The clash between Ramos and Raleigh was truly one-sided. Every punch Ramos tried to apply was evaded or eaten by the old legend.
Ramos resorted to the Rokushiki techniques but it was futile against Raleigh's superior haki.
Raleigh tilted his head to avoid another hook from Ramos."You fight like a drunk kid."
Woosh
"You really are like Garp." He chuckled, landing a kick to Ramos's side.
Ramos was sent flying into a large tree, his body made impact which resulted in spiking pain that rattled his nervous system, blood spilling out of his mouth. Ramos could barely stand on his shaky legs, eyes on the pirate toying with him like a father would with their child.
"Raleigh smirked at his facial expression," What? You're giving up already kid?" He teased. His blade is emitting a dark energy that pulses with bloodlust.
Ramos stood up, ignoring his body's warning of impending danger. Digging into the ground with all his leg strength, he rocketed towards Raleigh, his fist coated with Haki. Raleigh was simultaneously charged with, blade flaring with anticipation.
SLASH...THUD
Raleigh sheathed his blade, no sign of injury on his body, no scratches or bruises from the clash. Ramos was not so lucky; a large incised wound went across his shoulder to his hip, blood gushing out of the pierced skin. Ramos's eyes rolled back, and his last image was Doll's frantic look.
"I'm sorry..."
[Open sea near Marineford]
The sounds of waves hit the ship, rang in Ramos's ears as the sunlight forced his eyes to open. As his vision cleared up, he was greeted by the sight of Tashigi staring at him as if she'd just seen a miracle.
"T-Tashigi...what happened.. "
Tashigi responded by slamming him back down, "Don't move! You're going to open your wounds." She scolded, hands pressed harshly to his shoulders.
"You're hurting me Tashigi."
"You damn right I should after your suicide attempt." She spat at him, "Did you think taking on Raleigh would end in a victory?"
"...Well..."
"You idiot!"
Doll leaned on the ship's railing, watching their theatrics, "You're lucky to be alive. The old man didn't cut too deeply, but maybe that would've been the better option. " She stated.
"Vice-Admiral Doll! You can't just–"
"It's alright Tashigi. " He interrupted her, shifting his head to look at Doll." Did I at least hurt him?"
"No."
Ramos groaned at her blunt response, "Did you capture Hanafuda?"
Doll turned to the open sea at his words. The rest of his crew resumed their duties and Tashigi was the only one with the courage to answer him." Well...about that..."
On a rowing boat, heading to Wano. The miniature vessel was sailing the seas with no signs of damage or attracting the sea kings beneath it.
"Untie me now!" Hanafuda was ordered, hog-tied with ropes, as his body was still healing from his crushing defeat. The Warlord was glaring at his capture. The person was wearing black boots, black pants, and an open white-collared shirt that showed her cleavage, a skull necklace with glowing green eyes, tan skin, and untamed black hair, and piercing red eyes.
Angelica Teach. A pirate from the West Blue with no bounty had slipped her way through the right-hand of the Pirate King, a Warlord, and two Vice-Admirals with another Warlord without any witnesses.
She smirked at Hanafuda, "Don't worry ~I'll let you go once me and Kaido have a little chat about your loss, hehe." She giggled, reaching for the chest next to her captive.
"Don't open that!" Hanafuda thrashed at his bindings. "Ughh–" Hanafuda groaned at his opening wounds.
"Don't bleed all over my ship." She warned.
"What do you want?" He questioned her.
She opened the chest, and her body froze.
Hanafuda gritted at her reaction, "Don't eat that fruit, Kaido will kill both of us!" Hanafuda yelled, eyes frantic.
Angelica ignored him, reaching for the fruit.
"This is why dreams exist. "
[End of chapter]