"Stop right there!" Ryuuto roared, leaping forward with Yubashiri in hand and charging straight for Mr. 1.
"You're courting death!" Ryuuto snarled. His blade became a flash of white light as he brought it slashing down.
"Relying on that sword?" Mr. 1 scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest to block. "I ate the Dice-Dice Fruit. I'm a full-body Blade-Man; every part of me is a weapon!"
Clang!
The impact of Yubashiri against Mr. 1's steely arms sent a violent shockwave through the air.
"Hmph?" Seeing his frontal assault fail, Ryuuto used his superior speed to flash to Mr. 1's side and swing Yubashiri again. "Wind Gaze!"
This time, Ryuuto closed his eyes, allowing the sword to follow the natural currents of the air. Mr. 1 moved to block, but the blade was like a phantom.
Shing!
It seemed to anticipate his defense, sliding through the gap between his arms and landing a vicious cut across his chest before he could harden his skin into a blade.
Under the immense force of Ryuuto's blow, Mr. 1 was sent flying backward!
Bang!
He crashed through two of his own subordinates before slamming hard into the ground.
"Boss, what happened?"
"Boss, are you alright?"
The other lackeys saw this and immediately rushed over to help Mr. 1 to his feet.
Seeing Ryuuto's heroic display, the surrounding townspeople erupted in cheers.
"That's our captain! He's incredible!"
"Go, Captain!"
"Captain, hurry and beat Mr. 1! Take down Baroque Works!"
Nami and Crocus, on the other hand, showed no surprise at seeing Ryuuto send Mr. 1 flying with a single move. Nami let out a heavy sigh of relief. "He finally made it!"
"I was careless," Mr. 1 said, wiping the blood from his chest. He looked at Ryuuto with newfound gravity. "You won't get another chance like that!"
"Atom Slash!"
Mr. 1's entire body rippled, instantly transforming into a mass of blades. With a great shout, he pushed off the ground and lunged at Ryuuto. Fully transformed, he unleashed a storm of countless slashes around him, shredding everything in his vicinity to dust.
Clang!
Ryuuto blocked the frontal assault with Yubashiri before retreating a step.
And then, it was time for his performance.
With the aid of his Observation Haki, Ryuuto could perfectly predict every one of Mr. 1's attacks. As he weaved left and right, each of Mr. 1's furious slashes struck nothing but empty air.
"Why?!"
"Why can't I hit him?!"
The more Mr. 1 attacked, the more panicked he became. Sweat beaded on his forehead as his barrage of attacks continued to miss. His subordinates nearby also realized something was terribly wrong.
"Boss, what's happening to you?"
"Boss, hurry up and slice that brat to pieces!"
"Shut up!" Mr. 1 roared, his frustration boiling over at the sound of their voices.
"Hahahaha..."
"The captain will win for sure!"
"The captain is so strong!"
On the other side, Nami and the residents cheered Ryuuto on.
Mr. 1 pressed his assault. He brought both hands down in a heavy chop, then flipped over, planting his hands on the ground and launching his legs at Ryuuto in a spinning kick.
"Spider!"
Slow! Far too slow!
Ryuuto perceived every one of Mr. 1's attacks. In his eyes, they were moving in slow motion. He knew in advance where each blow would land, allowing him to evade with the slightest movement.
Clang!
This time, as Mr. 1's spinning, bladed legs came at him, Ryuuto did not dodge.
He gripped Yubashiri, extending his will into the steel.
Like all those days spent training in the rain... his spirit focused on every single drop as it struck the earth.
All the sweat, all the effort... it would all culminate in this final achievement!
His will flowed through Yubashiri, blanketing the entire blade.
"Wind Sever!"
Ryuuto roared, and under the infusion of his will, Yubashiri instantly turned black!
He had achieved Armament Haki!
Imbued with Armament Haki, Yubashiri descended upon Mr. 1 with unstoppable resolve.
Clang!
The two forces collided.
But it was clear Ryuuto had the upper hand. The black blade Yubashiri erupted with an invincible aura, effortlessly severing Mr. 1's legs.
"Aaargh!"
Mr. 1 was smashed to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood. His severed legs now lay a short distance away from his body!
"No!"
"How could the boss lose?"
Mr. 1's men stared at the scene, their faces masks of disbelief. In Alabasta, they had never witnessed such a thing; Mr. 1 had always been an invincible figure. Until today, he had never known defeat.
But now, here in this place, some nameless rookie pirate had defeated him with ease.
If Ryuuto had heard their thoughts, he would have scoffed.
What did they mean, 'nameless rookie pirate'? He had a 70,000,000 Berry bounty, for crying out loud.
Ignorance was a terrifying thing. These thugs did nothing but throw their weight around. The essence of battle wasn't just power; it was also information. They had dared to come here knowing nothing.
In stark contrast, the residents of Erimal erupted into a chorus of jubilant cheers.
"Captain!!"
"The captain is amazing!!"
They knew their opponent was Mr. 1 of Baroque Works, the top agent under the command of their president, Crocodile, and a man of immense strength.
Furthermore...
He was the man who had cut off Erimal's water supply.
It was safe to say that every single person here held a deep-seated hatred for Mr. 1. Seeing this scene, they were ecstatic.
As for Nami, she looked at Ryuuto with an expression of pure admiration. "That's my captain!"
Crocus, however, wore a look of shock. The boy Ryuuto had mastered both Observation and Armament Haki in such a short time. He was a bona fide genius! He could only wonder now if Ryuuto also possessed the disposition of a king, and when he might awaken his Conqueror's Haki.
"Are you prepared to die?"
Ryuuto walked up to the defeated Mr. 1 and placed the black blade of Yubashiri against his neck, his expression grim.
"I have lost," Mr. 1 admitted, lowering his head with a bitter sigh. He said no more.
"Boss!" his men cried out, tears streaming down their faces.
Shnk!
The black blade Yubashiri fell.
Mr. 1's head flew into the air. Daz Bonez was dead.
"Everyone must pay the price for their mistakes," Ryuuto said softly, wiping the blood from Yubashiri before sheathing it.
"Seize these lackeys!" Ryuuto turned a harsh glare on the remaining men, who collapsed to the ground in fear. Without another word, he issued the order to the townspeople.