Tashigi is currently locked in a duel with François. Their blades, slashed in sparks of metal, strikes aimed for vital points, deflected and every move was one away from blood spilling.
Sge gritted her teeth as he pushed her back, now in defensive position, she did her best to block his strikes, his blade moved like a serpent, every strike was quick and aimed at her limbs, at one point, he aimed at her heart, but was prevented from the attack with Armament haki. François was momentarily shocked by the ability, stepping back, he took out his pistol and fired at her.
"Ughh–" Tashigi gritted, using her haki-coated blade to dodge the bullets. Ramos watched the fight from the entrance, arms crossed as if this were a spar between students.
"Don't falter–use your haki and it will grow." He instructed.
Tashigi, leaning into his teachings, used her blade to cut the bullets in half, her hands tinged with pain, but she pushed past it. She felt her control over the coating improve slowly. Charging forward with Soru, she flashed in front of François. Blade slashed his exposed arm, cutting into bone, nearly severing the limb completely.
"Ahhhh!" François shrieked in agony.
"Damn it!" Tashigi cursed as the blade was stuck to his Radius bone. She tried to finish the cut but the damn sword was being stubborn. "Come on–"
François ignored the pain and thrust his blade at Tashigi's eye, "Die!" He spat out blood, aiming to pierce her eye socket.
Tashigi felt her body urged her to move, a red line was visible at the corner of her eye, following her instincts, she moved in its direction, François's blade grazed her neck, the cold steel sent goosebumps all over he skin. The blade halted at the lack of contact. François was flabbergasted at what had just happened. "How...did you–ughhh. " François coughed up blood, body in pain as he saw Tashigi's blade stabbed directly into his heart. "Hah–the last rhythm to my beat." He uttered, blade out of his grasp, body losing function as he felt his life draining. "I hope...It tastes delicious. "
Thud.
Like the many people he's slain, his body touched the ground, staring at the ceiling as his end was a moment away.
Tashigi stood over the pirate's body, breathing heavily as her blade was tainted in his blood. "I can't let you live any longer."
Sink.
She stabbed her blade fully into his heart, putting an end to his reign of terror, Tashigi felt nothing at her first kill. The images of the victims justified her act. Before her turmoil intensified, Ramos pulled her into his embrace, his hold pulled her out of her dark thoughts.
"Hey, I got you. Just breathe in." He comforted her. Holding her shaking body.
The horrors of the Bloody Pirates have finally come to an end.
[Cemetery]
Ramos and his men made sure to bury every life lost today, not leaving it up to nature; they spent their time putting the victims to rest before reporting to Navy HQ.
Tashigi stood by Ramos, holding François's blade, "I can feel the darkness, emitting from it." Tashigi whispered.
Her first blade collected had more downfall to it.
Ramos noticed her conflicted look spoke, "The blade is an extension of its wielder's will. You have to break its dark will." He answered.
Tashigi glanced at him, "When did you get so wise?" She chuckled softly.
Ramos rubbed the back of his head, "Too many lectures from Fujitora, eventually stick with you."
"Of course it's him." She lightly punched his arm, "Let's go report to Sengoku-sama before he loses it." Tashigi moved to the ship.
"Great, more paperwork. "Ramos sighed, catching up with Tashigi.
[Chapter end]