Da, da, da…
Behind Kizaru, heavy footsteps echoed across the deck as a tall figure approached, his presence imposing despite the complete absence of killing intent.
"Oh my…"
Kizaru turned casually, his aged, unreadable face meeting the gaze of his longtime comrade. The current Fleet Admiral, Akainu, stood there in his coat, a crimson-lit cigar clenched between his teeth, advancing with an overwhelming aura.
Silence fell.
The two men who once trusted each other without hesitation now stood separated by suspicion, and the crushing despair that came with the inevitability of trying to kill one another.
Creak!
Akainu stepped onto the deck with immense force, causing the steel beneath his foot to groan and warp.
Each step Sakazuki took carried unwavering resolve. There was no hesitation in him.
Even so, deep within, there lingered a faint trace of sorrow.
Borsalino.
Whether you are a spy of the Revolutionary Army or still an Admiral…
Why reveal yourself now, at such a critical moment, just before the confrontation with the Sky Island Alliance?
Why expose an identity you concealed for so long to the Celestial Dragons?
It is simply…
…too disappointing.
"Oh my, how frightening."
Kizaru gave a strange chuckle. With his back turned as if completely unguarded, he gazed toward Elbaf through his sunglasses and spoke softly.
"Elbaf is just ahead. The time has come… we are about to end all of this."
Sakazuki exhaled slowly.
"Hoo…"
He stood behind Kizaru, the ember of his cigar flaring brightly before dimming again as the magma heat receded.
"Elbaf… a land the Marines should have conquered long ago, if not for the World Government clinging to the giants' strength."
His gaze shifted toward the distant island.
It lingered briefly on one figure.
That smiling monster who remained impossible to read.
Shirogai.
Because of you, everything has come to this.
If not for your existence, the World Government would have turned a blind eye and continued using Borsalino in secret. At most, they would have restricted his access to certain information.
After all, the Revolutionary Army alone could never instill fear in them.
But you are different.
Your presence shattered the arrogance of the Celestial Dragons. You dragged them down from their untouchable heights and forced them to confront fear, the fear of losing everything, the fear of death.
Now, even the slightest movement tied to you makes them tremble.
They cannot accept the possibility of Kizaru, one of their greatest weapons, standing under your command.
Akainu's eyes burned with fury.
In other words…
Shirogai.
Today, Borsalino's death is nothing more than a warning. A display meant to intimidate.
And that warning is meant for you.
It is your fault.
Borsalino will die here.
The one who should die is not him.
It is you.
"Borsalino, you were right."
Akainu stared at his friend's unguarded back for a long moment before sighing.
"Yes… it is time to end this farce."
A Vice Commander of the Revolutionary Army hiding within the Marines for so long was an unforgivable disgrace.
Only your death can erase it.
Clap, clap, clap…
Footsteps sounded again.
Aramaki, Issho, Youryuu, and Verglas approached slowly.
"Tsk…"
Aramaki glanced toward Elbaf, his expression filled with disdain.
"Giants truly are a valuable race. If the Marines possessed their strength…"
He deliberately positioned himself beside Kizaru, while the others subtly sealed off every escape route.
Their purpose here was simple.
To execute the so-called spy, Admiral Kizaru, in full view.
Akainu's face remained emotionless.
Everything was in place.
The moment had arrived.
Ash fell from his cigar onto his arm.
Gurgle…
Magma surged instantly, blazing with destructive heat as it gathered into terrifying power.
"It is finally time."
At that same instant, identical thoughts echoed in both their minds.
Are you ready?
Borsalino. Sakazuki.
"Interesting…"
On Elbaf, Shirogai watched intently, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"That light just now…"
So it has finally been revealed.
Light and darkness cannot coexist.
To deceive the Celestial Dragons for so long while hiding in plain sight… only someone like Borsalino could pull it off.
"Eh?! That weird uncle at the front… that is Admiral Kizaru!"
Usopp trembled, hiding behind Shirogai as he stared at the massive fleet.
"And that terrifying one beside him… that must be Fleet Admiral Akainu! He looks insane!"
Despite everything he had gone through, Usopp still could not shake his fear.
"Whoa! That light is blinding!"
As Kizaru suddenly erupted into brilliance, Usopp yelped and ducked behind Shirogai.
"Shirogai! He just lit up out of nowhere! Is he trying to ambush us? Should we attack first?!"
Click.
Shirogai calmly pressed down Usopp's slingshot, lowering it with ease.
"No need."
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
"Just watch. What you are about to see… you will not see again easily."
"Huh?"
Usopp squinted at the distant ships, confusion written all over his face.
Then it happened.
Boom!
A violent explosion erupted from one of the warships, smoke and flames bursting outward.
Whoosh!
Before the flames could spread, a blinding yellow light tore through the sky, swallowing everything in its path.
Sizzle!
Then, that very light collided with a massive magma fist erupting from behind it.
Usopp's eyes nearly popped out.
His jaw dropped.
"Eh?!"
"What is going on?!"
"The Marines are fighting each other?!"
"That weird uncle is attacking the Fleet Admiral?!"
Shock spread across the battlefield.
The Straw Hat crew, the Red Hair Pirates, and even the giant warriors all stared in disbelief.
Even Shanks showed a rare moment of surprise.
Akainu attacking Kizaru.
Kizaru attacking Akainu.
What exactly had just begun?
===
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