Not long after the Straw Hat Pirates departed Dressrosa, Kuina received intelligence on their whereabouts.
Conveniently nearby on other business, Kuina quickly wrapped up her affairs and sailed over aboard her warship, the Skyblade, to intercept them.
Her wayward kohai, that green-haired mosshead, and her dear friend Nami—both had been roped into piracy by that idiot Luffy! Kuina seethed with anger at the thought.
But then again, Luffy's brother was Ace, his grandfather was none other than Garp, and her senpai was his teacher...
Ever since the Straw Hat Pirates had made their name by storming Enies Lobby, defeating the Warlord Moria, and even taking on the Celestial Dragons at Sabaody Archipelago, Luffy's background had been thoroughly investigated. By now, the entire world knew about this hardheaded fool.
And what a terrifying background it was…
Even within Marine Headquarters, how many officers at the rank of Admiral could actually do anything against them?
Ordinary Vice Admirals, like Onigumo or Doberman?
Their strength simply wasn't enough. As for Gion and Tokikake—no need to even mention it. And Admiral Sakazuki…
Unless Luffy sought death by running straight into him, Sakazuki wouldn't bother to personally hunt him down.
These days, Sakazuki was busy overseeing Marine discipline across the entire force. Swamped with responsibilities, whenever he had free time, his first priority was to rush to the frontlines of the New World.
It was as if he had never anticipated that "Justice" could descend upon the New World on such a massive scale.
Thus, the general sentiment within Marine Headquarters regarding the Straw Hats was... largely helpless.
Kuina decided it was time for her to take a stand.
Surely, Dragon, the Revolutionary Army's leader, wasn't still personally tailing the Straw Hats the way he had in Loguetown?
With that thought, Kuina stationed the Skyblade directly above the Thousand Sunny, descending dramatically before the Straw Hat Pirates.
With her flight ability, Kuina held a crushing advantage over the crew trapped aboard their ship.
Though she hadn't reached the level of "Awakening" like Golden Lion Shiki, able to reshape the sea itself, Kuina merely needed to hover high in the sky, wielding her longblade for ranged attacks, making her nearly untouchable.
To protect the Thousand Sunny, Sanji focused all his attention on intercepting Kuina's flying slashes—not attacking, because he wouldn't hit a woman.
And Kuina wasn't just any woman—she was stunningly beautiful, dealing Sanji emotional damage on a whole new level.
Thus, Sanji focused purely on defense. Thanks to his mastery of Sky Walk, he was the only one who could match Kuina's aerial speed.
Meanwhile, Brook helped deflect some of the flying slashes, while the rest of the crew worked together to respond to Kuina's assault.
Among them, the greatest threat to Kuina wasn't Zoro, Luffy, or even Nami—it was Nico Robin.
Robin's Hana Hana no Mi allowed her to sprout limbs anywhere within her sight, an immense threat to any flying combatant.
Of course, Kuina was well aware of this. She wasn't the type to become helpless just because her real body got restrained.
Wielding a Great Grade blade and the Wado Ichimonji, even a conjured limb felt the pain as if it were part of Robin's real body.
After suffering a brutal "amputation" of her sprouted arm once, Robin—drenched in cold sweat—dared not recklessly target Kuina again.
Even simple harassment required absolute focus, for Kuina's Observation Haki could detect any threat the moment it formed.
"You've improved… but sadly, you're still far from strong enough for the New World."
Most of Kuina's strikes rained down on the moss-headed junior, leaving him cold with sweat—and oddly enough—
Indignant.
Why are you only slashing at me?
Can't you see that monkey bouncing around right beside me?!
Against Kuina, slow but powerful attacks were useless. You needed speed without sacrificing power.
The Float-Float Fruit might not be the most powerful Devil Fruit in existence, but its mobility easily placed it in the top tier.
Attacks like Luffy's "Elephant Gun" were simply too slow to hit her.
Thus, Luffy could only use his aerial combat form, Gear 4.
But much like when Wright had once faced Golden Lion Shiki, Luffy's airborne movements were far too straightforward, nowhere near matching the Float-Float Fruit's agility.
Zoro's threat was much greater—
Three-Sword Style boasted unparalleled attack speed.
However, the Straw Hats were confined to the space of a single ship, while Kuina commanded the entire sky.
Still, Kuina's dominance didn't last long.
"Midori Boshi: Devil!"
A strange seed, launched from Usopp's massive slingshot, soared toward the sky.
Kuina sensed it immediately with Observation Haki but—
It's not even a bullet?
Momentarily distracted, she hesitated—
The seed shot toward her and instantly mutated!
A gigantic carnivorous plant, like a monstrous Venus flytrap, materialized midair, snapping its massive jaws at Kuina!
"Not bad!"
Kuina remained unflustered.
As an elite Marine commander who fought at the frontlines of the New World against the Four Emperors' forces, she had long since developed ironclad reflexes.
Slash, slash, slash—
She shredded the monstrous plant into pieces with a flurry of slashes, though the distraction delayed her slightly.
"Midori Boshi: Trampolia!"
"Midori Boshi: Impact Wolf!"
Usopp was fearless now, following up with precise sniping.
A giant flower with an elastic center bloomed atop the Sunny's deck.
From the flower, a massive wolf-like plant sprang high into the air, launching itself straight at Kuina!
"This little trick…"
Kuina casually batted away Zoro's aerial slash, but before the plant wolf even touched her, it detonated!
BOOM—
The massive shockwave sent Kuina's body staggering.
As she hurried to regain her footing—Luffy and Zoro's attacks closed in!
Zoro used the Trampolia's boost to rocket into the sky, while Luffy flew directly at her!
"Three-Sword Style: 1,080 Pound Phoenix!"
"Gomu Gomu no—Kong Gun!"
And they weren't alone—
Robin and Franky launched their attacks as well—
"Mil Fleur: Gigantesco Mano—Spank!"
"Franky—Free Laser Beam!"
A multitude of giant limbs appeared, forming an enormous hand that swung down from behind Kuina.
Meanwhile, Franky's dazzling laser beam aimed straight at her!
Facing a storm of attacks, Kuina smiled faintly—
"Good. No one's holding back!"
"Art of Defense: Storm Flash!"
In an instant, countless flying slashes exploded from Kuina's position, a frenzied storm fueled by her Float-Float powers.
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM—
Robin's giant hand shattered, Franky's laser beam was torn apart—
Only attacks imbued with Armament Haki—Zoro's slash and Luffy's Kong Gun—could resist Kuina's storm of blades!
"She's gotten… so strong!"
A wild grin tugged at the corner of Zoro's mouth.
This...
This is the Kuina I know!
RUMBLE—
Thunderous noise rolled overhead—not just from Haki clashes.
Above them, the skies darkened—
Thick clouds formed, cutting Kuina off from her warship.
"Kuina-nee! Let's call it here…"
Nami, holding her Clima-Tact, smiled triumphantly as Kuina floated still, and Zoro and Luffy landed back on the deck.
"There's no room to fight properly on a ship… Next time, when we're on an island, we'll give you a real match!"
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