I,Akaino will not die easily

A soft sound echoed as Kuzan directly used "Soru" to charge at his former comrade. While in mid-air, he launched an attack. Bone-chilling cold surrounded Kuzan, condensing and quickly solidifying. Two tridents radiating an eerie blue glow materialized, and "Ice Block: Twin Spikes" shot toward Saul's back at an astonishing speed.

However, this strike carried more of a warning intent, merely grazing Saul's sides and leaving two bloody streaks.

"!? Kuzan?" Saul's massive figure, charging toward the battleships, suddenly came to a halt.

"It's Vice Admiral Kuzan!!" Cheers erupted from the navy on the battleships. The giant's relentless charge through the cannon fire had indeed terrified many. "Fire on other areas of the island! Leave this to the Vice Admiral!" The rear admiral on the warship let out a sigh of relief.

Standing at approximately three meters tall like Sakazuki, Kuzan's build was more slender compared to Sakazuki's burly frame. His dark, fluffy curly hair was tied back with a deep blue navy headband, draping over his shoulders. A pair of round sunglasses obscured his eyes, making his expression difficult to read. He wasn't wearing the white navy uniform or the justice-adorned cape that signified an officer's rank. Instead, he casually draped a black jacket with the navy insignia over himself, looking more like someone on a beach vacation than someone on a military mission.

"Ah, how troublesome... If a former navy officer were to thwart the Buster Call, the navy's reputation would take a serious hit," Kuzan said lazily, though the cold killing intent in his words told Saul he was serious. "What were you thinking just now?! Attempting to attack a navy warship during a mission—do you have a death wish, Saul?!"

Saul turned to look at his old friend. "Perhaps! I'm no longer part of the navy, and I don't know what your so-called 'justice' stands for. Right now, I only want to protect my friends!"

Kuzan grew a bit irritated. "Olvia is a world government-designated criminal of the highest order. You can't save her, Saul! Surrender now!!! As former comrades, if we and Garp intercede, we might still manage to secure your life under Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"

Saul glared at Kuzan with intensity. "And what about the scholars of Ohara?! Can you save them? And what about little Robin? What did she do wrong?! She's just a child!! Why are you arresting a child?! Is this your justice, Kuzan?!"

Kuzan was momentarily stunned. "A child? Who told you we arrested... Are you talking about Olvia's child?" But he quickly realized something. Though unsure how Saul knew about their relationship, it seemed the straightforward giant had misunderstood something. Pointing toward Robin, who had already run to Olvia's side not far away, Kuzan clarified, "Sakazuki rescued that little girl and several civilians from the bombardment zone at the center of the island. Olvia is a legitimate target for the navy, but her child, due to her unique circumstances, has already been vouched for and adopted by me and Sakazuki. She will start her new life in Marineford in the future."

"Is that true?" Saul's expression softened slightly, and a weight lifted off his heart. His expression grew complicated as he solemnly asked, "Kuzan... are you proud of this operation?" Facing Kuzan, he vented his frustration. "I just can't understand!! You also know this operation was meant as a warning to the scholars!!! But Ohara is to be annihilated because of it!!"

Kuzan also felt this operation was excessive, but as a navy officer, he had responsibilities and obligations. "But it's for the future of the world. There's no other choice. Besides, those archaeologists have indeed broken the law."

Under the world government's rule, most nations maintained peace, and apart from the threats posed by pirates, wars were rare. However, if the scholars of Ohara truly deciphered the Poneglyphs, even if they viewed them purely as academic, ill-intentioned individuals might exploit these Poneglyphs—or even ancient weapons—to their advantage. If that happened, the ensuing conflict would engulf not just Ohara but the entire world. The fragile peace would shatter, and civilians would once again be swept into the vortex of war.

The fires and explosions engulfing Ohara reflected in Kuzan's sunglasses. He paused. "What we call 'justice' depends on the situation!! That's why I'm not here to condemn your sense of justice."

"But if you disrupt our operation, I can't just stand by," Kuzan said coldly, looking at his old friend without any expression.

"Saul!!" Robin's voice rang out from above.

"?!"

"...Did you bring them here?" Kuzan asked without raising his head.

Sakazuki landed beside Saul, carrying someone in each hand. Robin, teary-eyed, looked at Sakazuki and pleaded, "Please don't hurt Saul, okay?" Maintaining his "hawk catching a chick" posture, Sakazuki glanced at the visibly tense Saul and remained indifferent to Robin's plea. "That depends on his next actions."

Saul ignored Sakazuki's words and looked down at Robin with concern. "They didn't hurt you, did they? Are you injured?" The little girl, still dangling in mid-air, shook her head and wiped her tears. "I'm fine, Saul. Please don't fight this magma man!! You'll die!!" Having learned from Saul that her abilities came from a Devil Fruit and that she wasn't some kind of monster, Robin had deduced that this navy officer capable of turning into magma must also possess a Devil Fruit power. To little Robin, it was obvious which one had the advantage—a man who could turn into magma versus an ordinary giant.

Sakazuki set Olvia down beside Kuzan, then tossed Robin into her arms. Taking a step forward, he looked at Saul with disdain. "Saul, you might be a good man, but you are definitely not a good soldier."

Saul's heart was too soft. As a soldier, Sakazuki would never entrust his back to someone like him. Even if Saul had been persuaded by Sengoku before the battle, witnessing such carnage might sway him to switch sides yet again.

Sakazuki couldn't take that risk. Helping a high-profile prisoner escape, leaking critical military secrets, and attempting to attack a navy fleet—each of these offenses warranted execution. Saul had done them all. At this point, the giant might as well be saying, "What's one more debt to a mountain of them?"

Sakazuki believed that Saul might think he was upholding justice, but to the navy, this was outright betrayal. For Sakazuki, while some of Saul's actions might be forgivable, his attempt to attack the navy warship was unforgivable.

No one liked a traitor, and Sakazuki was no exception. He especially detested a traitor who dared lay hands on his men. My men? I can scold them; I can hit them. You? Try touching one and see what happens.

Kuzan noticed Sakazuki's genuine intent to kill and sighed. If Saul resisted arrest again today, his senior would undoubtedly strike him down without hesitation. Kuzan sensed that Sakazuki harbored some disdain for Saul, though he hadn't heard any rumors of bad blood between them in the past.

Before Kuzan could think further, Saul spoke up: "Indeed, I'm not a good soldier. But I've never believed I was wrong in this matter. I will no longer serve as a navy officer. Now, I am merely a vagabond with justice in my heart..."

Before Saul could finish, Sakazuki interrupted. "I only need to know: will you return to headquarters with us or not?"

Olvia sighed deeply. "Saul, thank you for everything you've done for Ohara, but stop now. You can't save me!!!"

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Enjoy this extra chapter