Hera saw Kuina still practicing her sword on the ship and went over to stop her.
"You should conserve your energy. A true master of the sword awaits you next; you can't face him with only half your strength."
Kuina nodded and put away wado ichimonji, "Don't worry, I'm just adjusting my state; it won't consume my energy."
Hera sensed Kuina's condition; she indeed didn't feel tired, so she nodded in relief. Soon, their group spotted Thriller Bark.
Moriah was already waiting for Hera and the others on the island. Seeing only four young girls standing on the deck, Moriah became even more convinced that this group was just some children who had accidentally gotten lost here. Although he didn't know why only four remained, instead of seizing shadows, it was better to negotiate with the Navy and see if he could gain some benefits.
"What business do you Marines have coming to my place? I am a Shichibukai now, and you cannot interfere with my actions." Moriah spoke first. "Of course, if you are lost, contact your parents and have them bring the ransom. We have a cooperative relationship with the Navy now." Saying this, Moriah laughed.
Hera was somewhat amused yet annoyed that Moriah mistook her for a lost child, "You're the child! I am a Navy Headquarters Lieutenant Commander. Let's talk after a fight." hour hand and minute hand appeared in her hands, and two shots were fired.
Moriah dodged the attack, slightly surprised, "Such a temper for a child. Don't worry, I won't hold it against you. Leave the ship, and you and your companions will be safe."
Hearing Moriah dismiss her and still speak to her in a coaxing tone fit for a child, even wanting her argo, Hera was furious enough to explode. She quickly commanded:
"Kuina, among the zombies is the corpse of the Wano Country swordsman Ryuma, and he still holds the famous sword Shusui. Go find him. Ain, Absalom of the Thriller Bark Pirates ate the Clear-Clear Fruit, so be wary of his sneak attacks.
Nami, you find Perona. She should be about your age, in the castle, wearing a Western dress. Beware of her ghosts; they lower people's fighting spirit. Today, I will definitely show Moriah what a 'child' is!"
Hera was nearly exploding with anger. After quickly giving orders, her figure charged forward. Already having cast First Bullet on herself mid-air, she switched to saikū and unleashed a sword strike, 'saikū: Cancer Sword.' A white sword aura slashed toward Moriah.
"Hey, hey, you're serious? What a troublesome child! 'Shadow's Asylum'!" Moriah swapped positions with his shadow, dodging the strike.
"Damn brat, don't destroy my subordinates!" Moriah roared at Hera when he saw a fissure carved into the spot where he had been standing, shattering the zombies nearby into pieces.
"What did you say? You, don't call me brat, call me Hera!" Hera continued her pursuit. City of Devouring Time surged forward excitedly, as if it had spotted something delicious, and dark shadows began to wrap around Moriah.
Moriah felt the dark shadows on him, "Damn brat, daring to show off shadows in front of me! 'Shadow Revolution'!
He sank his own shadow into City of Devouring Time, trying to control Hera first, but his shadow suddenly rushed back after a few seconds. Hera remained unaffected.
Moriah was startled; his ability to control shadows had no effect on Hera. In a panic, he split his shadow into small bats and flew away. "Brat, what is this ability? I feel like I can't control your shadows."
Moriah used his custom scissors, trying to cut off Hera's City of Devouring Time, but after several attempts, he couldn't lift City of Devouring Time using his devil fruit ability. Even more terrifyingly, he felt his own power weaken, albeit slightly, but permanently.
Hera sensed the change in City of Devouring Time. After her dark shadow enveloped Moriah, her Observation Haki also saw City of Devouring Time extracting something from Moriah's body, further confirming her guess.
Hera immediately became excited. City of Devouring Time could actually continue to grow stronger! The look she gave Moriah was glowing green, practically wishing she could devour him whole right then.
Moriah was on the verge of tears now, wondering what sin he had committed to be targeted by this brat, "Hey, brat, how about this: I'll send someone to escort you out. I am a Shichibukai, and the World Government promised not to be attacked by the Navy."
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