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As she activated her Noble Phantasm, Sadi simultaneously unleashed the Love Breathing forms Ikki had taught her—techniques specifically designed to complement Vulcano Caligorante.
"Love Breathing, First Form: Shivers of First Love. Love Breathing, Second Form: Love Pangs. Love Breathing, Third Form: Catlove Shower."
In an instant, her body moved with the grace of a dancing butterfly.
Yet no one present dared underestimate that beauty.
The reason was simple.
Bullet had been completely trapped within the net of blades woven by her swordsmanship.
"Damn it."
Bullet frowned as the Sea Prism Stone chains wrapped around his arms smashed away the countless attacks coming from every direction.
"You weren't even fighting seriously before?"
Originally, he had planned to simply grab the blade and overpower her.
But every time he attempted to do so, Sadi's flowing sword forms would alter the trajectory of the whip-sword at the last moment, preventing him from gaining any advantage.
"Tch!"
Bullet's expression darkened.
"If it weren't for these damned Sea Prism Stone restraints... if I could use my Devil Fruit... if I had eaten properly..."
His frustration continued to build.
Just moments ago, he had been convinced that defeating Sadi would be effortless.
Now reality was proving otherwise.
When he saw the mocking smile on her face, his anger exploded.
Without hesitation, Bullet charged forward through the storm of blades.
The decision worked.
At the cost of abandoning some of his defenses, he forced his way through the sword net.
His body was instantly covered in cuts and fresh blood, but he succeeded in closing the distance.
Want to fight at close range?
Do you think I'm afraid of that?
Sadi's eyes narrowed.
"Domino, get farther back. If something happens, leave the Director to—"
Before she could finish speaking, Bullet suddenly roared.
"You're distracted while fighting me?! Don't look down on me!"
Boom!
An overwhelming wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted from his body.
The entire sixth level shook.
Even Sadi was momentarily stunned.
Although she immediately recognized it as Bullet's Conqueror's Haki, that brief hesitation was enough.
Bullet seized the opening.
Armament Haki covered his entire body.
Ignoring the wounds inflicted by the sword net, he bulldozed through the attacks and arrived before Sadi in an instant.
"That bastard!"
Sadi gritted her teeth.
Immediately, she changed tactics.
Rather than maintaining the sword net's enormous size, she shortened its range and drastically increased its vibration speed, turning it into an even more terrifying cutting weapon.
"Fall!"
Bullet's fists exploded forward.
Afterimages filled the air.
To him, the outcome was already decided.
He could practically see Sadi being blasted into the prison wall.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
A metallic storm erupted.
Bullet's eyes widened.
Sadi had actually kept up with his speed.
Her blade intercepted every punch.
"You seem surprised."
A cold smile appeared on her face.
"Looks like this is all the Demon Heir can do."
"Love Breathing, Fifth Form: Swaying Love, Wildclaw!"
The moment she spoke, the whip-sword twisted violently.
Countless spinning slashes erupted around Bullet.
The attack not only blocked his punches but slipped through the openings between them, targeting his body directly.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sounds of impact echoed endlessly.
But Sadi's expression soon darkened.
Bullet was enduring everything through sheer physical power and Armament Haki.
Her attacks were landing.
Yet they weren't enough.
"Tch. What an annoying monster."
Bullet's face twisted with rage after one slash managed to cut across his cheek.
"You think you can keep hitting me? I'll crush you!"
His fists accelerated once more.
The already overwhelming barrage became even denser.
For the first time, Sadi was pushed back.
"Damn you!"
She clenched her teeth.
Her heart pounded wildly.
The Innate Demon Slayer Mark continuously converted her life force into power.
The Noble Phantasm glowed brilliantly.
Love Breathing reached its limits.
Again and again, blade and fist collided.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The entire sixth level trembled under the shockwaves.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Impel Down, Magellan answered his Den Den Mushi with obvious exhaustion.
"Moshi moshi. This is Chief Warden Magellan. I'm currently in the restroom. If this isn't urgent, we can discuss it later."
At that very moment, he was still sitting in his private bathroom, his expression miserable.
"Chief Warden, it's an emergency!"
Domino's voice immediately came through the Den Den Mushi.
"This is Domino. I'm currently on Level 6 with Sadi. Douglas Bullet somehow tore the chains anchoring him to the wall apart through brute force. Sadi is holding him back right now, but we need reinforcements immediately. Please come suppress the situation as soon as possible."
As she spoke, Domino kept her eyes fixed on the battlefield.
Around her, guards and Jailer Beasts had already gathered after hearing the commotion.
Unfortunately, the battle was so intense that none of them could safely intervene.
"What?!"
Magellan nearly stood up.
"Bullet escaped his cell?"
His expression changed immediately.
"Hold him there. I'm coming."
Without wasting another second, he ended the call.
After quickly cleaning himself up, he rushed out of the bathroom.
At the same time, a communications officer burst into the office and began reporting everything being shown on the surveillance screens.
"I understand."
Magellan's face darkened.
"Inform Hannyabal immediately. Tell him to meet me on Level 6."
Then he sprinted straight toward the lower levels of Impel Down.
Back on Level 6, Sadi gritted her teeth.
Why is he this strong?!
The Innate Demon Slayer Mark and Vulcano Caligorante granted her immense power.
But they also consumed enormous amounts of stamina.
This battle should have ended quickly.
Instead, Bullet had dragged her into exactly the kind of prolonged fight she wanted to avoid.
And every second that passed drained more of her strength.
No.
I can't lose.
I finally obtained this power from Lord Ikki.
How could I possibly be defeated here?
The thought alone filled her with unwillingness.
Her desire to win grew stronger and stronger.
Then—
Everything suddenly blurred.
Bullet disappeared.
The prison vanished.
"Huh?"
Sadi blinked.
The dark halls of Impel Down were gone.
In their place stood vast grasslands beneath a brilliant moonlit sky.
Forests swayed gently in the distance.
A peaceful lake reflected the moonlight.
The entire scene felt dreamlike.
"W-Where am I?"
Sadi looked around in confusion.
"This is your inner world."
A cheerful voice suddenly sounded behind her.
Sadi immediately spun around.
Instinctively, she reached for her sword—
Only to discover it was gone.
Without hesitation, she threw a punch instead.
The attack was effortlessly caught.
"Relax."
The figure smiled.
"I'm not your enemy."
With a gentle push, Sadi staggered forward.
Moonlight illuminated the stranger.
The darkness faded away.
A pink-haired 'girl' wearing light armor and a battle skirt stood before 'her'. 'Her' appearance was cute and almost boyish.
She smiled brightly.
"My name is Astolfo. I am the original owner of the Noble Phantasm Vulcano Caligorante."
Then 'she' looked directly at Sadi.
"And I've come to help you, Miss Sadi."