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The Strongest Frost Loli (183)
🕑 Added 2025-01-28 17:00:13 +0000 UTCChapter 183 - Futile Resistance
Black Maria was the wielder of the Kumo Kumo no Mi, Ancient Zoan type: Rosamygale Grauvogeli, boasted impressive mobility and brute strength. Her hybrid form presented a human upper body and a spider's lower half. She had shed her kimono, leaving her torso bare save for the linen cloth bound across her chest, the kanji for "woman-trouble" was tattooed prominently on her back.
“Courtesan Knuckle!”
“Two Thousand Tile True Punch!”
Boom! Boom!
Black Maria and Koala’s Haki-infused fists collided with a thunderous roar. Both favored unarmed combat, but Koala found herself at a disadvantage against Black Maria's superior strength.
While the desert terrain negated Black Maria's usual aerial advantage, it also diminished the power of Koala's Fish-Man Karate, which relied on manipulating the surrounding water. Thus, the fight came down to raw physical ability, a domain where Black Maria, with her Kaido-rivalling physique and Zoan Devil Fruit, reigned supreme.
“Damn!” Koala grunted.
“Not bad. The Revolutionary Army isn't to be trifled with… but don't dream of defeating me!”
While the vast desert lacked rocky cover, the undulating dunes offered some tactical variation. Though the shifting sands prevented her from anchoring her webs effectively, Black Maria could still use them to limit Koala's movement options by attaching them to her directly. Even Koala, a master of Fish-Man Karate, couldn't overcome a Tobiroppo in an environment that suppressed her fighting style.
However, she wasn't fighting alone.
“Daaaaaaah!”
Bastille, brandishing his Samekiri Bocho (Shark-Cutter Cleaver), charged Black Maria. She blocked his surprise attack with one Haki-coated arm and retaliated with a punch from the other.
Bastille was momentarily sent flying by the force of the blow, but he recovered mid-air with a graceful twirl and landed nimbly on his feet. He then swiftly sliced through the web Black Maria had spun to ensnare Koala with a flying slash.
“A Marine! Siding with the Revolutionaries?!”
“Only for now, damn it! I know what takes priority!”
Between the Revolutionaries, who sought to protect Alabasta, and the Beasts Pirates/Big Mom Pirates alliance, who clearly intended to wreak havoc, the choice of enemy was clear.
While he had his reservations about the Revolutionaries, Bastille recognized that facing a Tobiroppo, a Headliner, or a Sweet Commander wasn't the time to be picky. Most of the Marines’ forces were stationed in the New World, leaving little hope for reinforcements.
While another Vice Admiral or two would have been welcome, the Marines couldn't afford to neglect their duties elsewhere by concentrating all their power in one place.
“Still able to move, little girl?” Bastille called to Koala.
“Still going! But it’s getting dicey!”
The dry desert air offered no moisture. Without water to manipulate, the power of Fish-Man Karate was significantly reduced.
Black Maria was intent on eliminating Bastille first, so she shot a web directly at his cleaver, ensnaring it. As their struggle briefly stalled, Koala saw her chance and closed in. However, Black Maria simply grinned, spun a web around herself, and set it ablaze. Her webs were flammable.
“Atatamaria! A shame there's nothing else to catch fire, but stay put and watch!”
While there was little else to ignite in the vast desert, it was enough to create a barrier. If she could incapacitate Bastille in the meantime, dealing with Koala would be a simple matter. Just as she tightened her grip on the web connected to Bastille, a torrent of water rushed across the sand.
A tsunami of dissolving liquid, conjured by Lycoris.
No matter how strong Black Maria was, a direct hit would corrode her skin. As a courtesan, as a woman, that was unacceptable. She immediately released the web connected to Bastille and scrambled up a dune to avoid the wave.
“Grab on, little girl!” Bastille called, leaping into the air with Geppo.
He extended a hand to Koala, trapped within the ring of fire. She grasped it, and he pulled her into the air just as the tsunami of dissolving liquid engulfed the flames and swept across the sand.
“What a dangerous ability… The Twilight Pirates are even more troublesome than we thought…” Bastille muttered.
“…Perhaps, now’s our chance…” Koala said, observing the aftermath.
While the liquid had extinguished the flames, the heat had also evaporated some of it. Given time, it would dissipate completely, but for now, the air held a significant amount of moisture. Considering Black Maria’s proximity on the nearby dune, the effect wouldn’t be negligible.
“Vice Admiral! Throw me at her!”
“What?! But–”
“Just do it! There’s no time!”
“Grrr… Taking orders from a Revolutionary is infuriating, but fine! Go!”
Bastille propelled Koala through the air with Geppo, sending her towards Black Maria. As she flew, Koala took a deep breath and focused her Haki into her right arm. Black Maria, noticing this, braced herself on the ground with her fists raised.
“Oh? Charging at me in mid-air with nowhere to escape? How passionate! But does your resolve match your strength?!”
The distance between them vanished in an instant. Both swung their fists.
“Courtesan Knuckle!”
“Tangled Tile True Punch!”
Boom! Boom!
Their Haki-coated fists collided, causing a crackling sound.. However, this time was different. A shockwave, amplified by the moisture in the air, rippled from Koala's punch, sending Black Maria's massive form flying.
“Wha– Aaaaagh!”
Black Maria was hurled towards the still-approaching wave of dissolving liquid. Koala, carried by the momentum of her attack, was about to fall into the corrosive tide as well, but Bastille, with impeccable timing, caught her mid-air.
“Th-thank you…!”
“Honestly! Don't be so reckless, little girl!”
Black Maria, at the last moment, had managed to scramble onto the opposite dune. Her earlier composure shattered, her face was now a mask of rage as she glared at Koala with beads of sweat dripping from her brow.
“You bitch…! You won’t leave here alive!”
“We’re not going down that easily!”
“You’ve got another thing coming, little girl! You don't get to disrespect a Vice Admiral!”
Koala and Bastille stood side-by-side, ready to face Black Maria’s renewed assault.
***
Boom! Boom!
A series of explosions rocked the desert, kicking up a lot of sand. Gem, using his breath as ammunition for his revolver, fired at Who's-Who, who effortlessly dodged the attacks with Soru and his mastery of Observation Haki.
“Interesting weapon, but it’s useless if it doesn’t hit.”
“Damn it!”
He knew better than to underestimate a Tobiroppo, but Gem couldn't deny the feeling of being toyed with. Who’s-Who drew his short swords and swung it at high speed to attack Gem.
“Blade Gun!”
Gem barely managed to evade the flurry of flying slashes and began firing his breath bullets in return, desperately trying to create an opening for Robin’s escape.
“Hahaha! You’re pathetic! I don’t mind playing with you, but I have orders from Kaido himself. How about you just die already?”
“Not a chance!”
Even with Observation Haki, the sand kicked up by explosions could momentarily obscure vision.
Gem continued to detonate his breath bombs, hoping to create a smokescreen. Who’s-Who, seemingly unfazed, waved away the sand with an irritated flick of his wrist.
“You’re wasting my time.”
He tossed aside his cigarette and, as Gem charged through the sand cloud, swung his short swords. Gem’s whole body hardened with Busoshoku Haki, and although he was cut by the slash, he avoids a fatal blow and slammed into Who's Who at high speed.
Who’s-Who, of course, wouldn't take such an attack head-on, but this wasn’t a one-on-one fight.
Robin’s sprouted arms restrained Who’s-Who’s legs, momentarily immobilizing him.
“What the–?!”
“Now you’ll see what’s useless! Rushing Explosive Charge Bomb!”
BOOM!
A deafening explosion rang out that made the air quaked violently.
Mikita and Robin, who had been lying low on a nearby dune, winced and covered their ears. The thick cloud of sand obscured their vision, but even the notoriously durable Who’s-Who couldn’t have survived a direct hit at that range.
“Did we… get him?” Mikita asked hesitantly.
“I don’t know… He’s a Tobiroppo. A Yonko commander’s strength is beyond our imagination.”
While Robin hoped Gem’s attack had been successful, she knew better than to underestimate a Yonko commander. If Who’s-Who was still alive, their only option was to surrender and hope Kanata’s wrath wouldn’t be too severe.
While capture wasn’t ideal, it was preferable to Gem’s death. A full-scale war between Kaido and Kanata would have devastating global consequences. It was a last resort.
As the sand settled, a figure came flying towards them.
Gem was covered in blood and barely conscious.
“Gem!”
“Damn it… That bastard…!”
Who’s-Who, in his hybrid form, emerged from the dissipating smoke. As a user of the Neko Neko no Mi, Ancient Zoan type: Sabre-Toothed Tiger, he possessed incredible durability. Even a point-blank explosion, mitigated by Busoshoku Haki, hadn’t incapacitated him. While his clothes were torn, he seemed relatively unharmed.
Gem, battered and bruised, struggled to stand. Who’s-Who ignored Robin and grabbed Gem by the throat, lifting him into the air.
“Your resistance was futile. I’ll kill you here and take Nico Robin.”
“Cough… I… won’t… let you…!”
“What can you possibly do in your state?!”
Who’s-Who’s finger pistol, enhanced by his Sabre-Toothed claws, pierced Gem’s abdomen. Gem groaned and coughed up blood. Who’s-Who, seemingly satisfied, prepared to finish him off. A quick shot to the heart and throat. A simple matter.
“No! Seis Fleur: Clutch!”
Robin, desperately trying to create an opening, sprouted arms from Who's-Who’s body. However, the difference in their strength was too great. He effortlessly swatted away her arms and the claws raked across her skin, drawing blood. Mikita, also desperate to intervene, knew that Who’s-Who would kill Gem before she could reach him.
“Die!”
Who’s-Who, without hesitation, aimed his fingers at Gem’s heart. Just as he was about to strike, someone grabbed his arm and stopped him.
“What the–?!”
While Who’s-Who’s height exceeded three meters, his hybrid form was even larger. The man who had stopped him was a head shorter, but his presence was far more imposing. Dark skin, a muscular physique, slicked-back golden hair. And most importantly, a familiar face. Perhaps his rage had clouded his judgment, preventing him from recognizing the man until now.
“What the hell are you doing here, Douglas Bullet?!”
Douglas Bullet, the "Demon Heir" – a monster whose strength rivalled even Kaido and Big Mom.
“What does it matter to you where I go?”
Bullet glared at him, released his arm, and punched Who’s-Who in the face. Who’s-Who, momentarily stunned, instinctively raised his arms to block, but Bullet instantly shifted his trajectory and struck him in the gut.
“Gah…!”
“Weakling. Is that all you’ve got, you piece of trash?”
As Who’s-Who gasped for air, Bullet struck him in the face again. Who’s-Who went flying.
Bullet then turned his attention to the bloodied Gem. Seemingly losing interest, he shifted his gaze back to Who's-Who and slowly began walking towards him.
Meanwhile, Robin and Mikita, seizing the opportunity, rushed to Gem’s side and began tending to his wounds.
“Damn it…! I didn’t know that bastard would be here…!”
Douglas Bullet – a former member of Gol D. Roger's crew. While he now seemed to be affiliated with the Twilight Pirates, preventing him from having a bounty, if he were to have one, it would undoubtedly exceed 2 billion berries. What was a man of his calibre doing here?
Who’s-Who braced himself.
“Hey, you. You’re one of Kaido’s men, right? Is that bastard here?” Bullet asked.
“Huh? Kaido-san isn't here!”
“Tch… That witch lied to me.”
He had come, drawn by the explosions, suspecting Kaido might be present despite not sensing his presence. However, all he found was a Tobiroppo, a battered subordinate, two seemingly harmless women, and a handful of weaker pirates. It was a disappointing turnout, to say the least. Bullet clicked his tongue in annoyance. His expectations, fueled by the rumor of Kaido’s presence, hadn’t been met.
“Fine. Playing with small fry isn’t my style, but… it’ll be some exercise.”
He figured any member of the Beasts Pirates would offer at least some entertainment.
Who's-Who had beads of sweat dripping from his brow, he knew instinctively that turning his back would be fatal. Bullet was rumored to have clashed with Kaido himself. His strength, further amplified by his past affiliation with the Roger Pirates, was undeniable. Still, with no escape route, he had no choice but to fight.
“Here I come…! Fanged Gun!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Who’s-Who fired a volley of sharp, fanged projectiles. Their cutting power was formidable, capable of slicing through ordinary Busoshoku Haki. However, Bullet’s Haki was far from ordinary. He blocked the attack head-on with Haki alone, unscathed. He clicked his tongue again, unimpressed.
“Are you serious? You’re not playing around, are you?”
“I’m serious! Damn it, you monster…!”
Who’s-Who’s Rankyaku attacks were effortlessly dodged. His repeated Fanged Gun assaults failed to even scratch Bullet. Just as he decided to create some distance and make a run for it, he turned his back – and found Bullet standing right behind him with his fist raised.
“I was a fool to expect anything from trash like you. Disappear.”
Bullet’s fist, crackling with black lightning, slammed into Who’s-Who. The force of the blow sent shockwaves through the sand. Bullet brushed off the sand clinging to his clothes with an irritated flick of his wrist. Who’s-Who was knocked unconscious. Bullet’s thirst for battle was still unquenched, so he scanned the area with Observation Haki.
“…There are more interesting ones here. Hahaha.”
He had heard Crocodile was also in this country. However, he seemed disinterested in fighting a man he had once stalemated, now seemingly weakened. He set off towards Jack and Cracker, seeking a more challenging opponent.
