"You're still the same—too arrogant. Like everything is always under your control."
Kuro's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Taking on a fleet of 5,000 all by yourself... and your opponent is Krieg. Don't you feel anything?"
Gawain replied coolly,
"I'm just worried I'll kill too fast and won't get the chance to sharpen my sword."
"Sword?"
Kuro lowered his eyes and glanced at the Seikō Masamune in Gawain's hand. A flicker of envy passed through his gaze.
Though not a swordsman himself, his eye was keen. He could tell at a glance that the blade Gawain carried far outclassed the knight's sword he once used.
And a skilled swordsman wielding a famed sword—such a pairing didn't simply double one's strength. It caused it to surge exponentially.
"…Lucky bastard."
Gawain didn't comment. Instead, he continued:
"The plan's changed. We need to hold this port. If you can still move, get your people to help evacuate the civilians."
"If we manage that, we won't have to worry about logistics in the East Sea again."
"Got it!"
Kuro turned to act, but his knees buckled as his strength gave out. He collapsed forward uncontrollably.
Gawain caught him, smirking.
"There's a limit to how tough you can act. Leave the evacuation to the others."
"Don't die on me."
"I'm still counting on your advice. You're the man of a hundred plans—not one ever failing."
"Hmph."
Kuro scoffed but didn't resist. He let his subordinates support him as he limped away.
Under Gawain's orders, the others followed the surrounding guards, evacuating civilians and assisting with rescue efforts.
The chaos was soon under control.
Only the distant rows of warships looming on the horizon weighed on everyone's hearts like a mountain.
At that same moment, the gunfire in the port gradually faded. Out at sea, about a thousand meters away, Admiral Krieg held a Den Den Mushi receiver, his face unreadable as he listened to his subordinate's report from Raven Harbor.
"Even Gin was defeated? Maybe I overestimated him."
"Those who fall here aren't worthy of following me to the Grand Line."
"But before that, you've served your purpose. The internal defenses are already in shambles."
"Now it's time to wipe out the remaining obstacles—whether it's Kuro or Knight Gawain."
A smirk played across Krieg's lips.
His subordinates fitted him piece by piece with armor forged from high-strength alloy.
With each plate locked into place, an overwhelming sense of confidence surged through him.
Bang! Bang!
His fingers tapped rhythmically on the metal armor, each strike crisp and sharp.
Krieg gazed into the distance.
The pirate ship beneath him suddenly accelerated, pulling away from the rest of the fleet.
As the port neared, he grabbed a massive spear, bent his knees, and launched himself from the deck.
Boom!
The ground cracked beneath him, the impact sending up clouds of smoke and dust.
Gawain turned as the haze cleared. A towering figure emerged—golden armor gleaming, a massive spear in hand, and a face twisted with arrogance.
The man before him was unmistakably Admiral Krieg—but his presence now was leagues above the defeated wreck Gawain remembered from the anime.
The aura. The pressure. It was overwhelming.
Domineering will—the manifestation of spiritual strength. Confidence alone could give birth to immense power.
At this moment, Krieg radiated absolute belief in his own invincibility—especially when faced with a young opponent still carrying traces of youth in his features.
"You're Knight Gawain?"
"I am."
"Then I'll give you two choices," Krieg sneered.
"Submit... or die."
"I choose... or."
Gawain's mouth curled in amusement. Krieg was strong, sure—but he didn't ignite Gawain's fighting spirit.
In the East Blue, the only opponent who could still excite him was Smoker, the Smoke-Smoke Fruit user stationed at Loguetown—like a final boss waiting to be challenged.
Still, Seikō Masamune, quiet for far too long, hummed with anticipation in Gawain's grasp.
"A bloodthirsty sword, aren't you?" he muttered.
But Krieg had already lost patience. Since negotiation failed, he would end this quickly—and cruelly.
"Then die here!"
Krieg lunged, spear sweeping forward in a feint.
The weapon weighed more than a ton, and even a casual swing whipped up fierce winds, making Gawain's golden hair whip around his face.
Just as Gawain prepared to draw his blade, Krieg changed tactics.
From beneath his Kuroak, his left hand emerged—and flung a gas bomb straight at Gawain.
Boom!
The bomb exploded, releasing a cloud of purple gas that billowed and spread with the wind.
Krieg, already wearing a gas mask, sneered.
"Weapons exist to defeat the strongest foes at the lowest cost."
"If there's an easier way to win, why fight fair?"
"This is an MH5 gas bomb. Inhaling even a little is enough to kill an ordinary man. Even an 8-million-berrie pirate wouldn't survive."
"Isn't that right, Knight Gawain? Die with your regret."
"You—!"
Krieg's taunt was cut off by a chilling sensation crawling up from the soles of his feet. A silver flash pierced the poisonous smoke.
In a panic, Krieg barely managed to raise his arms to defend.
The next moment, a silver blade sliced through the gas, striking with such force that it hurled both men across dozens of meters.
They slammed into a wall.
Boom!
The hut behind them collapsed, chunks of stone crashing down.
Krieg shoved the rubble aside and staggered to his feet, stunned.
"How... how could a human unleash such an attack? Is this... a Devil Fruit power?"
"It has to be!"
"You—"
Gawain emerged slowly from the gas, one hand covering his nose and mouth, eyes cool.
He looked at Krieg with pity.
He already understood this man's nature.
In Krieg's fight against Luffy in the original story, he'd been no match in terms of raw strength—but through every cheap trick in the book, he'd once pushed Luffy to the edge.
He was careless in battle, but unmatched when it came to underhanded tactics.
How could Gawain ever trust someone like that?
From the moment their fight began, he'd been wary.
"Ah~ So the slash didn't finish you off?"
Gawain spoke with a touch of regret.
Krieg blinked in confusion—then felt searing pain in his arm.
He looked down.
The armor—his pride, forged for the Grand Line—was torn open!
Not only that, but the flesh beneath was cut deep, even the bone exposed!
His so-called invincible defense couldn't even withstand a single blow from Gawain!