"Calling someone by the name of their weapon is really rude, you know! Don't you use an axe yourself?" Sentomaru glared back at Backan, pointing at the massive, wheel-shaped axe on Backan's back.
Then, Sentomaru stated proudly, "It doesn't matter what you ask! I won't tell you anything! I'm the man with the strongest defense in the world! And I'm very tight-lipped, too!"
"Tch, would it kill you to give your name, you jerk!" Backan snapped, annoyed.
"I don't have to answer you, do I! I already told you! I am the most tight-lipped man in the world! Sentomaru!" Sentomaru declared with a serious expression.
"..."
Backan stared blankly. What the hell? This is 'tight-lipped'?
"I see, so your name is Sentomaru!" Usopp said knowingly, crossing his arms.
"Eh~"
Sentomaru was momentarily stunned, realizing he had slipped up. He hastily added, "That was something I chose to say myself! I wasn't answering your question!"
"..."
The others fell silent. This guy was truly eccentric.
"Mountain Axe - Diego Backan! What are you doing here?" Sentomaru observed the situation. It was obvious this man had clashed with the Straw Hat Crew.
"And what are you doing here, Marine?" Backan countered, his voice steady. "The Straw Hat Crew is my target."
"Don't give me that, Diego Backan. Straw Hat Luffy assaulted a Celestial Dragon, making him an absolute priority for Marine capture! You're just a mere pirate! If you obstruct a Marine arrest, do you want a one-way trip to Impel Down?" Sentomaru didn't understand why the behemoth that was the Chris Pirates was after the Straw Hat Pirates, but Monkey D. Luffy was the main perpetrator in assaulting a Celestial Dragon. For a crime of that severity, the Marines had to make the arrest.
Sentomaru would not show deference to Backan, a mere crew officer, or even to Backan's own captain.
"Damn it!"
While Backan and Sentomaru were talking, Luffy seized the opportunity to leap aside, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"They're both after us! This is bad!"
Sanji walked over, his face pale, with uncleaned blood staining his lips.
"If these two start fighting, we might be able to escape in the confusion," Zoro said, gripping his three swords, the third one held in his mouth, which didn't prevent him from speaking.
The current situation was terrible for the Straw Hat Pirates. Being caught between two powerful forces, a total crew wipeout was a real possibility.
"Zoro, Sanji, if they start fighting, the three of us have to hold them off first and let Nami and Robin leave," Luffy said solemnly, clenching his fists.
Luffy was the type who was wise beneath his simple exterior. Though usually goofy and carefree, he knew how to prioritize in a crisis. He wouldn't risk the lives of his crewmates for a fight he couldn't win.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a blinding laser shot, arriving instantly from the distance and piercing straight through Zoro's shoulder.
Rumble!
The massive explosion shattered the ground, sending rolling shockwaves through the air that violently flung Luffy and the others away.
"Zoro!"
"Luffy! Sanji!"
"Z-Zoro-san was hit by a beam of light!"
"What's going on? Another one?!"
Nami and the others screamed in shock.
Next, a figure of dazzling golden light emerged.
"Seriously, you're slow. Has old man Kizaru finally shown up!" Sentomaru looked up.
"Kizaru!" Robin's face was full of terror. She quickly warned in a hushed voice, "Be careful! He's a Marine Admiral!"
"An... an Admiral!" Brook was so shocked his skull stretched out.
"It's already too late, isn't it, ne? Bounty: 120 million Berries, Pirate Hunter Zoro. I heard you were a skillful swordsman, but to be taken out in a single shot by me... it seems you've accumulated quite a few injuries!" The light condensed, and Borsalino said with a pout.
"Damn it, cough... Haa... An Admiral, seriously!" Zoro was sprawled on the ground, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
"It's Kizaru!" Backan frowned heavily. He had witnessed the Admiral's incredible speed back at Water 7.
Right now, only his Captain and Enel could match that speed within the Chris Pirates.
"This is bad! The Admiral Kizaru is here too!"
"A Marine Admiral!"
"Looks like we're in trouble!"
Nazwe and the others gripped their weapons, nervously watching Borsalino's figure.
"The Chris Pirates' Fourth Officer, Mountain Axe - Diego Backan. My, how scary~" Borsalino said leisurely. "What are you doing here?"
"This brat offended our Chris Pirates. My Captain sent me to give him a proper thrashing, a lesson. Do you have a problem with that, Admiral Kizaru?" Backan replied steadily.
"Now, now~ It's your Captain's orders? What a headache. But if we fail to capture the Straw Hat Pirates, we Marines won't be able to hold our heads high in front of the World Nobles," Borsalino said, feigning a troubled look.
He paused, then his voice shifted to a flippant, playful tone: "Why don't I lend you a hand and give these rookies a good lecture myself, ne~"
With that, Borsalino raised his arm, extended his index finger, and gathered countless light particles.
Whoosh!
A dazzling laser beam shot out.
However, almost simultaneously, a figure arrived at high speed. The long sword in his hand lightning-fast intercepted the firing laser beam.
Boom, boom, boom, boom…
The light scattered, blowing craters into the ground.
"So it's your turn to make an entrance. Dark King - Rayleigh!" Borsalino lowered his hand and stared at the old man wearing glasses in front of him, his tone becoming noticeably more serious.
"Don't pluck the young sprouts. Their era is only just beginning," Rayleigh chuckled, his eyes narrowed.
Seeing Rayleigh's arrival, Luffy and the others breathed a collective sigh of relief. The pressure on them had been too immense.
"He said 'Dark King'! That guy is?!" Sentomaru turned his attention to the newcomer.
"Tch~ So you showed up, old man Rayleigh!" Backan scowled.
"Heh heh~ Backan, long time no see. You finally managed to fix that two-word speech habit of yours." Rayleigh greeted Backan with a cheerful smile.
"I've often heard rumors that you were on this island, but I never thought it was true. To think you would shield these whippersnappers—you're still a pirate, even in your decay, aren't you, Rayleigh-san?" Borsalino's words carried a touch of mockery.
"If you guys would revoke my bounty, I could retire in peace," Rayleigh said indifferently.
"A pirate's crimes can't be erased, can they? Especially not one from the Roger Pirates." Borsalino countered, facing Rayleigh. "We'll need to prepare ourselves mentally before we can even think about capturing you."
Of all the people present, while the Mountain Axe Backan was not to be underestimated, the only one who truly posed a threat to Borsalino himself was the 'Legendary' great pirate standing before him.