Taking a few steps back, the axe-wielding pirate glared fiercely at Foxy, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
“Foxy.”
Yafiel, panting heavily, looked astonished.
“Major, keep him under control.”
Instead of hiding, Foxy stood up, musket in hand, and gave Yafiel a meaningful look, forming an orchid finger gesture with his left hand.
Understanding Foxy’s signal, Yafiel nodded solemnly.
“Hmph.”
The axe-wielding pirate snorted coldly and charged at Foxy, his axe gleaming ominously.
The pirate thought that one strike should suffice for this meddlesome little grunt.
“Whoosh!”
A slash intercepted the pirate, forcing him to a halt. Yafiel stood there, his long sword wrapped in dark Armament Haki, every strike filled with lethal intent.
Clashes and sparks flew from their weapons, waves of pressure radiating outwards.
On the periphery, Foxy was ready to act. He would use his ability as long as Yafiel could restrict the pirate’s movements.
Finally, after a few exchanges, Yafiel found an opportunity to restrain the axe-wielding pirate, though he sustained injuries in the process.
“Foxy!”
Yafiel’s long sword pressed against the pirate’s axe while his other hand grabbed his left arm. Blood spurted from his mouth as he shouted.
With a tense expression, Foxy shot a pink beam from his left hand, then charged forward.
Because the Slow-Slow Beam has diminished effects on stronger enemies, the axe-wielding pirate, who was evenly matched with Yafiel, would still be slowed down for at least six to seven seconds.
And these six or seven seconds would be the key to victory.
The Slow-Slow Beam was slow; the pirate had time to use Armament Haki for defence.
Black Armament Haki spread across the pirate’s abdomen, aligning with the beam’s trajectory.
Without any hindrance, thanks to Yafiel’s restraint, the pirate was hit squarely in the face.
Slowed to a crawl, the pirate’s body functions, resembling a turtle, rapidly declined.
Foxy jumped high and fired his musket. At the same time, he swiftly drew a short knife from his waist, slashing the pirate’s throat.
Blood splattered as a bullet shot into the pirate’s right eye, and the short knife easily cut through his throat.
Yafiel also acted, his long sword piercing the pirate’s chest straight through his back.
Luckily, the Slow-Slow Beam hadn’t hit Yafiel.
When Foxy thought he had succeeded, the pirate suddenly resumed movement after only three or four seconds. Eyes bulging, he swung his gleaming axe at Foxy even in his death throes.
He intended to drag Foxy down with him.
As Foxy landed, a chilling sense of imminent death swept over him.
With all his might, he blocked with his short knife, but with a sharp sound, Foxy spat blood from his mouth and nose, his eyes rolling back as he was launched like a cannonball, smashing through several cabins before being buried under debris, his fate uncertain.
“Foxy!”
Yafiel’s sword slashed horizontally, severing the pirate’s chest completely. He then rushed toward the debris.
“Foxy! Foxy!”
Clearing the rubble, Yafiel carefully pulled Foxy out, his face filled with worry.
Foxy was in bad shape, his arms twisted unnaturally, his chest, not yet fully healed, had collapsed again, and blood bubbled from his mouth and nose. His breathing was faint, and he was unconscious.
In the sky, Tsuru and Garpama’s battle had reached its climax, and the outcome was becoming apparent.
Young Tsuru was no pushover. Although she relied mainly on her intellect, her strength was to be recognised.
She had mastered the Six Powers, awakened Life Return, and wielded Observation and Armament Haki. Most importantly, she possessed a Devil Fruit ability.
The Paramecia Wash-Wash Fruit.
This fruit allowed her to wash enemies like clothes, turning them into flat, cloth-like forms and hanging them to dry.
She could wash any object, causing them to lose their shape. Living beings would lose their strength, and she could even slightly wash away the “evil” in people’s hearts, weakening their malice.
This ability affected the mind and could even wash away injuries, pain, and scars, showcasing Tsuru’s power.
With formidable combat skills and dual Haki, combined with the Wash-Wash Fruit, Garpama stood no chance.
Even with a bounty of 230 million, equivalent to 500-600 million twenty years later, Garpama was overpowered.
Tsuru washed Garpama’s right hand, rendering it limp-like cloth. Next, she did the same to his left hand and body, finally leaving him hanging limply like freshly laundered clothes in her hand.
Though Garpama put up a fight, being a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user, Tsuru sustained injuries but nothing severe.
With Garpama defeated and Uska, Natalie, and others gradually overcoming their opponents, the scales of victory tipped steeply in favour of the Navy.
Landing on the battleship, Tsuru wiped blood from the corner of her mouth and casually tossed Garpama to the ground. Two marines quickly clapped seastone cuffs on him and secured him.
With a sharp gaze, Tsuru was about to personally clear out the remaining pirates when Yafiel called out to her.
Disappearing from her spot, she reappeared beside Yafiel. Seeing Foxy on the brink of death, her expression changed slightly.
“What happened?”
“Vice Admiral, Foxy was injured while saving me. Please save him.”
Yafiel’s eyes were slightly red.
Tsuru knelt, her hands emanating a unique fragrance, and touched Foxy’s arms and chest. Miraculously, Foxy’s twisted arms realigned, and his collapsed chest began to return to normal.
However, Foxy remained unconscious, too gravely injured.
Seeing Foxy merely in a coma and his breathing normalising, Yafiel sighed in relief.
“Take him to the infirmary to rest.”
With that, Tsuru stood and walked outside. She needed to deal with the remaining pirates to prevent further casualties swiftly.
Yafiel carried Foxy to the infirmary and then rejoined the battle.
With Tsuru’s involvement, the Fierce Lion Pirates were utterly defeated, unable to flee before being captured.
One by one, they were shackled and locked in the battleship’s brig, unlikely to see daylight again.
The sunset transitioned from a dazzling display to a tranquil descent over the horizon, connecting the sea and sky.
Five to six hours had passed since the battle with the Fierce Lion Pirates, leaving the battleship severely damaged and its speed halved.
Fortunately, the battleship had shipwrights who were still alive on board.
Under their guidance, the marines began patching up the ship, striving to ensure it could sail normally.
However, the situation could have been more optimistic.
The sea was visible through the front of the office, now partly destroyed by cannon fire.
“Are you serious?”
Tsuru paused her writing, looking at Yafiel in surprise.
“This is what I personally observed; there’s no mistake.”
Yafiel nodded earnestly. Initially, she found it hard to believe, but the facts were undeniable.
“Excellent, excellent.”
Tsuru smiled brightly, feeling like she had found a treasure.
Yafiel had just reported that during the battle with the Fierce Lion Pirates, Foxy not only didn’t hide but also shot down over a dozen pirates and saved more than ten sailors.
Additionally, he helped Yafiel kill the axe-wielding pirate. This accomplishment promoted him from third class to corporal, skipping over second and first class.
With courage, bravery, and a sense of justice, despite his young age, if not nurtured, it would be a loss for the Navy.
As Foxy had suspected, his impression in Tsuru’s mind had deepened.
This impulsive action was not in vain, nor was the blood he shed wasted. Though he didn’t gain tangible benefits, the influence was more valuable than gold or silver.
After all, the world is realistic; without sacrifice, how can one achieve their desires?
Aside from one’s parents, no one in the world would selflessly help you without expecting anything.
Simply put, who do you think you are?
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