Nao had to admit—Hawkeye Missaya was beautiful.
Curves in all the right places, a charming face, and that alluring glint in her eyes. Even with the glaring scar across her forehead, she was still every bit a sultry, dangerous woman.
But when Nao swung his blade, he didn't hold back. His sword cut through the air like a storm of thorns—fast, vicious, and without hesitation.
"Get out of my way!"
He growled, releasing a blinding wave of sword energy. Missaya's face tensed as she was forced to veer sharply to the side.
Seizing the moment, Nao dove toward the floating ice‑caskets bobbing in the waves.
Tap—tap—tap!
With Moonwalk fully unleashed, his speed peaked to the point that even his afterimages blurred.
In a flash, he reached the three drifting coffins just as a wave came crashing down. He moved fast, grabbing all three just in time and pulling them out of danger.
Glancing back, he saw the Marine warship had arrived at the shallows. The Marines had split into two squads—one surrounding the struggling pirates in the water, the other working to recover the floating coffins.
Kawakawa Shuma was among them—close enough for Nao to yell:
"Hey, Shuma, Catch!" Nao shouted, hurling the ice caskets toward Shūma—two were caught, the third barely missed, only to be caught mid‑fall by a powerful Marine hand.
"Oi, kid."
The one who caught the third coffin was none other than Rear Admiral Buma, cigar clenched between her teeth as she looked up at Nao, who hovered just overhead.
"You sure you can handle this alone? Don't push yourself. We can tag team her if it helps."
Coming from her, that was a serious vote of confidence. For someone in her position, she'd never suggest splitting the most dangerous opponent unless she trusted the other person's strength.
Otherwise, she'd take on the threat herself to prevent needless casualties.
"Don't worry, Rear Admiral."
Nao gave her a quick smile, then said firmly, "I've got this."
Seeing the determination in his eyes, Buma gave a small nod.
"Then be careful."
She turned without another word, hefting her giant axe and charging into another part of the battlefield.
Nao scanned the scene one more time. The Marines were handling the rescue smoothly, so he turned his attention back to Missaya, who was still hovering in her half-eagle form above.
Something about Nao's gaze made her skin crawl.
His expression was calm—almost indifferent—but the moment their eyes met, a chill ran through her.
"Tch. So, you're pissed now, huh?"
Missaya narrowed her eyes and smirked. "Rejected your commander's help just to face me alone? Fine by me. Let's see how long a baby-faced brat like you lasts against the real me…"
It had surprised her, sure—that he could cut a massive pirate ship clean in half with one sword strike.
But she was no rookie.
Missaya had survived countless battles across the Grand Line. She'd crossed blades with plenty of swordmasters before. She knew how to handle herself.
If Nao and that giant woman Marine had attacked her together, she might've played it safe—fought while retreating.
But one-on-one?
As Nao dashed forward using Moonwalk, she suddenly tucked her arrows away into the steel tube strapped to her back.
Then she roared.
Her body surged, transforming at high speed. In just a few seconds, she grew into a massive black eagle with a wingspan stretching over ten meters!
The name "Hawkeye" had earned her a fearsome reputation. Her archery made entire fleets nervous.
But her real specialty?
Using her Devil Fruit to become a giant eagle, closing in fast and shredding her enemies to pieces in brutal, close-range combat.
Screech!
Her shrill squawk tore through the sky like a blade. The winds stirred by her wings sent the sea below into a frenzy.
And in the next moment, she dove straight at Nao—like black lightning crashing from the heavens.
CLANG!
The screech of metal on metal echoed as Nao's blades met the eagle's talons, which were hard as steel.
Sparks exploded from the clash. Locked in the air, the massive black eagle stared down at the black-haired boy under her claws, her eyes filled with human-like contempt.
"You think a trick like Moonwalk is enough to fight me in the sky?"
She sneered, using her massive weight and wings to press down harder and harder, pushing Nao closer and closer to the churning sea below.
"I want to see how long you can keep this up!"
There was a reason she had a bounty nearing 100 million Berries. Beyond her raw strength, she had experience—she knew how to exploit her advantages in a duel.
Nao understood her tactic. He could feel the sea drawing nearer, inch by inch.
But his expression remained steady.
There was a simple reason.
She hadn't been using her full power earlier. Now that she'd gone full beast mode, she was terrifying in close quarters.
But Nao?
He hadn't used any of his real cards either.
Armament Haki… Hardening!
Just as his heels nearly touched the water, Nao let out a low shout. In an instant, all his life force surged into his arms.
From shoulders to fingertips, his skin darkened—glossy and ink-black.
Both of his swords, bracing against Missaya's talons, became wreathed in thick, swirling black haze.
CLANG!
With a roar, Nao unleashed all his strength. A sudden burst of raw power exploded outward.
Missaya's eyes widened. Overwhelmed, she flapped backward in retreat, forced to give up ground as she reeled from the impact.
Screech!
She steadied herself in the air and shrieked in rage. But just as she prepared to dive again—
Nao was gone.
Her eyes darted—his position was empty.
Shit!
A chill crept up her back. She turned instinctively.
"Behind me!"
She twisted in midair and raised her talons, trying to guess where the black-haired boy would strike. She meant to rip him apart before he got close.
But—
The moment she turned, she wasn't met by a sword, but by light.
A searing, radiant flash—brighter than moonlight cresting over the sea on a full moon night.
And from within that blinding brilliance, Nao's calm, low voice echoed out:
"Dual-Blade Style—Moon Eclipse!"