"All Things Are Impermanent!"
The enormous rhombus-shaped pencil was thrown with all his might by Urouge, violently striking Sipher and sending him flying.
"The monk is coming over!"
Urouge strode forward, charging out as Sipher soared through the air, swiftly closing in on Sipher's landing spot, and delivering a fierce punch.
"Double Blade Martial Arts: Concealed Pavilion Barrier!"
Sipher, just climbing up from the ground, clenched his teeth and gripped his dual blades. Despite his sluggish reaction, the blades slashed smoothly, creating barriers of wind blades before him.
Chichichi!
Urouge charged straight into the barrier without a care, allowing the wind blades to cut into his flesh. His monstrous laughter grew even more intense as his body tightened, further enlarging his already massive physique.
His larger, muscular arms exposed bulging veins, his fist tightly clenched, its size covering all of Sipher's chest, and he delivered a fierce punch.
"Karma!"
Bang!
The violent punch forced Sipher's mouth to spurt a stream of blood as he was knocked back, but before he could soar too far, a gigantic hand grabbed his body.
Urouge extended both hands, grabbed Sipher, and flipped him upside down, aiming his head at the ground, and slammed him down with force.
"Breaking Obsession!"
Bang!!
The powerful blow created a large crater in the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Sipher's head was planted at the center of the depression, his body trembled, slowly collapsing, blood seeping from him as he gasped heavily, clearly taking significant damage.
His slow reaction rendered his spirit sluggish and numb, not even able to use Haki in time.
"I, I..."
He trembled as he used both hands to support himself, staggering and striving to rise, intent on continuing with his dual-blade attack, but only now noticed that the blades had long slipped from his grasp.
"Enough."
As the smoke cleared, a sword was placed against his neck from the side.
Hawkins held the Long Sword, facing him, saying, "You've already lost, if you continue fighting, it's nothing but death. You're a mountain bandit; we're pirates; at the core, there's no difference. Surrender, if you wish to die, wait until you've met Sage, then decide."
"Oh? Spare me from death?"
Sipher chuckled lightly, saying, "But what if I refuse..."
Hawkins replied, "A warrior like you dying like this would be a waste. Sage wants to rule here; we need local allegiance. You aren't someone who shares dominion with Sage, but Sage will accept you."
"A disaster..."
Sipher murmured, before falling silent for a moment, reaching into his pocket with shaking hands, retrieving a... weighted die.
"Let's let fate decide my survival. Small, I'll go with you to meet the disaster and decide. Large, I'll continue fighting you right now."
Laboriously, he tossed the die into the air, watched it spin several times before securely landing back in his hand.
The number on it was five.
Hawkins glanced at it, showing disappointment, "Looks like it's time to continue fighting? What a pity..."
With that, he exerted force through his arm, preparing to slice open Sipher's neck.
"I surrender."
Just as the blade touched his neck, ready to cut, Sipher's sudden words nearly prevented Hawkins from stopping in time, leaving a thin mark on his neck.
"?" Hawkins appeared puzzled.
Having respected a powerful warrior, he hadn't continued persuading, nearly ready to deliver a fatal blow.
But surrender now?
What happened to fighting if the die read large?
"Ah, I follow the guidance of fate..."
Sipher moved the sword from his neck, saying, "Fate, you only truly know what one desires when it arrives. Just like throwing this die, despite the large number, when it lands, I understand my true desire."
"I don't want to die, so I heed my heart's guidance, as well as fate's choice."
Sipher spread his arms, adopting a posture of surrender, "Hence, I surrender."
Hawkins smirked.
Fate... so flexible?
He sheathed the Long Sword, saying, "Then come with us."
"Can't move, I'm exhausted; this big guy, his strength is immense."
Sipher slumped to the ground, extending a hand to the two, "Seeing as we're both thieves, lend a brother a hand."
Hawkins shook his head, doing nothing, turning to leave, while Urouge reached out, uniting his massive palm with Sipher's hand.
Bang!!
Augustine Castle.
Sage extended a punch, colliding with the massive Broad Sword, striking the blade, a tremendous force propelling the sword back a bit, simultaneously, Sage kicked out with momentum.
The kicking foot clearly accelerated, imperceptible to the eye, yet at this moment, the heavily armored William swiftly lowered his Broad Sword, blocking in front.
Bang!
"Hm?"
Sage looked at the immobile William with a hint of surprise, "Strength is adequate, speed isn't bad... can match my speed, no, your mastery of Haki is impressive."
William remained silent, attempting to step forward and push Sage's leg away.
"But... you dare to contest strength with me?!"
Sage sneered and exerted his leg forcefully, ready to kick William, but the latter proactively withdrew, swinging the Broad Sword in a half circle, transitioning to a horizontal slash, releasing a dazzling white glow.
Zizizi.
"Heavy Flash!" William's deep voice resonated along with the white glow.
Sage's kick struck William's chest, at the moment of impact, Sage extended a hand, a black fire appearing, blocking the incoming blade.