Imai continued to counter the fierce strikes of Diane, she had started to feel the thrill she yearned for during a battle. Finally, someone in this world could rival her. After all, her existence brought imbalance between the pirate and marine world.
"Ancient Honorary Technique, Blessed by the Holy Light."
"Sovereign's Secret Technique, Harbinger of Evil."
Dark purple haki emitted from Imai's blade, the aura it gave off gave everyone shivers. It was like the blade was death itself, the feeling was dreadful. As for Diane, her blade emitted a golden haki, it gave off warmth and protection.
It was like the two were polar opposites. Light and Dark. Good and Evil. Yin and Yang. The two were the perfect representation of the opposites.
The two blades clashed against each other, a wave of Conqueror's Haki burst from the contact. For the weak willed people, they immediately passed out, and dropped to the ground. However, to those who were strong, their legs were shaking, but they were still able to stand.
They were witnessing a fight of a lifetime.
"So, you have the qualities of a king too. Your swordsmanship is impressive, but you still have some flaws here and there." Imai said, leaning back to avoid the horizontal strike.
"Tsk, still. I will end you right now and avenge all of those that you've killed." Diane said through her gritted teeth.
"Though, all of those I've killed weren't as innocent as they seemed. Tell me, did they really send you here to kill me? Or do they want you to take me alive?" Imai asked, grinning.
Imai saw the surprised look on Diane, she knew the higher ups wouldn't let Diane kill her. They had plenty of information they wanted to extract out of Imai, she knew too much about everything.
She used her left hand and smacked away Diane's blade before landing a swift kick to her stomach. Diane stumbled backwards and when she glanced up, a flying fist made contact with her cheek.
"Agh!" Diane groaned. The pain of her stomach, cheek, and back burned.
Imai was interested in Diane's deal with the higher ups. What would happen if Diane brought in Imai? Would Diane be given an award? Just what if there was something deeper?
"Fine then, I'll let you take me in." Imai said.
"Huh?" Diane glanced up and was surprised. "You're going to surrender? But why?"
Imai shrugged and sheathed her blade.
"Perhaps I want to see what it's like in Impel Down. Maybe I'll meet someone important there, who knows?"
Diane frowned, "Do you honestly think I'll believe that? If it's you, you're probably scheming something again. Well who cares, that's if you're able to escape."
Imai noticed Uta and Rei running towards her. She loosened the scabbards attached to her waist and threw them at Uta who caught them with ease.
"Huh? Imai, why are you giving me this?" Uta asked with confusion.
"Because I'm being taken into jail, Impel Down to be exact. The highest security prison at Marineford." Imai said.
"Captain?! What? You didn't lose the battle, so why are you going to prison?" Rei asked, the same confusion laced in her tone.
Imai glanced behind her and saw Diane talking to the snail. Using this chance, Imai pulled Rei and Uta close and whispered into their ears.
"I'm searching for our fourth member, she's in Impel Down at the deepest part of the prison. I'm going to bring her out and have her join us." Imai said.
Imai noticed the surprised faces on the two and immediately covered their mouths. If it was them, she was sure that they would accidentally blurt out her plan, and ruin everything.
She slowly removed her hand from their mouths and closed their jaws. The only thing left were the bewildered expressions left on their faces.
"Once I'm arrested, news will spread like wildfire. I want you two to set out for Marineford a few days after. After that, I'm sure you two know what to do." Imai said.
"Yeah, it'll be up to us to break you out of that hell." Uta said.
"Don't worry captain, we'll rescue you easily immediately. We won't let you suffer there any longer than you have to." Rei said.
Imai chuckled and suddenly a pair of hands grabbed her wrist. There was a clicking sound before she realized what had happened. She felt her devil fruit power being drained.
"Ah, it seems this is where we part." Imai said to the two. "Now then, Heiwa. Shall we go?"
"Shut up, don't call me that. It's Diane to you now." Diane said before tugging the handcuffs and pulled Imai away.
Before leaving, Imai made sure to wink at the two to let them know that she was going to be fine. Everything was going according to her plan, she was invading Impel Prison as a pirate.
Imai couldn't help but chuckle. Who would willingly go to the highest security prison on their own accord? Well, it seems she was crazy enough to do that.
"What are you laughing at?" Diane scowled.
Imai smiled at Diane, "Nothing, I just think that this is amusing."
She glanced around and noticed the pirates and marines that were knocked out slowly got up. Their eyes glanced around in confusion before looking at them in surprise.
Again, Imai couldn't help but chuckle a little. The sight of humans transitioning between emotions interested her. One second they could be sad, then angry, and there would be a lot more. Their eyes told Imai everything.
"So, Diane, how have you been doing over the years?" Imai asked as she was being guided onto the ship.
"Just be quiet, I'm not willing to speak to you." Diane replied.
Imai raised an eyebrow, "Then we'll just be suffering in silence. You were ordered to watch me at all times to make sure I don't escape."
"How do you know that?" Diane asked.
"It's pretty obvious, Diane. The Fleet Admirals, Admirals, and Vice Admirals. Although they may seem smart to you, they're actually pretty easy to read."
"You say that as if you can understand them."
"Of course I can, that's why I'm talking to you. I can see your hands itching to strangle me because of the past." Imai said, laughing.
"If you know then shut up before I really strangle you." Diane said.
Imai chuckled before leaning against the chair. She couldn't but admire the beauty in front of her. They were enemies and all but, her beauty was undeniable.
"What are you looking at?"
"Nothing."