Let's Do This! (One Piece)

Chapter 15. Rising Through the brackets

The heat of the arena was suffocating. The packed stands were filled with shouts, cheers, and the occasional jeers, the energy crackling through the air like a live wire. Ruwa could feel sweat slicking her brow, mixing with the thin streaks of blood running from small cuts along her arms.

She rolled her shoulders, shaking out the tension. She had fought her way through multiple matches already, each opponent more brutal than the last. Now, standing in the center of the arena, she had reached the final rounds of the 40-bracket going into the 30th bracket.

Captain Cutthroat's voice boomed through the stadium.

"RUWA, the the damned monkey brat—is against—DAGE, the Iron Fist!"

The gates creaked open, and her next opponent stepped onto the field, he had apparently decided to use the actual stairway down to the area rather then jumping down light most did.

Dage was a mountain of a man, covered in scars and thick, corded muscle. He wore no armor—only wraps around his fists and a pair of reinforced boots. A fighter who relied on his own strength rather than weapons or techniques. The kind of opponent who could end a fight with a single blow.

Ruwa exhaled sharply. She had already fought through several matches, her muscles burned, and exhaustion was creeping in. But she had no time to slow down.

Dage cracked his knuckles. "Heard you've got some quick hands, little girl." His grin was all teeth. "Let's see if you can dodge this."

The match started without warning.

Dage launched forward, closing the gap between them in a blink. His fist shot out, aiming for Ruwa's ribs.

Too fast—

She barely twisted in time, feeling the rush of air as his knuckles grazed past her side. Before she could retaliate, another punch came, forcing her to duck.

He was relentless.

Ruwa's Byakugan flared, tracking his muscle movements before his strikes could land. But he was no fool—he knew how to feint. A quick flick of his shoulder tricked her into dodging left—right into the real punch.

The impact exploded against her forearm as she barely managed to block. Pain jolted up her arm, her skin bruising instantly. She skidded backward, gritting her teeth.

Dage chuckled. "That all you got?"

No. Not even close.

Ruwa grounded herself, lightning flickering around her fingertips. Her opponent may have brute strength, but she had speed.

She moved.

A burst of chakra-enhanced speed carried her behind him in a flash. Her fingertips struck in rapid succession—one, two, three precise hits to his spine.

Dage staggered. His muscles seized up.

But before she could land a finishing blow, he roared and slammed his foot into the ground, shaking the entire arena. Ruwa's balance wavered, and in that split second, he turned, swinging his arm in a brutal backhand.

Her vision blurred as the strike connected with her shoulder, sending her flying. She crashed into the dirt, coughing as pain flared through her ribs.

Dage didn't give her time to recover. He was already closing in.

Move—!

Ruwa rolled just as his fist slammed into the ground where she had been, cracking the stone beneath it. Dust and debris flew into the air, giving her the cover she needed.

She inhaled sharply. Enough playing around.

Lightning surged through her hands. As Dage pulled back to strike again, she lunged forward, ducking beneath his arm.