Gion's words were harsh, cutting through the tension like a blade. Momonga, unable to contain his anger, drew his sword, ready to challenge her. But Ginny was already in front of Gion, standing between them.
She stared directly into Gion's eyes, her voice steady and defiant.
"You're getting ahead of yourself. Carl's strength is not something you can question!"
Gion laughed, her disdain clear. She had always been the favored one, the golden child. Ginny's unwavering support of Carl irked her.
"Say what you want, but you're just a girl blinded by emotions. Wake up, little sister. Carl might not be as great as you think."
Jessica, standing nearby, clenched her fists in anger. She was direct, never one to shy away from confrontation. She started forward, ready to confront Gion, but Ginny's grip held her back with surprising strength.
With calm determination, Ginny drew the golden pistol Carl had given her. Her voice was cold and firm.
"Aren't you here for a challenge? I'll fight you."
"You?" Gion crossed her arms, looking Ginny up and down with a smirk. "Are you better than the last person?"
"Why don't you find out?" Ginny shot back.
Gion, recalling Ginny's impressive speed, nodded. She pointed her sword at Ginny and said,
"Come on, show me your strength."
Ginny wasted no time, launching a Rankyaku at Gion. Gion sidestepped, observing the cracks left on the ground. She nodded slightly, thinking to herself, "The power is good, but the speed is lacking."
When she looked up again, Ginny had vanished from her sight. But Gion was not alarmed. She had long awakened Observation Haki, and with it, she quickly pinpointed Ginny's location.
Two gunshots rang out, and two bullets sped towards Gion from behind. Without turning around, she swung her sword back, effortlessly splitting the bullets in midair.
Turning gracefully, she addressed Ginny, who had reappeared not far behind.
"Little sister, you're quite skilled with Soru. I'll admit, you're better than the last one."
Ginny, however, paid no mind to Gion's words. She wasn't interested in cheap praise. Her only target was Carl.
She bit her lip, kneeling on one leg as the gun in her hand still smoked. This woman was much stronger than she had anticipated.
Her Rankyaku was intended as a mere distraction; her real skill lay in marksmanship. After all, bullets traveled faster than any kick.
She had used Soru to find the best shooting position, but Gion had seen through her plan effortlessly, rendering two precious bullets wasted.
Ginny knew her ammunition was limited. Once it was gone, she'd have no choice but to engage in close combat with Gion, a situation clearly not in her favor.
Gion raised her chin, a confident smile on her lips, and said,
"This open area puts you at a disadvantage with your gun. I won't give you another chance like the last. You might as well surrender. It won't look good if you get hurt."
Ginny snorted, slowly rising to her feet. Her voice was icy.
"You don't need to worry about me. We'll see who wins!"
Gion stretched lazily, showing off her curves, her voice playful.
"Alright, alright. Let's continue."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Ginny used Soru again, closing the distance between them in a flash.
Gion, surprised that Ginny, a gunner, didn't keep her distance but instead chose to engage in close combat, chuckled.
"What's this? Close combat with me? Not a wise choice."
With a swift motion, she flipped her sword and aimed a powerful strike at Ginny's abdomen. The blow was strong enough to end the fight if it landed.
But what happened next shocked everyone. Ginny reached out, grabbing the blade with her bare hand, blood dripping from her white fingers as she held it firm.
Gion's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You're crazy! Aren't you afraid of losing your fingers?"
Had Ginny misjudged her strength, the sharp blade of the famous sword could have easily severed a few fingers.
Gion was taken aback. She hadn't expected such a cute-looking girl to be so ruthless.
Despite the blood flowing from her hand, Ginny didn't flinch. Instead, she smiled and said softly,
"This injury is nothing compared to what I've been through before."
In Gion's wide eyes, Ginny punched her in the stomach, sending her flying backward to crash heavily into the ground.
Ginny shook the blood from her hand and muttered,
"You'll pay for insulting Carl!"
Gion, clutching her stomach with one hand, used her sword to stand up. She coughed a few times before recovering quickly.
A trace of black receded from her abdomen. The spectators noticed this, their expressions darkening.
"Damn! She's awakened Armament Haki. Ginny's attack was neutralized by Haki!"
Maris felt a sting of humiliation. As a grown man, he hadn't even managed to provoke Gion into using her Armament Haki. It was another blow to his pride.
Gion glanced at him before brushing the dust from her clothes, her expression turning serious.
Her Armament Haki was awakened but not particularly strong. Ginny's punch had hurt, and she could still feel the pain in her abdomen.
Now angry, Gion prepared to draw her sword, clearly intending to end the fight.
Ginny, knowing she couldn't dodge Gion's sword techniques, stood her ground, raising her pistol with determination.
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