Zoro's chest rose and fell violently, sweat streaming down his face as he stared straight at Bartholomew Kuma. He said nothing, yet his silence carried unyielding resolve.
"I understand," Kuma said, giving a slight nod.
Without hesitation, he casually swung his palm toward Zoro.
"Kuma, how dare you!" Akainu roared, but it was already too late.
Whoosh.
Zoro vanished from the ground just as molten magma erupted beneath him, the scorching flow crashing uselessly into empty air.
"Don't think for a second I don't know what you're doing," Akainu snarled, glaring at Kuma with killing intent. "Why are you helping them escape? Have you reached some kind of agreement with that man?"
Kuma remained silent for a brief moment, then disappeared from Akainu's sight entirely.
"No!!!"
Not far away, Usopp was pinching his nose, spinning in frantic circles as panic overtook him. "It's over! It's over! That Shichibukai Tyrant killed Zoro! What do we do? What do we do?!"
Suddenly, his body froze.
A deep, chilling voice sounded from behind him.
"Sniper King Usopp, if you were to travel, where would you want to go?"
"Ahhhhhh!"
Usopp screamed as if his soul were being ripped from his body.
"Save me! I don't want to die!"
Tears, snot, and terror covered his face as he desperately cried out to his scattered companions, his legs shaking uncontrollably.
"Usopp!" his crewmates shouted in alarm, but they were far too late.
"Sniper King, huh," Kuma murmured quietly.
His mind flickered through thoughts of marksmanship and resolve.
"As you are now, you are not worthy of that title," he continued calmly. "I hope that in the future, you will truly deserve to be called Sniper King."
Splat.
Usopp vanished under Kuma's palm.
"You bastard!"
Luffy finally arrived, just in time to witness Usopp disappear without a trace. His sanity snapped.
"Franky, go! Hurry! I'll cover you!"
His eyes turned bloodshot as his body rapidly expanded, rubber flesh swelling far beyond its limits.
At this moment, Luffy abandoned all caution.
He no longer cared about the damage this incomplete technique would cause his body.
This was his giant transformation, Gear Third, Bone Balloon.
Because the technique was still imperfect, parts of his body appeared uneven. His torso bulged grotesquely, veins standing out like twisted ropes, giving him a terrifying appearance.
"You damn bear-man! My comrades!"
Luffy roared as he swung his massive fist down toward Kuma with all his strength.
"Give them back to me! Give them all back!"
The roar dissolved into sobs, grief and desperation woven into his voice.
Luffy had lost before.
But never like this.
Never had his comrades vanished one by one before his eyes while he stood powerless.
Kuma said nothing. With Akainu watching, there was nothing he could explain.
He lightly tapped himself and effortlessly avoided Luffy's crushing blow.
Splat.
Franky was sent flying.
Splat.
Sanji, who had barely crawled out of the rubble, vanished with a look of confusion still on his face.
One by one, they were gone.
Luffy stood frozen, staring at the empty battlefield.
"…Everyone…"
His knees buckled.
"Shirogai… Shirogai…Where are you?"
Only now did the boy who had forced himself to stay strong finally collapse.
He fell to the ground, clawing at the dust as his voice broke completely.
"Everyone's gone… Everyone's gone…!"
Kuma appeared before him in an instant.
"Take care," Kuma whispered close to his ear. "Please forgive me."
Splat.
Luffy vanished.
"Bartholomew Kuma," Akainu said coldly, his gaze sharp as a blade. "There is no need for you to retain any remaining consciousness. Go to Dr. Vegapunk yourself and erase what is left of your mind. You are no longer worthy of the Marine's trust."
Kuma said nothing.
He turned and walked into the distance.
Boom.
A heavy landing shook the scorched ground as a figure descended on one knee, magma hissing around him.
"Surprised? Didn't expect me?" Shirogai Yamikuro stood up with a relaxed smile, brushing dust from his coat. "Little bear, don't be afraid of this hot-tempered man who likes throwing magma around."
He glanced at Akainu with open mockery. "Oh, hothead, your popularity really is awful. Care to guess who didn't get invited to the Marine's favorite Admiral gathering?"
Akainu ignored the taunt. "Shirogai, I don't have time to waste with you. Remember the agreement you made with the Marine. Don't cross the line."
He turned to leave, clearly unwilling to exchange another word.
After taking a few steps, Akainu stopped and looked back, his expression chilling.
"I'll warn you once," he said slowly. "If you side with Whitebeard in this war, you will regret it."
His lips curled into a strange, cold smile.
The World Government had prepared something specifically for Shirogai Yamikuro, power that should never have been needed.
Just in case.
…
"Should we ask Shirogai San for help, Pops?" Marco asked, staring at the Marine warships watching from the sea.
"That boy?" Edward Newgate laughed softly and shook his head. "No. This is the Whitebeard Pirates' battle. There's no need to drag him into it."
"Pops, pride isn't the issue anymore," Marco said gravely. "Victory is."
"We are the Whitebeard Pirates," Whitebeard replied, placing a heavy hand on Marco's shoulder. "Not some second-rate crew. Ever since that boy treated me, my body has recovered a great deal. Trust me. We will not lose."
Marco hesitated, then nodded. "Understood. I've already ordered all affiliated crews to launch their assault on Marineford before Ace's execution."
…
High above the clouds, an azure dragon twisted through the sky, drunken laughter echoing through the thunder.
"So Whitebeard's going to lose his temper again?" the dragon laughed. "How interesting. The World Government actually invited me to join."
He belched.
Boom.
A bolt of lightning crashed down, obliterating a distant building in an instant.
"Truly interesting," the dragon roared arrogantly as thunder rolled across the heavens.
…
On Cake Island in Totto Land, Charlotte Linlin sat upon her grand throne, laughing as she stared at the Den Den Mushi.
"Mamamama, how rare," she said. "The righteous Marine asking pirates for help."
"Aren't you afraid," she continued mockingly, "that we Four Emperors might side with Whitebeard and crush you?"
From the other end, Sengoku laughed coldly. "Don't kid yourself. This is a chance to eliminate rivals. Who would pass it up?"
"Mamamama," Linlin sneered. "Pirates have principles, far more honest than your so-called justice."
"Enough," Sengoku interrupted sharply. "Whether it's destroying the Whitebeard Pirates or restraining Shirogai Yamikuro, our goals align."
Linlin's smile vanished.
"That brat… Shirogai…"
Hatred twisted her face as memories of humiliation resurfaced.
"Very well," Sengoku said. "Your task is simple. Hold Shirogai Yamikuro back."
…
On the deck below, terrified Marines lay unconscious as BIG MOM Pirates laughed in contempt.
"Mamamama," Linlin stood, towering over a trembling Vice Admiral. "Life span, or submission?"
Fear overwhelmed him.
Moments later, his vitality drained visibly, age catching up to him in seconds.
Katakuri stepped forward. "Mama, that's enough."
Linlin snorted. "Go back and tell Sengoku," she said coldly. "We act only on my will."
…
Far away, a flag bearing a skull with three scars fluttered in the wind.
The Red Hair Pirates.
"Boss," a crewmate said quietly, "this war will change the world."
____
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