Who... Is the Killer?

In Gion's wide-open eyes was reflected a scene that left her completely frozen in place, unable to move.

In the dim conference room, several shafts of moonlight spilled through the windows onto a figure pinned to the wall by a long sword. That figure was so familiar to Gion.

Yet the figure that had always conveyed warmth, inspiring admiration and trust without anyone realizing it, had now lost all signs of life. Even the broad black-rimmed glasses could not conceal his deathly pale complexion, while blood continued to flow from his chest and drip onto the floor by his toes.

"How... How could this be..."

At that moment, Gion felt dizzy, as if the sky had collapsed and the earth had split apart.

I... I just got back to Marineford. I... I haven't even had time to say more than a few words to Vice Admiral Yaen...

"No... It can't be..."

With her parched throat, Gion murmured,

"Lord Yaen!!!"

Hancock let out a roar of grief and fury, then rolled her eyes back and fainted on the spot.

A moment later, Marineford, which had been gradually approaching midnight, suddenly went on lockdown with unprecedented severity. All people and objects were forbidden from entering or leaving Marineford, while large numbers of Marines frantically patrolled every corner in search of anything suspicious.

Inside the conference room, where the atmosphere was so heavy it was suffocating, nearly all of the Navy High Command had gathered.

Vice Admiral Yaen... had been attacked and killed, and the attack had taken place in Marine Headquarters, Marineford!

When this emergency reached the ears of most of the Navy High Command, who had already begun resting, nearly all of them thought there had been some mistake. Some even wondered whether there was another newly promoted Marine Vice