Admiral Kizaru had already landed on the island.
For the few reckless newcomers who didn't know the weight of the world, he let them know why blood is red with a painful lesson.
Meanwhile, Luffy and his crew followed Rayleigh back to his secluded dwelling. After hearing tales of the old era and watching Rayleigh coat their ship, they prepared to part ways and leave the island.
Soon after, Sentomaru led the Pacifista army ashore, unleashing chaos as they hunted down pirates across the archipelago.
The battle erupted in full.
"Boom—!"
A deafening blast shook the island.
Fenric turned his head toward the explosion. He could faintly see flashes of golden light.
"Golden light? Not Kizaru… a Pacifista."
With that thought, Fenric strode toward the battlefield.
On a grassy clearing—
Law and his crew were in dire straits.
A Pacifista loomed before them, modeled after one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Bartholomew Kuma. Developed by the Navy's genius scientist Vegapunk, these cyborg weapons could unleash devastating laser beams and possessed durability that rivaled monsters.
Law's attacks were useless. His Devil Fruit powers couldn't cut through its reinforced body, and its counterattacks hit with terrifying force. One clash had left him and his crew battered and cornered.
By the time Fenric arrived, the Pacifista had them completely suppressed.
"Boy."
Fenric's voice came from behind Law, calm yet mocking. "Seems you've run into some trouble."
Law froze, then scowled. "Old man, can you not call me a boy?"
Fenric smirked. "Alright then—kid. Do you want my help or not?"
Law clenched his jaw. Pride told him to refuse. But reality was harsher. He had already confirmed the Pacifista's defenses were beyond his ability to breach. Alone, or even with his crew, escape was uncertain. And the longer they lingered, the more Navy reinforcements—and perhaps an admiral—would arrive.
"…Fine. But be careful. That thing's modeled after a Warlord of the Sea," Law warned.
"A Warlord?" Fenric chuckled. "Just a counterfeit."
Without hesitation, he raised his hand.
Buddha's Palm!
The Pacifista, programmed and unthinking, didn't even try to dodge.
A thunderous boom split the air.
In an instant, the mechanical titan that had overwhelmed Law and his crew was obliterated. Shattered into scrap, it collapsed into a smoking heap of twisted metal and sparking wires.
And Fenric hadn't even used more than half his strength.
"…Gulp."
Law and his crew could only swallow hard, their eyes wide with disbelief.
That machine had nearly broken them. Yet Fenric had erased it with a single palm strike.
"Old man… who exactly are you?" Law asked cautiously.
Fenric's grin widened. "You should have heard the name. Mundo."
"Mundo?"
Law's mind drew a blank. But one of his crew suddenly went pale.
"No way… that Mundo?! The Madman Mundo?!"
The name struck like lightning.
Faces stiffened. Eyes widened. Fear spread like wildfire.
They stared at Fenric, and though time had aged him, the resemblance to the wanted posters from ten years ago was undeniable.
"It's really him…"
"He's alive… after all these years…"
"This is bad… something big is about to happen!"
Fenric's smile twitched. "Madman Mundo? Which idiot gave me that second-rate nickname? Truly pathetic."
Law, however, grew solemn. "So it really is you, senior."
He knew the story well. Ten years ago, Mundo had infiltrated the Navy recruits' competition, disguised as a Marine. He won second place. Then, during the award ceremony, he killed a Celestial Dragon and declared he would slaughter them all.
From that day, the Navy branded him a madman.
But among pirates, his actions were celebrated. To those who lived and died by freedom, Mundo was a symbol of defiance against the loathsome Celestial Dragons. For many, he was even an idol.
Law wasn't one to idolize, but he couldn't deny his respect.
"It's an honor to meet you, senior," he said sincerely.
Fenric waved a hand dismissively. "Enough. You'd better leave this island quickly."
"Senior… you're not coming with us?"
"No." Fenric's eyes gleamed. "The Navy has hunted me for long enough. It's about time I settled the score."
Law considered warning him about Kizaru, but the memory of Fenric effortlessly crushing the Pacifista silenced him. Ten years had passed—who knew how terrifyingly strong this man had become?
"Then, senior, we'll take our leave."
"Wait." Fenric stopped him. "Before you go, deliver a message to the Whitebeard Pirates. Tell them—the best chance to rescue Fire Fist Ace is now."
The crew froze in shock.
Mundo alone was enough to drive the Navy to desperation. But if Whitebeard joined him, the world would plunge into war.
Law drew a deep breath and bowed his head. "Understood. I'll deliver it without fail."
It was the least he could do. Fenric had saved them, and his reputation left no room for refusal.
Fenric clapped him on the shoulder. "Good boy. Now go."
This time, when Fenric called him a boy, Law didn't retort.
Because the man before him had more than earned the right.