One Piece: Mandala Swordsman

Chapter 84 I Have Very Bad News

The loud noise and vibration caused Moria's usually steady hands to shift slightly, deviating the scalpel's trajectory by about half a centimeter—a major mistake in a surgery known for its meticulousness. Although the "patient" on the operating table was already silent, Moria still couldn't tolerate it.

Through the Shadow Bats, Moria saw the zombies' miserable state; their bodies were beaten to pieces, and even zombies without the ability to feel pain were no longer able to exert any fighting power.

"Damn brat, you've got some skills, huh? Looks like I'll have to see for myself. Hehehe, maybe her corpse will be excellent material. Since you've already messed with me, then I'll take your corpse." Moria slowly walked out of his little base.

Suddenly, he thought of something, and said with an evil smile, "You all better stay quiet, I'll be back soon."

Here, there was a pile of corpses that had undergone basic preservation and a group of pirates who were half-dead and tied up with ropes by Moria.

At this moment, they are not only physically injured, but also under tremendous mental pressure.

The fear of not knowing when it will be your turn is enough to drive someone mad and drive them to despair.

……

"I have some bad news for you."

"What news?" Bucky, who had barely managed to suppress his temper, was already afraid of Roman's mouth. It was always infuriating, and like Shanks, they always liked to say the most infuriating things with the most innocent expressions. But Bucky, who had already made up his mind to be a hero, had no choice but to patiently reply.

"The commotion we made just now was a bit loud. If Moria's hearing isn't bad, he should know that these zombies can't do anything to me anymore, so we should be able to see him in person soon," Roman analyzed.

Watching Bucky's face turn paler with every word she uttered, Roman couldn't help but laugh. Even though she herself was in danger, she couldn't suppress this instinct. In any case, how long she could live in this world was a bonus for her, so it wasn't a loss.

"I'm asking you, how confident are you in defeating Moria?" With his life at stake, Bucky forced himself to be on high alert. He knew that this brat wouldn't let him off easily, but if she was finished, he was finished too.

"I don't know." Roman shook his head.

Moria's performance may seem lackluster, but that's for the future. Roman believes that Moria still retains some of his strength in the present.

It should be said that he was lucky to have arrived early. Moria had obviously not been hiding here for long and his forces were not too many. If there were really troops on the Devil's Sailboat, Roman would have chosen to stop immediately or ask for help.

"But you're my confidence. With you here, I believe I won't lose." With the boost from Conqueror's Haki, Roman felt inexplicably confident. Even if he really lost, he should be able to escape.

"Hey, get serious. Even with my help, victory won't be easy." Bucky's face darkened again.

“Don’t forget his treasure,” Roman reminded him.

"In that case, let's have a fight with him."

They're so easy to fool.

Feeling somewhat pleased, Roman gazed at the bottomless dense forest ahead and, without hesitation, drew his sword and unleashed a slash. The cold, bluish-green light, carrying an astonishing aura, swept forward, leaving decay in its wake.

Then came another deafening noise, followed by complete silence.

It seems they managed to dodge it, but to be honest, they arrived really fast.

From the moment she started speaking, she sensed a powerful aura hurtling toward her at an astonishing speed.

The saying goes, "The first to strike wins." Since the enemy has already made a move, Roman needs to act even faster.

After a brief silence, many bats suddenly emerged from the darkness.

These bats have teeth comparable to swords, and Roman, naturally not wanting to be bitten, swung his sword again to shatter their attack formation.

"Hehehe, as expected, these bats seem to be useless against you. I didn't expect a little brat to have such abilities. But arrogant girl, you've picked the wrong opponent. I don't know how many ignorant and arrogant guys like you I've dealt with."

Under the bright moonlight, Moriah slowly revealed his full form.

He was enormous, with hair that resembled purple onions, two horns on the sides of his forehead, and sharp ears and teeth. His head and neck had crisscrossing sutures resembling stitched wounds. He wore a shirt with a bat-like collar and Gothic-style clothing. He exuded an aura of evil, and according to normal human aesthetics, Moria's very existence was terrifying.

But Roman was not concerned with his face, but with his body.

Compared to Moria more than a decade later, Moria's current physique is considered standard, with his entire body full of solid muscles, and the muscle lines in his arms have a powerful and beautiful look.

The zombie with only its head remaining was overjoyed to see the ferocious-looking Moria, like a fledgling bird finding its mother: "Master, you've come."

"Hehehe, don't worry, I'll find you a new body. See, kid? Even so, they won't die, and today is your doomsday."

It's probably more troublesome than expected. Maybe we should make a few sarcastic remarks to make him lose his temper?

While a person who has lost their mind may be more powerful, they often lose their ability to make rational judgments, making them easier to deal with.

"Gecko Moria, of course I've heard of your reputation, but that's not enough. You say you've dealt with countless arrogant pirates like me, but have you ever considered how many renowned pirates like yourself die at Kaido's hands every year? I doubt even that Emperor of the Sea remembers you. After all, you're just a loser in the New World, a complete and utter waste. Oh, and a useless captain who couldn't even save his crew. Your crew is all dead, and you're powerless to avenge them. It's laughable."

Her biting remarks made Roman feel a little guilty; she had practically hit Moria's sore spots. In real life, this kind of mockery should be used with caution, or you could easily get yourself beaten to a pulp.

"Aaaaaah, you damned brat, how dare you insult me ​​like this! After I kill you, I'll sew your mouth shut and make your corpse my slave for life!" With that, Moria activated his power.

Judging from the results, Roman's plan worked very well. Moria was furious, but if he couldn't withstand the initial violent attack, then Roman would be courting death.