The streets were full of people fleeing in panic. Four figures moved against the flow toward the far end of the road, where a band of pirates was burning, killing, and looting.
Up close, the scene was hell itself: some pirates dashed into shops to snatch valuables; some raised long blades with feral grins to hack at those fallen on the ground; some slung pretty women over their shoulders, leering obscenely.
"Pirates really are the scum of the seas!" Kuina's face went cold with killing intent. Hand on Sakura Veil, she was about to charge.
Nojiko raised a hand to stop her. Calm-faced, she drew Withered Wood "Kōgarashi" and walked toward the pirates.
"Leave this to me and Nami. We'll settle our debt with this place."
Leno nodded to Kuina, and the two of them stood back to watch.
As the two women closed in, dark clouds gathered over the pirates' heads. A few of the thugs finally noticed them.
"Haha, look! Two prime little chicks came to us!"
"Hey now, top-shelf goods. Take 'em alive—these two will fetch a high price!"
"Everyone, let's go! Take them alive!"
Before they could act, the blue-haired girl blurred forward. In a flash—"shing, shing, shing"—several arcs of steel flickered; a handful of pirates crashed to the ground.
The rest roared and charged to avenge their mates—when thunder rumbled overhead.
Blinding bolts slammed down in succession. Screams rose with the smell of scorched flesh as pirates fell where they stood.
At the harbor, the captain Hostin arrived with reinforcements and went red-eyed at the sight.
"You dare kill my Giant Wolf Pirates? You're looking for your death!"
"Rraaagh!" Hostin's form swelled; his hair turned long and snow-white, standing on end. His body stretched past three meters, shifting into a wolf-headed man.
"Dog-Dog Fruit, White Wolf King model! I'll rip your hearts out with these claws!" He surged forward, reaching them in a blink; twin claws scythed down.
A metallic ding! Nojiko was driven back several meters, her feet carving deep furrows in the street.
"Nami, leave him to me. Take care of the others!"
"Be careful!"
When Hostin tried to intercept Nami, Nojiko cut him off.
"Little brat, you're underestimating me. I'll show you my power!" Hostin snarled, eyes blazing.
"Wolf King Charge!" The hulking body spun like a giant drill and hurtled at Nojiko.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!" Nojiko kept retreating as she defended against the continuous attacks. Just as her opponent's attack was about to lose momentum, she quickly stepped back and delivered a sword slash.
"Clang!" The sword was blocked by his claws. "Crackle! Crackle!" Sparks flew, and the shockwave from the impact blew away everything around them. Both of them were staring intently at each other.
Nojiko knocked Hostin back with one strike, then vanished with Soru, reappearing behind him to cut again. As a Zoan user, he was tough—he twisted to parry.
Then Nojiko's figure flickered around him, blade-lights lashing from all directions.
Sounds of "Clang! Clang! Clang!" accompanied by occasional "Swish!" sounds rang out. Houstin was breathing heavily, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Nojiko. His body was covered in sword wounds, but with a "Hiss!" sound, the wounds began to heal slowly.
"Hahahaha! I'm a Zoan user with a crazy healing factor. Your little cuts will close right up. But you—I'll tear you apart, piece by piece!"
"Wolf Claw Barrage!"
"Shff-shff-shff!" He windmilled his arms, driving Nojiko back. Sparks flew with every clash; blood beaded on her cheek, arm, and thigh.
"That's enough!" Kuina suddenly said.
"Mm. With all you've taught her—and a great swordsman like me as an occasional sparring partner—she'd better break through," Leno said lightly, smiling as they watched Nojiko hold the line.
Another bone-rattling crash.
"Hahahaha… You can't handle it anymore, can you, little girl? If you surrender obediently, I can make you mine…"
A slicing arc cut him off—literally almost. Only a desperate twist saved his head; a deep gash opened across his shoulder. Hostin's pupils shrank.
"A flying slash—you broke into Swordmaster?!"
"Thanks for the pressure. But this ends now."
A low hum. Nojiko's outline shifted—her figure lengthened, skin paling; leathery bat-like wings unfurled behind her. Crimson eyes fixed on Hostin; from her red lips, sharp fangs gleamed.
"You… you're a Devil Fruit user too?!" Hostin blanched.
"I never said I wasn't."
"Shff-shff-shff!" Several slashes shrieked in. Hostin blocked frantically.
Cries rose from the distance—his crew's pleas.
"Help!"
"Captain, save us! She's a demon!"
"Captain! Our attacks don't work—help!"
He looked over. The pirates on the ground were still firing at Nami, but bullets passed straight through her body without leaving a mark, while she smiled and walked toward them at a measured pace.
"W-what… is that?" Hostin's voice shook. His eyes were wide with disbelief.
"A Logia Devil Fruit. Also—don't get distracted in a fight."
"Dam—"
"Schk." His body froze. He lowered his head to the blade tip pushing out through his chest.
He tried to speak, but only blood bubbled from his mouth and nose with a rattling "khh… khh…" His head sagged; his form shrank back to human.
In the distance, Nami finished her battle and skipped over, light on her feet.
"Nojiko, nicely done!" Leno came up and wiped the blood from her cheek; the cuts had already sealed the moment she transformed.
Kuina clapped her shoulder. "Great work."
Flushed with their praise, Nojiko's smile bloomed.
"Hey, I did great too!" Nami huffed, stomping over.
"Yes, yes—Nami did great, especially your use of the Cloud-Cloud Fruit. Excellent."
At Leno's teasing tone, Nami pounced and rubbed her face all over his chest.
"Hey! You're getting blood all over me!"
"Hahahaha…" Only when the group had gone did townsfolk dare edge forward.
"They're dead. All of them!"
"The pirates… are all dead!" someone cheered.