"Huff, huff, huff..."
Monet knelt on the floor, bracing herself with both hands as she gasped for breath.
"You're no match for me. Just stand aside and watch."
At Werther's words, Monet forced herself back to her feet.
She hadn't suffered a single physical injury, but the shock to her mind had been considerable.
It went without saying that someone as powerful as Werther knew Armament Haki. If he had coated the Dragon Bone with even a little of it during that last attack, without so much as hardening it, she would already be dead.
"D-don't think you can get past me. I'll complete the Young Master's mission, even if it kills me."
Werther stopped, a hint of admiration in his eyes.
He knew a little about Monet. The trembling woman before him was fiercely loyal to Doffy and devoted herself to helping him become King of the Pirates.
It was because of that loyalty that Werther had been holding back against her.
Still, having her block his way was a nuisance. He would leave her with a lesson she wouldn't forget: when she met an enemy she couldn't face, she needed to run, not throw her life away.
Whoosh.
A Blue Light flash streaked past, and Werther vanished from Monet's sight. When he reappeared, he was right in front of her.
The long staff swinging toward her head appeared with him.
Boom.
Monet's head shattered. The tremendous impact of the Dragon Bone striking snow blew apart her entire upper body.
It took a long while for Monet to reform this time, too.
Once again, she had suffered no injury, but the terror of coming face-to-face with death nearly broke her.
When Monet reformed, she was shaking even harder. Still, she stood in Werther's way.
Werther's gaze turned cold.
Pitch-black