The Strongest Weapon, Aken

Sirius had not undergone any rigorous training, nor could he use Haki yet. He was not at a level where he could ignore the pain caused by Yamato's iron club, which could easily shatter a person's bones.

In this situation, the best choice was obviously to get a weapon of his own and trade blows with Yamato.

Sirius's actions made Yamato stop. The young girl tilted her head, then said with an excited expression, "Does Sirius want a weapon? Do you want to try the one Oden gave me!"

"No."

Sirius said bluntly.

Are you kidding me!

How could he possibly use Enma!

That thing was a genuine little demon that could drain a person dry! In the literal, physical sense!

"A weapon?"

King didn't seem to care, casually pointing a hand, "If you want one, go get it yourself."

Various weapons were placed at the edge of the training ground. Sirius's request was not excessive, and King didn't see anything wrong with it.

Sirius hurried to the edge of the field, preparing to pick out a weapon to fight three hundred rounds with Yamato.

The weapon rack was fully stocked with all kinds of armaments: katanas, wakizashi, nodachi, broadswords, one-handed swords, greatswords, warhammers, battle axes, great spears, lances, daggers, hook claws, meteor hammers...

Almost everything Sirius could think of, and even things he couldn't, were here.

So, what kind of weapon should he choose?

Sirius picked up a katana to test it, then quickly put it back. As expected, it didn't suit him; it was too light.

He wanted a heavier weapon.

Sirius picked up a heavy hammer next.

But he put it back just as quickly.

The weight was sufficient, but it was a bit too ugly.

Finally, Sirius drew a greatsword. This sword was taller than Sirius himself, and the blade was wider than an adult's palm. The weight was just right, and it looked stylish enough.

This will be the one. Call me Dante-Sirius.

Sirius carried the greatsword back onto the field.

"Isn't that a bit too big, Sirius?"

Black Maria said from the sidelines with some concern, "It's even taller than you!"

"It's fine."

Sirius waved his hand dismissively, while simultaneously lifting his greatsword with one hand and swinging it back and forth to show how comfortable he was using it.

The Fenrir Fruit granted Sirius astonishing, monstrous strength; the giant sword, which was larger than he was, did not feel the least bit heavy in his grip.

Sirius was not like he had been that morning, when he wore weighted gear without using his ability!

"Sirius, are you ready?"

Yamato asked, eager to start.

"Come on!"

Sirius beckoned to her.

"Thunder Bagua!"

Almost the next second, Yamato left a white trail in Sirius's vision. Her body shot forward like a bolt of lightning, and the mace in her hand tore through the air, whistling with a fierce gale as it headed straight for his face.

Even if she said she wouldn't hold back, aiming for the face is a bit much!

Sirius complained internally.

Zoan Devil Fruits provided an all-encompassing boost to their users, especially since Sirius possessed a Mythical Zoan; his sight, hearing, and sense of smell had all been comprehensively enhanced.

Although Yamato's mace was fast, Sirius could see it clearly.

Since he could see it clearly, he could deal with it!

Gripping the greatsword with both hands, Sirius brought it down in a powerful vertical strike.

He didn't know any swordsmanship; he couldn't pull off anything flashy like that Moss Head.

All Sirius could do was swing his sword with everything he had.

CLANG!!

The explosive sound shook the surroundings.

The shrill noise even made Black Maria instinctively cover her ears.

As the mace and the greatsword collided, kicking up a cloud of dust, a massive force surged through them, forcing Yamato to stumble back several steps.

She gripped the mace tightly with both small hands, refusing to let it fly out of her grasp.

"The difference in strength is too great."

Jack remarked with a sigh, "Sirius's strength is ridiculously powerful!"

When not using her ability, she's just someone with poor stamina, but once she activates it, it's as if she's a completely different person.

Overwhelming power, peerless and unstoppable!

"Yamato—"

Black Maria watched nervously as Yamato was knocked back. Before Yamato could even steady her footing, Sirius was already in pursuit. His speed was even faster than hers!

He held his greatsword high, bringing it down in a merciless vertical slash.

"You're truly amazing, Sirius!"

Yamato looked up. Sirius couldn't see a hint of fear on her face; instead, she was beaming with a smile.

The young girl gripped her mace with both hands. "Thunder Bagua!"

"CLANG!"

Another explosive sound rang out, and Yamato was knocked back once again.

Sirius held the advantage in strength, and he pressed his advantage relentlessly. He swung his greatsword, launching a suffocating, non-stop barrage of attacks at Yamato!

Sirius was well aware of his own strengths and weaknesses. He had the edge in power, but his combat technique was crude—he definitely couldn't compare to Yamato in that regard.

To defeat Yamato, he had to play to his strengths and avoid his weaknesses!

He would use a relentless chain of attacks to ensure Yamato had no room to utilize her combat skills!

His strength was greater than hers, and his speed was faster!

That alone was enough to seal the victory!

Sirius's strategy was a success. Yamato was forced into a steady retreat, struggling just to parry his attacks. She was like a lone boat in a tsunami, ready to capsize at any moment from the crashing waves.

But even in such a disadvantageous position, Yamato showed no signs of giving up!

She wasn't just purely defending against Sirius's attacks; she was constantly clashing head-on with him! Time and time again, she pitted her strength against his!

How tenacious!

Sirius laughed aloud. "Yamato! Still not going to admit defeat?"

Yamato responded with a grin, "No way! I'm not going to lose!"

Sirius hadn't expected her to surrender anyway; Yamato was excessively stubborn.

Therefore, Sirius's offensive became even more violent. He swung his greatsword so rapidly it was airtight, leaving behind layers of afterimages that made it seem as if he were encased in blades.

Yamato retreated step by step, nearly pushed to the very edge of the arena.

On the sidelines, King, acting as the referee, shook his head. "Idiots."

Clang!

Another head-on collision between the greatsword and the mace.

Sirius possessed immense strength; the mace in Yamato's hands went completely out of control, slamming heavily into the ground.

Opportunity!

A smirk tugged at the corner of Sirius's mouth. It was time to end this!

But at that very moment, Sirius suddenly felt his hand go light. He looked up instinctively.

"Eh?!"

It was simply unbelievable!

Only half of the greatsword remained in his hand; the other half was currently spinning through the air!

Of all the times for this to happen?

The quality is way too poor!

Who is in charge of logistics on Onigashima? Tell me honestly, how much of a kickback did you take!

"I've been striking the same spot over and over!"

Yamato's voice rang out. The young girl launched herself forward, the mace in her hands primed and ready. "Finally broke it!"

She could actually do something like that? Isn't that a bit too exaggerated?

Sirius was stunned.

"I win, Sirius! Thunder Bagua!"

In the split second that Sirius was caught off guard, the pitch-black mace was already inches from his face.

Sirius could already feel the wind rushing toward him!

Have I lost?

No way!

Sirius opened his mouth wide, stretching it until it was huge, revealing a mouthful of ferocious, sharp teeth.

The mace arrived, wreathed in a gale. Sirius lunged forward to meet it, and then, he bit down hard.

Snap.

A soft sound rang out as the two figures brushed past each other.

"Eh?"

Black Maria's eyes widened, staring at the scene in the arena in utter shock. "Th-this—"

"Sirius??"

Jack was equally bewildered, unable to help himself from shouting, "Isn't that a bit too desperate?!"

Sirius slowly turned around, crunching on something in his mouth. "Doesn't taste like much."

With her back to him, Yamato stared blankly at the remaining half of the Mace in her hand.

The break was incredibly smooth, as if it had been severed by a sharp blade.

It had been bitten through by Sirius.

Looking for weapons is just for fun; if you really want to talk about the strongest weapon, it has to be the teeth in Sirius's mouth!

Fangs capable of easily piercing Kaido's tough skin had no trouble amputating Yamato's Mace.

The only downside was that using one's teeth to bite things felt a bit undignified; Sirius didn't want to resort to it unless absolutely necessary.

"Sirius! My Aken—"

Yamato turned back, sniffing, looking deeply aggrieved.

"Aken? Who is Aken?" Sirius looked blank.

Tears welled up in Yamato's eyes as she shouted, "My Aken! You broke it!!"

Almost simultaneously, an invisible aura roared out from the center of Yamato, transforming into a gale that surged in all directions.

Down in the arena, Black Maria's body swayed before she collapsed limply to the ground, falling unconscious instantly.

Jack also plopped onto the floor, his face covered in cold sweat. "Th-this is?"

"This is!" King's eyes widened in shock. "At such a young age?"

Sirius was even more confused.

Conqueror's Haki? At a time like this? Because of a Mace?

And who on earth is Aken anyway!

Aken was the name of Yamato's Mace.