You've Grown Up

"Shigan: Yellow Lotus."

Blue flames erupted, waves of heat swirling around Sakura. With a muffled boom, a mountain split apart, and both fighters were thrown backward.

Pale-faced, Sakura struggled to her feet, breathing hard. She felt her strength draining rapidly and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Across from her, Eldrago's clothes hung in tatters, and several bloody holes had opened in his body. He now watched Sakura with wary eyes.

"Such talent at your age. Too bad you ran into me today."

Blood covered Eldrago's face as he grinned savagely.

"Hmph!"

Sakura's dress was torn, leaving her in her underwear. She looked youthful and full of life, though her pallor made her appear sickly.

Healing one fatal wound after another, on top of forcing herself to use Return Life, had left Sakura with almost no strength.

As things stood, Sakura was no match for Eldrago. Without Phoenix's regenerative powers and the resilience granted by a Zoan, she might already have lost. Her opponent was a Shichibukai, after all.

But Sakura wasn't alone.

Several figures landed beside her. Bepo had turned into a giant stone bear, and he roared fiercely at Eldrago.

Sisi had also transformed into the Nine-Tailed Fox, her nine fluffy tails swaying behind her.

Lily grew into a giant over fifty meters tall. Knife and fork in hand, she blocked out a vast stretch of light as she stared threateningly at Eldrago.

Ain and Conis faced Eldrago too, anger plain on their faces.

Mansherry stood on Sakura's shoulder and used her healing power. A closer look would have revealed Sakura's strength recovering faster, though Phoenix's powers meant she had no visible wounds.

"Hmph. I'm not alone."

Feeling strength return to her body, Sakura gave Eldrago a disdainful look, then thanked Mansherry.

"Rock Iron Pillar!"

Bepo struck first