"Young man… you may have truly angered me." Figarland Garling's expression darkened completely. No longer flushed, but sharp as a blade.
"Since God Valley… it has been a very long time since I've been this furious."
"Oh? Really?" Michael stroked his chin in mock thought. "Don't joke. What's an old man fantasizing about? Do you really think you're still capable? Don't forget—back at God Valley, you only managed to survive by the skin of your teeth thanks to Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp. Otherwise, you'd have died like the filthy commoners and slaves you despise so much, on that accursed land."
The moment Michael spoke, not only the SWORD Secret Special Force but even the God's Knights collectively drew in a sharp breath.
This guy…
He really knew how to stab straight at the sorest spot.
Without missing the mark, he struck right at Figarland Garling's greatest wound…
All these years, the thing he could never forget was the God Valley incident.
He called himself a "king," yet only with the help of pirates and marines had he been able to repel the Rocks Pirates…
It was the greatest humiliation imaginable!
He had spent years growing stronger, preserving his fighting power even into old age, all to prove he hadn't just piggybacked on Roger and Garp's momentum.
But just as he had regained a little sense of worth after clashing with Garp today, he encountered this bizarre marine with wings…
Two pairs of wings? What kind of Devil Fruit ability was this?
But there was no time left to think.
With his deepest wound ripped open, only one thought filled his mind…
Kill!
Michael, of course, understood Figarland Garling's glare. Even without sharp instincts, one could feel the man's murderous intent, sharp as steel.
In the next instant, Michael decisively drew "Myōjō," his straight sword gleaming with flickers of Judgment Flame.
"You glared at me! You actually dared glare at me! Not even my parents or the Fleet Admiral ever glared at me!"
Without hesitation, he unleashed a sweeping, pale blue flying slash.
It was formed entirely from Judgment Flame, edged with strands of Armament Haki as the sharpest blade.
So vast that it enveloped the entire God's Knights…
Behind his sunglasses, Figarland Garling's eyes widened sharply.
That slash… it showed him a terrifying reality.
This young marine's strength was not beneath his own.
In fact, if he didn't give it everything he had…
His subordinates would be finished.
He didn't care whether they lived or died, but he needed the God's Knights' fighting strength intact.
So, Figarland Garling didn't hesitate.
He drew his blade, Armament Haki surging to cover it, then swung upward with all his might, clashing against Michael's flying slash…
"Truly… I've gotten a bit old."
If Michael had been fighting someone else, he would have complimented them after such a move.
But against Figarland Garling, he was especially harsh.
Like the pickiest of customers, desperate to find a million flaws in the opponent.
"Then try this one instead!"
Michael spun Myōjō in his hand, releasing a storm of white Holy Flame, countless flying slashes like wind blades.
Slashing as he retreated toward the coast.
Figarland Garling blocked without pause, then gave chase.
In close combat, they exchanged dozens of blows in an instant.
Strength, speed, even Haki reserves—all completely even.
And yet… that balance gave Figarland Garling a strange, unsettling feeling.
Almost as if the other man was deliberately holding back to match him.
But… he couldn't be sure.
"Insane? You've gone insane, haven't you? To dare attack a marine—and with killing moves from the start!" Michael roared in mock outrage as they exchanged blow after blow. "Seems I'll have to teach you a lesson!"
And then…
From his wings flashed white and blue flames. Soon, a third color emerged…
Blood-red.
"White is Holy Flame. Blue is Judgment Flame."
"And blood-red… is Flame of Wrath."
"Figarland Garling, you tedious old swine…" Michael smiled and muttered, "Feel your own fury."
With that, Myōjō blazed with Wrath Flame and lunged once more.
But this time, it was Michael who fell behind.
Repeatedly driven back, unable to hold ground.
It was as though Figarland Garling had rediscovered his fighting rhythm, his blade striking relentlessly, forcing Michael into retreat after retreat.
And yet… deep inside, Garling felt ever more convinced his opponent was doing this on purpose.
The more it seemed that way… the angrier he became!
And now, with Michael's deliberate provocation and the Wrath Flame's burning, his rage completely…
Lost control.
...
"Hey! What the hell is happening here!? Why are the World Government's work ships being destroyed inside Enies Lobby!?"
"Wait—that's… Figarland Garling!? Why is he attacking the work ships!?"
"No idea! He suddenly started fighting Marine Chief Inspector Vice Admiral Michael… and then suddenly turned on the Government's ships!"
"…Cut the chatter! The next target is the central flagship! That's the Elders's vessel! Even if Figarland Garling's rank is equal to the Elders, he can't do that!"
The coastal garrisons were dumbstruck.
What could mere soldiers do?
Worse, those destroyed work ships had been carrying numerous CP agents!
Their lives were wiped out with the ships' annihilation.
"How disgraceful, Figarland Garling."
At that moment, Michael reappeared before him from afar.
"To stop your madness, I have no choice but to strike you down!"
"Not even you, Figarland Garling, may raise a hand against the Elders!"
Michael shook his head. This time, when he lifted his sword, there was no white Holy Flame, no blue Judgment Flame, no blood-red Wrath Flame…
Only a terrifying aura, with black lightning crackling through the sky.
"I will ascend above the clouds… I will stand equal to the Supreme…"
"Roger's infused strike was called 'Divine Departure.' Garp's infused strike was called 'Galaxy Impact.'"
"And mine, Michael's, infused strike is named…"
"Lost Paradise!"
---
read +200 chapters on Patreon tambeerg