"Run! Run!"
Taking advantage of Admiral Kizaru's retreat and the brief hesitation of the two CP0 agents, Eustass Kid, Killer, X Drake, Scratchmen Apoo, Trafalgar Law, and the Straw Hats seized the opportunity to break through the enemy lines.
"Magnetic Reflection!"
Kid repelled a cluster of metal objects, sending them flying back toward CP0 while running.
"Punisher's Scythe!"
Killer spun his scythe rapidly before hurling it.
Boom!
A CP0 agent deflected the attack with a single punch.
Kid and Killer's combined assault was instantly shattered. Killer's scythe was destroyed in the process.
Bang! Bang! Boom!
The resulting shockwave turned many of Kid's crew members into blood mist, while Kid and Killer themselves were launched through several buildings, crashing into ruins.
"Hmph. A bunch of weaklings," scoffed the CP0 agent as he descended from the sky, his gaze coldly fixed on the two pirates struggling to stand.
"Run. Keep running."
"Saint Charlos is dead, and Lady Shalria is missing. The World Government will execute us for our failure. If we're going to die anyway, then why not take you down with us?"
Kid, bloodied but standing, spat onto the ground, his fists clenched in rage.
"If that's the case, then why don't you run away with us?"
"Have you ever thought about living for yourself?" Kid growled. "Even hiding in a remote village is better than waiting to die!"
The CP0 agent laughed coldly.
"Do you think the World Government allows deserters? The moment we flee, we'll experience something worse than death.
"No one escapes the Government's pursuit!"
"Demon King Bai Yu."
Kid narrowed his eyes and spoke coldly.
CP0's expression shifted slightly, his features twisting into a more vicious look.
This kid deserved to die.
100 meters away…
"Huff… damn it…"
Apoo wiped sweat from his forehead as he sprinted.
"So many of my crew died in an instant. Damn it, we have to escape Sabaody…"
He glanced over his shoulder at the wave of Celestial Dragon guards chasing after them.
His expression turned bitter.
"Who was controlling us? Was it really the Demon King?"
"We killed a Celestial Dragon together… Can we even survive now?"
Beside him, X Drake remained eerily silent.
Apoo panted as he spoke:
"Well, I'm never coming back here—"
Suddenly, Drake grabbed Apoo by the throat.
"What the hell—?!"
Drake's face twisted in anger.
"You're a pirate. What do you know?!" he roared.
"I'm a Marine!"
"But now… I've killed a Celestial Dragon!"
His voice cracked with rage and helplessness.
Apoo's eyes widened in shock.
"This guy was an undercover Marine?!"
The irony was bitter.
A righteous man had now become a criminal for slaying a Celestial Dragon.
The only outcome was clear.
His identity would be erased.
He would be hunted as a traitor.
Apoo let out a bitter laugh.
"It doesn't matter what you were before. What matters is what we do now."
"If you wanna live, keep running with me."
But Drake shook his head.
"I'm done running!"
He turned around, glaring at the pursuing guards.
"If I'm gonna die anyway—"
"Then let me die fighting!"
With a roar, Drake transformed into his Allosaurus form and charged straight at the guards!
Apoo's heart pounded.
This man…
"Ah, screw it! I'll fight too!"
Meanwhile, 500 meters away…
The Straw Hat Pirates and Heart Pirates fought as they retreated.
"Gum-Gum Giant Stamp!"
"Three-Sword Style: Tornado Slash!"
"Three-Nose Song: Nocking Slash!"
"Room! Slaughterhouse!"
Luffy, Zoro, Brook, and Law attacked together.
But—
"Ridiculous."
A CP0 agent intercepted with a single kick, sending a devastating shockwave that shattered all of their attacks.
Luffy, Zoro, Brook, and Law were sent flying.
Another CP0 agent smirked cruelly.
"Keep running, little rats. I'll let you experience the joy of death soon."
Luffy gritted his teeth.
"Dammit… There are too many enemies!"
The CP0 agents were like an unbreakable mountain.
No matter how hard they fought, they couldn't climb over it.
Above them, in the sky…
Kizaru reappeared, sighing deeply as he dialed his Den Den Mushi.
"Marshal Sengoku, listen— Yeah, about that… The CP0 backup, are they actually coming?"
The Demon King is here.
Kizaru really didn't want to be here.
On the other end, Sengoku's voice was serious.
"I don't know."
Kizaru: "…"
"Did I just get tricked?"
But he understood.
Even Sengoku didn't control CP0.
That was the Five Elders' domain.
So what was he supposed to do?
"Kizaru, I authorize you to stay back and wait for CP0."
Sengoku expected a reply.
After a few seconds of silence, he frowned.
"…Kizaru? What's wrong?"
Then—
"Marshal Sengoku! The Demon King is here! Please, take care of my 80-year-old mother!"
Click.
Kizaru hung up and shoved the Den Den Mushi back into his coat.
He raised his hands in surrender.
"Brother Bai Yu, if you have something to say, let's talk it out!"
Bonney: "…"
"Is this really an Admiral?"
"Why does he sound like a coward?!"
Sky Island, Level with Kizaru
Bai Yu and Bonney floated on a cloud island, just meters away from Kizaru.
Bai Yu smiled.
"Long time no see, Polusalino. How's life? Did you get a raise?"
Kizaru immediately frowned.
"Hell no. The higher-ups keep cutting military funding! Even Admirals are struggling. No motivation to work anymore."
"Really? Sounds rough…" Bai Yu said sympathetically.
"I told you before—work for me. Do you regret refusing now?"
Kizaru sighed.
"I was raised by the Marines. You don't want a traitor following you, right?"
Bai Yu rubbed his chin.
"Fair point…"
Bonney was stunned.
"Why are they just… chatting?!"
She thought Bai Yu was here to fight Kizaru, but they were gossiping like old friends?!
Then, Bai Yu suddenly turned serious.
"Three strong people just landed on the island. Are they here for me?"
Kizaru's face twitched.
"Ooooh~ it seems they've finally arrived… Scary fast…"
"They're CP0. You handle them. I'll just watch."
Bai Yu smirked.
"Fine by me."
Bonney: "…"
She didn't understand them at all.
Bai Yu raised his hand.
"Space Transfer."
In an instant—
Three CP0 agents appeared out of nowhere.
Their expressions were frozen in shock.
Kizaru's eyes shrank.
"He just teleported CP0 like it was nothing…?"
Bai Yu grinned.
"Thanks for the gift, Five Elders."
Then, before CP0 could react—
Bai Yu teleported them away into his gravity prison.
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