Gion's words grated on everyone's nerves. Squirrel unsheathed his samurai sword with a clang and prepared to respond, but Ginny stepped in front of Gion before he could.
She met Gion's eyes directly and spoke evenly, word by word, "You're going too far. Lloyd-san's strength is not something you can judge."
Gion chuckled, her tone dripping with condescension. Raised with privilege, she naturally looked down on Ginny's wholehearted devotion to a man.
"Say what you will. In the end, you are just a sentimental little girl. Wake up, little sister. Your Lloyd-san may not be as great as you think."
Jessica, standing nearby, flared with anger. With her straightforward nature, she didn't care about status or background — she stepped forward to confront Gion aggressively.
Ginny gripped Jessica's arm firmly, her strength clear as Jessica was pulled back almost effortlessly. Then Ginny drew the golden pistol Lloyd had given her, raising it with deadly calm. Her voice turned cold.
"Weren't you the one looking for a fight? I will fight you instead."
Gion regarded Ginny's slender figure with faint amusement.
"You?" she replied. "Do you even believe you are stronger than my opponent just now?"
You'll see soon enough, Ginny thought. She made no reply, only lifted her leg and unleashed a swift Tempest Kick.
Gion sidestepped cleanly. As Ginny's kick cracked the ground, Gion nodded slightly inwardly, assessing her. The power was decent, but the speed fell short.
When Gion looked again, Ginny's figure had already vanished.
But Gion did not hesitate. Having awakened Observation Haki, she sensed Ginny's location immediately.
Two gunshots rang out from behind. Without glancing, she swung her sword behind her with one hand — the blades met midair and two bullets split cleanly in halves.
Turning with graceful composure, she called out to Ginny, who was approaching rapidly:
"Your marksmanship is impressive. For that alone, I admit you are stronger than the previous one."
Among the onlookers, Huoshaoshan's face went pale with embarrassment. Ginny, however, remained composed. Her aim was Lloyd-san. She would not be satisfied with superficial praise.
Quietly biting her lip, she dropped to one knee, the pistol still smoking faintly. She recognized how formidable this swordswoman was.
Her Tempest Kick had only been a feint, gunfire — swift and deadly — was her true strength. Bullets traveled faster than any kick.
Gion lifted her chin and smiled, casual yet proud.
"This open ground favors a swordsman. I won't give you another chance like that. Concede now. It won't look good if you get hurt."
Ginny snorted coldly and drew up straight, her voice calm but firm.
"Who wins or loses is still undecided."
Gion stretched languidly, letting her curves show deliberately, and spoke softly.
"Very well then, let's continue."
At once Ginny used Armament Haki, closing the distance between them in an instant. Gion, a swordswoman, looked surprised.
Smirking, she said lightly, "What's the hurry? Engaging me in close quarters isn't wise."
With a flick of her wrist, Gion flipped Konpira in her hand and brought the back of its blade down towards Ginny's abdomen.
The blow was heavy and devastating — a single strike would have ended most fights.
In an astonishing move, Ginny met that strike head-on. With firm resolve, she grabbed the blade with one hand, yanking it toward herself.
The metal bit through her fingers, blood dripping onto the ground. Gion's eyes widened in shock.
"Are you mad?" she gasped. "Do you have no fear of losing your hand?"
But Ginny did not flinch. A faint smile curved on her lips. Very softly she said,
"These small wounds are nothing compared to what I've already endured."
Then she punched upward, her fist connecting with Gion's stomach. The impact drove Gion backward; she crashed heavily onto the ground.
Ginny shook the blood from her hand forcefully, voice low and fierce.
"You dared to speak of my Lloyd-san. You pay the price for that!"
Gion covered her stomach with one hand, pushing herself up with Konpira in the other. She coughed violently once — twice — then steadied herself.
Black and bruised flesh crept away from where Ginny struck. The onlookers tensed.
Huoshaoshan's voice broke the stunned silence, his tone bitter.
"Damn it… she can actually use Armament Haki. Ginny's blow was nullified by Haki."
Gion brushed dust from her clothes, her face steely cold. Although she had awakened Armament Haki, its strength was only moderate.
In truth, Ginny's punch had landed — she had felt the pain. Gion didn't meet Huoshaoshan's gaze.
She straightened up and once again assumed a drawing stance, clearly intending to end the duel.
Ginny, realizing the danger, raised her pistol, aiming it straight at Gion.
The battlefield fell silent as all eyes fixed on them — gun against sword, two wills locked in challenge.
---
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