Chapter - 17
Fighting against Jesus Burgess was one thing. It was an entirely different animal to take him on and a group of ruthless zoan type users. He would need to use his best attacks right off the bat.
"Alright we had some fun, now it's time to get serious." Zoro states crossing his arms to change his fighting stance. The swordsman summoning his Busoshoku Haki. "Three Swords Style Ultimate Attack: Three Thousand Worlds!" Zoro began placing his swords in an inverse triangular formation before spinning them together. "Here I come!"
Jesus just smiled at the show of strength by the Straw hat's swordsman. "So you want to end this sooner than later huh?!" Burgess activated his own haki matching Zoro's. "Let's do this! Galleon Lariat!" The 1st division commander matching Zoro's speed, jumping up into into the air to get more speed.
The two warriors colliding, sending shockwaves across the island, briefly stopping the other battles due to the massive force emitted by the fighters.
Sanji was currently observing the battle from the air after taking out some zoan fruit users they were a lot tougher than he expected with one leg but manageable. The chef Sky ran to get a better view of the climax of the battle.
Zoro looked to have taken the brunt of the attack. His left shoulder would be unusable for the remainder of the fight. Sanji could already tell Zoro was badly hurt, he was getting up slower than the Blackbeard commander. This could go from bad to worse, Sanji knew he just needed to buy Zoro a few moments. Wasting no time he began to make his way down towards the moderately sized crater.
The cook knew he had to attack soon before Jesus fully recovered. Covering his still injured left leg with his Busoshoku Haki before continuing. "PARAGE SHOT!" Before Burgess could react every inch of his face was covered in fiery kicks. Sanji wasn't done; putting both hands on the ground he began another barrage this time to the enemies's chest. "I'll make mince meat out of you! Jabot Extra Hachis!" A series of kicks landed on the commander sending him flying out of the crater.
Sanji fell onto his right knee, the weight of his leg starting to take effect.
"D-Damn, even with my Haki.. I didn't think this soon." Not a second later the cook was on his feet.
"Oi you shit cook, appreciate the assist, but you should take it easy." Zoro patted the man on the back.
"Wow I can't believe I got a thanks outta you." Sanji joked pulling out a cigarette lighting it up.
"It's as close to one as you'll get. Now get outta here, I need to finish this ass clown." Zoro said with a slight grin.
"You better not lose, I gave you a hell of an advantage shitty marimo." Sanji smirked back.
Even in the middle of a battle the two would always be bickering brothers to the end. Both of them willing to die for each other to keep their dreams alive. That's part of what made all the straw hats bond so special. They all cared about the other achieving their dreams.
Zoro watches the cook ascend to a high enough distance he felt ready to finish Burgess. Jumping up out of the crater to confront and annihilate his opponent.
Jesus woke out of his daze remembering the shameful beatdown he got just now. Some would say a sneaky clever move, he would call it cowardice. His full attention now on Sanji who hovered a few hundred feet in the air.
"IT'S OVER FOR YOU COWARD!" Burgess screamed. "Get ready for my Hasshoken technique, YOUR FINISHED!" Burgess's right elbow became engulfed in powerful vibrations and shockwaves, while his left was gathering a huge amount of energy.
Zoro noted the commander's stance. His attention no longer on the swordsman.
"He's not going for me.." realizing what Jesus was aiming at he shouted, "Oi Sanji!" Desperately trying to warn the chef to dodge. In the blink of an eye Burgess was gone heading toward Sanji.
The green haired vice captain realizing he was not going to be able to dodge in time. He knew the destructive power of those Hasshoken attacks, he'd seen it first hand at the Coliseum in Dressrosa. Even Luffy and his brother Sabo had problems combating it. If it Sanji directly there was a good chance he wouldn't make it especially in his condition.
Without a second thought Zoro was trailing Burgess; one advantage he had over him was speed. 'I have to use it' It would be his last ultimate attack, his power was maxing out and his left shoulder was shot. His opponent was slow moving but smart; he took out his dominant arm. It would make things harder but the words of his captain about protecting 'his nakama' always at the forefront of his mind.
Zoro grabbed his sword from his mouth with his right hand preparing his attack closing in on Burgess, he had to make his move now.
"Black Blade! Shishi Sonson!" The blade Zoro held turned black as night, haki oozing off the blade.
Sanji didn't have time to dodge, this might be it. Still huffing his cigarette he charged up his right leg maybe there was a chance he could deflect most of it.
The first division commander grinned ready to strike. A voice rang out below him catching his attention, it was the swordsman, he didn't anticipate he was this fast in the air. It did not matter he still had time to change his target mid flight. The moment he made the move to aim for Zoro it was already too late.
Jesus could feel the sword cut cleanly through his left exposed shoulder blade down to his waist. There was a searing unbearable pain for an instant before there was no feeling at all, it was completely numb.
'Captain Blackbeard..forgive me..!' The commander flew towards the ground descending lifelessly.
Sanji helped Zoro get to the ground. Dropping him on his feet by the back of his collar.
"Damn that was a close one. Guess you really do give a rat's ass about me shitty swordsman, ya bastard! C'mere!" The chef couldn't help pull Zoro into a headlock rubbing his knuckles on his head comically earning a punch to stomach and a shove.
"Aye I didn't do it cause I care jackass! Truth is your the best damn cook in the world." Zoro confessed with a frown hating himself for admitting that he swore he'd take that to the grave.
Sanji kicked his cigarette out, pulling out another one, smoking it; he swore he took pride in being a chain smoker. "Don't repeat this but I admire your dedication to your craft, your inspiring man, best damn swordsman I've ever seen my friend." Sanji said continuing his smoking session.
The two men shared a nod of mutual respect. "Let me get one of those."
"Huh? Since when do you smoke?" Sanji asked handing him a cigarette and lighting it for him.
"I don't really. Only when after I conquer a powerful foe, it helps. In times like this in constant war, you need moments like this to reflect on your past triumphs if only for a few moments. It somehow pushes me forward in a way." Zoro scratched his head feeling the light headiness of the tobacco.
"That's why I admire you brother." Sanji added as the two men enjoyed their cigarettes in silence watching for any movement from the former 1st division commander of the Blackbeard Pirates; their was none.
"You better get back to it, I'm sure someone needs your help." Zoro said trotting towards the Blackbeard ships.
"Yeah, see ya when it's over." Sanji stomped his cigarette before heading off.