"What the hell is that?!"
Akainu's sharp gaze locked onto the space behind Fleet Admiral Sengoku. His eyes carried a suffocating pressure.
"Hmm?"
Sengoku frowned slightly and followed his line of sight.
"What are you talking about?"
"What am I talking about?!" Sakazuki's voice rose in disbelief. "That shadow—what is that thing?"
"You're seeing things," Sengoku replied irritably. "Have you been under too much pressure lately?"
"…No."
Sakazuki's jaw tightened.
He stared carefully behind Sengoku once more.
He was certain.
There, faint but unmistakable, lingered a mass of dark mist.
At that moment, the shadow even scratched its head in a distinctly human gesture.
"This ability is interesting," Qin Yang mused, observing the two men as though they did not exist. "Sengoku can't see me. Akainu can. So the person whose shadow I occupy cannot perceive me, but others can?"
His thoughts turned darker.
Earlier, when he had sensed those countless points of light—
There had been millions.
If each star represented a person…
Did that mean the Shadow Demon could instantly manifest within the shadow of anyone in the world?
"…I need more testing."
A thought stirred within him.
He sensed he could return to Amazon Lily instantly.
But before that—
He would explore further.
With a subtle shift of will, Qin Yang floated upward, gradually forming a more defined humanoid silhouette in midair.
"What?!"
Akainu's eyes widened.
The shadow rose from Sengoku's back and drifted into open air. It then settled casually atop the Fleet Admiral's desk, crossing its legs as though it owned the place.
It seemed to be staring directly at him.
Even a man of Sakazuki's iron composure felt a chill crawl down his spine.
"What is wrong with you?" Sengoku demanded, clearly annoyed. "Finish your report. What about the sea dragon?"
"…Yes."
Suppressing his unease, Sakazuki resumed.
"According to intelligence, I intercepted the Kuja Pirates' returning vessel. While extending the invitation to Boa Hancock regarding the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a mysterious sea dragon emerged from beneath the ocean. It possessed the ability to manipulate ocean currents. The people of Amazon Lily referred to it as their 'Guardian.'"
He continued reporting, but his eyes kept drifting toward the desk.
At first, the shadow merely sat there.
Then—
It slowly raised its hand.
And extended a single finger at him.
Though featureless, the gesture was unmistakable.
Sakazuki felt mocked.
Moments later, the shadow leapt down from the desk.
It removed its shoe.
And deliberately held it beneath Sengoku's nose, as if inviting him to smell it.
"The sea dragon interfered—" Sakazuki's composure shattered. "Insolent!"
His roar startled even Sengoku.
"What did you just say?"
"Not you," Sakazuki replied quickly. "That shadow—"
"What shadow?" Sengoku's expression darkened. "There is nothing there. Are you overworked? Do you require leave?"
"…No."
Sakazuki swallowed his frustration.
Was he hallucinating?
Before he could decide—
The shadow moved again.
It tossed the shoe at him.
Then, in a fluid motion, spun and kicked toward his chest.
"You're courting death!"
Rage exploded.
Sakazuki launched a punch.
The force behind it was immense. He had no intention of holding back.
He would obliterate this thing in a single blow.
His fist connected—
Or so he thought.
In the next instant, his expression changed.
His fist passed cleanly through the shadow.
And smashed into Sengoku's desk.
BOOM!
The heavy wooden desk shattered into splinters.
"Insolence!"
Sengoku shot to his feet, furious.
"Sakazuki! What exactly are you doing?!"
"I—He—!"
For the first time in a long while, Akainu was at a loss for words.
The shadow calmly stepped forward, standing directly before him.
Sakazuki's muscles tensed instinctively.
Then—
Once again—
The shadow lifted its hand.
And extended its middle finger inches from his face.
Unmistakable contempt.
"Damn you!"
Veins bulged at Sakazuki's temple.
By day, he had been challenged by a sea dragon.
By night, he faced this intangible mockery.
His anger burned hotter than magma.
Before he could retaliate again, Marines rushed into the office.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
"What happened?"
"Admiral Akainu!"
They froze at the sight of the destroyed desk.
Sakazuki spoke first.
"You're just in time. There's a black—"
He pointed.
But stopped.
There was nothing.
No shadow.
Only shattered wood.
"Black… what?" one Marine asked cautiously.
"…Nothing."
Sakazuki's face darkened.
He had no explanation.
"Hmph."
Sengoku's expression hardened.
"You are overworked. Take one week off. The Seven Warlords of the Sea matter will proceed without you for now."
Sakazuki clenched his jaw.
"…Understood."
…
A faint dizziness overtook Qin Yang.
When he opened his eyes again, he was back in his residence on Amazon Lily.
He quickly confirmed the room was empty before speaking softly to himself.
"As expected. Complete immunity to physical attacks. No scent. No trace. This form is formidable."
He chuckled.
"Akainu must be furious. I wonder how Sengoku will deal with him."
But this was only the beginning.
"The information gathered so far isn't enough. Further testing is required."