The piercing shrieks tore through the air, the atmosphere violently shaking under the bombardment, even the sunlight was swallowed whole!
Within the range of the artillery fire, Kari wasn't the only one.
There were also many slaves trapped in cages, unable to evacuate in time.
They looked up in despair, having forgotten how to scream.
...
...
Griffin was certain—the voice that had just come through the Den Den Mushi was Fleet Admiral Sengoku's. He had once overheard Tenma speaking with him at headquarters.
Really…
It wasn't all that surprising.
Sengoku was that kind of man.
Back at God Valley, Garp hadn't known in advance that the Celestial Dragons were holding a killing game, but Sengoku did…
In recent years, to find Roger's son, Sengoku ordered the arrest of all pregnant women who met the criteria. What happened afterward remained unknown.
Rouge, to protect her child, carried the pregnancy for a full twenty months, ultimately dying from exhaustion after giving birth to Ace.
Then there was the Buster Call on Ohara—the one who authorized it was Sengoku.
You couldn't expect a man who rose to the rank of Fleet Admiral to be merciful.
But…
Comparatively, Griffin preferred Akainu's brand of sacrifice—clear and upfront.
Sacrifices were necessary for victory; what Griffin despised was Sengoku's facade of being a benevolent old man while committing acts even worse than Akainu's.
Even the death of his own adopted son, Corazon—for the sake of the so-called "bigger picture"—he never sought revenge against Doflamingo.
...
"Heh… If I go out of my way to save these people, wouldn't that make me seem like some kind of bleeding heart…"
"Whatever…"
Clap—
Griffin pressed his palms together, turbulent Chakra surging, a chilling cold radiating outwards.
"Ice Release - Flower Sea"
——
He spread his hands and slowly raised them.
The moisture in the air instantly crystallized into snowflakes, intertwining, spinning, and expanding, drifting upward from below.
BOOM————!!!!
The first cannonball collided with the icy blossoms, erupting in a blinding flash of light and deafening roar.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!!!!
One after another, cannonballs slammed into the curtain of giant snowflakes, sinking into an impenetrable winter, exploding into scattered sparks and shards of ice.
...
...
"What… What is this! That Marine is actually helping the assassin who targeted a Celestial Dragon!!"
"Bastard! What the hell is wrong with you Marines!!"
"They're insane—"
"Shut up!!!"
Doll turned and snapped at the clamoring crowd, her disgust for these pot-bellied, jewel-laden figures overwhelming.
"Can't you see those people locked in cages?! Are you all blind?!"
...
"Those slaves… who cares about them?"
That remark pushed Doll over the edge. She lunged forward, delivering a flying kick that sent the speaker sprawling.
Landing firmly, she pointed at the slaves in the cages.
"They care!!"
"Who wouldn't care about their own lives?! You bastards!!!!!!"
"This world! You people! You're the ones who are insane!!!"
...
Ice crystals danced in the wind, possessing a dreamlike beauty.
They erased the despair in the slaves' eyes.
——
——
Hoo—
Griffin let out a long white breath. Utilizing so much Chakra at once had taken a significant toll on him.
During this process, people noticed that Kari remained standing in place without moving, even though it was clearly a perfect opportunity...
Swish—
As the explosions subsided, Kari swung his blade, unleashing a slash—but not toward Griffin.
Instead, he severed the cage bars.
...
"Get lost. Don't get in the way."
His icy voice declared the slaves' freedom.
...
...
The Marines fired cannonballs at the criminals.
Once again, the Marines blocked the attacks.
And then...
The criminals didn't take advantage of the situation to attack, but instead freed the slaves.
...
...
One fleeing slave stopped and screamed hoarsely.
"What exactly is justice?!!"
"What are you all doing?! To kill one person, are you willing to sacrifice hundreds of innocent lives?!!"
"How far must you betray him before you're satisfied?!!"
"Even though Lord Griffin... he's the man who stood up to the Red Hair Pirates for us commoners!!!"
...
...
"We can discuss such matters when there's time."
Without turning his head, Griffin spoke softly, "For now, you should indeed leave."
"What comes next... is not a battlefield for you to witness."
Riiip—
The moment he finished speaking.
A colorless Flying Slash shot forth, passing by Griffin and heading straight for Kari, like a crescent moon falling from the sky.
The terrifying slash cut a clear line through the chaotic atmosphere.
...
Anyone could sense the power of this slash!
This was a Flying Slash that only a powerhouse who had reached the level of a Great Swordsman could unleash!!
Facing this slash head-on, Kari felt his entire body grow sluggish, locked in place by the attack.
Can't dodge it...
Then I'll cut it down!!
Kari took a deep breath, gripped Spring Rain tightly with both hands, and slowly took a step forward.
Spring Rain was raised high, blazing flames erupting like a sun.
"Hell - Severing Sky!"
——
He brought the blade down, the scorching flames clashing directly with the crescent moon-like slash.
There was no loud explosion, no scattered sparks—only a sun and moon locked in silent struggle.
Flames surged into the colorless slash like tidal waves, gradually devouring and dispersing it.
In the end, the Flying Slash was completely erased, leaving only flickering embers on Spring Rain.
...
...
"Based on my understanding, your swordsmanship carries the weight of history—a beauty that doesn't belong to this era."
A man wearing a black top hat slowly emerged from the crowd.
Most striking were his sharp, hawk-like amber eyes and the uniquely shaped greatsword on his back, resembling a cross.
...
...
"Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea..."
"Great Swordsman! Hawkeye Mihawk!!!"
Someone in the crowd shouted this man's name.
Not long after, the one-armed Red Hair would lose his qualification to compete, and the title 'World's Greatest' would be added before Hawkeye's Great Swordsman designation.
A...
truly peak powerhouse standing at the summit of the world!!
Tap, tap...
Walking through the ruins, all eyes focused on Hawkeye, including Griffin's.
I never expected... this guy to show up here...
...
"Originally, I was just passing by when I was called over. I hadn't planned to intervene..."
Hawkeye glanced at Griffin. "If this were before I joined the Seven Warlords of the Sea, I would have quite liked to spar with you."
"I can see your terrifying potential."
Before joining the Seven Warlords of the Sea...
Hawkeye Mihawk had another title - the Marine Hunter!
...
"Is this a summons from headquarters?" Griffin asked.
It seemed headquarters had never placed their hopes solely on him, having prepared many backup plans.
Mihawk gave an almost imperceptible nod. "You could say that, but such things are unimportant."
He slowly walked toward Kari.
"Your swordsmanship is excellent. Let me experience it again."
Clang—
Black Blade - Night was drawn. Even before striking, its extreme sharpness stung the eyes with its mere presence.
...
...
Just as Kari was about to speak...
Thud—
Something massive landed behind him, causing the ground to tremble.
"If you want to play, I'll keep you company, Mihawk."
The towering six-meter figure completely enveloped Kari in shadow. Flames identical to Kari's danced across his body.
...
Beasts Pirates All-Star, Fire Disaster - King!
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