As Zoro and Sanji wrapped up their fight with Mr. 3, Nami and Usopp found themselves face-to-face with two unwelcome figures: Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine.
The four stood there, each struggling to mask their thoughts and fears.
"How did we end up here? What do we do now?" Nami's eyes darted to Usopp, signaling her confusion.
"You're asking me? I'm just as clueless!" Usopp replied with a matching look of dread.
Despite their recent training—Usopp particularly putting in the most effort—strength didn't necessarily come with effort. Their cowardly instincts still held strong, leaving them momentarily paralyzed.
Meanwhile, Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine were in even worse shape. They had just witnessed Kai's intense battle with Dorry and Brogy.
As top members of Baroque Works, they knew exactly what to do: retreat!
If they had fought Kai at Whiskey Peak, their odds of survival would have been grim. So, escaping now seemed like the best choice.
Their escape was met with mixed news:
Bad news: They had run into members of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Good news: These two seemed weak and lacked bounties. Two against two, they should have the advantage!
"Alright then," Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine exchanged determined glances and prepared to take down Nami and Usopp.
But just as they were about to strike, they were met with small packets of ammunition flying their way.
Instinctively, they attacked the packets, which exploded on impact. The blast was nothing to Mr. 5, thanks to his Bomb-Bomb Fruit powers, but it was a disaster for Miss Valentine, sending her into a heap.
"Damn it!" Mr. 5 spat as he waved away the smoke. But before he could react, a sledgehammer and a club were swinging towards him and Miss Valentine.
Bang!
Both were sent sprawling, hitting the ground hard.
"Damn it!" Mr. 5 roared. "I'm going to make them pay!"
Before they could recover, more ammunition packets flew towards them, accompanied by Usopp's call.
"Pepper Star!"
Realizing the danger, Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine scrambled to get up, but it was too late. The pepper stars hit them squarely, causing intense burning pain on their faces.
Usopp and Nami seized the opportunity, attacking with renewed vigor. They beat them mercilessly with their weapons, ensuring the duo could barely fight back.
Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine felt overwhelmed, their bodies bruised and battered. They were barely conscious as Usopp and Nami's relentless assault continued.
As they faded into unconsciousness, one thought echoed in their minds: "I'm not going down without a fight!"
Usopp and Nami didn't let up until they were exhausted. Finally, they paused to catch their breath.
"Huff... Huff... Do you think they'll be getting up anytime soon?" Usopp asked, panting.
Nami, equally winded, replied, "From the looks of them... they probably won't."
Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine lay in a sorry state—swollen, bruised, and barely recognizable.
After a while...
"Hahaha..."
Usopp's unexpected laughter startled Nami. She snapped, "Usopp, what's so funny?"
"I just realized," Usopp said, his voice full of excitement, "these enemies we thought were so strong aren't really that bad!"
"Just like now, we defeated someone we thought was unbeatable."
He clenched his fist, his eyes shining with determination. "Through this battle, I can feel my strength growing—not just physically, but mentally. I now have the courage to face seemingly invincible enemies!"
"I'm going to get braver and stronger! One day, I'll become a true warrior of the sea!"
With that, Usopp stood tall, declaring his newfound resolve. Nami, watching him, responded with a smile. "You'll definitely make it!"
They then set off towards their next destination, eager to see what awaited them.
...
Back at the battlefield, after Kai had tossed Dorryand Brogy aside, he watched as they slowly got back up.
"You two, ready to give me a real challenge?" Kai asked with a smirk.
Dorry and Brogy exchanged looks of surprise. Brogy sneered, "Kid, are you out of your mind?"
"I'm only 16, you know!" Kai retorted with a grin. "Stop acting like you're the only ones with experience."
"So, you're saying we're bound to lose? It's just a matter of how badly?" Dorry asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Exactly," Kai said calmly.
"Interesting! If you're so confident, let's test it out!" Dongli said, brimming with determination.
With that, Dongli and Brogy charged at Kai, their combined strength and size making them formidable opponents. Their weapons swung with power, aiming to strike Kai down...
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Power Stones would be appreciated if you liked the story.