Not long ago.
A dazzling pillar of light descended from the clouds, painting a vast stretch of the azure sky with brilliant gold in an instant.
Even beneath the bright midday sun, that blinding radiance could easily be seen from several kilometers away.
Onigumo's unit from Marine Headquarters noticed the fleeting, strange light.
Onigumo, a Marine Headquarters vice admiral, was also the superior Garen had long been waiting for in Alabasta—the one sent to present him with his Shichibukai certification.
Although the name "Onigumo" chiefly came from his fighting style, his face was as vicious as a demon's, and his temperament as cold as a hunting spider's. He embodied his title inside and out.
Onigumo was an absolute Hawk commander, the Akainu among vice admirals. Upholding Absolute Justice was the creed of his life.
He never questioned or defied orders from the World Government. To accomplish a mission, he could kill civilians and subordinates without hesitation. In the World Government's eyes, he was a sharp blade that guarded its master.
Such harsh and cold-blooded methods naturally invited criticism. Vice Admiral Onigumo did not have a very good reputation within the Marines; even some fellow Hawks privately felt that his actions were excessively severe.
But no matter what, Onigumo's strength, seniority, command ability, and every other aspect of his performance all justified his rank as vice admiral.
When he saw the sudden golden light over the sea, Onigumo immediately focused to the utmost and looked in the direction where it had vanished, using eyesight beyond human limits to scout for any potential threat.
Onigumo was a supreme martial artist who had mastered Life Return. At distances where even his headquarters-colonel-level adjutant needed high-powered binoculars, he could see clearly with nothing but his sharp, hawk-like eyes.
"That is..."
When he saw the