Rodgers made his decision.
There is no way I would win in a one-to-one battle. He watched Mutaro walk slowly toward him, her katana held loosely at her side, her blue hair flowing in the wind. I need to change my perspective on how I fight this battle.
He analyzed her form the way she moved, the way she held her blade, the way she breathed. Every detail screamed of a warrior who had been honed to perfection. A warrior who had never been defeated.
Her skill in the sword is greater than mine. His jaw tightened. But what about her other skills?
He thought of her movements the grace, the precision, the efficiency. She was not just a swordsman she was a master. But mastery in one area often meant neglect in others.
If they are just a bit inferior than mine... His eyes narrowed. ...then I'll be able to win.
He made his move before she was able to attack.
His body launched upward his legs coiling, his muscles exploding, his will absolute. He jumped up high enough to see her as a little ant, the ships below shrinking to the size of toys, the sea stretching to every horizon.
Then he began to run.
Performing high jumps from ship to ship his body soaring through the air, his feet pounding against the decks, his momentum building with each leap. The wind screamed past his ears. The rain lashed against his face. The chaos below faded into a distant hum.
He used a common tactic.
The trick was simple: build a distance between yourself and the enemy, and use that continuous movement to build momentum for your attack. It was not elegant. It was not honourable. But it was effective.
The tactic was solely dependent on sea battle. Because of the distance that would be covered by the enemy to catch up with you, plus the fact that in the Infinite Sea, all these factors would at least add together to give a chance of victory.
This was not the regular mindset of a man like Rodgers. This was different totally different from what he would do on a normal occasion. It was clear that there was a fundamental change in him.
Fear? Or was it something deeper?
His tactic had started to work.
He looked back and saw her giving chase her body moving with a speed that was impressive, her katana still in her hand, her eyes fixed on him. She was fast. Faster than him, perhaps. But she was not catching him.
The distance between them held.
He smiled.
This battle, he thought, his inner voice burning with determination. This day...
He jumped again his body soaring through the air, his momentum building, his will absolute.
...I shall be victorious.
in the space between the tactic and the triumph, between the fear that drove him and the conviction that fueled him.
Rodgers soared through the air.
Mutaro gave chase.
And the sea roared.