Crusimia, Brown Square.
The Marines, who had originally been fighting alongside the World Government's Cipher Pol agents, suddenly turned against their former allies.
Without warning, they launched attacks on the agents beside them.
The abrupt betrayal caught many Cipher Pol members completely off guard.
Some were struck down before they could even react.
Of course, not every Marine followed Kuzan's orders.
A portion of the Marines remained loyal to the World Government and continued fighting alongside Cipher Pol, relentlessly attacking the Revolutionary Army and the pirates gathered on the battlefield.
Most of these individuals were firm supporters of the World Government.
"Kuzan! Do you even understand what you're doing?!"
Standing atop the execution platform, Kong glared at Kuzan with fury burning in his eyes.
"You are leading the Marines onto a path of no return! Do you understand that?!"
Kuzan's gaze remained unwavering.
"Kong, I understand every decision I'm making."
"Wasn't I clear enough earlier? This world can no longer tolerate the existence of the World Government."
"They have contributed nothing to this world. In fact, eighty percent of the suffering and chaos across the seas exists because of them."
His voice grew firmer.
"The Marines were founded to uphold justice."
"Do you really want to see them become an organization that protects evil and helps oppress the innocent?"
Facing Kuzan's repeated rebuttals, disappointment gradually appeared on Kong's face.
"Kuzan, this world was created by the World Government."
"And the reason civilization still exists today is because of the World Government."
Hearing that, Kuzan slowly shook his head.
"Kong, you've changed."
"You're no longer the courageous and responsible Fleet Admiral I once respected."
"I don't know what you've experienced during your years in Mary Geoise, but since you've made your choice, I can only hope you won't stand in the way of the Marines' reform."
Kong stared at him silently for several moments before speaking.
"Kuzan, I cannot stand by and watch you destroy the Marines."
The moment those words were spoken, Kuzan understood that there was no room left for negotiation.
In that case...
"Kong, this will probably be the last time I address you that way."
As soon as he finished speaking, he leaped from the execution platform.
Landing firmly below, he raised his head.
"If you want to stop me, then come."
Seeing this, Kong ripped away the upper half of his clothing, exposing his powerful physique.
Then he jumped down as well and landed opposite Kuzan.
"Kuzan."
"When I was Fleet Admiral, you were still a Vice Admiral serving under Garp."
"You were one of the most popular officers in the Marines."
His right fist tightened, producing a series of crackling sounds.
"I wonder how much of Garp's teaching you've truly inherited."
Kuzan opened his mouth slightly and exhaled.
A stream of icy air spread outward.
Tiny ice crystals condensed in the atmosphere and drifted slowly toward the ground.
"Oh my."
"So the great Kong actually paid attention to us subordinates?"
"If that's the case, why didn't you pay more attention to the civilians suffering throughout the world?"
Meanwhile, on the execution platform.
Vegapunk watched the two men jump down and immediately shouted,
"Hey! Did neither of you think about unlocking my chains before leaving?!"
At that exact moment,
Clank!
The sound of chains falling to the ground reached his ears.
Vegapunk turned around in surprise.
Only then did he realize that Sabo had somehow already removed the restraints.
"Y... you... when did you do that?"
He pointed at Sabo in disbelief.
Sabo spread his hands casually.
"They were just ordinary chains."
After saying that, he looked toward the battlefield.
Ace was still fighting enthusiastically.
Luffy had already separated from Saul and, after leaving Gear Fifth, was currently surrounded by a group of Cipher Pol agents.
Then Sabo's eyes found the person he had been searching for.
Koala.
His figure vanished instantly.
Behind him, Vegapunk's aggrieved voice echoed out.
"Hey! At least unlock mine too!"
Hadn't they agreed to advance and retreat together?
Now nobody cared about the world's greatest scientist.
...
Koala sent a Cipher Pol agent flying with a palm strike.
Just as she was about to glance toward the execution platform, a figure suddenly appeared before her.
Without hesitation, she threw herself into his arms.
"Sabo!"
"You scared me to death!"
Tears instantly welled up in her eyes.
The newcomer was Sabo, who had rushed over from the execution platform.
After briefly considering whether to check on Ace, Luffy, or Koala first, he had chosen Koala without hesitation.
Although she was surrounded by Revolutionary Army members.
Although she wasn't in any immediate danger.
He still came.
Gently stroking her back, Sabo spoke softly.
"I'm alright. Don't worry."
Koala shook her head.
Her beautiful eyes glistened with emotion as she looked up at him.
For a brief moment, Sabo found himself unable to look away.
Then he hurriedly pushed aside the distracting thoughts in his mind.
"Koa..."
Before he could finish speaking, Koala interrupted him.
"Don't talk."
"Kiss me."
After saying that, she closed her eyes.
Sabo froze.
His mind went blank.
But when he saw her delicate lips, his throat moved involuntarily.
Gulp.
He nearly lost all self-control.
"Then..."
Before he could finish speaking, Koala wrapped her arms around his neck.
The next moment, a soft warmth pressed against his lips.
Sabo instinctively wanted to pull away.
Yet his body completely ignored his intentions.
Instead, his arms tightened around her waist.
The surrounding Revolutionary Army members reacted instantly.
"I didn't see anything."
"I'm suddenly blind."
"There seems to be trouble over there. I'll go help."
Within moments, everyone nearby had disappeared.
In the distance, Dragon witnessed the scene and revealed a pleased smile.
"Heh."
"These two finally got together."
Crack.
Crack.
Crack.
Dragon turned his head.
Not far away, Kizaru had somehow found a stool and was sitting comfortably while eating sunflower seeds.
The expression on his face looked as though he were enjoying a luxurious feast.
Dragon smiled.
"Borsalino, you still have the mood to eat sunflower seeds?"
"You should prepare for what's coming."
Kizaru stood up and dusted off his hands.
"You're right."
As he spoke, he glanced toward Sabo and Koala, who were still embracing each other.
His face carried an unmistakable look of envy.
Then he and Dragon began walking toward the coast.
Not far away, Garp had also witnessed everything.
His grin stretched from ear to ear.
"Wahahaha!"
"Sabo found me a granddaughter-in-law this quickly?"
He examined Koala from afar before nodding repeatedly.
"Good."
"Very good."
"I approve!"
After a long while, Koala finally felt herself running out of breath and gently pushed Sabo away.
Her face was red as the evening sky.
Unable to meet his gaze, she buried herself against his chest.
"Sabo..."
"Do you know how worried I was?"
"I was terrified."
"I kept thinking that one day I might never see you again."
As she spoke, her finger slowly traced circles against his chest.
Listening to her voice and feeling the faint touch against his clothes, Sabo's heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably.
"K... Koala."
"I'm afraid of that too."
"I'm afraid there'll come a day when I can't see you anymore."
Koala slowly raised her head.
Her eyes shimmered with emotion.
"Then after this war ends..."
"Sabo, will you marry me?"
Faced with her hopeful expression, Sabo didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
The answer came instantly.
Joy spread across Koala's face.
She buried herself against his chest once more.
At that moment, the two seemed completely isolated from the chaos around them.
Unfortunately for the Revolutionary Army soldiers still fighting nearby, things were not nearly as romantic.
Many of them complained internally.
Are you two finished yet?
We're getting overwhelmed over here!
Sabo eventually noticed the situation on the battlefield.
Reluctantly, he separated from Koala.
"Wait for me on the ship."
As he turned to leave, a hand grabbed his clothes.
Sabo looked back.
What met him were Koala's determined eyes.
"Sabo."
"No matter what happens next, let's face it together."
"This battlefield is dangerous."
"I don't want you to..."
Before he could finish, Koala's slight pout silenced him.
Sabo stared at her for a moment before finally nodding.
"Alright."
"We'll face it together."
After saying that, he took her soft hand in his own.
Then the two rushed back into the battlefield side by side.
At that moment, a sudden commotion erupted from the coastline.
"Who is that?! She's so beautiful!"
"A female swordswoman?"
"She's gorgeous!"
...
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