Whoever Hesitates Is a Coward

Momonga stepped back twice, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He drew his sword and gritted his teeth against the crushing pressure. Fortunately, the girl's Conqueror's Haki wasn't very strong.

Taking a deep breath, Momonga sensed his men collapsing behind him and unleashed a flying slash.

Sakura vanished from where she stood. Blue flames flared around her as she hovered in midair.

"Who are you?"

Momonga looked wary. A Conqueror's Haki user this young—and a girl, no less—was unheard of.

"I told you. I'm Sakura, captain of the Friendship Pirates. Since you ignored my warning, don't blame me for what happens next."

She vanished and appeared before Momonga. Raising two smooth, pale fingers coated in gleaming Armament Haki, she thrust them through the air.

Clang!

His sword blocked the strike, sending sparks flying. Momonga staggered back several steps, shock surging through him.

Not only did the girl possess Conqueror's Haki, but her Armament Haki had already reached an intermediate level.

Worse, she knew the Six Powers.

"Rankyaku: Kai Bird!"

Her slender leg whipped out. Two Rankyaku slashes swept down toward Momonga, one behind the other.

"Soru."

Momonga vanished. He was taking this seriously now. He had to capture her.

Momonga reappeared at her side, but Sakura's expression did not change. She let his sword drive toward her while striking with Shigan again.

Seeing her refuse to dodge and counterattack as if she had a death wish, Momonga's heart sank. She really wasn't right in the head. Were they going to take each other down before the fight had even begun?

His face hardened. A flicker of reluctance crossed his eyes, but he thrust his sword forward to kill.

"Tekkai."

The sword pierced Sakura's body without resistance. At the same instant, her Shigan struck Momonga.

Momonga grunted. Two bloody holes opened