Innuppe tilted his head. His canine snout curled into a grin. "A lady," he said.
Zala narrowed her eyes. "And you're a dog with a penguin's body," she said. She thought it looked absurd.
"I have been ordered to defeat anyone who dares oppose Master Moria," Innuppe said as his legs coiled. With a sudden burst of speed, he leapt toward her. "Tendron," he barked as his foot snapped forward in a vicious kick aimed at her collarbone.
"Stinger Kick," Zala countered as she changed her leg into a long, gleaming spike. She lashed out and her strike collided with his leg mid-air.
The clash sent up a burst of dust. They both were thrown back and landed on their feet.
Zala thought that looked familiar.
Innuppe crouched low, his canine growl rumbling in his throat. "Mouton Shot," he roared as he channeled his strength into one leg. He launched forward in a blur and unleashed a flurry of rapid kicks.
Zala's lips curled into a sharp smile. Her hands shifted into spiked spheres. "Stinger Balls," Zala said.
She swung her arms. Her spiked fists collided with his kicks one after another. The impact rang as sparks and dust flew from each clash. Innuppe kicked left. Zala punched left. Innuppe aimed for her chest. Zala punched again, blocking the attack.
The two fighters locked eyes between blows. Innuppe launched a strike towards her chest once more. However Zala punched at his foot once again. Innuppe looked at her and jumped back. He landed on his feet.
Zala looked at Innuppe once more. "You kick a lot, like Sanji from the Strawhats," Zala said. "So Moria took his shadow and put it on your body," she added.
Innuppe did not respond. "I have been ordered to defeat you," he said. "Collier," Innuppe said as he tried to kick Zala once more. He came flying towards her.
"Stinger Lance," Zala said as she turned her hand into one single spike like lance and blocked the attack. She skidded back from the force of the attack. She dug her heels and stopped. Zala looked up at Innuppe and smiled. "You are strong," she remarked.
Zala pushed him back. Innuppe went back. "Storm Leg," Zala said as she kicked at high speed and strength which launched a sharp compressed blade of wind towards Innuppe.
Innuppe landed on the ground and dodged the attack narrowly. He jumped forward and landed behind Zala and said, "Longe." Zala had no time to reach. She received a sweeping kick from Innuppe in the back. Innuppe then followed up with a kick to her stomach. "Flanchet," Innuppe said as Zala went flying backwards. She spat her spit out.
"That was unexpected for sure and did hurt," Zala said as she got up. "You are fast, however those attacks lack that power," Zala added.
Innuppe looked at her. "You are strong for sure," Innuppe said.
"Double Stinger," Zala said as she turned her hands into a single spike. She ran towards Innuppe and thrusted forward. Innuppe dodged the attack. However Zala saw this coming and moved her hand upwards and stabbed Innuppe multiple times in rapid succession.
Innuppe got struck multiple times. He got hit in the face, chest, and stomach. He went flying back and crashed into the ground. He skidded back.
Zala then jumped into the air. "Stinger Falcon Strike," she said as she kept her feet together and turned it into one long spike and spun. She went down impaled Innuppe in the chest. His mouth opened up. At that moment, Zala took a cube of salt and threw it into his mouth.
Innuppe's body began to convulse violently. His limbs jerked out of control. His eyes rolled back into his head, leaving only the whites visible. With a guttural choke, his mouth gaped open and from within, a dark shadow tore free. It escaped into the air.
Zala smiled faintly as she pulled free from Innuppe's body. She thought if his body had been stronger, this might have been a real fight.
Meanwhile, across the room, Perona and Vivi looked at each other.
"I don't remember seeing you in the Love Pirates' bounty list," Perona said, with suspicion in her voice. She narrowed her eyes, "How do I know you're not lying?" she asked.
Vivi smiled gently. She bowed her head with grace. "I don't know why the Marines never placed a bounty on me. But I am Nefertari Vivi, a proud member of the Love Pirates," she said. She straightened up. "And I request that you join us," she added.
Perona tilted her head. "So, Alvida is your Captain?" she asked.
Vivi shook her head. "No. Ben is our Captain. But many mistake Alvida for the leader," she replied. "Alvida is very capable and strong, we look up to her but Ben is our Captain," she added.
Perona's lips curled into a knowing smile. "I knew it. He's very cute," she replied as she touched her teddy bear.
Vivi's cheeks warmed as she thought of him. "He's more than that. He's noble, kind and someone who fights for others," she added. She stepped closer. "Will you join us, Perona? Ben will make sure you're happy. With him, you'll be able to achieve your dreams," she added.
"Dreams?" Perona repeated softly.
"Yes," Vivi said. "He asks about our dreams, and how we can reach them. He is kind, caring, handsome and strong," she said.
Perona's eyes narrowed. She sounded like a girl who was in love. She thought of love. "Stronger than Moria?" she asked.
"Yes," Vivi replied without hesitation.
Perona laughed. "No one is stronger than Moria," she said. She raised her hand. "Negative Hollow," she added as a ghostly figure emerged from her palm. It drifted towards Vivi with eerie speed. "You won't survive this," Perona said.
However, in that instant, Vivi's eyes turned red. Her pupils vanished. Black flames flickered across her body. Her aura shifted into something dark and terrible.
"Dark Necrotic Nova," Vivi said as she released a burst of necrotic energy. The ghost halted midair and went back towards Perona.
Perona's eyes widened. "What, what was that?" she asked. She could feel the air itself grow heavy.
"I want you to join us," Vivi said. "I don't want this to end in violence," she added.
Perona's mind spun. She had seen Ben's poster before something about him had already pulled at her heart. However her loyalty to Moria chained her. "I…" she stammered. She thought back to how Moria had taken care of her as a daughter. She thought about how her parents had left her.
Vivi stepped forward. Her aura pressed down like a storm. Perona's breath quickened and her hand trembled. She could feel it, this woman truly was one of the Love Pirates.
Vivi placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "Ben will take care of everything. Please, join us," she said.
"Moria took care of me when I was alone, he helped him grow up," she said. Perona looked into her eyes. "Promise me that Moria will live," she said.
"I promise," Vivi said firmly. "Ben will not kill him," she added.
Perona's lips trembled before curling into a small smile. "Then, I will join you," she said.
At that moment, Robin, Raki, Porche, Usopp, Maya, Conis, and Zala approached them.
"The princess is making promises on behalf of our Captain," Zala said with a sly smile.
"Does she even have permission from him?" Raki teased as she played along.
Robin chuckled softly. "She's the princess. Our Captain's favorite. He'll never say no," she replied.
"That's true," Maya agreed with a nod.
Vivi powered down as the black flames faded. "Ben loves all of us equally," she said with conviction.
"He does," Conis agreed warmly.
"She used her words to win her over," Raki said.
"Something only Vivi could do," Maya added.
"We all could," Vivi countered with a smile.
Perona blinked, watching the exchange. "Is she always like this?" she asked quietly.
"She is the princess," Robin replied simply.
Perona looked back at Vivi. "I don't think I can fight Moria," she said.
Vivi stepped closer as she took her hand. "No one will ask you to. You share a connection with him. You can go aboard our ship," she said.
Perona's eyes softened. She nodded. "Thank you. And remember our promise," she said. She turned and walked away.
Porche and Usopp exchanged a glance. They both quietly moved by what they had witnessed.