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"It's really that guy! I'm going to kill him!" On the deck of the Explorer, Kyros prepared to charge forward as soon as he saw Diamante.
"Don't worry about Diamante just yet," Ikki said, placing a hand on Kyros's shoulder. "Let Hina and Sadi get their anger out. They were both turned into toys, so they're still furious."
"I understand, Mr. Ikki." Though angry, Kyros knew to respect Ikki.
"What exactly happened, Tashigi?" Ikki asked, looking at the battle. "How did Hina and Sadi get into a fight with him?"
"It was Sadi-chan," Tashigi replied, pursing her lips. "She discovered him sneaking around. He's here to find out how Hina and Sadi-chan reverted from being toys and why Viola left." Tashigi admitted that she felt powerless, as Diamante's strength was too much for her, or even for Hina alone.
"I see," Ikki nodded, understanding the situation. "Sadi-chan's Observation Haki training is going well."
"Kyros, I need to ask you for a favor," Ikki said, his expression serious.
"Mr. Ikki, please tell me. I will do whatever you ask," Kyros said solemnly.
"It's not a big deal, but when you fight Diamante, make sure you don't cut his sword. I need that sword." Ikki spoke with an air of seriousness, remembering how Kyros had cut Diamante's sword in the original story. He wanted to make sure that didn't happen this time.
"I understand, Mr. Ikki. I'll be careful," Kyros promised. With a nod of approval from Ikki, he jumped off the Explorer and walked toward Diamante.
"Damn it! Why are these two so hard to deal with?" Diamante roared, trying to use his sword to push Hina and Sadi-chan away. He had already lost his will to fight. Seeing Ikki and his crew, he knew he couldn't take anyone away. His only goal now was to retreat and regroup with Trebol and Pica. However, Hina's "Innate Demon Slayer Mark" had tipped the balance of the fight, and he couldn't leave, even with Kyros approaching.
"Ladies, would you mind leaving him to me?" Kyros said, stopping five meters away. "This man and I have a grudge. He killed my wife, so I ask for your help." Hina and Sadi-chan looked at each other, noticed the Explorer's seal on Kyros's arm, and his Balmung, before retreating and giving him the battlefield.
"Phew, what a relief," Diamante sighed. "We meet again, Kyros. I never expected you to become human again. The two ladies wouldn't tell me their secret. Will you?" Diamante glanced at Ikki with genuine fear before turning back to Kyros with a calm expression. Kyros himself wasn't a threat, but his connection to Ikki was terrifying.
"Hmph, I'm not interested in talking with you. You're going to die today, Diamante!" Kyros roared, rushing toward him with Balmung in hand. Diamante scoffed, but before he could mock Kyros, a flash of golden lightning erupted from Kyros's body. The next moment, Kyros, who had been three meters away, was suddenly right in front of him.
"What?!" Diamante was shocked and quickly covered himself with his cape. Under the power of his Flutter-Flutter Fruit, the cape instantly became as hard as metal, forming a shield. But even so, he felt an immense force as Kyros's attack landed.
"Breath of Thunder, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"
Boom!
Kyros's sword strike sent Diamante flying backward. It wasn't until the end of the attack that Diamante heard the name of the move.
"Thunderclap and Flash? Where did you get that... wait, did that guy Ikki teach you?" Diamante's feet left several meters of scratches as he slid on the ground. He looked at Kyros with wide eyes, shocked both by Kyros's one-legged powerful attack and his suspicion that Ikki was the source of his new moves. Doflamingo had told him that Ikki was skilled at training others, and that both Gion and Hancock were a testament to his teachings.
"Hmph, I'm not interested in talking nonsense with you," Kyros scoffed. "Now, try this! Thunderclap and Flash: Eightfold!" He turned into an afterimage, rushing toward Diamante again. Even with his Observation Haki, Diamante could only see Kyros's movements, but his body couldn't react fast enough. In desperation, he once again used his cape to defend himself, looking like a turtle retreating into its shell.
"Damn it! I have to find a way to escape!" Diamante roared angrily, desperately trying to devise a plan to get away.