Chapter 28: CH 28: FIGHT
The sun hung low over Whiskey Peak, casting long shadows across the island. Near the docks, Yuji and his crew stood quietly, their demeanor casual yet vigilant. The faint sound of boots crunching on gravel echoed in the distance.
Yuji leaned against a wooden post, his eyes half-closed as if he were listening to something only he could hear. His silver hair shimmered in the fading sunlight. After a moment, he spoke.
"Prepare yourselves, everyone," he said, his voice calm but firm. "We have company."
Law tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, his sharp gaze scanning the horizon. "How many?"
"Plenty," Yuji replied. "And they're not here for a friendly chat."
Bepo's shoulders slumped as he let out a heavy sigh. "Why does it always have to be this way? I just wanted to rest..."
Hancock stood beside Yuji, her arms crossed as a smirk played on her lips. "Marines, I assume? It's been a while since I've seen their type."
Yuji nodded. "Looks like it."
On the other side of the island, Vice Admiral Momonga led a column of marines, their disciplined march echoing through the quiet streets. A young marine scout approached him, saluting sharply.
"Sir, we've spotted a group near the docks. They seem… suspicious."
Momonga's sharp eyes narrowed. "Suspicious? Pirates?"
"I can't confirm, Vice Admiral," the scout replied, "but their presence here seems unusual."
Momonga stopped walking, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Then we'll confirm it ourselves. Move out."
The marines picked up their pace, their boots striking the ground in unison.
By the time the marines reached the docks, the tension in the air was palpable. Yuji and his crew stood in plain sight, making no effort to hide.
Momonga stepped forward, his presence commanding as his hand rested on his sword. He studied Yuji and the others with a critical eye. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
Yuji offered a friendly smile, his arms crossed. "We're just travelers. Waiting for the island's magnetic field to set our log pose so we can move on."
Momonga's gaze hardened, and he drew his sword in a swift motion. "Travelers, you say? You seem awfully calm for someone being questioned by the marines. Are you pirates?"
Yuji chuckled softly, his silver hair catching the light. "Pirates? That's a strong word."
Momonga's sword gleamed in the sunlight as he leveled it at Yuji. "So you admit it. Pirates. Men, arrest them!"
The marines sprang into action, drawing their weapons and surrounding Yuji and his crew.
Yuji's smile faded as his eyes narrowed. "Well, it seems like we've been labeled." He glanced at his crew. "You know the drill. Defend yourselves."
The marines charged forward, their battle cries filling the air. Law unsheathed his sword, his calm demeanor replaced with sharp focus. Bepo let out a resigned sigh before lunging at the incoming soldiers, his claws flashing.
Hancock stepped forward gracefully, her presence alone enough to make several marines falter. "You dare approach me?" she said coldly, before unleashing a devastating kick that sent a group of soldiers flying.
Momonga, however, kept his focus on Yuji. He charged, his sword slicing through the air in a blur of steel. Yuji sidestepped the attack effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise.
"You've got skill," Yuji said, his voice calm. "But let's see how far it gets you."
Momonga wasted no time, pressing his attack with a flurry of sword strikes. Each swing was precise and powerful, aimed to incapacitate rather than kill. Yuji met him head-on, using his armament-coated fists to deflect the blade.
The sound of metal clashing against hardened fists rang out as the two exchanged blows. Yuji's movements were calculated, his observation haki allowing him to anticipate Momonga's strikes with uncanny accuracy.
"You're holding back," Yuji said, dodging another swing. "Afraid to go all out against me?"
Momonga's eyes narrowed. "Don't mistake caution for weakness."
With a burst of speed, Momonga closed the distance, delivering a powerful overhead strike. Yuji raised his arm, catching the blade with his forearm. The force of the blow sent a shockwave through the dock, splintering the wood beneath them.
Yuji smirked, his armament haki shimmering. "Not bad. But you'll need more than that."
He countered with a powerful punch aimed at Momonga's chest. The vice admiral dodged, but the sheer force of the punch sent him skidding backward.
"You're strong," Momonga admitted, steadying himself. "But I've faced worse."
Yuji laughed. "You haven't faced me."
Law was locked in combat with one of the rear admirals, his swordsmanship precise and relentless. He used his "Room" ability sparingly, relying more on his physical skills to conserve energy.
"You're good," the rear admiral said, panting. "But you can't win against the marines."
Law smirked. "We'll see about that."
Hancock, meanwhile, was making quick work of her opponents. Her beauty and strength were a deadly combination, and even the most disciplined marines found themselves faltering under her gaze.
Bepo, despite his usual timid demeanor, was holding his own. His powerful claws and swift movements made him a formidable opponent, even if he constantly apologized after each attack.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to hit you so hard!" he said, knocking out another marine.
Back at the center of the battle, Yuji and Momonga continued their fierce exchange. Momonga unleashed a powerful slash imbued with armament haki, but Yuji deflected it with a well-timed kick, the force sending the vice admiral staggering.
"You're tough, I'll give you that," Yuji said, his tone still lighthearted. "But this isn't your day."
Momonga gritted his teeth, frustration evident in his eyes. "Don't underestimate the marines!"
He lunged forward, aiming for a decisive strike. But Yuji, using his observation haki, sidestepped effortlessly and delivered a devastating punch to Momonga's side. The vice admiral was sent flying, crashing into a stack of crates.
The battlefield grew quiet for a moment as the marines hesitated, their confidence shaken.
Yuji turned to his crew, his voice carrying over the chaos. "Let's wrap this up."
(Note: I think Momonga is one of the top strongest vice admiral, except of course Garp and the other two marine admiral candidate)