Wayne's body suddenly trembled.
He felt as if a powerful energy had surged through his entire body, as though all the energy channels within him had opened at once. A refreshing sensation spread through every cell in his body.
Ding!
"Due to the host possessing an advanced version of the Rokushiki technique, the system has automatically upgraded the skill."
Wayne's eyes widened.
"An upgraded version of Rokushiki?"
He immediately understood.
Rokushiki… the Navy's special combat technique.
But the version he had just obtained was far stronger.
At that moment—
He had already reached Admiral Kizaru.
His light kick had already struck Kizaru.
Boom!
Kizaru slammed into the ground heavily.
Dust scattered everywhere.
Wayne smiled and said:
"Huh? Old man…"
"Are you okay? Or did you die?"
Kizaru was silent for a moment.
Then he slowly stood up, brushing the dust off his suit.
He said lazily:
"Yaaah…"
"This is really troublesome."
But in his eyes appeared a serious glint that hadn't been there moments ago.
Suddenly—
Wayne vanished.
Whoosh!
He appeared directly behind Kizaru.
He shouted:
"Rokushiki…"
"Six Royal Spears!"
Shigan ×6!
Boom!
Six shockwaves shot from his fingertips, piercing through the air toward Kizaru.
But—
Tssst!
Kizaru's body turned into golden light and disappeared.
Then he appeared in the air, holding a sword made of light.
He said calmly:
"Heavenly Cloud Sword."
He swung the blade.
A sharp light slash shot forward.
Wayne was forced to retreat quickly.
The blade of light cut through the air right beside him.
Kizaru said:
"If you were a little slower…"
"You'd be injured right now."
Then he raised his leg.
Golden light began gathering around it.
He stared at Wayne silently.
Then said:
"I'll ask the same question again."
"Will you come back with me to Marineford?"
Wayne sighed.
"No."
He raised his head and looked at him firmly.
"I won't return."
Kizaru asked:
"Why?"
Wayne smiled mockingly.
"Because I don't want to serve under someone who tries to kill his own soldiers."
Kizaru remained silent for a moment.
Then Wayne continued:
"At least…"
"Pirates don't stab their comrades in the back."
For the first time—
The laziness disappeared from Kizaru's eyes.
He looked at Wayne seriously.
Then he said:
"Fine."
Wayne was surprised.
"What?"
Kizaru said:
"I won't kill you."
"And I won't bring you back to the Navy."
Wayne's eyes widened.
"Really?!"
But Kizaru raised one finger.
"On one condition."
Wayne frowned.
"What is it?"
Kizaru said slowly:
"You will not join any pirate crew."
"And you are not allowed to form your own crew."
Wayne was stunned.
"What?!"
Not joining a crew…
And not forming one…
Then what kind of pirate would he be?
Like Hawk-Eye Mihawk?
A lone pirate?
He muttered:
"That… would be boring."
But Kizaru said coldly:
"It's either that…"
"Or you return with me right now."
Wayne stayed silent for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"Fine."
"I promise."
Kizaru nodded.
In the next moment—
His body turned into light and disappeared.
Wayne stood in the sky above the sea.
Then he shouted:
"Old man!"
"Thank you!"
At the same time…
Inside the meeting hall of Marine Headquarters — Marineford.
Boom!
Sengoku slammed the table angrily.
"Borsalino!"
"Why did you let Wayne escape?!"
Akainu spoke coldly:
"Fleet Admiral."
"That man is no longer a Marine soldier."
"He is now a pirate."
Sengoku's anger flared even more.
"A pirate?!"
"And whose fault is that?!"
He looked directly at Akainu.
"Isn't it yours, Sakazuki?!"
Then he said angrily:
"An unknown Devil Fruit…"
"And an ability similar to Kizaru's…"
"A power like that could have become one of the pillars of the Navy!"
Boom!
He slammed the table again.
"But now he's become a pirate!"
Akainu replied coldly and angrily:
"Justice does not tolerate evil."
"If Wayne had died at that moment and the pirate was captured…"
"That would have been an acceptable price."
Sengoku shouted angrily:
"Sakazuki!"
But suddenly—
Admiral Tsuru, who had been silent the entire time, spoke.
"Enough."
Silence filled the room.
She said calmly:
"What's done is done."
"Wayne has already become a pirate."
Then she continued:
"Even if he promised not to join any force…"
"He is still a dangerous individual."
Sengoku looked at everyone.
Then he said seriously:
"Then the decision is clear."
He raised his hand.
"Issue a warrant."
"The target…"
"Pirate Wayne."
Boom!
"I want him captured immediately."