"Is this a newcomer?"
Gion narrowed her eyes in surprise, skeptical at the thought. How could someone so young possess such strength? No wonder Admiral Sengoku had asked her to test this one. If left unchecked, this boy could one day become a pirate as dangerous as the Yonko. That would only add more pressure to the already strained Navy.
Her gaze sharpened, a flicker of excitement appearing in her eyes.
"Your weapon is impressive," Gion said in a deep voice.
"Yours as well," Mio replied, twirling Raikiri with a flourish.
"Unfortunately for you," she continued coldly, "you'll either die here today or be arrested and sent to Impel Down."
In the blink of an eye, Gion vanished.
Mio didn't hesitate. Although his Observation Haki wasn't as refined, he sensed her approach instantly. Spinning around, he raised Raikiri to block, and the clash of steel rang out with a burst of sparks.
He could feel the force behind Gion's blade reverberating through his own weapon.
"Push Castle sounds interesting, but not today," Mio muttered. Not loud enough for her to hear.
With a sudden burst of strength, he forced Gion back and countered with a swift slash.
"One-Sword Style: Demon Slash!"
The attack—named after a move from a certain game—released a pure black arc of energy. Though inspired by fiction, the technique was real and dangerous. Gion's eyes flickered with caution.
But she didn't retreat. On the contrary, she felt a thrill.
As a swordswoman, there was nothing more satisfying than crossing blades with a worthy opponent.
She answered with her own strike, and the golden slash met Mio's black arc mid-air, exploding in a wave of force that blew debris in all directions.
Steel clashed again and again.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The duel quickly escalated, neither side holding back. Their swords moved so fast they became afterimages, the weapons colliding mid-air in bursts of sparks. The two figures darted across the shoreline like shadows, locked in a fierce dance of death.
"Slash!"
With a sharp cry, Gion unleashed a golden arc once more.
Mio responded in kind, his black slash colliding with hers, nullifying it. The two forces canceled each other out in a dazzling display of power.
Gion stood firmly, her figure outlined against the sea behind her.
"As a newcomer to the seas, you're strong. But you're still no match for me. Once I deal with you, I'll have more than enough time to capture your crew."
"Oh?" Mio smiled faintly. He couldn't deny it—he was already feeling the strain. In contrast, Gion showed no signs of fatigue. The difference in experience and power was undeniable.
"You're right. I'm not your opponent… yet. But if you think you can keep me here—sorry, you're wrong."
He raised his voice. "Erica."
"Yes, Master."
Erica responded without hesitation. Her tentacles swayed as she stepped forward. With a flash of her twin blades, she spun like a full moon—and suddenly, screams echoed across the beach as a dozen navy officers were cut down.
"Devil Fruit user?"
Under the flickering light, Gion noticed the tentacles on Erica's forehead for the first time. Her instincts kicked in, immediately growing cautious.
She knew well how dangerous and unpredictable Devil Fruit powers could be. This Erica—clearly the source of Mio's confidence—was no ordinary subordinate.
Activating her Observation Haki, Gion's perception expanded, covering the surrounding hundreds of meters instantly.
And then her expression changed.
"What?!"
She turned sharply and shouted, "Everyone! Retreat to the ship and leave the shore—now!"
Gion's authority wasn't in question. The navy troops obeyed without hesitation. But just as they scrambled aboard, they caught sight of a terrifying black tide surging out from the island's forest.
Ants.
An overwhelming swarm of dense black ants flooded the coastline. The sheer number was nauseating, blanketing the trees, ground, and anything in their path. Fear gripped the soldiers as many instinctively stepped back, swallowing nervously.
"This power…"
Gion looked toward Erica, her gaze hardening. Without a word, she leapt onto the charred remains of a corpse floating on the sea.
The ants were terrifying, but Gion wasn't reckless. She could sense it—this wasn't a fight she could win alone.
"So this is your confidence?" she asked Mio darkly.
"Not enough?" Mio grinned.
"Of course not." Gion sneered. "Even if we can't set foot on land, you still need a ship to leave. Do you really think you can escape?"
"I think it'll be easy enough." Mio shrugged, scratching his head. "I didn't want to do this… Bullying with numbers isn't exactly classy, but you've left me no choice."
Gion's expression tensed. She immediately knew what was coming.
A figure appeared in front of her without warning—Warwick. With a low growl, the werewolf swung a claw, creating a booming sound as it cut through the air.
Clang!
Gion barely blocked the strike, but the raw power sent her skidding backward until she landed on the shore. Her arms trembled slightly.
The ants didn't pursue her—they stood still. Mio didn't want her dead.
Killing Gion might be possible with Warwick, Erica, and himself. But doing so would provoke the wrath of the Navy Headquarters. Mio, having read the original history of this world, knew well:
An Admiral is a whole different beast.
Vice Admirals and below could be handled. But Admirals? No. Not yet.
Erica charged forward, blades whirling as she launched a fierce assault on Gion, forcing her into a purely defensive stance.
From the shadows of the forest, Robin approached and tugged at Mio's sleeve. Rising on her toes, she whispered something in his ear. Mio nodded.
Then, with a playful smile, he picked her up. Robin's face flushed as he shouted, "Madam! We'll meet again if fate allows! Warwick, Erica—let's go!"
Without waiting, Mio sprinted toward the ship.
"Fire! Stop them!" Gion shouted, barely holding off Erica and Warwick.
The navy responded, but just then, the island began to rumble.
Two massive figures emerged from the forest.
Their booming voices echoed across the shore.
"I heard the navy's bullying our friend. That's not okay!"
"Even the navy shouldn't stop a pirate's journey!"
It was Dorry and Brogy, the two giant warriors.
Laughing heartily, Brogy raised his axe and brought it crashing down onto the warship. The colossal weapon cracked the deck and nearly split the vessel in two.
Water poured in.
Panic ensued as navy soldiers fell into the sea, scrambling to stay afloat.
"Damn it, giants?!" Gion cursed inwardly. She didn't recognize them—after all, they were legends from decades past. But the damage they caused was very real.
Originally, her plan was to destroy Mio's ship and buy time. Now?
Now, things were spiraling out of control.
Boom!
Erica's twin blades clashed with Gion's sword. Warwick struck from the side, his claw raking across her torso. Blood burst from the wound, and Gion was sent flying, crashing against the rocks.
Erica and Warwick used the chance to retreat, leaping onto the pirate ship.
"Let's go! Set sail!" Mio ordered.
The ship pulled away from the shore as the navy, now disorganized, could only fire stray shots—none of which hit.
Mio looked back and shouted, "Dorry, Brogy! Thanks! I'll visit soon—but please, don't leave the island yet!"
Though he could've escaped without them, their help saved him time and energy.
"HAHAHA! See you again, boy!"
"We'll drink together next time!" the giants bellowed with laughter.
They then turned toward Gion, who was rising slowly.
"Still want to fight, Navy girl? We'll keep you company," they said, grinning.
"Damn it!" Gion growled. "You want to be branded as criminals by the navy?!"
The two giants scratched their heads.
"Sorry," said Brogy, grinning. "We were already criminals… decades ago."