Akainu roared in fury.
His head still throbbed with an intense, stabbing pain.
Even someone like him couldn't help but furrow his brows slightly—
that's how unbearable it was.
And his desire to kill Vir was burning stronger than ever.
"Kowaine~ You're getting ahead of yourself there~"
Kizaru still held a grudge over Vir's earlier mockery.
Now, seeing that Vir had nowhere left to run or hide, that signature smug grin spread across his face.
Standing nearby, Momousagi watched the scene unfold, her expression tense.
Is Vir... going to get killed?
To be so relaxed in the middle of a battlefield!
What now? There's no way out of this—it's a guaranteed death sentence!
Panic swirled in her mind.
But contrary to their expectations—instead of despair, instead of helpless sobbing or regret—Vir simply smiled.
This immediately made them wary.
But this situation was already a certain kill.
Even if he had some trick up his sleeve, there was no chance to use it now!
Vir suddenly called out with a laugh.
Akainu's frown deepened.
Kizaru's face darkened like burnt charcoal.
A surge of magma burst from Akainu's fist.
He was aiming to punch clean through Vir's skull.
But... something didn't feel right.
Just as the magma was about to touch Vir—
Vir's body... vanished completely.
The magma and light beam collided, erupting into a deafening explosion.
But as the sound faded—
So did all other sound in the area.
In a flash of light, he reappeared right where Vir had vanished.
Yet no matter how he searched—
Not even a ripple in space.
It was like the kid had evaporated.
Without a single trace.
And the last thing Vir had said echoed in Kizaru's mind:
There was a lazy mutt back at Marine HQ that was called Lazyass.
It was so sluggish it only ever ate and slept...
Akainu's face was equally grim.
That brat actually got away!
And they still couldn't keep him!
What kind of joke was this?
This was humiliation on an unprecedented level.
Akainu's rage burned hotter than his magma.
It was the kind of fury that felt like being cuckolded—only for the other man to smirk and say—"Meh, she was average!"
The sheer indignity was like swallowing a mouthful crap.
The pain in his head kept pulsing, adding fuel to the raging inferno inside him.
He didn't stay any longer.
No matter how furious he was, it wouldn't change a thing.
Now, he just wanted to let off steam somewhere else.
With a blaze of fire, Akainu vanished from the battlefield.
Kizaru sighed heavily.
He was also unsettled, but he wasn't the type to blow up.
No point in staying mad on the job, he thought.
He settled down, then muttered his trademark line from deep within:
"Kowaine~ Kids these days, man~"
Just because they hadn't gone all out, just because they hadn't taken things seriously enough—
Had let a mere 1-billion-berry rookie slip through their fingers.
Where was the justice?!
Kizaru felt the urge to scream to the heavens...
But gave up on that idea.
Better to just round up some substitute pirates instead.
This mission... was going to be a pain to report.
Who knew how angry old man Sengoku would be when they got back?
"Momousagi~ Tell the Fleet Admiral we're skipping dinner~"
In a flash of light, Kizaru zipped off in the opposite direction from Akainu.
The pirates on this island today...
Both Admirals were moving out, and neither had noticed Merry floating right in front of them.
Meanwhile, Momousagi stood frozen.
He... really got away?
Is there even anyone left who can catch him now?
It's like... he's become untouchable.
Just how many secrets does that guy still have?
He vanished—right before their eyes.
Even Admirals, right in front of him, didn't know how he pulled it off.
A mix of disbelief and relief spread across Momousagi's face.
She caught herself thinking—
Maybe... it's better if he's never caught?
At least this way, she wouldn't have to—
What was she thinking?!
What kind of nonsense was this?!
No, no—this was all because of her injuries!
She needed treatment, fast!
Shaking her head, Momousagi trudged wearily toward the nearest Marine battleship.
Unbeknownst to her, a certain bird perched in the trees followed her departure with keen eyes.
Morgans had already lost interest in the aftermath.
He was flying back to his headquarters at top speed, grinning like a madman.
This scoop—was too insane.
The hottest story in years!
[1-Billion-Berry Doctor Escapes Two Navy Admirals Unscathed—Leaves One Critically Injured!]
Not just critically—[fatally injured!]
The more sensational, the better!
Today, this guy was going to be famous!
He could already see the newspapers selling out!
Meanwhile, on Sabaody Archipelago's Grove 1—
Jewelry Bonney stared at the man before her, deep in thought.
A deep dent marked his head.
If she remembered correctly...
This guy was... Akainu, right?
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