After making her decision, Kuina remained steadfast in her defenses. Only on the blade of Wado Ichimonji, Armament Haki condensed layer upon layer like black jade, while the faintly interwoven Conqueror's Haki swept outwards like a tangible pressure.
This sudden surge in momentum acted like a lit fuse, completely igniting a certain quality in Gunko!
The rapier and concealed arrows in her hand danced in a dazzling blur, the sound of them slicing through the air so sharp it seemed to tear it apart, each strike carrying a ruthless intent to destroy the enemy.
In just a few breaths, the last ripple in Kuina's eyes subsided.
It was a kind of indifferent calm, as if she had abandoned even victory, defeat, life and death, as if she had transcended them. Her whole being was like a drawn sword, devoid of all human warmth.
Those who know her well understand that this is a sign that she is determined to use a deadly move—a kind of merciful decisiveness, to give her opponent a complete release as quickly as possible.
Kuina's feet slammed heavily on the ground, cracking the bluestone floor, but her figure remained as steady as a mountain, like the roots of an old tree, refusing to retreat even an inch.
An invisible force suddenly erupted from her body, like an invisible punch, slamming into Gunko had charged forward so fiercely.
The latter let out a muffled groan and flew backward like a kite with a broken string, while Kuina's figure disappeared from the spot at that moment!
"No! Spare her life..."
Just as Kuina disappeared, a cry filled with anxiety and fear suddenly pierced the battlefield.
The voice was hoarse and broken; it was unclear to whom it was addressed, or whether this belated plea was even too late.
"Puff!"
The dull thud of a sharp blade piercing flesh was so clear it sent a chill down one's spine.
Brook's outstretched bony hand froze in mid-air, the pale arm bones still reflecting the chilling light of the battlefield.
The staff and sword in his other hand fell to the ground with a clang. His empty eye sockets stared intently ahead, and crystal tears slowly slid down his bony jaw. A deep sorrow, like the cold rain of late spring, spread silently through him.
"She's not dead yet! Quickly find Seastone Handcuffs and tie her up!"
A clear, cool female voice, like celestial music, entered Brook's ears, startling him from his reverie!
Looking in the direction of the sound, there were two slender figures on the battlefield ahead, one standing and one lying down. The short-haired female swordsman standing was sheathing her sword, and the Haki on the blade retreated into its hole like a hibernating red-chained snake!
The woman lying there was Gunko, whom he had seen in Elbaf before and felt was extremely familiar with.
At this moment, she had a long, narrow wound on her chest, her robes stained with blood. She lay motionless on the ground, her breath weak, but she was not dead. The wound on her chest was still slowly healing.
"Huh? Oh..."
Overwhelmed with joy, Brook frantically searched for the Seastone Handcuffs.
This item is relatively rare in the first half of the Grand Line, and not much in the New World either, but it's quite easy to find here where so many powerful forces are gathered.
A short while later, Brook found Seastone Handcuffs and personally put them on Gunko's wrists while he was still unconscious. By this time, the wound on Gunko's chest had completely healed!
Do you know her?
Kuina stopped looking for more people to fight. The battle on the battlefield was coming to an end, and there were not many enemies left. Whether she was there or not, the result would be the same. So Kuina sat down next to Gunko and asked Brook about it.
"I think I know her. She gives me a very familiar feeling, but she's covering her mouth and nose, so it's a little hard to recognize her!"
Brook hadn't actually confirmed that Gunko was the person he knew from before; it was just that Gunko had always given him a very familiar feeling.
It wasn't until Kuina was about to kill Gunko that a sudden wave of grief washed over him, a sense of impending loss of a close friend or family member, and he involuntarily cried out!
He didn't know if he could persuade Kuina to show mercy, but if he didn't shout it out, he felt like he was about to lose something. Fortunately, Kuina heard his plea and was willing to show mercy!
"Then let's open those bandages and take a good look!"
Although Kuina appears to be a formidable swordswoman, she is actually very kind at heart!
Leaving aside her upbringing, she was followed by Vic, a young woman—could she really turn bad?
She already suspected something was wrong with Gunko's body, and with Brook, a member of the Straw Hat Pirates, involved, she naturally went easy on him!
This is why she is so confident and not afraid of what trouble Gunko might cause. Now she is more interested in figuring out what happened to Gunko!
"Forehead..."
Although he always said "Can I see your underwear?", his outstretched hands trembled slightly when facing Gunko, and he didn't even dare to remove the bandage that looked like a mask!
In the end, it was Kuina who quickly and easily untied the bandages from the Gunko's mouth and nose!
"Forehead..."
Don't you know him?
Kuina frowned slightly, narrowed her eyes, and glared at Brook with a hostile look, as if to say, "You've caused so much trouble, if I didn't know who you were, I would have done you a thing or two!"
"Um! Actually, when I left my homeland to travel far away, that child was only six or seven years old. Now, so many years have passed, I really can't be sure if it's her, but her eyebrows and eyes are very similar, and she gives me a very familiar feeling!"
Brook was also a little embarrassed. He himself wasn't entirely sure, yet he had asked others to show mercy to the enemy. If anything went wrong, he would be the biggest sinner!
Of the few remaining battlefields, the most dramatic story has to be that of Shanks and his biological father Saint Garling!
Both were legendary figures: one killed his wife to prove his path and then took advantage of Rocks; the other infiltrated the Holy Knights and single-handedly seized the throne of Four Emperors!
Now, one wants to clean house, and the other wants to avenge his mother and overthrow the Celestial Dragons ' rule!
One possesses an immortal body, while the other's arm has grown back. Although they are father and son, the difference in their strength is enormous!
Shanks has truly come this far, experiencing countless battles, big and small, defeats, escapes, and humiliations, but now he stands at the pinnacle of the New World!
Garling's best achievement was actually picking off Rocks by chance. Now that he's getting old, perhaps Imu's Soul Contract can keep him at a certain level of combat power, but at most he can only reach the level of his peak!
Now that Shanks has wiped out his henchmen and the Primordial Demons, the remaining Garling is filled with fear and regret that has reached its peak!
He didn't regret not taking Shanks with him back then; he regretted not strangling Shanks when he was a baby, instead of letting him go through such a calamity!
This is his thought process; perhaps he was also deeply influenced by the Soul Contract!
" Shanks! Can't we sit down and talk? Do you really think you have victory in your grasp? As long as Imu is alive, the Celestial Dragons ' foundation remains intact. Do you really want to choose these lowly commoners?"
Garling, holding a rapier and holding Shanks's sword, was panting heavily as the two faced each other, staring into each other's eyes.
Despite being at a significant disadvantage, Garling's tone remained firm, carrying the superior air of Celestial Dragons and the imposing authority of a father figure!
It's as if Imu is truly invincible and can solve all problems. You are my son, and there's still hope if you turn back now!