One Piece: General Blue

As Yun Que's terrified scream echoed, the skies over the Sabaody Archipelago turned a blazing red from the magma.

Especially above Area 66, the ground glowed crimson, and thick smoke billowed into the sky. An intense blaze descended from above, like a blood-red divine sword piercing the heavens.

Spandain's mouth gaped wide, his face etched with horror.

"Wh-What is that? A meteorite? A falling star?"

The violent gusts swept across the land, flinging every CP0 member into the air like leaves in a storm.

Gringo Saint furrowed his brows, the reflection of the descending magma torrent shining in his sunglasses.

"Sakazuki..."

BOOM!

The blazing magma sword plunged into the earth, and from the surging waves of molten fire, a towering, bloodthirsty figure slowly emerged.

Roaring rivers of magma surged forward, hurtling toward the terrified CP0 members and a visibly petrified Spandain, who had wet his pants.

"Sakazuki! What are you doing?!"

Gringo Saint's expression darkened as he drew his sword and slashed.

Whoosh!

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Hundreds of meters of sword energy sliced through the air, cutting into the advancing magma tsunami, halting the lava flows heading for Spandain and the CP0 agents.

The scorching magma spread across Area 66, transforming the once-beautiful locale into a sea of flames.

As the magma neared Yun Que and Tina, it inexplicably split apart, forming a protective barrier around the two.

Simultaneously, an invisible coating of Armament Haki enveloped the magma's surface, insulating them from its searing heat.

"What am I doing?"

Emerging step by step from the raging lava, Sakazuki's massive frame exuded an aura of utter annihilation.

Rolling magma trailed behind him like a fiery cloak.

His face was ashen, his expression grim as he looked at Hibari's disheveled appearance and the blood trickling from her lips.

"I should be asking you—what are you doing?"

"I am handling the Rosward family's assault case," Gringo Saint replied, his tone rigid as he stared directly at Sakazuki.

"Dealing with the Rosward incident? I understand that," Sakazuki snarled, his grin striking terror into Spandain, who trembled violently.

"But can you tell me who it was that hurt my daughter?"

Gringo Saint's brows furrowed, his gaze briefly shifting to Hibari, who was shielded within the magma barrier.

That little girl—no older than ten—was Sakazuki's daughter?

No wonder she had cried out for her "father" earlier; it was a plea for this mad dog.

"She obstructed the investigation first—"

"I asked you: who hurt my daughter?"

Sakazuki stepped closer, his looming presence now mere meters from Gringo Saint.

The scorching heat radiating from Sakazuki transformed the entire Area 66 into a massive furnace.

The air shimmered with rising temperatures; the surrounding red trees and grassland were igniting into flames.

Gringo Saint's gaze turned icy as he glared at Sakazuki, tightening his grip on the Western sword in his hand.

This mad dog, Sakazuki, when provoked, could instill terror not only in pirates but also within the Navy and the World Government itself.

This was a true bloodthirsty maniac who upheld "absolute justice" to its most extreme interpretation.

He was the type who would:

Bombard refugee ships.

Cremate hostages and pirates together.

Execute fleeing soldiers on the battlefield.

But now, there seemed to be an untouchable reverse scale on this mad dog: the petite little girl, his daughter.

Gringo Saint fell silent for a moment before turning toward the CP0 members who had retreated far away.

"Whoever attacked that girl earlier, step forward now."

The CP0 agents, faces uneasy, slowly emerged one by one.

Among them were those who had launched Finger Pistols that struck Hibari's shoulder, those who had unleashed Tempest Kicks, and even one who had tried to grab Hibari but was knocked down by a single punch.

"Very good. So, it was you who hurt my daughter? CP0... truly bold."

Sakazuki nodded slightly. Suddenly, his gloved right fist began to glow with an intense crimson light.

"But I am not that old fool, Zephyr."

He shifted his massive frame, and under the terrified gazes of the CP0 agents, Gringo Saint's grim expression, and Spandain's ghost-like horror, he unleashed a single, devastating punch.

"Anyone who dares harm the only family I have should prepare for the depths of hell."

"Hellhound of Crimson Lotus!"

Sakazuki's right fist morphed into a fearsome molten hound, its body extending dozens of meters, piercing through the CP0 agents in an instant.

"So, this is the true Hellhound of Crimson Lotus. No wonder it felt familiar earlier," one of the CP0 agents thought as magma tore through their body. Moments later, their vision faded to black.

Watching as the elite CP0 agents fell lifelessly to the ground, their bodies pierced by magma, Spandain fainted on the spot, eyes rolling back.

"Those who harmed your daughter are now dead. Sakazuki, you'll have to explain this to the Five Elders yourself," Gringo Saint remarked coldly before striding toward the collapsed Navy base wall where Rorschach had landed.

"Explain?" Sakazuki glanced at the unconscious Spandain. "My explanation is simple: Spandain, this useless fool, must step down as a CP official. Otherwise, this Navy Admiral quits."

Hearing the mocking laughter from behind, a vein bulged on Gringo Saint's forehead.

Sakazuki was the epitome of stubbornness.

Force him? He would push back harder.

Reason with him? He'd remain unyielding.

Yet, the maddening thing was that Sakazuki's value to the World Government was unmatched by any other Admiral or high-ranking Navy officer.

He was the only one among them who executed the World Government's orders without hesitation.

Kill whoever they told him to kill, without question.

The others? They'd either snack on rice crackers, clip their nails, or nap all day.

If Sakazuki truly clashed with the Five Elders over this, Spandain, who had crossed him, might genuinely lose his position.

The Five Elders would never let go of such an efficient and loyal mad dog.

As for the death of a dozen CP0 agents? That was as trivial as sesame seeds.

Watching Gringo Saint head toward Rorschach, Hibari became anxious and turned to her father.

"Father, please save Brother Rorschach! He's badly hurt!"

"Hmph! Serves him right. Who asked him to act tough?"

Sakazuki snorted coldly, his gaze flickering as he watched Gringo Saint enter the Navy base.

Inside, Gringo Saint stood before Rorschach, who had reverted to his human form and lay in a pool of his own blood. Slowly, he raised his Western sword, aiming it at Rorschach's head.

"Let's see just how hard your skull is," he muttered as he brought the sharp blade down.

Suddenly, a brilliant golden light streaked across the sky and landed on the Navy base wall.

The golden light condensed into a tall, slender figure crouched on the wall, extending a glowing finger toward Gringo Saint.

"Don't move, Gringo Saint."

The scene was reminiscent of the moment during the Marineford War when Benn Beckman appeared atop a warship, a lazy voice echoing in his ears.

"Don't move, Benn Beckman."

Beckman was startled and raised his hands. "Oh... Kizaru?"

(End of Chapter)

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