Bang!
Yamato felt a weight slam into his wrist, and the immense force sent his entire body flying backward.
The spiked club clenched in his hand was also knocked free in his unprepared state, spinning through the air.
The sudden turn of events made Yamato's expression change drastically.
He had never expected that the slightest lapse in judgment would put him at such a disadvantage.
Driven by his past combat experience, Yamato urgently tried to stabilize himself.
"Rookie, it seems your combat experience is truly lacking. But whether you're willing to admit that you're a rookie of the Blood Flag Pirates or not, as long as we take off your mask and let everyone see your face, we'll be able to prove your identity."
Chaton, transformed into a half-lion, left a string of afterimages as he surged ahead and caught up to Yamato.
The katana gripped in his right hand came down without a trace of flourish.
It cleaved straight toward the fanged oni mask on Yamato's face.
The sudden attack set everyone's nerves on edge.
Especially Yamato, whose expression changed drastically as he shouted in alarm, "Y-You can't touch the mask! No one can see what I look like—the consequences of seeing it are severe!"
Can't see it?
Yamakaji and the others froze.
But before they could react, their vision blurred.
A ghostlike figure in white appeared behind Yamato first. His face was cold and expressionless, filled with indifference.
Without any unnecessary movement, he reached out with his right hand and pressed it against Yamato's back.
At the same time, his left hand moved to block Chaton's descending blade.
Bang!
The immense impact contained within Yamato's body was instantly neutralized by Qin Yu.
The descending katana met the same fate, caught barehanded with a sharp ring.
The sudden scene