The Daughter of the King (English)

Chapter 22 - A game of life and death

"What do you think? This is an interesting game, isn't it? Let's see how long the rubber girl lasts or will you die before she does?" Arlong started laughing again. "I'll do it in 5 seconds! Luffy, I'll get you out of there, don't worry!" Zoro shouted as he rushed towards the octopus. "Shikai Zero: Takohachi Black!" With a roll to the side, he dodged the ink bullet, continued running and swung at the punch. At the last moment, the fishman was able to duck, but two spikes of his hair had to pay the price. "Nju, you cut my hair off!" growled the fish man before he calmed down again, "Oh what the hell? It's just hair, it'll grow back again." "Huh?" This octopus had mood changes like a woman! "But you won't cut me up, Zoro! I have six arms. I hardly believe YOU can fight it!" He began to wave his arms. "I'm extremely flexible with that." "You octopus bastard!" He stormed towards him again. "Tako San Ren Shin Ken Shira Ha Dori!" Zoro struck and the octopus slapped his hands together. No one moved until... "Ow, that hurts!" Blood ran from a small wound on his forehead and tears from his eyes. "I don't have time to play with you!" His breathing was heavy and his body was covered in sweat. "He's trying to buy time." Sanji glanced over his shoulder at him. "Is he...?" "If you get distracted, it will be your death!" the stingray shouted before striking. Sanji leaned back, avoiding the blow. "Be always nice to the cook, otherwise you'll end up in the pan!" Sanji kicked, but the fish man fended him off with his triangle on his arm. "I can't waste any more time. It's already enough!" growled the swordsman. If this takes any longer, Luffy could already... "Let's finish this!" He ran towards the fishman and strikes. But he simply jumped up into the air and clung upside down to one of the stone pillars. "Takohachi Number Nine!" Neither of them moved while Zoro looked up at him. Was he trying to make fun of him?! "Do you want to put down roots up there? Come down now!" "Nyu~." "He's getting on my last nerve!" growled the green-haired man. This fishman was getting on his nerves faster than Luffy ever could.

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~ Underwater ~

Her breath became increasingly scarce. More and more black dots began to appear in front of Luffy's eyes. "Damned! My lungs burn like fire. I can not anymore. Damned! Damned! DAMN IT!" She had no strength left. The last bit of oxygen left her lungs and everything around her went black.

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~ Above water ~

Sanji delivered kick after kick, ducking each ofthe fishman's punches himself. However, he couldn't land a hit himself. "Damnyou, you bastard!" His gaze wandered for a moment to Arlong, who was watchingeverything with a grin.

Things didn't look any better for Zoro. "RoronorZoro, can I ask you something? I'm a bit surprised," the fishman's voicesounded above him, "you normaly fight with three swords at the same time.Where are the other two?" "One sword has been enough for you sofar." "Until NOW, but I haven't gotten serious yet. The truth is thata human swordsman has no chance against ME! Do you want to know why? Do youwant to know? You want to know, don't you? It will surprise you, astonish you,shock you!" Zoro clenches his teeth. The pain from his wound was getting worse."Damn! Why does the wound have tohurt so much now of all times? And the fever is getting worse. I thought itwould go away if I moved." He started to sway a little, but was able tocatch himself. All eyes were on him. Arlong's grin disappeared briefly. Itwasn't fun when people collapsed before the fight. Sanji looked at theswordsman with some concern. "Shit, I knew it. You haven't recovered from thewound Hawkeye gave you yet!" "What's the point? Pretending to be sickis a good strategy. Very good! But I won't fall for it! Roronoa Zoro, now I'llshow you my true skills!" With these words, Hatchan climbed up the pillar,still head first, ran over the roof and briefly disappeared inside thebuilding. Only to emerge the next moment with a sword in each hand. "Beware ofmy true abilities! The six sword styles!" As soon as he had finished hisspeech, Zoro collapsed. "Hey! What's that supposed to mean? You can't just giveup now! That's not fair!" The green-haired man lay on the ground, covered insweat, breathing heavily. Once again the blonde looked at the stricken one ashe said to himself, "I knew it was strange that he was fighting with sucha direct expression on his face!" The guy is a complete idiot!"