Vice Admiral Mole ended the call with Sengoku, his face unreadable as he walked back toward Rorin D. Sol.
"The Fleet Admiral agreed, didn't he?" Rorin asked, like he already knew the answer.
Mole gave a curt nod. "In a while, you'll come aboard with us. We'll take you straight to Marineford."
"Exactly what I expected. Then I'll trouble you for the ride. Don't worry—before you depart, I'll find you."
Satisfied with his answer, Rorin turned to leave—
"Wait! You, stop right there!"
A loud voice cut through the air. A young man pointed at Rorin's back, chest puffed out in defiance.
Mole's expression immediately shifted, while the old village chief exclaimed excitedly:"That's our strongest youth—the chosen one blessed by the heavens!"
Mole nearly cursed aloud. Blessed by the heavens? Are you blind? Did you not feel this monster's aura earlier?! If he gets pissed, none of us will make it out alive!
But the boy, drunk on the chief's praise, straightened his spine, head held high."Yeah, that's right! I'm talking to you! You think just anyone can stroll into Marine Headquarters? I'm not even that arrogant—so who the hell do you think you are?!"
Mole's mind raced. He weighed his options… and didn't stop the kid. Fine. Let him throw himself at the fire. At least we'll see how strong Rorin really is.
He forced a smile. "Since he refuses to back down, why not show him the gap in strength? A lesson might do him good."
Rorin burst out laughing—at Mole, at the reckless youth, at the absurdity of it all."Well, if the Vice Admiral insists… who am I to refuse?"
"Of course, I only ask that you show mercy. Don't take his life," Mole added quickly.
"Relax. I know my limits." Rorin flashed an innocent smile—though on him it looked anything but harmless. He crooked a finger toward the boy. "What's your name? Actually—forget it. Not worth remembering."
"You bastard! Don't toy with me! Fight me with everything you've got—I don't want you making excuses when I crush you! And remember this name: I'm Kagis!"
Kagis lunged forward. Gray scales rippled across his skin, his grin feral as he charged.
Mole's eyes narrowed. "A Devil Fruit user?"
Colonel Karl fumbled through thick files, blurting, "Kagis! Native of Island 824. Found a Zoan-type, Snake-Snake Fruit: Gray Snake Model, four years ago. Strong enough to smash boulders barehanded. That's when he started making a name for himself."
Mole's mind ticked. Zoan durability, stamina, regeneration. Even without awakening, he'll last a few rounds. Maybe enough to draw out more of this stranger's true power. That would help the Marines most.
"Serpentine Fist!"
Kagis's fists blurred into a flurry of blows, raining down on Rorin.
But Rorin only hooked his fingers on his sword hilt, eyes crinkled in amusement as he flickered effortlessly between the strikes. Not a single punch touched him.
"Damn it! All you can do is dodge?! Fight me head-on if you've got guts!"
"Head-on? Hahaha! Kid, your fists are soft as wet noodles. What, skipped lunch? 'Serpentine'? Where's the serpent in this? With footwork that sloppy, aren't you scared of tripping over yourself?"
Each jab from Rorin's mouth cut deeper than a blade, shredding Kagis's pride. Rage twisted the boy's face.
"You arrogant bastard! Let's see you dodge this—Gray Snake Venom!"
He puffed his cheeks and spat a wide spray of purple-black toxin. The poisonous mist spread fast, devouring grass and wood in its path.
But just as it neared Rorin's skin, his lips curved in a wicked grin."Flame Banquet—Rhapsody in Fire!"
Steel sang. His blade flashed, weaving threads of silver light. In an instant, four arcs carved through Kagis's limbs.
The sword slid back into its sheath. The venom dispersed. A storm wind howled outward, carrying the heat of Rorin's strike.
Kagis's eyes bulged. His mind blanked. He hadn't even thought of dodging. Then came the searing agony—his four limbs severed, death itself looming over him, his very soul scorched by the fire of that slash.
Rorin didn't bother to look back. With a casual step, he turned away, his voice drifting behind him:"Consider yourself lucky. I let you live."
Only when Rorin's figure disappeared did the pain slam into Kagis like lightning. His scream tore through the air before his body collapsed unconscious.
"Ding! Vice Admiral Mole, shaken by host's ruthlessness. Evaluation: A. Reward: Armament Haki—Level Two."
It had all happened too fast. Too sudden. The crowd stared, dumbfounded, as if they'd missed it all in a blink.
"Th-the fight… is it over already?" Colonel Karl stammered, unable to believe his eyes.
"Y-yes… it's over," Mole croaked, his tongue tied in knots. Then he barked, "Quick! Call the doctors—save Kagis!"
As for the old village chief, he had fainted the instant Rorin drew his blade.
—
Rorin paid no mind to the chaos he'd left behind. Something inside him stirred, a strange clarity, a state he didn't want to break. He wandered the island, mind empty, savoring the flow of it.
Birds trilled. The breeze was gentle.
Unknowingly, he arrived near the merchant ship. With every swing of Ganmuzaku, with every clash, his sword intent was fusing deeper. Combined with the fresh surge in his Armament Haki, he could feel it—his strength was on the verge of breaking through.
He stilled his heart, calmed his breath, and reached for his sword. His hand brushed the hilt. Without thought, he drew—coating the blade in sword intent and Haki.
Flames roared to life along the steel. Even in human form, when Prometheus's power couldn't manifest fully, the fire of his will burned from his very soul, impossible to extinguish.
With one stroke, he let it fall.
The sword qi roared across the sea.
The merchant ship in the distance—built of common timber—never stood a chance. The instant blade met hull, the entire vessel disintegrated, vanishing into ash and smoke above the waves.