After about a minute, they finally found Rosera. Her vampiric form motionless amidst the rubble, her body still and lifeless in the remains of the destroyed tower. The scene was haunting, but Azuma's crew remained focused. Oda’s hands moved quickly, forming a shimmering barrier around Rosera's fragile form. With a flick of his wrist, the transparent energy gently lifted her out of the pile, moving the heavy debris with ease. He lowered her carefully to the ground, placing her gently before the captain.

  Azuma knelt down, his breath shallow and strained, but the sight of Rosera's motionless form cut through the pain. His hand shook slightly the moment he reached out, brushing his fingers gently across her cold amythest skin. He hesitated for a moment, the chill of her body stinging his palm, but the relief of finding her—albeit unconscious—overpowered any discomfort. A slight tear ran down his weathered cheek when his voice broke the silence.

  "Rosera..." Azuma whispered, his voice soft but filled with raw emotion. He gently cupped her face with one hand, shaking her lightly in a desperate attempt to rouse her. His grip tightened, his heart aching with every second she remained unresponsive. "Come on, wake up...we need you. You can’t to leave us... not now"

  He shook his head, his voice trembling with emotions he had buried deep inside now surfacing. "Don't do this to me, Rosera. Not after everything...after all we've been through"

  He paused, his hand brushing her hair from her face, his voice barely above a whisper now, "We still have a long way to go” Without another word, Azuma kissed Rosera's lips softly, showing his strong feelings for the crewmate that had protected him when it truly mattered. Now it was his turn as captain. As his lips caressed hers, he silently vowed to protect her as fiercely as she had protected him.

  Roxie froze, his eyes wide in shock, witnessing the tender moment between Azuma and Rosera. The shock was evident across his face, his brows furrowing; mouth opened slightly in disbelief. "I-I...didn’t think I'd be seeing that today," Oda stammered, his cocky tone faltering for a moment. "Captain, you—! Are you—" His eyes darted between Azuma and Rosera, the realization slowly sinking in. "I guess I underestimated you, Azuma. Didn’t know you had it in you"

  Meanwhile, Seraph, with his usual elegant composure, couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. His aqua blue eyes glimmering with amusement, his lips curling into a playful smirk. "Well, well, Captain," he uttered in a voice laced with teasing grace, his tone dripping with an almost smug, feminine charm.

  "What took you so long to finally kiss Miss Rosera? I thought you'd been carrying that for some time now." His gaze softened slightly as he watched Azuma, but there was still that playful edge in his words.

  All waited in a heavy silence...that's when a breath escaped Rosera's lips, her crimson eyes slowly opening. Her vision gradually came into focus, the first thing she saw was Azuma's face, his gentle expression close to hers, his hands still carefully holding her. She blinked a few times, her mind fighting to regain clarity, but once she processed her surroundings, she realized she was cradled in her captain's arms. The warmth of his touch and the feeling of his heartbeat against her sent an unexpected rush of emotions through her.

  Her face flushed a deep crimson, and she quickly shifted, trying to sit up, but her body was still weak. "C-Captain!" she stammered, her voice flustered, a tinge of embarrassment coloring her words. She quickly looked away, trying to hide her blushing while also attempting to push herself upright with some effort, wincing from the strain.

  Azuma gave her a soft, reassuring smile. "You’ve been through a lot, Rosera. You were unconscious for awhile, but we’re here now" He gently brushed her hair back, his tone filled with concern. "I couldn't just leave you"

  Roxie, still standing beside Seraph, watched the exchange, his eyes frozen in disbelief before crossing his arms over his chest. "Well, well, Captain, you sure know how to make a girl blush," the thief teased, a grin spreading across his face. "Didn't think I'd see the day when you'd get all sweet and protective" He couldn't help but chuckle at the scene before him.

  Seraph, who had been observing with quiet interest, finally spoke up, his voice smooth and teasing. "Oh? This is a rather...touching sight. Our captain, the fierce leader of the Azuma Pirates, showing his softer side. How quaint" He gave a spirited sigh, almost like he was disappointed it took this long for Azuma to act on his feelings. "I suppose it’s good to see you finally embracing this side of yourself, Azuma. Though I must admit, I thought you’d have been quicker to make your move"

  Kenousa attempted to help Rosera to her feet, but his weakened legs gave out, causing him to stumble and collapse onto his knees with a grimace of pain. He nearly dropped Rosera, but the crew quickly reacted. His body trembled with the strain, yet he fought through the discomfort, trying to hold himself together.

  Before Rosera could react, Roxie was already at her side, gently pulling her upright with a look of concern. “Easy, Rosera,” Roxie comforted, his voice laced with worry despite his usual playful demeanor. “We can’t afford to have anyone falling over right now”

  Seraph’s eyes widened in alarm at the sight of Azuma crumpling, his usually composed expression faltering into one of genuine concern. "Azuma!" he gasped, lunging forward with a sharp breath. His elegant features twisted in worry, rushing to Azuma's side. "This is…far too much," Seraph muttered, his voice unusually collected. He placed a hand upon Azuma's shoulder to steady him, his gaze softer than usual. "You’ve pushed yourself too far, Captain"

  Azuma barely registered Seraph’s concern, gritting his teeth against the ripple of pain within his legs. "I’m fine, just a little…a little…" He couldn’t finish his sentence, his voice strained, but Seraph was having none of it.

  Seraph’s hand pressed more firmly against Azuma’s back; the usual demeanor replaced with a rare tenderness. "No, you’re not. You shouldn't push yourself Captain" The refined pirate steadied Azuma with surprising gentleness, a stark contrast to his usual elegance. "You need to rest, now. I won’t let you fall”

  Azuma drew in breath; his chest rising and falling heavily, his body still trembling from the exertion. His vision blurred for a moment, simultaneously struggling to regain his composure, but forced himself to focus. His voice, though strained and winded, carried the weight of determanation.

  "Listen," Kenousa announced, his tone calm but serious despite his exhaustion. "Kenzu's still out there...we need to find him before anything else. Who knows what state he’s in. If we don’t hurry, he might be in even more danger than we are"

  Azuma closed his eyes briefly, drawing in another steady breath to center himself. "We don’t have the luxury of time. We need to find him, get him back, then get the hell off this island. It's the only way we're getting out of here in one piece"

  With a wince, the captain placed his hands upon his knees to focus his magika, willing the healing ability to flow through his battered body faster. His breath came in shallow gasps, but his expression remained determined.

  "I’ll recover fast enough, but we have no time to waste. Let’s move" Forcing himself to his feet once more, Azuma gritted his teeth, feeling his muscles slowly relax as the healing effects of his magika began to take hold. But even once his body mended, the toll it had taken drained his stamina, he could feel his limbs struggling to cooperate.

  Kenousa staggered slightly, pushing through the exhaustion while brushing off the weariness that clung to him like a heavy weight.

  "Not now...we’re not done yet," Azuma muttered under his breath, steadying himself with a deep breath before proceeding to move again. His legs trembled slightly, but the urge to push forward kept him going.

  With their captain talking off, Roxie moved with purpose, his transparent barrier forming around Rosera, who still seemed dazed from the ordeal. With a slight flick of his wrist, the barrier floated in mid-air, allowing Rosera to remain suspended without the need for anyone to carry her. This gave Oda the room he needed to focus on pushing through.

  "Keep up," Azuma called out, his voice still strained but commanding. "We need to find Kenzu. He's still out there somewhere, and we can't waste any more time"

  Roxie gave a firm nod, maintaining his focus on the barrier around Rosera while keeping pace. Seraph, ever the composed one, followed closely behind Kenousa, his eyes scanning the area ahead with quiet concern.

  The streets of the island were still eerily quiet, the chaos of the earlier battle hanging in the air like a thick fog. Azuma's mind raced with thoughts of Kenzu—no matter how tired he felt, he couldn’t afford to falter now. "We’re almost there," he uttered, pushing past the haze of exhaustion.

  Roxie, glancing over at Azuma with a grin, added, "Ain’t no rest for the wicked, huh?"

  "Not when there's still work to be done," Azuma responded, his expression hardening. Got it! Here's the revised version, reflecting that Gin is attacking Kenzu's brother, Ryujin, and Azuma is rushing in to help Gin defeat the Law of the Sea:

  After a minute of running through the wrecked streets, the group finally spotted Kenzu, sprawled across the dirt, motionless and barely breathing. He lay half-buried within the rubble just outside the emerald palace. But it wasn’t the sight of Kenzu that caused Azuma to stop in his tracks—it was the towering figure standing near him.

  Kenzu’s brother, Ryujin, was struggling against the immense gravitational pressure coming from Gin, the very gravity had been multiplied several times over. Ryujin’s body trembled violently, his jaw clenched in rage as he fought against the force, unable to move. The crushing weight felt like a boulder pressing down upon him, his once elegant posture now distorted in the battle to stand under it’s power.

  Azuma’s gaze shifted to Gin, his old friend, whose gravity manipulation was the only thing keeping Ryujin from moving. The chubby floating magika user was focused and intent, his expression grim while he fought to hold the Law of the Sea in place. Gin wasn’t attacking; merely containing, trying to keep Ryujin from retaliating while they figured out what to do.

  Azuma knew they couldn’t waste time. If they didn’t act soon, Kenzu’s brother would break free. The crew didn’t know who this was, but seeing Gin fight so desperately to contain him only confirmed one thing—he was an enemy.

  “Dammit,” Azuma muttered under his breath. His voice dark, anger building within him. He didn’t care who this man thought he was—no one threatened his friends.

  Seraph, noticing Azuma’s intent, spoke up with quiet urgency. “We need to move, Azuma. If he’s fighting Gin, then he’s surely a threat”

  Roxie nodded; eyes steely. “We can’t let him break free. Let’s make this quick”

  Azuma’s fists clenched, followed by a deep breath, shaking off the weariness that clung to his body. “We don’t leave until either this guy’s down, or Kenzu and Gin are safe!”

  Without hesitation, Azuma charged forward, his body moving faster than his mind could fully process. Amidst his approach, he noticed Ryujin’s elegant features twisted in frustration and anger. He carried himself like he was above everyone else—like they were nothing but ants to be crushed beneath his feet.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  “This ends now,” Azuma growled, his eyes locked on Ryujin.

  Gin gritted his teeth, his face twisted with strain as he held Ryujin in place with all his might. The effort of maintaining such intense gravity was clearly taking its toll on him. His voice came out in forced gasps, the words barely hanging together.

  “Azuma, you’ve got to leave, don’t be a fool, this fight’s too much—more than you can duel. Ryujin's power, it's no easy task, he’ll crush you all if you dare to ask. I’m barely holding, my strength is waning, your lives at risk, there’s no explaining. Please, don’t stay, just run while you can, this battle’s beyond what you’d ever plan”

  Gin’s strained breathing became more evident, and his eyes flickered with panic, pleading for Azuma to understand. “You’ve seen his rage, it’s far from tame, he’ll wipe you out without a shame. I’m holding strong, but I can't last, leave now, and escape this wrath fast!”

  Despite the panic in his voice, there was a certain edge to it—one that made it clear Gin was genuinely worried. He knew the danger, and he didn’t want Azuma or his crew to fall into it.

  Azuma hesitated, his breath labored while steadying himself, drawing on his regen magika to further mend his battered body. The process further drained him, his eyes going in and out of focus, but Kenousa pushed through the strain, knowing they didn’t have time to waste. His eyes sharpened before turning to his crew, his tone serious yet laced with urgency.

  “Roxie,” the captain began, his voice firm but carrying an undercurrent of worry. “Get to Kenzu. Put him in the barrier with Rosera—keep them both safe”

  He shifted his gaze to Seraph, his expression unwavering despite his exhaustion. “Seraph, ready your strongest inferio and detonate it point-blank in front of Ryujin. It doesn’t have to take him down, just stagger him long enough for us to get the hell out of here. But wait until I’ve pulled Gin clear—don’t fire until I give the signal”

  “Yes Captain Azuma!” The pair responded in unison. Azuma drew in a deep breath, his tone softening just enough to remind them of his confidence in their abilities. “We’re not here to win a fight, not this time. We’re here to survive. Trust me—we’ll regroup and figure out our next move once we’re safe. Just follow the plan, and we’ll make it out together”

  His gaze flicked to Gin, still straining against Ryujin’s overwhelming presence. Azuma clenched his fists, forcing himself forward. Despite his fatigue, he wouldn’t leave an ally behind—not again.

  Seraph crossed both arms in a poised "X" formation, followed by an inferio manifesting behind him. It grew steadily larger, it’s form expanding like a hot-air balloon. With a composed but determined tone, he flicked his glossy blonde hair back, speaking with elegance.

  “Oh, Captain, your orders are clear, I shall ensure this inferio performs it’s task to perfection—no unnecessary theatrics, just the finesse required to save dear Kenzu and make our retreat” He cast Azuma a fleeting glance, his emerald eyes glinting with purpose. “Rest assured Azuma, I’ll deliver the precise chaos we need. After all, we can’t very well lose anyone when the strength of this crew is so...irreplaceable, can we?”

  With a delicate yet resolute demeanor, Seraph turned his attention back to the inferio, the bat-like creature’s searing heat radiating around him while the elegant pirate prepared to strike.

  Roxie knelt beside Kenzu, his confident demeanor faltering with his hands trembled. Oda gripped the swordsmen’s shoulders, his voice unsteady and struggling to keep calm. The thief simultaneously shaking his fallen crewmate.

  "Come on, Kenzu, you can’t just…stay down like this," he murmured, his words heavy with frustration and fear. "We’ve been through too much together, don’t do this now…"

  His eyes shimmered with unshed tears, a rare vulnerability in his typically playful gaze. Roxie took a deep breath, fighting to regain composure, his voice cracking as he continued.

  "I’m not…I’m not losing you too, damn it!" The pink-haired pirate quickly wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, trying to force the emotion back. "You’ll be okay...just hang on, alright?"

  With a soft sigh, Roxie opened the barrier, reforming it around both Rosera and Kenzu, their unconscious bodies floating side by side, safe within the transparent bubble. The thief kept his gaze on Kenzu, forcing a slight smile despite the lump in his throat. "Stay with me, you guys...please"

  In that instant, Gin could no longer maintain control, releasing a strained, high-pitched cry. The immense pressure he had been exerting abruptly shattered, sending the small floating figure hurtling backward. Gin landed few feet behind Azuma and his crew, the impact sending a faint shockwave through the tense silence. Once the dust settled, all eyes shot toward Ryujin, who stood tall once more, his body trembling from the aftershocks of the crushing gravity, but now free of Gin's grip. The air around them seemed to pulse with his presence, thickening with the tension of what was to come.

  The Law of the Sea stood there, his body trembling with exhaustion, still bearing the strain of Gin’s immense gravity. His breath came in short, labored gasps, the physical toll evident in his faltering stance. The once elegant and composed figure now radiated a seething fury that crackled in the air around him.

  "YOU THINK YOU CAN ESCAPE ME?!" Ryujin's voice thundered, no longer the refined tone of an aristocrat, but one filled with raw, uncontrolled rage. "I WILL MAKE YOU ALL SUFFER UNTIL THERE IS NOTHING LEFT BUT EMPTY SHELLS OF WHO YOU ONCE WERE!”

  A low, eerie chuckle escaped from Ryujin’s chest, the sound growing louder and more manic with each passing moment. The immense surge of green seinshin erupted from his body like a violent storm, cracking the streets beneath him, sending tremors of power in every direction. His laugh was high-pitched, unsettling—a stark contrast to his once composed elegance, now replaced by an unhinged frenzy. The blood that trickled from his bottom lip only seemed to fuel the madness in his eyes, turning the once sophisticated man into something monstrous.

  “HAHAHAHA!” Ryujin’s laughter tore through the air, manic and unrelenting. His head snapped upward to meet their gazes. His eyes were wide, frenzied, glowing with a brutal, primal hunger. His carefully styled hair now lay in messy tangles, framing his face in wild disarray, a visual representation of the chaos within.

  His grin spread, dark and twisted, as if he reveled in the agony that was to come. "SO..." His voice dropped to a cold, venomous whisper, "WHO SHALL I KILL FIRST?" The words hung in the air like a death sentence. His gaze flickered from one pirate to the next, eyes narrowing with bloodlust. "YOU?" He pointed at Azuma with a twisted sneer. "OR YOU?" His gaze shifted, locking onto Roxie.

  The silence that followed was suffocating, his grin only widening while reveling in the fear he had instilled. “I’ll make you all suffer" The words dripped with malice, each syllable more suffocating than the last, as his power pulsed around him, ready to shatter whatever was left of their hope.

  Before Azuma could react, Roxie moved swiftly, his eyes focused and expression hardening with determination. In an instant, a massive barrier began to take shape—a towering, 20-foot golem formed of transparent energy. Within the golem’s abdomen, Rosera and Kenzu were protected, floating in a shielded space. The air then filled with a deafening, ear-piercing cry as Roxie unleashed his power, the golem’s massive left fist descending toward Ryujin with unimaginable force.

  The golem's fist collided with the side of Ryujin’s face, sending a violent tremor through the streets of the city. The ground beneath their feet shuttered from the force of the blow.

  Kenousa and Seraph stood a few paces back, eyes wide in surprise at the sheer force of Roxie’s attack. The towering golem barrier had struck with such power that it nearly sent Ryujin off his feet, his body jerking with the intensity of the strike.

  However, Ryujin remained standing, his features twisted in anger; lip curling in disdain while he wiped the blood from his mouth. The force of the punch had clearly affected him, but his rage only deepened, his eyes locking onto Roxie with a fury that seemed to boil beneath the surface.

  “I’ll make you all regret this,” Ryujin growled, his voice low and filled with malice, as the green glow of his power flared once again.

  In that instant, a plan formed in Azuma’s mind, clear and decisive. His voice cut through the chaos, firm with desperation. “Roxie, pin him down! Keep him locked in place long enough for Seraph to attack!”

  Roxie didn’t hesitate. With a swift motion, he focused all his efforts into the golem. The massive figure’s arms shifted with unnatural speed as both hands reached out, gripping Ryujin with crushing force, it’s fingers curling tightly around the Law of the Sea. The transparent entity fiercely squeezed, holding Ryujin in place, the towering form now acting as a shield, trapping the enraged adversary.

  Azuma’s eyes flashed with resolve glancing toward Gravity Gin, still lying unconscious in the dirt. His heart clenched, knowing the situation was dire.

  With a deep breath, Azuma dashed over to his fallen friend, crouching low and focusing every ounce of his remaining seinshin into his legs. The red flame-like energy coursed through his feet; pooling with raw power, ready to propel him forward. His body tensed, every muscle on the brink of breaking. The ground beneath him seemed to tremble in response to his flowing power.

  In one powerful motion, Azuma leapt into the sky, his form shooting forward like a bullet. His red seinshin streaked behind him, leaving wisps of red glimmers of seinshin in his wake as the determined pirate captain locked his gaze to the northern shore off in the distance.

  Ryujin’s rage shattered the air when his voice erupted like a roar of thunder. His eyes still wide with bloodlust, and his face twisted with the ferocity of a cornered beast. He could feel the pressure of Roxie’s barrier golem slowly weakening beneath him, but that only fueled his fury further.

  "YOU THINK YOU CAN HOLD ME DOWN?! I WILL NEVER FALL TO WORTHLESS PEASANTS LIKE YOU! ESPECIALLY NOT NO-NAME PIRATES WHO THINK THEY CAN CHALLENGE ME! I AM A LAW OF THE SEA—A GOD AMONG MEN! NO ONE, NOT EVEN YOU, WILL BRING ME TO MY KNEES!"

  With a ferocious cry, Ryujin’s body convulsed, followed by a surge of intense green seinshin erupting outward, pulsing in violent waves. Roxie’s barrier golem groaned under the pressure, its transparent hands beginning to crack like glass with Ryujin's overwhelming strength forcing them back.

  Roxie’s breath came in frantic gasps, his body trembling from the strain of holding the barrier together. His hands clenched tighter, yet could feel the golem’s strength slipping away with each passing second. His voice, now quivered with fear and desperation as his grip wavered.

  “C—COME ON, SERAPH! NOW—NOW, BEFORE HE’S—HE’S OUT OF THE—AAHH!” Roxie’s eyes darted frantically to the others, his chest heaving as the transparent hands began to lose their hold upon Ryujin. Sweat poured down his face, his arms growing weak against the oppressive weight of Ryujin’s power pushing back against him. He could feel it—Ryujin’s immense energy closing in, threatening to break free from the barrier's grasp.

  Seraph's elegant demeanor faltered once more, his body trembling. The immense strain of the situation pressing down upon him. His breath came in strained, shallow gasps, his composure cracking under the weight of his concentration. His massive inferio swirled above the contained Ryujin, it’s presence pulsating with an unnatural energy, prepared to unleash the full force of his magika.

  "Roxie," The blonde pirate snapped, his voice clipped and sharp, but laced with an unmistakable strain, "YOU BETTER BE READY—THIS WON'T BE PRETTY!" He paused, his eyes flicking over to the struggling barrier golem. "THE RADIUS OF THIS EXPLOSION... I’M NOT SURE HOW FAR IT WILL SPREAD, BUT I’LL TELL YOU ONE THING—IT WON’T BE PRETTY FOR ANYONE CLOSE!"

  His voice wavered with uncertainty, a rare crack in his usually confident tone. "THERE'S A LOW CHANCE, WE’LL MAKE IT OUT OF THIS UNHARMED, BUT WE DON’T HAVE A CHOICE!" The words fell from his lips like cold, hard truth as his body tensed, his inferio swirling ever larger above Ryujin, ready to be unleashed.

  Seraph’s eyes burned with determination, but his mind was clouded with the uncertainty of what was to come. He knew the risk, but there was no other way. "PREPARE YOURSELF, ROXIE! THIS IS IT!"

  Clenching both hands, Seraph felt the surge of energy radiating from his body, his crossed fists tightening with a pained expression, and with a strained breath, released the full force of his power. The inferio exploded outward, a blinding ray of violet light that consumed everything in it’s path.

  In that instant, while the blast rushed forward, Seraph's mind began to wander, thoughts drifting toward his captain, Azuma... The weight of the moment pressed down on him, and in the midst of the chaos, his thoughts became clearer than ever before.

  (I never imagined I'd find a cause to fight for, a reason to follow someone so fiercely. You showed me a world worth believing in, and now, I...I can't help but feel grateful. To be by your side, to be part of this family...) His eyes closed briefly as he focused on the feeling. (I’ll miss Lady Rosera...She was a light in this world, just like you, Azuma. But...I know you'll take care of her, be by her side, even if I can't be there anymore. You deserve that, more than anyone else in this world...) The world around him seemed to freeze, the explosion of light consuming everything. (Goodbye, Azuma. Thank you...) At that moment, a tear fell from his cheek, ready to be taken by the blinding ray of light...

  Seraph stood motionless, his body quivering from the overwhelming release of energy, his mind still adrift within his final thoughts. The man had expected the end to come swiftly, the explosion of his inferio taking him along with it. Yet, he stood there, a sudden silence enveloping the chaos. His tear-filled emerald eyes slowly blinked open, the harsh violet light of the blast still lingering in his vision.

  To his shock, the destruction he had expected to feel never came. Instead, he found himself standing upon a rooftop, a mile away from the devastation he himself had unleashed. Seraph could still see the remnants of the blast in the distance—the violet energy now dissipating into the sky, a once-mighty surge of power now reduced to nothing more than a fading gust of wind. It was as if the world had bent to an unseen force, sparing him from the cataclysm he had unleashed.

  Beside him, Roxie stood in stunned silence, his demeanor shattered by the same confusion that clouded Seraph's thoughts. The pair exchanged a brief glance, their expressions mirroring the same bewilderment. Neither of them spoke, as neither could comprehend how they had survived, nor how they had ended up in this strange, unscathed area.

  The faintest breeze caressed their faces, brushing past them. In that moment of stillness, both Seraph and Roxie found themselves frozen in place, the weight of the world around them inexplicably suspended.

  Just then, a familiar male voice emerged from behind them, breaking the eerie silence. "Heh, is this really how you two planned to go out?" The voice was strained, winded, but still dripping with a smug, almost taunting tone. "Leaving your dear captain like that? How disappointing"

  Saber then stepped into view from behind them, his usually flawless demeanor slightly cracked. His clothes were torn in places, along with his heavy breathing. His body showed the signs of battle—bruises, cuts, and the faintest hint of exhaustion clouding his features—but his signature smirk never wavered.

  He gave a short, sharp laugh, despite the strain in his voice, his hazel eyes gleaming with that same arrogant glint. "You two are lucky I arrived just in time," the swordsmen continued, a faint wince of pain flashing across his face before he masked it with a lazy grin. "Otherwise, Azuma would've lost a great pair of crewmates. Imagine the mess he'd be in"

  Saber straightened himself, despite his apparent weariness, brushing off the grime and dust that clung to his form. "Tch. Don’t think I’m one to slack off. Wouldn't want Azuma getting the wrong idea about me, right?" His voice wavered with a slight chuckle.

  Seraph narrowed his eyes, his emerald gaze sharp with suspicion, wary of Saber’s sudden appearance. Every muscle in his body tense. "Wait...the former Law of the Sea," he uttered with an edge of distrust lacing his words. "Why would you go out of your way to save pirates? Isn’t your main goal to capture or kill those who sail against the Sea Corps!?"

  Roxie, still reeling from the aftermath of the explosion and Saber’s abrupt arrival, scowled, his body brimming with a defensive manner. His usual stutter was replaced by a firm, demanding tone. "Yeah, that's right!" Oda added, his eyes scanning Saber up and down, as if searching for some kind of clue that might explain his sudden change of heart. "You were one of them, weren't you!? Why the hell would you save us now? What kind of game are you playing!?"

  Both of them kept their guard up, their eyes locked on Saber, waiting for answers. The unease was palpable, but there was no trace of fear—only wariness and the nagging question of what could have brought Saber to this moment.

  Saber let out a heavy sigh, his posture relaxed yet still with an underlying tension. His left hand rested on his waist; the weight of his words heavy in the air. "You two have your doubts, I get it," The former law responded, his voice a mix of regret and resolve. "But here's the truth—I've seen enough of the Sea Corp to know they ain't what they say they are. They mask their oppression behind a false sense of justice, using their so-called protection to control the seas. I thought I was doing the right thing for so long, believing in their cause, but...after seeing the corruption, the lies, the destruction they left in their wake, I couldn't stand by anymore. It hit me hard. I was wrong. I’m sorry...for all of it, for the pain I caused you, Azuma, and your crew"

  His eyes flickered with a rare moment of vulnerability, but quickly hardened again. "I decided to stay on this island when I heard Azuma and his crew were coming. I couldn't leave things like that...especially when I realized just how much you’d be up against. If it weren’t for me, you'd have had more trouble than you know. They had sent 200 Sea Corp officers and a commanding officer after you all, but it was me who struck them down—every last one of 'em. Not to mention, I’ve kept tabs on this place for a while now, making sure almost no one could get in your way"

  Saber’s eyes met theirs again, calm but intense. "So yeah, I saved your asses. But don’t think for a second it was some kind of game. I’m not asking for thanks or forgiveness. I just...want to make things right"