"Spear of Elbaf really sent me down quite a few wrong paths!"
Although Sakura's injuries looked terrifying at the moment, her will burned even more fiercely.
First, she learned the giant combat techniques, those kinds of moves that gathered willpower and unleashed it all in one go.
This led Sakura to mistakenly believe that Armament Haki should be the same.
But one wrong step leads to many more.
Weapon, weapon, only what is held in hand is called a weapon… what is thrown should be called a hidden weapon.
The true essence of Armament Haki is to accumulate the power of will within the body, letting it sublimate into Haki through sheer quantity.
As for releasing it outward or flowing and infusing it, those are advanced applications of Armament Haki.
Sakura hadn't even learned to run yet before thinking about flying, which is why Zephyr beat her so miserably, yet she still failed to awaken Armament Haki.
Fortunately, this beating wasn't for nothing.
"Thank you very much for your help today, Zephyr-sensei!"
Large amounts of steam billowed from her body, Chakra boiling and releasing vapor. The powerful force had already built up within the girl.
[Boil Release: Unrivalled Powerful Force!]
Tearing off the broken Ninja Attire on her arms, she revealed two arms covered in wounds yet protected by Armament Haki.
"You bastard! You actually.."
Zephyr gritted his teeth, his face suddenly flushing bright red.
'This damn pirate! Had she recklessly used me as a whetstone?'
"Hehehe!"
Sakura stretched out her hands, activating her ability. Substantial cold air surged from within her flesh.
Sharp, pure white crystals gathered and grew out of thin air, forming two heavy ice axes that she grasped in her hands.
[Armament: Imbuement!]
Invisible Haki infused the solid ice, turning the axes black.
"Damn brat!!"
Zephyr roared, gathering his strength into his fist, creating an earth-shattering roar.
Pulling his right fist behind him, Armament Haki imbued it with a deep glow. After a slight buildup of power, he launched forward,
"Star Crusher: Collapse!!!"
Facing the oncoming Zephyr, Sakura crossed her axes.
An unbridled smile spread across her face as she said, "This time it's the real one… Eighty Tribal Leaders!"
Blazing light suddenly erupted, Haki roaring like a tidal wave.
The dazzling axe light rapidly expanded, clashing violently with Zephyr's relentless fist wind!
Boom-!
An earth-shaking tremor spread across the entire island. The storm raged wildly, stirring the sea into towering waves.
Endless axe light shattered Zephyr's fist wind. Two crossed bloodstains bloomed across his chest.
"Cough!"
Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Zephyr was sent flying back, his arms dangling powerlessly in the air. He crashed through numerous trees along the way-
Finally embedding into the largest seabird rock on Swallow Island.
"Zephyr-sensei!"
Smoker and Hina, unable to rush forward to check on him in time, were each knocked out with a single punch from Sakura, who appeared using Soru.
"That was a really cool fight, Sakura-sama. I'll head back now then, see you~"
Winking at Sakura, Katsuyu then disappeared amidst a puff of smoke.
[Notice: Achievement unlocked: Farewell, Teacher Zephyr. Achievement Points gained: 100]
[Achievement unlocked: Please, Sakura-sama. Achievement Points gained: 100]
[Additionally, Survival Mission settlement: 12 months. Achievement Points gained: 40]
[Current balance: 840.]
"Finally... won...."
Sakura staggered, her vision darkening slightly. Leaning against a broken tree, she slowly sat down on the ground.
First, she had to endure a brutal beating from Zephyr, then she awakened her Haki, consumed Chakra for a secondary Boil Release outburst, and finally clashed head-on with Zephyr.
Each step consumed a massive amount of Sakura's stamina, so feeling somewhat exhausted now was normal.
"Sakura-san!"
A young boy's call came from afar. It was Law, who had heard the commotion here and had come looking for her. An elderly man was with him.
The two made their way through the devastated coastline and finally found Sakura leaning against a tree.
"Law, see? What did I tell you? I won, right?"
Sakura, who looked utterly battered, her eyes half-closed, tilted her head toward Law.
"What kind of thing is that to say at a time like this! And, getting yourself hurt like this... are you really a girl?"
His heart finally settling back in his chest, Law shot Sakura an exasperated look and stepped forward to provide emergency treatment using his ability and medical ninjutsu.
"This isn't a place to stay for long. Follow me!"
After Law had temporarily treated Sakura's wounds, the old man who had come with Law stepped forward and carried Sakura on his back.
"Thank you for your trouble, Wolf-san!"
Law took off his hat and bowed politely to the old man.
After dozens of minutes of trekking, they entered a town on Swallow Island, Pleasure Town.
Wolf brought the two back to his home.
Confirming they had reached a safe place, Sakura, unable to fight the fatigue any longer, fell into a deep sleep.
…
The next day.
"She's... really recovered?"
Seeing the young woman heartily devouring food at his dining table, Wolf stood frozen, his mouth agape.
'Just yesterday, she was seriously injured, looking like a bloody mess. She was wrapped in bandages, slept for one night, and now she's fine?'
'Could it be... my bandages have miraculous healing properties?'
"Thank you for your help this time, Wolf-san."
Sakura, who is now full and satisfied, had already begun removing the bandages. The skin underneath was incredibly smooth, without even a single scar left behind.
Sakura rubbed the boy's head and praised, "Law, your skills have improved!"
"Hehe!"
Law rubbed his nose, a hint of pride in his laughter.
While Sakura and the others were hiding in Pleasure Town to recuperate, the North Blue was shaken because of her.
The World Economy News Paper spread the news of the battle on Swallow Island to all corners of the world through its flock of news coos.
People were shocked to discover that the Marine's fleet led by Former Marine Admiral Zephyr, a man known as a hero among the people, had been crushed in a head-on battle by a single individual.
"The Marines... actually lost?"
The citizens of the North Blue began to feel uneasy and fearful. They didn't see any Elite Training Camp or Marine trainees.
They only knew that the man who had once been an Admiral! A former top combatant of the World Government! Had now been defeated by a pirate.
Holy Land Mary Geoise, the Room of Authority.
The precious solid wood table was covered with intelligence reports on Sakura… every battle record from her departure from Fish-Man Island to her final duel with Zephyr on Swallow Island.
The world's highest authorities were currently vexed over a single, small pirate.
"She's gotten stronger again!"
Saturn gripped his cane tightly, a phantom pain throbbing in the long-vanished wound on his chest.
"If this continues, she will only become harder and harder to capture. Don't forget the orders given by that person."
Nusjuro placed two fingers on his forehead, wearing a pained expression.
"What should we do, then? Increase her bounty?"
Ju Peter crossed his arms, leaning against the sofa.
"No, not all the ants below are fools. A bounty loses its meaning once it reaches a certain height. We must keep her bounty at a level that inspires greed, not awe! This will help fulfill that person's instructions."
Mars shook his head, rejecting the ideas of the other Gorosei.
"Then, let's do this: increase her bounty somewhat, and simultaneously have the Marines cooperate with CP to capture her!"
Warcury, responsible for judicial and CP affairs, had the final say.
"Agreed!" x4
The other four voiced their agreement, and the meeting concluded.
Accompanying the news of the meeting, fresh new wanted posters flew across the world.
[Witch Haruno Sakura, Bounty: 600,000,000 Berries. Only Alive]