Light spots pierced through the cracked, overcast clouds. The wind that rushed towards them carried ash and dust.
At the moment the legendary spears connecting the sky and earth collided, an unrivaled, intense light pierced into the sky.
However, even though the battling parties intentionally directed their attacks towards the heavens, the fierce and savage aftermath still affected the island.
Amidst the roaring, tremendous tremors that shook the earth and mountains continuously erupted. The ground split open, spewing large amounts of magma. The central volcano kept erupting, covering everything in thick volcanic ash.
The island shelf structure of Little Garden, having already endured the impact of the Hakoku, was now washed by the tidal waves stirred up by the aftermath, collapsing and being destroyed at a visible rate.
In the end, even the surface layer of the ground could no longer hold, cracking into numerous fissures, breaking the island reefs into pieces.
"I'd heard before that clashes between powerful figures on the sea could shatter islands, but I always thought it was a rumor."
Fisher Tiger, sitting within the Night Sparrow circling the sky, at Leviathan's pupil position, couldn't help but gasp upon seeing the pitiful state of the island below.
Kuina finally managed to close her mouth, swallowing hard. "Is this really something humans can do?"
"Well~ The opponents were giants~. As for Sakura~ she should still count as human, right?"
The ship spirit, wearing a raincoat, sat beside the two, stroking her chin as she summarized.
"Wait, they're actually not finished yet!"
Fisher Tiger, with his sharp eyes, noticed movement within the dust.
On the shattered island reefs, three figures were still confronting each other.
"Hah! White Snow Body!"
The young girl let out a light breath of white mist. An extreme, biting low temperature abruptly spread.
The collapsing island slowly ground to a halt. From a wisp of faint light swirling deep under the sea, frost spread unrestrained.
It was as if a hand had lightly and casually pressed the stop button just as the self-destruct mechanism activated… that button deciding the island's fate.
And so, following Sakura's movements, the solid ice in the sea compressed the earth and stone.
Then, she formed hand seals. The flaming garment formed by chakra danced together with frost particles.
[Wood Release: Sun Tree Earth Marsh]
There was no offensive technique involved. It simply consumed a massive amount of Chakra to create numerous vines of the Sun Tree Eve at the converging points of the collapsing island shelf, forcibly mending the disintegrating island.
"Kababababa... cough, it's just like the gods of legend who created the world."
Brogy, his leather armor shattered, his skin covered in large and small wounds, laughed heartily, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
"Gyagagagaga, being able to cross hands with such a warrior makes this journey worthwhile!"
Dorry, originally intending to wipe the blood from his face with his hand, accidentally touched his helmet. Unexpectedly, the iron helmet directly shattered to pieces.
During the earlier clash, their weapons had already been destroyed in the combined Hakoku and Sakura's counterattack.
Moreover, the two giants' armor had disintegrated, and who knew how many injuries had accumulated inside their bodies.
However, their high-spirited fighting will did not diminish in the slightest due to physical pain or being pushed to the brink mentally.
As long as they could still move, they would fight to the very last moment.
Living up to the name of Elbaf's warriors.
"Can you still fight?"
Amidst the roar of the distant storm, Sakura, who had reverted to pure white, laughed loudly as she asked.
She took a step forward. Snow-white, flawless ribbons brushed over the ground, instantly transforming the earth into a snow country.
"We'll keep you company to the end!"
Blood splattered from the two giants' bodies, yet they once again straightened their massive frames and threw punches fearlessly.
Sakura did not betray their resolve either. Leaping high, the fist in her hand emitted waves of frost.
[Fish-Man Karate: Ultimate Secret Art: Martial Reliant Piercing!]
Scorching Haki swept up the frost, almost transforming into a giant shark intent on devouring the two.
"Not good, we'll lose if this continues!"
Brogy's eyes narrowed, and he made a certain resolve.
He grabbed Dorry's shoulder from behind and performed a shoulder throw, slamming him into the ground.
Then he stood up, spreading his arms and blocking in front of Dorry.
"Cough, Brogy, you bastard!"
Dorry, who had created a huge crater in the ground, finally managed to pull his head out of the earth, only to see Brogy taking the impact head-on.
Crack!
Frost spread. After the friction sound of growing solid ice, Brogy's entire body turned into an ice sculpture.
"Damn it!"
Dorry roared, carrying the will his friend had entrusted to him, and threw a punch at Sakura in mid-air.
However, Sakura, floating, took a step with Geppo.
She skillfully dodged the imminent threat right before her eyes under the premonition of Observation Haki.
Immediately after, amidst the sharp sound of fist grazing the air, Dorry also turned into an ice sculpture and fell.
Thus, the two leaders of the Giant Warrior Pirates were completely defeated by Sakura.
…
"Mmm..."
In his daze, Brogy opened his eyes.
Before him burned a bonfire. He was covered in bandages, and he could faintly smell the scent of flowers in the air.
'Spared? She actually didn't take the lives of me and Dorry, two losers.'
"I had a great fight. If I killed you two, where would I find such interesting opponents in the future?"
Sakura sat cross-legged by the bonfire, tossing firewood into the flames. Her crew members were behind her.
"....."
Brogy fell silent, raising his hand to touch his face.
'Was my expression too obvious?'
"No, you're overthinking it. The reason I can hear your thoughts is simply because my Observation Haki is a bit special."
"..."
Brogy fell silent again, taking a deep breath to calm his mind, his eyes looking left and right searching for Dorry.
"Relax, Dorry is fine. Also, regarding the duel between you two, you won!"
Sakura, feeling somewhat lazy after the fight, casually pointed at Dorry lying beside him.
"Why?"
Brogy was startled, turning his head sharply.
"Because you recovered faster than him!"
Sakura shrugged nonchalantly.
In their nearly hundred years of dueling, all the factors that could determine the outcome of a battle, like stamina, sword skills, Haki, etc., were evenly matched between these two.
Then, after exhausting all other possibilities, the only thing left to compete in was their recovery ability, wasn't it?
Brogy gritted his teeth. "Just because I woke up before him? That's too frivolous!"
"No, Brogy, you won!"
Dorry slowly opened his eyes. Trying to sit up, he grimaced in pain.
"Whether it's your recovery ability, or your willingness to sacrifice yourself to create a chance for victory in the previous battle, it has already proven that your desire to win is deeper than mine!"
Lying on the ground, he grabbed Brogy's hand and raised it high. "Duels: sixty-eight thousand, four hundred and fifty-two. Draws: sixty-eight thousand, four hundred and fifty-one. Victories: one. Congratulations, Brogy!"
Nearly a century of struggle finally came to an end today. The two giants looked at each other, dissolving all the displeasure born from their rivalry into smiles.
"So, what are your plans now?"
"Our weapons and equipment are destroyed. We need to return to Elbaf to rest and resupply," Dorry said, "We also need to find our companions scattered across the sea and rebuild the Giant Warrior Pirates!"
Brogy grinned. "When that time comes, we will definitely become stronger than we are now, and then we'll challenge you again. Don't lose because of carelessness, young giant!"
"Hahahaha, if you can do it, then come!"
Sakura raised her hand and clenched it firmly. Savage, tremendous power surged between her five fingers, as if a storm were gathering within.
Everything had ended. So, it was indeed time to say goodbye.
Partings among pirates needed no lengthy words. As long as they sailed on this sea, the currents would eventually push them back together one day.
So… set sail!