The collision of metal reverberated through the entire castle. From the entrance, many collapsed bodies scattered on the path. Tracing to the source of the sound, 2 shadows were moving like a ghost.
The sword on sword.
The melody of sword collision created a soft theme for their battle.
Pell's pupil reflected Yamato's image on it. His body was bathed in blood and sweat. However, this wasn't his enemy's blood.
He ground his teeth while trying his best to stop the pirate standing in front of him. He knew he couldn't defeat Yamato but at least, he could stall time.
His sword was trembling while Yamato's sword was firm and tough.
He scanned Yamato's body. Not like him, Yamato didn't drop any sweat and her breath was calm.
In his mind, he reprimanded himself for being too weak, and ignorant.
Too weak to protect his princess and country from the bad guy's hands.
Too ignorant to realize something wrong with his king.
He couldn't even protect his princess properly. Her whereabouts were unknown.
Yamato swung towards Pell. Her sword was wrapped with 3 types of Haki.
Armament Haki was used to enhance the attack.
Conqueror Haki was used to make her blade by imbuing her willpower.
And lastly, Observation Haki was used to make her opponent see his possible future.
Normally, she won't use Armament Haki on the weak.
But.
If she doesn't, it will be a disgrace to her opponent. To express her sincerity and respect, she used all her strength to fight Pell without holding back.
Pell gathered his last strength to block the incoming attack.
Two swords collided.
Suddenly, Pell vomited blood. His blood stained the marble floor.
The attack didn't reach Pell but Pell's body was hurt as if he was slashed directly.
He coughed out blood and knelt on the floor with one leg.
His breath became chaotic as if he saw something was terrible.
Yamato could see the limit in his body. She retrieved her sword back into the scabbard.
"I can see your determination and resolve in your eyes. However, a strong will is not enough to protect your country. What you lack most is experience. You are a strong guard in a country. Standing in front of the big world, your will is not enough." Yamato kindly gave her opinion about what he lacked.
Pell stared at Yamato with hatred. His hatred didn't aim at Yamato but himself. He blamed himself for being powerless. Only after the disaster stroke, does he know how useless he is.
"Each slash. You see your possible future. The future where you were sliced into pieces of meat or your head flew in the air. However. In reality, you are not injured at all. Your body is still healthy. It's just your brain was deceived by itself." Yamato explained while walking past Pell.
"Blood, sweats, and your limbs." Yamato pointed at his left arm.
"Standing on the edge of death, your brain is working at its maximum. Because of that, it was easy to be fooled."
Yamato poked Pell's left arm with her sword but his left arm didn't resist.
Pell couldn't feel any response from his left arm.
"Your brain thinks you have lost your left arm but in fact, your left arm is still there. Still good as new. This misunderstanding made your brain disconnect your left arm. That is why it becomes hard to move any parts of your body after each slash."
"When you want to move your left arm, your left leg moves. Or sometimes you want to dodge, you charge at me. Your actions are inconsistent." Yamato looked at her image on Pell's blade.
Done with explanation, Yamato moved towards the big door.
"Don't worry. Your body will be normal after resting for a few days. This is my privilege for a loyal warrior like you. It will be a waste if you are dead in this place."
Yamato opened the big door. Before leaving Pell behind, she added.
"Tomorrow will be a good day. This is a truth. Not promise." The door was slammed separating them.
Pell was struggling to move his limbs. His body refused to move. He could hear his muscles screaming.
His vision became blurred as time passed. He could see a subtle shadow approaching him.
"Sorry. Princess." his vision was gradually turning black.
"Pell … pell"
'This voice is familiar.' he lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground.
The fight between Yamato and Pell took 53 seconds.
A snail on the wall recorded their entire fight.
"This is hard." Crocodile threw his cigar while rubbing his temples.
He had been watching every single detail.
To be honest, he thought he didn't stand a single chance against Yamato.
This was like a slap into his price. The biggest slap that he had ever received was from Whitebeard.
Looking at Yamato reminded him of his embarrassing past.
He remembered at that time, he was a famous pirate. He had hunted and obtained many things.
He was prideful and confident.
However, just like everyone who is winning too much, he felt like he was a chosen one.
His young blood rushed to his head and he sailed to the big world to challenge Whitebeard.
With one punch, he was defeated.
That was a big slap cracking his pride and confidence.
From that day onwards, he always kept his head cold and was vigilant to his surroundings.
He came to the Alabasta kingdom having a purpose behind it.
That was to retrieve Pluton and have a second match to wash his embarrassing defeat.
He had gathered information about that ancient weapon for many years. All information converged at one point. And that is Alabasta kingdom.
He became one of the Warlords so that Marines wouldn't interfere with his business.
Next, he would fight and protect this country from pirates to build up his image and prestige.
To make it smoothly, he had to make King's reputation fall to the bottom.
His plan was smooth for many years.
However, the appearance of Yamato made his throne shake.
Looking at Yamato, he was angry.
Yamato's spirit and feelings made him remember his past. What made him annoy most was her strength.
Anyone who was born with Conqueror Haki was destined to become Pirate King. Although it was just a rumor, it affected a small part of him.
He saw her technique with his bare eyes. Yamato could coat her sword with 3 types of Haki. That was beyond ridiculous.
To coat any object, the common one is Armament Haki. Besides, he didn't hear and see that it was feasible to coat the weapon with Conqueror Haki or Observation Haki.
Even Whitebeard couldn't do that.
Her strength and skills gave him a delusion of a tall mountain. Looking at Yamato, he could see Whitebeard's shadow behind her.
How can he not be frustrated when seeing his old enemy?
His pride won his reason. He picked up Den Den Mushi to gather his subordinates for a grand battle.
"Tsk. You will be my step-stone for my career."
With just one call, he received the responses from his subordinates immediately. They all agreed to fight together.
"Good. Here is my plan. Listening carefully." his mouth curled up into a smile.
While Crocodile was formulating a plan in his head, Yamato had already made her way to the king's office.
She kicked the door and found no one.
"I thought I heard someone's movement in this room." Yamato scratched her head.
The castle was too big for her and she wasn't here before so everything was new to her.
Yamato could find joy in exploration. No wonder Oden wanted to leave his country.
She somehow managed to arrive at the king's room.
Look left and look right, she didn't spot any suspicion in this room.
Normally, King's room will have a secret path that King can use when something unexpectedly happens.
Yamato didn't want to waste time so she swung her swords around cutting the King's office into halves. If the path doesn't reveal, she will continue doing it.
The room was destroyed and revealed a secret path.
Looking at the path leading to the lower floor, she entered without hesitation.
A snail was observing Yamato's action in the dungeon.
In the dark room.
"Report boss. She has entered." A snail talked.
"Good. That is what I want to hear" Igniting his cigar, he looked at the ceiling.
Above him was Yamato.
He turned his gaze to his hook and his hand.
"One hit and one touch. No matter how strong she is. She will succumb to my knee." His voice was full of arrogance.
Nico Robin observed him from behind.
Many dark thoughts popped out in her head.