Wano War - 3

The Battleground Ablaze

Onigashima's lower levels were a chaotic maelstrom. The Tobiroppo, Kaido's elite, met Wano's champions with savage ferocity, turning the halls into a blood-soaked arena. Amid the chaos, Aemma faced Black Maria's web-choked chamber, Hyogoro squared off against Page One's lumbering might, and Yamato clashed with Kaminoko Vinasake's venomous strikes. The air crackled with Haki, magic, and the screams of the fallen, as the fate of Wano hung in the balance.

Aemma, her silver hair aglow with azure flames, stood in a chamber draped with glistening webs, her Phoenix Zoan fruit radiating regenerative heat. Her blue robe was tattered, but her resolve burned fiercely. "Black Maria, your cruelty has bound Wano in despair. For Wano's people, I'll burn your webs to ash and end your reign."

Black Maria (giggling, strumming her koto): "Oh, sweety, a phoenix? I'm Black Maria, Kaido-sama's spinner of fates! My spider webs'll snuff your flames, and my claws'll tear your heart out. Wano's mine to toy with—let's play, old bird!"

Aemma transformed, her body erupting in blue flames, wings of fire spreading as she took her hybrid phoenix form, talons gleaming with Haki. Black Maria shifted into her massive spider form, eight legs tipped with Haki-coated claws skittering across the stone. She lunged with Web Snare, sticky threads shooting from her abdomen, weaving a dense net to trap Aemma.

Aemma unleashed Phoenix Blaze, a torrent of azure flames that incinerated the webs, the heat warping the chamber's walls. Black Maria scuttled forward, slashing with Claw Dance, her talons raking the air in a Haki-charged whirlwind.

Aemma soared above, dodging, but a claw grazed her wing, singeing feathers, though her phoenix flames healed the wound instantly.

Aemma dove, her Flame Talons slashing, Haki coating her claws as they tore into Black Maria's hide, drawing blood. The spider hissed, retaliating with Silk Barrage, a rapid-fire volley of adhesive threads that coated the chamber, sticking to Aemma's wings. She countered with Solar Flare, a burst of blinding phoenix fire that burned the webs away, forcing Black Maria to shield her eyes. The spider's speed was relentless, her Venom Claw striking, claws dripping with poison aimed at Aemma's chest.

Aemma banked sharply, the venom grazing her arm, pain flaring, but her phoenix flames cauterized the wound, her body regenerating.

Black Maria roared, unleashing Silk Prison, a massive web cocoon to engulf Aemma. Aemma spun, her Phoenix Cyclone creating a fiery vortex that shredded the cocoon, embers scattering. She struck with Blazing Dive, her flaming body slamming into Black Maria, scorching her thorax.

The spider retaliated with Spider Fang, her jaws snapping with Haki-enhanced venom. Aemma twisted mid-air, her Flame Shield absorbing the bite, though the impact sent her crashing into a pillar, stone crumbling. Bleeding but unyielding, Aemma soared again, her Regal Ember, a Haki-charged fireball, blasting Black Maria's legs, charring them.

Black Maria's webs relied on anchors for mobility. Aemma targeted them, her Inferno Slash cutting web lines with flaming talons, unbalancing the spider. Black Maria lunged with Death's Embrace, her legs coiling to crush Aemma.

Aemma countered with Phoenix Rebirth, a massive explosion of blue flames that burned through the embrace, scorching Black Maria's hide. Exhausted but resolute, Aemma unleashed Eternal Flame, a Haki-fueled phoenix dive that engulfed Black Maria in a fiery maelstrom, collapsing her in a smoldering heap, her spider form reverting as she fell unconscious.

Aemma (panting, flames fading): "For… Wano… stay down."

Hyogoro, his small frame radiating defiance, stood before Page One, fists clenched, eyes blazing with Udon's fire. "Page One, you've trampled Wano's hope, my prisoners' spirits. For my men, for freedom, I'll break your bones and light Wano's flame!"

Page One (growling, transforming): "Old man, you're joking! I'm Page One, Kaido-sama's wrecking ball! My spinosaurus spikes'll shred you, and Udon's mine to crush! Run, gramps, before I snap you in half!"

Page One transformed, his spinosaurus form towering, dorsal spikes glinting with Haki. He charged with Spiky Rush, his body a rolling boulder of spines, shattering the floor.

Hyogoro dodged, his agility defying his age, and struck with Flower Fist, a Haki-infused punch that dented Page One's hide, sparks flying.

Page One roared, swinging Tail Smash, his spiked tail cracking stone pillars. Hyogoro leapt, but the shockwave bruised his legs, pain shooting through his joints. He countered with Blazing Palm, a fiery Haki strike that scorched Page One's flank, forcing him to recoil.

Page One's durability was immense, his Spino Crunch snapping with Haki-enhanced jaws, aiming to crush Hyogoro. The yakuza twisted away, striking with a Kick, a Haki-charged blow that cracked Page One's jaw, blood trickling.

Page One retaliated with Spike Barrage, spinning rapidly, his spines a deadly whirlwind. Hyogoro dove under, but a spike grazed his shoulder, tearing flesh, blood soaking his kimono. Undeterred, he unleashed Fire Blossom, a flurry of Haki punches that battered Page One's chest, each hit denting his tough hide.

Page One's youth and strength pushed Hyogoro back, his Spiky Slam stomping the ground, sending shockwaves that shattered nearby walls. Hyogoro skidded, his ribs aching, but struck with Inferno Strike, a flaming Haki punch that burned Page One's arm, eliciting a roar. Page One countered with Spino Roll, curling into a spiked ball, rolling at Hyogoro with crushing force.

Hyogoro vaulted over, landing hard, and fired Blazing Kick, cracking Page One's dorsal spikes. The spinosaurus's relentless assaults tested Hyogoro's stamina, his small frame battered, blood pooling at his feet.

Hyogoro noticed Page One's spins left him momentarily dizzy. Baiting another Spiky Rush, Hyogoro sidestepped, striking with Udon's Wrath, a Haki-charged uppercut that staggered Page One.

Enraged, Page One launched Spino Apocalypse, a spinning charge infused with Haki, the air warping. Hyogoro, near collapse, unleashed Udon's Inferno, a final Haki-fueled strike that shattered Page One's dorsal spikes, piercing his hide. Page One collapsed, reverting to human form, unconscious.

Hyogoro (slumping, gasping): "For… freedom… Wano burns bright."

Yamato, her white hair wild, gripped her kanabo, Takanotsume, crackling with Haki. Her eyes burned with defiance. "Kaminoko Vinasake, your venom's poisoned Wano's heart. For Oden, for freedom, I'll crush you and my father's tyranny!"

Kaminoko Vinasake (hissing, coiling): "Traitorous whelp! I'm Kaminoko Vinasake, Kaido's venomous fang! My viper form's killed thousands, and you'll be next! You're no Kozuki—you're Kaido's failure, and I'll prove it!"

Vinasake transformed, his massive viper form slithering, scales shimmering with Haki, fangs dripping venom. He struck with Venom Lance, his tail lashing like a spear, Haki enhancing its speed.

Yamato swung Takanotsume in Thunder Bagua, a Haki-charged strike that clashed with the tail, sparks flying, the impact shaking the hall.

Vinasake coiled, launching Serpent Strike, his fangs snapping, venom spraying. Yamato dodged, her kimono singed by venom, and countered with Raimei Hakke, a thunderous kanabo swing that grazed Vinasake's scales, drawing blood.

Vinasake's agility was deadly, his Venom Whip cracking the air, his tail slicing stone. Yamato blocked with Ice Fang, her Haki and frost breath freezing the tail's tip, but Vinasake shattered it, striking with Poison Barrage, a flurry of venomous bites.

Yamato parried with Takanotsume, but venom splashed her arm, burning her skin, pain searing. She roared, unleashing Narukami, a Haki-charged spin that battered Vinasake's head, cracking scales. Vinasake hissed, coiling around a pillar, and fired Toxic Mist, a venom cloud that choked the air.

Yamato held her breath, leaping through the mist, her Hakujin Blizzard freezing the venom droplets mid-air. She struck with Shoryu Kiba, a rising kanabo strike that smashed Vinasake's jaw, blood spraying.

Vinasake's resilience was terrifying, his Serpent Crush coiling around Yamato, squeezing with Haki-enhanced strength. Yamato's ribs creaked, but she unleashed Kagutsuchi, a fiery Haki burst that burned Vinasake's coils, forcing him to release her. Bleeding and bruised, Yamato pressed on, her kanabo glowing with frost and thunder.

Vinasake's venom weakened Yamato, her movements slowing, but her resolve burned brighter. She baited a Venom Lance, dodging and striking with Hakujin Storm, a Haki-fueled kanabo flurry that shattered Vinasake's fangs.

Enraged, Vinasake launched Viper's End, a full-body charge, his venomous maw wide. Yamato, near her limit, channeled Oden's spirit, unleashing Oden's Thunder, a final Haki-charged strike that crushed Vinasake's skull, felling him in a lifeless coil.

Yamato (panting, leaning on Takanotsume): "For… Oden… for Wano… you're done."

Aemma, Hyogoro, and Yamato, battered and bloodied, stood over their fallen foes, their victories hard-won through skill and unyielding spirit. The rebels' resolve strengthened, their blades gleaming as they surged against the Beasts Pirates, who faltered under the weight of their losses.