13. Blood and Grit

Yo, bro, it's 2025, man! A new year, new adventures, and more chaos to conquer! May your year be as wild as Luffy chasing meat, as cool as Zoro getting lost, and as flashy as Buggy's nose! Stay awesome, stay bold, and let's sail into 2025 like the kings of the Grand Line! One Piece awaits, my dudes!

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From the sidelines, Nami watched the battle unfold, her arms crossed as she turned to Luffy and Noir. "Why aren't you helping him?" she demanded, her voice laced with frustration.

Luffy grinned, his eyes fixed on the fight. "He doesn't need help. Zoro's got this."

Noir exhaled a puff of smoke, his expression calm. "That moss-haired idiot will win. It's just how he is."

Nami's brow furrowed. "You're both insane, you know that?"

"Maybe," Noir replied, a faint smirk on his lips. "But we know what we're doing."

"Besides," Luffy added, his grin widening, "watching Zoro fight is fun!"

Nami sighed, shaking her head. "You guys are impossible."

**************

The battlefield grew tense as Cabaji and Zoro faced off. The air between them seemed to crackle with energy, the promise of a brutal duel evident in their stances. Cabaji remained atop his unicycle, pedaling slowly, his balance unnervingly perfect. Zoro, on the other hand, stood firm, his two swords drawn and held in readiness.

Cabaji smirked under his scarf, his sharp eyes narrowing as he gauged his opponent. Without warning, he shifted his weight forward, lunging toward Zoro with his sword aimed for a direct thrust. Zoro's blades intercepted the attack with ease, the metal screeching as the two locked weapons.

"You've got good reflexes," Cabaji admitted, his voice calm yet laced with mockery. "But let's see how you handle this!"

With a swift motion, Cabaji pulled down the scarf covering his face and exhaled a plume of fire straight at Zoro.

"Kyokugi! Kaji Oyaji!" Cabaji shouted as the flames roared toward his opponent.

The unexpected attack forced Zoro to leap back, his arms crossing instinctively to shield himself from the heat. The fire singed the air around him, leaving scorch marks on the ground.

"Tch," Zoro muttered, glaring at Cabaji.

"Didn't expect that, did you?" Cabaji sneered, wasting no time as he pedaled furiously toward Zoro, the unicycle spinning at an almost hypnotic pace.

Cabaji's sword twirled rapidly in his hands before he plunged it into the ground, creating a thick cloud of dust and dirt that enveloped the area.

"Kyokugi! Yukemuri Satsujin Jiken!" Cabaji announced, disappearing into the haze.

From within the dust cloud, Cabaji's voice rang out. "A little sneak attack never hurts!"

Zoro, undeterred, kept his stance firm, his sharp eyes scanning the swirling dust. The faint sound of the unicycle's wheel gave away Cabaji's position just in time for Zoro to parry a sudden strike from the acrobat.

"I see you!" Zoro growled, pushing Cabaji back with brute force.

Cabaji landed gracefully, his smirk returning. "Well then, how about something more… distracting?"

With a flourish, Cabaji reached into his coat and flung dozens of spinning tops into the air.

"Kyokugi! Kamikaze Hyakkoma Gekijo!" he declared as the tops rained down on Zoro.

The tops scattered in every direction, some hitting the ground harmlessly while others exploded upon impact. Zoro grimaced as he dodged the chaotic barrage, slicing through several tops with his swords.

"You're just playing with toys now," Zoro snapped, his irritation growing.

"Playtime's over," Cabaji countered, his voice dripping with mockery. He pedaled toward a nearby wall and began riding straight up its surface.

"Kyokugi! Yama Noboro!" Cabaji called out, climbing the wall with ease before launching himself high into the air.

From his elevated position, Cabaji flipped and twisted, building momentum as he descended rapidly toward Zoro, his sword aimed for a deadly strike.

"Kyokugi! Noryo Uchiage Hanabi!" Cabaji shouted as he came down like a missile, the tip of his blade glinting ominously in the sunlight.

"Ichirin Zashi!" he cried, the final thrust aimed directly at Zoro's chest.

Just as Cabaji's attack was about to land, a pair of floating hands shot toward Zoro's feet, attempting to trip him.

"Hold him down!" Buggy's voice bellowed from the sidelines.

But before the hands could reach Zoro, Luffy intervened. Stretching his arm, he grabbed one of the detached hands and crushed it with his rubbery grip.

"Oi, Buggy! Hands off!" Luffy yelled, his grin widening as Buggy snarled in frustration.

The distraction gave Zoro enough time to sidestep Cabaji's thrust. The acrobat's blade missed its mark, and Cabaji landed hard, his unicycle skidding to a halt.

Zoro smirked, his confidence unshaken. "You done yet?"

Cabaji sneered, rising to his feet. "You wish! Are you giving up already?"

"No," Zoro said, lifting his third sword and gripping it firmly between his teeth. "I'm just tired of your stupid acrobatics."

The air grew heavy as Zoro assumed his signature stance, his swords crossed in front of his chest.

"Let's finish this," Zoro said, his voice muffled but no less menacing.

"Oni Giri!"

In a flash, Zoro charged forward, his movements almost too fast to follow. The three blades sliced through the air, creating a devastating diagonal cross of slashes that tore through Cabaji's defenses.

The force of the attack sent Cabaji flying, his body slamming into the ground with a resounding thud. The acrobat groaned in pain, his unicycle clattering to the side as he lay motionless.

As the dust settled and Cabaji lay defeated, Buggy's face contorted in rage. His grip on his floating knives tightened as he glared at Zoro, who calmly sheathed his swords.

"You'll pay for that!" Buggy roared, stepping forward.

Luffy cracked his knuckles, his carefree grin still intact. "Guess it's my turn now."

*****************

Ihwa and Maki faced off against the towering bandit who stood with an air of arrogance, his well-worn sword resting on his shoulder. His broad frame and confident sneer spoke volumes about his strength and experience.

"Are you sure about this?" the bandit taunted, his voice rough like gravel. "You two are barely standing, and I haven't even started yet." He took a step forward, his boots crunching against broken debris. "I'll give you one last chance. Surrender. I promise I'll make it quick—unless you'd rather die slowly."

Ihwa wiped a streak of blood from her cheek and spat to the side, her glare locked on him. "You're awfully chatty for someone who's about to lose."

Maki, leaning slightly on her broken staff, chuckled through her heavy breathing. "Yeah, all this talking. You compensating for something?"

The bandit's smirk twisted into a scowl. "Big words for two women who don't stand a chance. Fine. Let's see how long you last!"

With a roar, the bandit charged, his sword slicing downward in a powerful arc. Ihwa barely managed to sidestep, the blade carving a deep gash into the stone where she had been standing. The force of the swing sent cracks rippling through the ground.

Maki moved to counter, thrusting her broken staff toward the bandit's side. He reacted quickly, deflecting the attack with the flat of his blade and shoving her back with his free hand. Maki stumbled but didn't fall, her eyes sharp and calculating.

"You're quick," the bandit admitted, "but it won't matter."

He followed up with a series of rapid swings, his blade cutting through the air with deadly precision. Ihwa ducked and weaved through the attacks, her fists clenched tightly as she waited for an opening. Maki flanked him, her movements slower due to her injuries, but her resolve unyielding.

The bandit's attacks were relentless, forcing the two women onto the defensive. Ihwa attempted to close the distance, aiming a powerful punch at his ribs, but he twisted his body, the sword flashing upward to intercept her strike. She pulled back just in time to avoid losing her arm.

"You're not bad," the bandit sneered, "but you're predictable."

Maki swung the remnants of her staff at his head, only for the bandit to sidestep and retaliate with a kick to her stomach. The blow sent her sprawling onto the ground, coughing violently.

"Maki!" Ihwa shouted, her attention momentarily diverted.

The bandit seized the opportunity, swinging his sword in a wide arc aimed at Ihwa's neck. She barely managed to duck, the blade grazing her shoulder and drawing blood. Gritting her teeth against the pain, Ihwa retaliated with a quick jab to his jaw, her knuckles cracking against his skin.

The bandit staggered slightly, more out of surprise than pain. "Not bad," he growled, rubbing his jaw. "But that's not enough to take me down."

From her position on the ground, Maki coughed out a laugh. "You sure about that? You're looking a little tired."

"Shut up!" he snapped, turning his attention back to her.

Ihwa seized the moment of distraction, launching herself forward with a powerful kick aimed at his side. The bandit grunted as the blow connected, causing him to stumble.

But his recovery was swift. With a vicious backhand, he struck Ihwa across the face, sending her crashing into a nearby wall. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth as she struggled to get back up.

"Stay down," the bandit growled, stalking toward her.

Maki, still on the ground, used the last intact piece of her staff to jab at his ankle. The sharp end dug into his skin, causing him to curse and step back.

"You're annoying," he spat, raising his sword to finish her off.

"Come on, big guy," Maki taunted, her voice weak but defiant. "That the best you've got?"

The bandit roared in frustration, his swings becoming faster and less controlled. Ihwa staggered to her feet, her breaths ragged. She noticed his movements growing sloppier, the telltale sign of his frustration clouding his judgment.

"Maki," she said through gritted teeth, "keep provoking him. He's getting reckless."

Maki smirked. "No problem."

"You're pathetic," Maki continued, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "All that muscle, and you still can't take us down?"

The bandit's face contorted with rage. "I'll shut that mouth of yours for good!"

He charged, his sword raised high. But as he brought it down, Ihwa stepped in, intercepting the attack with her bare arms. The blade bit into her forearms, drawing blood, but she held firm.

"What the—?!" the bandit exclaimed, startled by her resilience.

Maki took advantage of the opening, delivering a powerful kick to his knee. The force caused him to stumble, and Ihwa released the blade, stepping back.

"You're done," Ihwa said, her voice low and resolute.

The bandit growled, his rage boiling over. "You think you've won?!"

He swung wildly, catching both women with a powerful strike that sent them crashing into the wall behind them. The impact was brutal, the stone cracking under the force. Both women slumped to the ground, coughing up blood.

Nearby, Cabaji's unconscious form lay sprawled in the dirt. Ihwa's eyes flicked toward him, then to the sword lying just within reach. Summoning the last of her strength, she crawled forward and grabbed the weapon.

Maki, her staff now broken beyond use, clenched her fists and forced herself to stand. Her legs shook, but her resolve remained unbroken.

The bandit loomed over them, his breath heavy but his grin triumphant. "It's over," he said, raising his sword for the final blow.

Ihwa's grip tightened on the hilt of her new weapon. "Not yet."

With a burst of speed, she lunged forward, the blade slicing cleanly through the bandit's torso. His eyes widened in shock as he staggered back, blood staining his clothes.

Maki followed up, delivering a devastating punch to his jaw and a powerful kick to his chest. The combined force sent him toppling backward, his sword clattering to the ground as he collapsed in a heap.

The battlefield fell silent, the only sound being the ragged breaths of the two women.

"You… did it," Maki said, a weak smile forming on her lips as she leaned against the wall for support.

Ihwa dropped the sword, her hands trembling. "Yeah… but that was way too close."

*************

The battlefield was divided, chaos erupting in every direction. Yuki and Fubuki stood opposite one of the bandits, a hulking brute with hands the size of hammers. Unlike his partner who wielded a sword, this man fought with nothing but his bare fists. His confidence was palpable, and his lecherous grin made both women's skin crawl.

His eyes roamed over them shamelessly, lingering too long on their figures. "You two are feisty little things," he sneered, rolling his shoulders. "Too bad you don't stand a chance. Maybe if you beg, I'll keep you as my pets. Could be fun to—"

"Shut up," Yuki snapped, her tone sharp as a blade. She stepped forward, fists clenched tightly. "We're here to fight, not listen to your disgusting mouth."

Fubuki smirked beside her, tilting her head with a calm, mocking gaze. "You're awfully confident for someone who's about to lose."

The bandit barked out a laugh, his voice echoing through the ruins. "Lose? To you two? That's rich! Let's see what you've got, princesses."

He lunged forward with surprising speed, his massive fist swinging toward Yuki like a wrecking ball. She barely managed to dodge, the wind from the strike rustling her hair. She countered with a swift punch to his ribs, but it felt like hitting solid stone.

"Tch," Yuki muttered, retreating a step as her knuckles throbbed.

The bandit grinned, unbothered by her attack. "That all you've got?"

Fubuki stepped in, raising her hands as shards of broken glass and debris around her began to levitate. With a flick of her wrist, she sent the sharp fragments hurtling toward him.

The bandit's grin faltered as he crossed his arms to shield his face. The glass cut into his exposed skin, leaving shallow wounds, but it wasn't enough to slow him down.

"Nice trick," he growled, lowering his arms to reveal his bloodied but unbroken visage. "But you'll need more than that!"

He charged at Fubuki, his fist raised high. She attempted to retreat, but the sheer speed of his advance caught her off guard. His punch connected with her side, the force sending her flying into a crumbling wall.

"Fubuki!" Yuki shouted, her eyes widening as her partner crumpled to the ground, clutching her ribs.

Fubuki coughed violently, blood dripping from her lips. Her ribs ached with every breath, a clear sign that something had broken.

The bandit laughed, flexing his fingers. "One down. Ready to give up, sweetheart?"

Yuki didn't respond. Instead, she took a deep breath and charged at him, her fists swinging with all the strength she could muster. Her punches landed against his chest and stomach, but he barely flinched.

"You're persistent, I'll give you that," he said, grabbing her wrist mid-punch. Before she could react, he yanked her forward and slammed his knee into her stomach.

Yuki gasped, the air knocked out of her lungs as she collapsed to the ground.

"Is that all?" the bandit sneered, towering over the two women.

Fubuki groaned, forcing herself to her feet despite the searing pain in her side. "Hey, big guy," she said, her voice strained but defiant. "You talk a lot for someone who hasn't won yet."

The bandit's brow furrowed, his confidence faltering for a split second. "What did you say?"

Yuki, still on the ground, coughed out a weak laugh. "She's right. All that muscle, and you're still struggling to put us down? Kinda embarrassing, don't you think?"

"You little—"

"Careful," Fubuki interrupted, her tone mocking. "You'll pop a vein if you get any angrier."

The bandit roared, his composure completely shattered. He lunged at Fubuki, swinging wildly. But his attacks, though powerful, became predictable. She dodged as best she could, her telekinesis pulling rubble and debris into his path to slow him down.

"Come on," Fubuki taunted, a faint smirk on her lips. "Is that all you've got?"

His movements grew sloppier, his swings wider. Yuki took the opportunity to get back on her feet, her stance unsteady but resolute.

"Let's finish this," she said, her voice low but firm.

Fubuki nodded, her eyes narrowing as she focused her telekinesis on a pile of shattered glass nearby. The shards lifted into the air, hovering ominously around her.

The bandit hesitated, his eyes darting between the glass and the two women. "You think you can scare me with that?"

"No," Fubuki replied, her voice cold. "But this will hurt."

She sent the shards flying toward him, aiming for his neck. At the last second, the bandit grabbed a chunk of rubble and used it as a shield. Most of the shards shattered harmlessly against the stone, but one managed to slip through, embedding itself in his left eye.

The bandit howled in pain, dropping the rubble as he clutched his bleeding eye.

"Gotcha," Fubuki muttered, a small, victorious smile forming on her bloodied lips.

But her triumph was short-lived. The bandit, blinded by rage and pain, grabbed a nearby piece of a broken wall and hurled it at her. The debris struck her squarely in the chest, sending her crashing to the ground.

"Fubuki!" Yuki screamed, her voice breaking.

Fubuki didn't respond, her body limp.

The bandit, now with blood streaming from his ruined eye, turned his attention to Yuki. "You're next," he growled, his voice thick with fury.

Yuki clenched her fists, her vision blurred by tears and exhaustion. "Not if I end you first."

She charged at him with everything she had left, ignoring the pain in her battered body. Her punches were wild and unrelenting, each one landing with enough force to make him stumble.

The bandit swung back, his massive fists colliding with her ribs and shoulders. Every hit sent waves of agony through her, but she refused to stop.

"This… is for Fubuki!" Yuki roared, landing a devastating punch to his jaw.

The bandit staggered, his balance faltering. Before he could recover, Yuki grabbed a chunk of rubble and smashed it against his head.

The bandit collapsed to his knees, blood dripping from multiple wounds. Yuki stood over him, breathing heavily.

"Stay… down," she muttered, her voice barely audible.

But the bandit wasn't finished. With a final burst of strength, he lunged at her, his hands wrapping around her throat. Yuki gasped, struggling against his grip.

At that moment, Fubuki stirred, her fingers twitching. Summoning the last of her telekinesis, she sent a small shard of glass flying into the bandit's remaining eye.

He screamed, releasing Yuki as he clutched his face.

Yuki didn't waste the opportunity. She grabbed a large piece of rubble and brought it down on his skull with all her strength.

The bandit's body went limp, collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud.

Yuki fell to her knees beside him, her vision swimming. "We… did it," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Fubuki, still lying on the ground, managed a weak smile. "Barely."

****************

Not far from the fight, Nami was busy with her own mission. The orange-haired thief had slipped into Buggy's treasure stash during the chaos, her sharp eyes gleaming at the sight of gold, jewels, and precious artifacts piled high.

"Jackpot," she whispered, a satisfied smirk on her lips as she began loading a sack with as much as she could carry.

Zoro, however, had no interest in the ongoing battles or Buggy's treasure. The swordsman had found a relatively intact piece of ground near Noir and promptly lain down, his swords resting beside him. Within moments, he was snoring loudly, completely unconcerned about the world around him.

Noir sat on the edge of a crumbling stone wall, a cigarette between his fingers as he exhaled a slow stream of smoke. His sharp eyes scanned the aftermath, settling on the four women sprawled on the ground.

Ihwa, Maki, Yuki, and Fubuki were all bloodied and battered, their chests heaving as they struggled to catch their breath. Despite their injuries, a faint sense of triumph lingered in the air. They had won, against all odds.

Noir's lips curled into a faint smile, barely visible under the shadow of his tilted sunglasses.

"Idiots," he muttered softly, though there was no malice in his tone. "You pushed yourselves too hard."

The four women had given everything they had, overcoming opponents far stronger and more experienced. It was reckless, dangerous, and downright foolish—but it was also admirable. Noir didn't show it often, but he was proud of them.

His gaze lingered on Yuki and Fubuki, their bodies slumped against the rubble. Yuki had collapsed near the remains of the bandit she had beaten to death with her bare hands. Fubuki, still clutching her side where her ribs had been broken, lay motionless except for the slow rise and fall of her chest.

"Tougher than they look," Noir muttered, taking another drag from his cigarette.

Maki, her makeshift staff shattered beyond repair, sat slumped beside Ihwa, who had somehow managed to keep her grip on the sword she'd taken from Cabaji's unconscious body. Both women looked like they could barely move, their faces pale but their eyes still burning with the embers of victory.

Noir chuckled softly, shaking his head. "They're hopeless, but they pulled it off."

Though he often kept his distance, preferring to let them figure things out for themselves, Noir couldn't help but feel a flicker of warmth in his chest. They were reckless, stubborn, and loud—qualities that often irritated him—but they were also unyielding, brave, and surprisingly resourceful.

As he watched them lying amidst the ruins of their hard-fought battle, his faint smile returned.

"Not bad, rookies."