A razor-sharp slash swept toward Bartolomeo's nape.
In that moment of crisis, Zoro stepped forward.
Clang!
Three swords crossed in defense, intercepting Gion's lethal strike aimed at Bartolomeo's neck.
"You're in the way."
Seeing Zoro block her attack, a cold glint flashed through Gion's wine-red eyes.
Without a sound, she activated her ability, releasing a fragrance that sapped strength from the body.
Zoro, unaware of her powers, inhaled the scent unguarded, and its effect took hold instantly.
"Hm?"
A sudden weakness spread through his limbs, momentarily breaking his stance.
Gion pressed her attack.
Her sword, Konpira, shattered the defense of Zoro's three swords and slashed heavily across his chest.
A flash of steel.
Blood sprayed into the air.
Zoro grunted and collapsed.
"Zoro!!!"
The Straw Hats, just regaining their footing, watched in horror as Zoro fell, blood spilling onto the ground.
Ignoring the fallen swordsman, Gion swiftly retracted her blade and thrust it straight toward Bartolomeo's face.
Her movement was seamless, precise, and ruthless.
But Zoro's intervention had bought Bartolomeo just enough time to form the necessary hand gesture.
"Barrier, Barrier—!!!"
Just as Bartolomeo's index and middle fingers were about to cross, the barrier yet to manifest—
Two crescent-shaped air bullets shot forth from Tokikake's direction, striking Bartolomeo's fingers first.
Shhk!
Blood spurted.
Four severed fingers flew into the air.
Bartolomeo froze, staring blankly at his bleeding, mutilated hand.
Powerful Devil Fruits always carried restrictions.
The Barrier-Barrier Fruit, with its near-absolute defense, was no exception.
The necessity of crossing his index and middle fingers to activate his power was its inherent limitation.
Tokikake had realized this and, after Fujitora's initial assault, carefully planned his move—using Flying Finger Pistol to sever Bartolomeo's fingers, ensuring he could no longer use his Barrier-Barrier Fruit.
However—
None of that mattered now.
Because, in the very next instant, Gion's blade would take Bartolomeo's life.
Tokikake thought this with certainty.
Yet, a sharp, metallic clash shattered his expectation.
Gion's fatal strike was blocked.
The one who stopped it—
Was none other than Bacardi Maude, the man who had just obliterated Akainu into molten lava with a single Shadow Flow—Holy Bullet.
Standing slightly sideways, Maude casually raised Shusui in front of Bartolomeo's face, effortlessly halting Gion's sword.
At the same time—
From the crater formed by Holy Bullet, scattered magma began to coalesce, reforming into Akainu's figure.
Maude's ferocious attack hadn't left even the slightest wound on him.
"Bacardi Maude."
Akainu's expression darkened as he coldly repeated Maude's name, leaping from the crater and scanning the battlefield.
In the few seconds he had been subdued, the situation had changed drastically.
His gaze locked onto Ace and Nico Robin, who had pushed forward some distance.
Without hesitation, still burning from the humiliation Maude had dealt him, Akainu rushed toward Ace and Robin.
Compared to fighting Maude, executing Ace and Robin remained the priority.
Maude noticed Akainu's movement but was unable to intervene immediately.
If Akainu were after Ace and Luffy—
Maude would not interfere.
But he would not stand idly by and let Akainu harm Sabo, Morley, Usopp, or the Robin he had given his word to protect.
"They can hold on for a bit. For now, I'll deal with Gion."
A flicker of killing intent crossed Maude's mind.
Gion's Konpira pressed firmly against Shusui.
"I never expected you to save him," she said, her cold gaze fixed on Maude.
Maude ignored her, glancing instead at Bartolomeo's wound.
"My idol actually saved me!!! Uwaaa!!! I'm so touched!!!"
Bartolomeo, snapping back to reality, burst into uncontrollable tears at the sight of Maude.
His severed fingers? The loss of his Barrier-Barrier powers?
Forgotten in an instant.
"..."
Maude stared blankly at the snot-and-tear-covered Bartolomeo.
Gion, seeing Maude dismiss her entirely, narrowed her eyes, a dangerous glint flashing as she coldly spoke:
"The man you just saved—before setting out to sea, he was already a notorious gang leader. Bacardi Maude, have you forgotten? The ones who slaughtered your 'family' were gangsters."
Attempting to shake Maude's resolve, Gion subtly prepared to use her ability.
"So, you're 'curious' why I saved Bartolomeo?"
Without changing expression, Maude moved his shadow.
In an instant, ten pitch-black spears shot forth, piercing toward Gion.
Her face shifted, and she swiftly withdrew, dodging the incoming attack.
Watching her retreat, Maude recalled the shadow spears and said indifferently:
"The reason is simple: whoever you want to kill, I'll save. Whoever you want to save, I'll kill."
Gion's expression darkened.
Maude smirked coldly, stepping forward like a bolt of lightning.
His Shusui, coated in hardened Haki, slashed toward Gion.
Her eyes narrowed, and she raised her blade to block.
Clang!
The impact of Shusui sent a powerful shock through Konpira, disrupting Gion's breathing.
The next instant—
Maude's second slash followed.
She barely managed to parry.
Clang!
Again, the force surpassed her expectations.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
In mere seconds, over ten strikes rained down.
Gion was forced back, unable to catch her breath.
Desperate, she tried releasing her Negative Fragrance—only for the Haki-clashing sword winds to scatter it before it could reach Maude.
Realizing she couldn't break Maude's offense with her scent, Gion shifted to enhancing herself instead.
Calm Fragrance—perfects Observation Haki.
Stimulating Fragrance—boosts strength and speed.
With these augmentations, she finally held her ground.
But then—
A deep slash suddenly split her shoulder.
"?!"
She reeled, stunned.
It was the same technique Maude had used on Whitebeard…
Before the thought fully formed, another wound tore across her abdomen, followed by a third along her lower back.
Blood gushed.
He's attacking me through my shadow… There's no way to block it…
She knew the principle from Whitebeard's battle.
But under Maude's relentless assault, barely able to parry his physical strikes—
How could she possibly defend against his shadow's blade?
Maude's attacks wouldn't stop.
Each swing added another cut to her body.
In seconds, thirteen fresh wounds covered her form.
Her fragrances numbed pain but couldn't stop the bleeding.
Half her body was soon drenched in crimson.
No matter how she struggled, Maude's overwhelming force held her down.
She was trapped—
Each passing moment, another cut carved into her flesh.
"…There's no way to win."
Despair crept in.
"You can't even fight back. Frustrating, isn't it?"
Maude's voice cut through the chaos.
Gion gritted her teeth, retreating, leaving a trail of blood behind.
"Realizing the gap between us… despairing over it…?"
"..."
"Tch, looks like someone can't stand watching anymore and is coming to help you."
Maude had intended to say a few more words to further torment Gion's spirit, but his attention quickly shifted to Chaton, who was rapidly closing in.
"But I can assure you—no one is saving you today."
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