Chapter 28 : The Battle Against Black Maria

The expression on Black Maria's face changed slightly, indicating that Youta had spoken accurately about the current situation.

In reality, among the high-ranking officers of the Beast Pirates, Black Maria was the least warlike. She could handle bullying the weak, but as for participating in expeditions and fighting hard battles, she wasn't interested.

Despite her personality, she managed to hold a high position within the Beast Pirates, even higher than the other Flying Six members, gaining Kaido's trust entirely because, well... she's Kaido's lover.

Pillow talk can be more powerful than anything for men. Even if Kaido himself was a formidable man, making the effect of pillow talk diminish, Black Maria still held a special position within the Beast Pirates.

For example, this time when the entire crew went out, Black Maria stayed back to guard the base.

As for why she didn't step in to help when Yamato and Ace were fighting outside with earth-shattering power—it should be noted that although she's not much older than Yamato, she is, after all, Yamato's stepmother!

If their relationship were good, it would be quite a surprise!

Going out to face the enemy with Yamato? Yamato already had little regard for the Beast Pirates, and even less for her stepmother, Maria. If she dared to go out, Ace might just kill her, and Yamato would clap in approval.

This is also the reason why Ace never encountered Black Maria in the original story.

Upon careful reflection, it makes sense. Even if Kaido had supreme confidence in the natural defenses of Wano, he wouldn't take all his high-ranking officers and leave just Yamato to defend the base. Is he not afraid of some stubborn pirates causing trouble in his base?

Unlike the Red Hair Pirates, who are notoriously poor, and it's considered great if they have a billion berries on their ship, Wano isn't poor at all! It's the only source of seastone and has plenty of skilled craftsmen and stonemasons.

Kaido's base was filled with treasures, rare swords, and even devil fruits, accumulated through his militaristic rule over Wano. How could he not leave someone behind to guard it?

But given Kaido's character, leaving behind one Black Maria and one Yamato was already a stretch. Ordinary pirates they could handle easily. As for the other Four Emperors, unless they wanted a decisive battle, they wouldn't dare sneak attack his base.

Even Black Maria's primary role was to keep an eye on Yamato.

Who would have thought she would encounter such a headstrong and powerful bunch like the Black Peach Pirates?

"Hehe, a beautiful lady like you thinks you can stop me alone?" Youta sneered, clearly dismissing Black Maria and her band of half-human, half-demon creatures as combat threats. His body began to shimmer with a metallic glow.

Black Maria's face darkened. She might have risen to her position within the Beast Pirates for reasons beyond her control, but her combat strength was on par with the other Flying Six members. Youta's blatant disrespect naturally kindled her anger.

But despite her anger, she remained calm. Swinging her weapon, she didn't immediately charge at Youta, instead ordering her subordinates, "Get him, take him down!"

Black Maria's subordinates were slightly stronger elite monsters within the Beast Pirates but were no match for Youta.

Although Black Maria might not know the extent of Youta's strength, she could sense his aura and used her subordinates as a shield, both to test him and to conceal her toxic attack.

"Hmm, it seems to be a kind of mental toxin. But playing with poison in front of a medical ninja? You're the one trying to show off," Youta said with a cold smile, sniffing the air.

While speaking, Youta formed hand seals: "Genjutsu—Hell Viewing Technique!"

The Hell Viewing Technique is a basic illusion technique and the only offensive illusion Youta had mastered in the past six months. It targets the human psyche, showing people their deepest fears.

In the original story, Kakashi used this illusion on Sakura during the seventh group's test, causing Sakura to see Sasuke full of knives in his body.

A technique that could be used on newly graduated ninjas couldn't be that strong, but in a world where nobody had seen it before, it worked wonders.

Immediately, the "monsters" who rushed towards him became twisted with fear, screaming and running wildly around the hall. Their panic matched their appearances perfectly.

"Kaido-sama, why... no, something's wrong!" Black Maria, being a Flying Six member, quickly realized something was off. She used her Haki to break free from the illusion.

Upon seeing that her toxic attack had no effect on Youta and he had even turned it against her, the giant spider-woman couldn't hold back any longer. Her obstructive kimono fell away, and she brought her weapon down with force.

"Swinging Sleeve Wheel!"

With a loud boom, Youta was sent flying. Black Maria giggled, "Little boy, you shouldn't lose focus during battle."

Youta got back up, his face flushed red and a bit darkened. Being knocked back so easily was embarrassing.

But what could he do? He was still a man, and suddenly seeing such an enormous "chest armor" would naturally distract him.

Maria's words might have been teasing, but her actions were ruthless. As Youta struggled to get up, her lower spider body opened its mouth and spat fire.

"Flaming Maria!"

A burst of intense flames shot out. Although Youta didn't know how the so-called Grizzled Rosaceae Antediluvian Spider could breathe fire, he was prepared.

He opened his mouth wide, and the terrifying suction force absorbed all the flames, consuming them entirely. The intense flames then engulfed his body, and Youta charged toward Black Maria like a meteor.

"Stop Maria!"

White spider silk formed a giant web, attempting to stop Youta's advance. However, while the flames could enhance Black Maria's web attacks, in defense, they became her fatal flaw.

Youta's fiery charge blasted through the web effortlessly. His fiery punch struck Black Maria's lower spider head, igniting it in the process.