Battle with Yamato

King was also in charge of the afternoon class.

But the location was different from the morning.

On a stretch of flat ground outside Onigashima's giant Skull Head, all kinds of training equipment and weapons had been placed around the spacious field.

Sirius remembered Yamato and the others mentioning that the afternoon lessons mainly focused on combat instruction, the most important part of the day's curriculum.

So what did King's so-called test mean?

"A test? Didn't we already have one?" Before Sirius could speak, Black Maria asked in surprise, "The fight with Jack?"

On Sirius's second morning on Onigashima, he had already fought Jack once.

"That time was only to assess the boy's foundations so that I could reasonably formulate his subsequent physical training plan."

King spoke calmly.

That was complete nonsense, wasn't it?

Making him run five laps around Onigashima right from the start—how was that a reasonable plan? If his ability hadn't been special, he would have been unable to get back up long ago!

Sirius's eyelids twitched.

"This time is the same."

King looked at Sirius. "This is your first time receiving this kind of training. Unless we first determine your level, the following training cannot proceed."

"Oh, oh, oh, I see!"

Black Maria nodded in deep agreement. "Uncle King really has considered everything thoroughly."

Jack agreed as well. "Indeed. We've already trained for quite a while. We need to see whether Sirius can keep up with our progress first."

He suddenly grew interested, stepping forward excitedly. "So, Brother King! Am I fighting Sirius again this time? Perfect! Since they haven't been around these past few days, I've improved even further!"

"Step back, Jack. You're still far from ready."

King merely glanced at him and directly rejected Jack's proposal.

That made sense. How could Jack's strength possibly undergo any qualitative change in just a few days?

"Then who will it be?" Black Maria lightly tapped her lips with a finger, then asked in surprise, "Uncle King, don't tell me you're going to fight personally?"

"Hey, Maria, don't say something that terrifying!" Sirius couldn't help shouting.

King wasn't really thinking that, was he?

How could Sirius possibly stand a chance?

Even though King was far from reaching the strength he would possess twenty years later, he was undoubtedly still a monster.

Fighting him would have no outcome other than satisfying his sadistic urges.

"Fighting me? That is indeed a good idea."

King looked Sirius up and down, sending a chill down Sirius's spine. Fortunately, King continued, "But it is still too early for that."

He turned and raised a hand to point. "Yamato, you do it."

"Me?"

Yamato, who had been called out by King, froze for a moment before happily stepping forward. "Yeah! Leave it to me!"

Before Sirius could say anything, she had already pulled her Spiked Club from behind her back and pointed it at him. "Let's settle this in battle, Sirius!"

Yamato?

For some reason, that suddenly seemed acceptable.

Was it because the contrast with possibly fighting King had been too great?

Was this the so-called compromise effect?

Sirius nodded. "Sure."

For his current self, Yamato was a very good opponent.

Although she had not yet eaten a Devil Fruit, having inherited Kaido's bloodline, her strength was absolutely not to be underestimated!

At least, that was true for him.

Then let's see who was stronger at this point, him or her!

"Very good."

King nodded in satisfaction, then waved a hand. "Clear the field."

Jack and Black Maria immediately jogged to the edge of the field, both wearing expectant expressions.

"Who exactly is stronger? Sirius or Yamato?" Black Maria was a little excited.

"We'll find out soon enough!" Jack was equally thrilled.

King stepped aside, leaving the field to Sirius and Yamato.

Yamato stretched her limbs and swung her Spiked Club as though she were getting a feel for it. At the same time, she turned back with a grin. "Sirius, don't hold back!"

"I won't!"

Sirius grinned as his body instantly expanded, transforming directly into a massive Black Wolf. Faint black mist swirled around him, giving off an ominous aura.

Yamato was considered quite tall among children her age, more than a head taller than Sirius despite being two years older than him. But compared to Sirius now, she looked far too petite.

Yet facing a giant like Sirius, Yamato's face was full of excitement. "Then Yamato is on the attack!"

Shouting her slogan, Yamato's small body shot forward in an instant.

Who knew how such a slender body could unleash such power? Yamato moved so fast that she even left afterimages behind.

Sirius had said he would not hold back, and he meant it. He opened his huge jaws, gathering surging flames into a Fire Pillar that blasted directly toward Yamato.

"Too slow, Sirius!"

Sirius heard Yamato's cheerful shout. She had been charging straight ahead, but suddenly changed direction at a ninety-degree angle. Without caring whether her joints could withstand it, she launched herself aside and evaded Sirius's Fire Breath.

The instant she landed lightly, Yamato sprang at him again. In the blink of an eye, she had closed in on Sirius. "Thunder Bagua!"

Sirius wasn't afraid of a contest of strength. He raised a paw and slapped straight at her!

Boom!

A somewhat muffled crash rang out.

Even the air exploded, becoming a gust of wind that rushed toward them.

"Argh, that hurts!"

Sirius cried out in pain and jerked his paw back as though he had been electrocuted.

Without Haki, using his claws to strike head-on against a sturdy iron club forged from who-knew-what metal was truly the worst possible idea!

Sirius felt as though the bones in his paw were about to break.

Still, in Giant Wolf form, Sirius's strength surpassed Yamato's. As Sirius cried out, Yamato was also sent flying by his slap. After soaring some distance, she landed, her short legs staggering for several steps before she finally steadied herself.

"What incredible strength, Sirius!" she exclaimed.

"I was just about to say that! That hurt like hell!"

Sirius unleashed a continuous barrage, clumps of flame forming fireballs that rained down toward Yamato.

"I told you, you're too slow!"

Yamato once again displayed monkey-like agility. The little girl calmly weaved through the rain of fireballs, and Sirius's devastating flames could not touch her at all.

Sirius simply stopped breathing fire. Sure enough, his flame ability was utterly useless. Even dogs wouldn't eat the Flame-Flame Fruit.

Against an agile opponent like Yamato, Beast Form wasn't very suitable. Sirius wasn't Kaido, after all—he didn't enjoy turning into an Azure Dragon just to get beaten up.

Sirius's body visibly shrank as he transformed into Werewolf form.

"Are you finally getting serious, Sirius!"

Yamato laughed heartily. Of course she knew that once Zoan Devil Fruit Users entered Human-Beast Form, that was when they were at their strongest.

The little girl grew even more excited, gripping her Spiked Club tightly with both hands. The wind swept up her bangs, revealing her smooth forehead and fully exposing the excitement in her eyes.

But at that moment, Sirius raised his right hand.

"Um, Uncle King, can I request a weapon?"