Chapter 43: Freyja & Sebas
While charging toward Hina, I nimbly evaded several iron bars she launched at me from her arms, and when I got close to her, she created a shield by weaving numerous iron bars together, yet instead of directly attacking it, I powerfully flapped my wings, and darted right into the sky. Once decently high in the sky, I turned around and flew right toward her while spinning as I built momentum for my attack, spinning so fast that, with the help of my ability, it enabled me to engulf my foot in flames just before I attacked.
'Hell's Heel'
The instant my foot collided with Hina's self-made shield, the impact created a large gust of wind as I nearly broke through her melting iron shield, though much to my annoyance, she held firm and quickly repaired the shield before pushing me back while several iron-bars shot from the shield as they followed after me. Dodging through the air, I landed back on the ground as I clawed at an incoming iron bar, slicing right through it before eyeing her in the distance.
"You're quite powerful, but Hina can't afford to waste time; Hina must defeat you and stop your Captain before he causes too much destruction." Said Hina with a hardened gaze as she appeared from behind the iron shield while disrobing her marine coat.
"Heh, I could say the same for you; however, you won't beat me, and even if you somehow happen to, you'll be far too exhausted and injured to even fight him." Stated Freyja with a slight smile as a black tail with a sharp spade tip emerged from her tailbone and swayed about in the wind.
'This should be enough power to defeat her.' Thought Freyja lightly, signifying she was still holding back, but by how much? Only she and Diddy knew the answer to that.
'Devilish Wings'
Spreading my wings and covering them in flames, I speedily propelled myself toward Hina while creating a fire trail behind me, catching her slightly off guard with my sudden speed. However, just as she stated before, she didn't achieve her status merely because of her appearance. Seeing her quickly create an iron net with her extended arm, I didn't dodge it and instead curled into a ball while my flaming wings covered me. Colliding with the net, I busted right through it before swiftly unfurling myself as I slashed at the retreating Hina, tearing open her suit and slicing her skin, drawing blood.
"If you can't even deal with me, you've got no business trying to capture my Captain." Said Freyja as she eyed Hina's chest, which had four long bloody gashes.
Looking at the unresponsive Hina, I frowned when I noticed her left foot seemed to be missing, and not even a second later, I looked to my right with widened eyes as I saw a giant ball of iron heading right toward me; I attempted to block the sneak attack, but I was too late, causing me to be sent crashing through several street lights before I finally stopped myself.
"As Hina said before, don't underestimate Hina." Remarked Hina as she retracted the giant ball of iron before lifting her left leg from the ground, revealing a hole.
"Tch, you lucky bitch." Muttered Freyja with a frown as she stood up and approached Hina while wiping blood leaking from her nose.
(Note: To give a good idea Of Hina's strength, she's defeated MR. 2 Bon Clay one two separate occasions.)
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While Freyja and Hina were battling not too far away from the dock, Sebas was currently navigating through the coast of the island, which was filled with corpses, debris from sunken ships, and destroyed ships; however, amidst all of that destruction, death, and chaos, there were still a few marines left alive.
As I sailed through the battlefield, I was slightly in awe by the sheer destruction Freyja and Captain had caused. I've lived for a relatively long time compared to the two, but I've spent all of my life in Briss Kingdom; not once have I witnessed so much destruction and death occur in just mere minutes. Seeing what kind of people I've decided to associate with was truly eye-opening.
"Seems I'll need to quickly increase my strength if I wish to keep up with those two; I suppose I'm lucky the brain is very adaptable; otherwise, it would be impossible for these old bones to keep up with such youthful and energetic companions." Remarked Sebas lightly while sitting at the helm as he observed the surroundings, only for him to notice a few boats in the distance.
'Hmm, there are people still alive?' Thought Sebas as he eyed the few boats filled with several marines seemingly scouring the coast for possible survivors.
While the marines were now my enemies, well, they've always been my enemies, but it's pretty easy to keep them at bay, having lived in the underworld for several decades, one thing you learn is everything, and everyone has a price; if something and someone doesn't, you're simply not offering enough. Shaking my head, I looked away, ignoring them as I intended to dock the ship, though it seemed like they must've noticed the boat as they started heading right for me.
Given their rowing boat, they usually wouldn't have been able to catch this ship, but as I was sailing through debris-filled water and since I was near an island, I had furled the sails, which massively reduced my speed, ultimately allowing the boats full of marines to swiftly arrive within a few minutes.
Looking down at the deck, I saw a hook get thrown up before latching itself around the ship's railing; shortly after, marines began climbing the rope as they boarded the ship.
"Leader, what are we doing here? Shouldn't we be out searching for possible survivors?" Asked a young marine as he climbed aboard the boat and looked around.
"We've been searching for ten minutes and haven't found a single survivor; they're all dead; forget about them. Instead, we should capture this ship; if we do that and hand it over to Captain Ness or Rear Admiral Hina, we'll be promoted for my contribution!" Stated an older marine with a sly smile as he walked about the deck, both entirely oblivious of Sebas up above.
"B-But leader, just because we haven't found survivors doesn't mean there aren't any; there were thousands of soldiers on those ships; it's impossible for them to have all been killed so quickly!" Replied the marine passionately, though all that earned from him was a glare from the older man.
"Shut-up! Because you're young, I'll let it slide this time, but you must face reality. Do you think the higher-ups actually care about us? No! All they care about is power, control, and wealth; to them, we are nothing but easily replaceable cannon fodder born every 16 years!" Yelled the older marine as he looked at the several other marines who had climbed aboard the ship.
"Hoho, what a riveting speech, my good Sir; your analysis couldn't be more correct; the people in power don't care about the ones beneath them as long as they continue to stay in power." Stated Sebas with a slight chuckle from the upper deck as he clapped while looking down upon the several marines, who were surprised by his appearance.
"W-What the!? I thought there were only supposed to be two members of the Frenzy Pirates!" Exclaimed a marine fearfully as he pointed at Sebas.
"Heh, calm down, scaredy-cat; it's merely an injured old man; it's almost impossible for there to be a weaker opponent." Remarked another marine as he scoffed, his words causing everyone to relax, well, except for the older marine as he looked at Sebas with eyes full of fear.
"Haha, sorry about that; I was merely freaked out that someone else was aboard the ship. I thought it might've been someone dangerous." Said the previous marine as he rubbed his head awkwardly.
"So, who wants to take care of this old man?"
"Not me; I'm searching the ship. A pirate ship has got to have valuables, right?"
"I'm with him!"
"Me two!"
"Make that three!"
"G-Get, out of the way! Let me through!" Yelled the older marine fearfully while pushing his colleagues out of the way as he attempted to jump overboard.
"Hoho, where are you going, my friend? I, unfortunately, can't just allow you to escape after giving such an excellent speech to these ignorant young men; knowing my Captain, he may very well beat me up again." Said Sebas with a chuckle as he used his telekinesis, picking up the older marine, who was jumping overboard, shocking everyone present.
"Woah! Leader, how are you doing that!?" Exclaimed a rather stupid marine, causing everyone else to think the same as they eyed the older marine in awe.
"Y-You fools! D-Don't you know who that man is!?" Yelled the floating older marine as he pointed his trembling hand at Sebas.
"No."
"Why would we know about some random old man?"
"Yeah, you need to calm down, leader; we know you're old too, but it's one vs. 7; besides, you can float, so how could we possibly lose?"
"No need to be so agitated, my friend; my wanted poster has long since stopped circulating within the Briss Kingdom; it's only a given that these young men don't know about me. Though I'm surprised I've encountered someone who still knows me, allow me to introduce myself; I'm Sebas Visage, former leader of the Elegant Mafia and current second mate of the Frenzy Pirates." Declared Sebas as he grabbed his wanted poster and dropped it to the several marines below before slightly bowing.
"S-Sebas 'Grandfather' Visage; bounty, 5-50,000,000 Beri's!" Yelled one of the marines in shock as his trembling hand held Sebas's bounty.