Chapter 8: Corrida Coliseum

17-year old Karin finally had the chance to participate in big event at the Corrida Coliseum. She always had the opportunity to fight, but this is her first big event.

People from other countries were coming to fight with the Donquixote Family to test their strength. Like all of the other members in Diamanté's army who fought in the Coliseum, she had 100% wins. She was allowed to show off her strength, provided she didn't destroy the place in the process.

"Going for another fight today, Love?" Doflamingo asked her as she tied up her hair into a ponytail. Karin always found it difficult to concentrate with her hair down. Being blinded was one of her fears. "Yup! I'm still fighting without using my abilities. Just kicking around."

"I've always liked your cute outfit. See you later, Love." Doflamingo said, never looking up from his desk.

Karin was hoping her parents could come and watch her. But Doflamingo was busy with his 'business' and Sally was overseas. Her mother often travels, but never leaves without Doflamingo's permission.


Blonde hair tied back into a low side-ponytail with her fringe parted to her left. Her pale skin contrasted with the black and red Flamenco dress she wore. The dress reached her ankles, had white ruffles along the skirt and collar, and was loose enough to allow comfortable movement. The dress was half red and half black from the waist up and the colours swapped from the waist down, resembling a checker board. Her shoulders were exposed, slightly showing the Donquixote Jolly Roger on her left arm. Black heels clacked on the stone floor. A dark purple mask covered her eyes, emphasising her dark purple Glasgow smile lipstick.

"Presenting a new representative of the Donquixote Family: Our new favourite, "Akumu Joker"!" The commentator announced. The whole coliseum cheered. "Akumu-chan joined the Donquixote Family 2 years ago and is a regular fighter. 100% wins so far! Will she be able to protect her title?"

The commentator announced some of the other big names in the ring, especially those who seemed to have a chance of winning.

"Heh. She's so small!" One of the competitors commented. Most of the other competitors were much bigger than her, much bigger than average humans in fact. There were about 40 people in the ring. Most of them had swords and large battle axes. Common weapons taken from the coliseum's armoury.

"A little girl like you, wearing such a frilly dress, can't possible defeat us!"

"You look like a clown dancer, girlie."

Karin didn't say anything but silently waited for the match to start. She hated it when people called her small. She wasn't as small as before. She's at least half of Doflamingo's height. That is bigger than most average humans already.

Ding!

The bell was struck, signalling the start of the match. 10 men ganged up on her, charging towards her with their swords and battle axes.

"Carousel calcitrare." Karin did a handstand and performed a 360° kick, efficiently kicking away her opponents. All had holes in their collar, blood seeped out from the fresh wounds.

Clack clack clack. Karin liked the sounds her heels made. She loved creating new rhythms to play while attacking. Clack tap tap clack. She raised a leg and kicked another opponent out of the ring and into the fighting fish tank. One opponent came running towards her. "Eat this!" A late fist came flying towards her. Karin not only stopped the blow with her leg, but also kicked her opponent away and into the ring.

"Ooooh! In less than 5 minutes, Akumu-chan has already knocked out 30 of her 39 opponents!" The commentator was getting excited. "Oh what's this? One of the challengers wants her to a sword duel!

"

Karin picked up the sword dropped by one of her previous opponents. She wouldn't call herself proficient in sword-fighting but she did know how to fight using a sword. Diamanté taught her. But until she can actually beat him in a sword fight, she can't call herself "good enough".

"You seem to be having a hard time." Her challenger teased her.

Only the fast clicking of heels could be heard as Karin danced past her opponents. She made it past them. "Buleria Al Golphe." All her opponents were cut, spraying blood all over the floor as they collapsed.

"You have just witnessed Akumu Joker's signature move: Buleria Al Golphe!" The commentator informed the audience. "It's too fast for us to see, but what just happened is that Akumu-chan has literally danced through her opponents with her sword! And if you look at the ring, you can see a lovely rose, painted using the blood of her opponents!"

The audience cheered.

"Everyone except Akumu-chan has been KO. The winner of Block A is Akumu Joker!" Karin bowed before leaving the ring.