attack. But this time, Sanji was ready. The moment Bon Clay reverted to his true self, Sanji's foot smashed into his face again.
They clashed repeatedly. Each time Bon Clay tried to manipulate Sanji's emotions, Sanji read the opening. Kick after kick landed. Bon Clay was now forced to fight on Sanji's terms—and he was slowly losing ground.
"So what if you figured it out?!" Bon Clay spat, his breathing heavy. "You're beat up, too! I just need one solid hit... and now, it's time for my Okama Kenpo's Prima Mode!"
With dramatic flair, Bon Clay removed the decorative swans from his shoulders and affixed them to his feet. He spun once, then launched forward.
"Bombardier!"
Sanji sidestepped—barely. As Bon Clay's foot slammed into the wall behind him, the swan's beak shot through like a bullet, punching a clean hole through solid stone.
Sanji's eyes widened. Those things have real power now...
Bon Clay followed up with a barrage of rapid kicks.
"Bombardier!!"
Each kick drove into the ground with focused intensity. Craters appeared beneath Bon Clay's feet as he aimed one deadly strike after another. Sanji dodged as best as he could, but a hidden low sweep from Bon Clay's left leg finally caught him, slamming into his side.
Staggering, Sanji clutched his ribs. But as the pain radiated, so did another realization.
He needs recovery time between those extended attacks. If I dodge the first wave, I can land a clean counter...
"Memoirs of a Winter Sky!" Bon Clay cried, leaping high with a graceful twist, launching a finishing strike downward.
Sanji timed it perfectly. He leapt even higher, dodging the incoming kick mid-air. Bon Clay's eyes widened in surprise—he hadn't expected Sanji to go airborne. As Sanji positioned himself to strike, Bon Clay quickly transformed into Nami again.
Sanji froze—briefly.
Then, with a completely straight face, Sanji said, "Oi, there's something on your left cheek."
Instinctively, Bon Clay reached up to touch his face—deactivating his power.
Too late.
"Basse Côte!" Sanji's kick drove into Bon Clay's side, crushing into his lower ribs. Bon Clay coughed and stumbled backward.
Sanji wasn't done.
He dashed forward, landing three more kicks in quick succession, each one forcing Bon Clay further into the wall. But the flamboyant martial artist still had fight left. With a sudden spin, Bon Clay lashed out and struck Sanji cleanly—right where his ribs were already cracked.
Sanji winced, staggering back and dropping to one knee. Both fighters were breathing heavily, faces bruised, sweat dripping, bodies trembling.
And then—they moved.
In perfect synchronization, they charged at each other for one final exchange.
"Bombardier Arabesque!" Bon Clay roared, launching into the air, foot drawn back with all his remaining power.
"Veau Shot!" Sanji shouted, mirroring the attack with his devastating finisher.
They collided in mid-air. Time seemed to stop.
Then they landed. Neither moved.
Silence.
Suddenly, Bon Clay shouted in pain, the delayed force of Sanji's kick finally unleashing its full impact. His body twisted, and he collapsed onto the ground—still conscious, but completely unable to move.
Sanji, meanwhile, dropped to one knee again, breathing heavily—not from injury this time, but pure exhaustion. Slowly, he stood and walked over to Bon Clay.
Bon Clay looked up at him through blurry vision. "Go ahead... I'm finished. Do what you have to do."
Sanji said nothing. He simply kept walking until he stood beside his fallen rival.
"You could always switch back to Nami's face... maybe I wouldn't be able to finish you," Sanji said with a half-smile.
Bon Clay gave a weak chuckle. "Ridiculous... I can't even lift a finger. And what good is cheating death when you've been beaten fair and square?"
He closed his eyes, accepting what he thought would be the end.
But instead of a finishing blow, a hand appeared before his face.
Sanji extended his hand, offering to help him up.
"It was a good match," Sanji said, genuine and calm. "No need for more words."
Bon Clay looked at Sanji in disbelief. In that moment, something changed in him. He saw Sanji not as an enemy—but as a rival worthy of admiration. A man of honor.
His lips quivered, eyes welling with tears. That small act of kindness struck deeper than any attack could.
Sanji turned without another word and began walking away.
He had more important things to do. Vivi was still being hunted. She needed him now.
'Vivi-san… wait for your prince,' he thought, adjusting his tie as he disappeared into the shadows of Rainbase.
Bon Clay just lay there, smiling faintly as he watched Sanji's figure vanish into the distance.