As the saying goes, as long as I'm not embarrassed, it's others who should feel awkward.
"Lady Ulti is peerless in the world!!!"
Gurd and his four companions waved heart-shaped flags and floral fans while chanting slogans in praise of Ulti.
Their energy was at its peak!
This also made them the center of attention on the battlefield.
Even Yamato, locked in fierce combat, was drawn by the shouts and turned to look at Gurd's group of five, her eyes instantly turning into stars.
"Ooooh! So cool!"
Envy!
She really wanted a group of good friends cheering for her from the sidelines too.
Unfortunately, she had no friends at all.
Those who had tried to befriend her in the past were all killed by her father, and eventually, no one dared to be her friend.
The girl's mood couldn't help but sink a little.
In battle, drastic emotional changes can often be fatal.
"An opening!"
Ulti seized the opportunity, swinging her weapon to deflect Yamato's spiked club, then immediately transformed into a Pachycephalosaurus, her claws gripping Yamato's shoulders tightly.
Oh no!
Yamato realized the danger but lacked the strength to break free from the claws. Seeing the Conqueror Haki covering Ulti's forehead, she knew exactly what was coming next.
"Ulti Headbutt!"
"Armament Haki - Hardening!"
"BAM!!!"
Their foreheads collided with a resounding crash!
"Ugh!"
Yamato's head snapped back, her eyes rolling white.
According to certain theories, white eyes signify defeat, but as the child of a demon, Yamato's endurance had long been maxed out under her father's relentless abuse.
Her scattered pupils quickly refocused.
"Tsk—that hurts!"
Yamato gasped in pain, watching as Ulti's forehead gathered Conqueror Haki again. She immediately tensed every muscle in her body.
Time to go all out!
The next moment, the two women's heads crashed together once more!
"BAM! BAM! BAM!"
Each headbutt left them dizzy, but neither showed any sign of stopping. Instead, they rammed into each other even more fiercely, their movements so fast that eerie afterimages appeared.
Ora ora ora & Muda muda muda!
"CRACK!"
The sound of cracking bone was unmistakable.
Yamato and Ulti paused in their headbutting stance, panting heavily as crimson blood streamed down from their foreheads.
"I shattered your skull!"
"Yours broke first!"
They glared at each other, both clearly on the verge of collapse but still stubbornly trading taunts.
They absolutely couldn't lose to the other!
I'll push harder!
Me too!
Like two bulls locking horns, they strained against each other, their foreheads grinding together and sparking.
The bizarre scene left the pirates dumbfounded.
Now's the chance!
"Lady Ulti, I'll help you!"
Gurd roared as he charged into the battlefield.
Earlier, when the fight was at its peak, intervening would have been meddling—those with real pride usually hated others interfering in their battles.
But now, both were barely holding on, desperate for an external force to tip the scales. His intervention would only earn Ulti's gratitude.
Heh heh heh, the plan's working!
Just as expected, Ulti, hearing Gurd's voice from behind, felt a surge of adrenaline and pushed even harder against Yamato, not forgetting to mock her.
"Hahaha, you're done for, Yamato!"
"Damn it!"
Yamato seethed with frustration.
Ulti had subordinates, while she had none—no one would come to her aid. She could only watch helplessly as defeat loomed, powerless to change it.
"I'm sorry, Princess Yamato."
Gurd charged behind Ulti, leaping up with a sinister grin as he raised his massive door-sized sword high above his head, aiming straight for Yamato's skull.
Hahaha, let me crack your head open!
"I give up."
Yamato closed her eyes, surrendering to the inevitable.
But she had been locked in a struggle with Ulti, and her sudden loss of resistance caused her to slide uncontrollably backward as Ulti pushed forward.
Ulti took her place.
"Bam!"
The massive sword struck Ulti squarely on the back of her head.
"Thud!"
Ulti collapsed face-first in front of Yamato, the door-sized sword embedded in the back of her skull—her departure peaceful.
"..."
The battlefield fell silent in that instant.
Gurd stared at Ulti lying motionless on the ground, the sword lodged in her head, and the utterly bewildered Yamato in front of him. His brain nearly short-circuited.
Holy crap, I hit the wrong person!
Why did that idiot girl just step in like that?!
I'm screwed, I'm screwed, I'm screwed—!
Wait!
Look on the bright side—if Ulti's out of the fight, doesn't that mean all the credit is mine? The reward split goes from 70-30 to... 70-30?
As for the whole "wrong target" thing...
Right, find a scapegoat!
Gurd scooped up Ulti in his arms, his face twisted in exaggerated grief and fury as he glared at Yamato. "Princess Yamato! How could you use Lady Ulti as a shield?! That's despicable!"
"Huh, me?!"
Yamato was even more confused.
That was clearly your doing!
And... why does this feel oddly familiar?
Hearing Gurd's accusation, the surrounding pirates—especially the members of Ulti's fan club—finally "understood" what had just happened.
So that's how it was!
The crowd erupted in outrage.
"How despicable!"
"Lady Ulti, waaah!"
"I almost misunderstood Brother Gurd."
No, you didn't misunderstand.
Gurd couldn't help but retort in his mind.
Thankfully, pirates are all idiots.
Life-saving plan—success!
Now then...
Gently setting Ulti down, Gurd yanked the bloodied sword from the back of the girl's head and pointed it at Yamato.
Sorry, Princess Yamato.
"You dare knock out the most adorable Lady Ulti in the world?! Prepare yourself—I'll avenge her!"
"I didn't, I wasn't—!"
Yamato tried to defend herself, but Gurd's sword was already swinging down, giving her no chance to explain.
Damn it, this guy's just like Ulti—never listens to a word anyone says!
With no time to think, Yamato hastily raised her spiked club to block the strike. The sheer force sent a numbing shock through her arms, forcing her to stagger back.
Normally, an attack like this wouldn't even count as a warm-up for her. But right now, she could barely hold her ground.
She was exhausted.
And—so hungry!
The sword rained down on her like a storm, devoid of technique but packed with raw power, leaving her drenched in sweat.
Ugh... I really want some sashimi.
Slurp—!
"Clang!"
Her spiked club was sent flying!
Yamato stumbled back, her guard wide open.
But instead of pressing the advantage, Gurd spun his sword and drove it forcefully into the ground.
An invisible ripple spread beneath the earth.
"What's he doing?"
Yamato sensed danger, but in her current state, she couldn't maintain her Conqueror Haki. She could only watch Gurd intently.
Her hair stood on end.
"Crack—crack—!"
The girl's ears twitched as realization struck. She looked down in disbelief at the splitting ground beneath her.
Something was coming from below!
She wanted to dodge, but her body refused to move.
"Cliff Sword!!!"
With Gurd's roar, gleaming conical stone pillars erupted from the ground, violently piercing Yamato's buttocks and lifting her into the sky!
"Waaaahhh!!!"
The girl's scream echoed across the back mountain.
(End of chapter)