I Will Stand Above the Heavens

Within Gion's gradually fading consciousness, Yaen's final words continued to repeat over and over in her mind.

"Gion, I truly, truly received your feelings..."

"I... like you very much too..."

"If possible, after you wake up, stay by my side forever. Let's truly try to understand each other..."

But... why? She had clearly received such a joyful answer, so why was her consciousness growing increasingly muddled?

Her consciousness was growing heavier...

No, Vice Admiral Yaen, you clearly haven't changed. You haven't changed from beginning to end. Why did you attack Fleet Admiral Sengoku...

Gion desperately tried to voice these words, but her consciousness completely sank into unconsciousness. Her body collapsed on the execution platform, seemingly having lost all biological functions and signs of life.

Yet in everyone's eyes, Yaen had coldly and heartlessly killed Gion, who had admired him beyond measure. The sight sent chills down everyone's spines.

The Marines who had witnessed the entire process were so furious their eyes nearly split open, and they finally came to their senses.

Teffimoe Yaen was no longer the revered Hero of the Marines he had once been. He... was an enemy! An enemy who had personally killed Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Gion right in front of everyone!!!

As for the Navy High Command, most of whom were some distance from the execution platform, they felt their rage rise completely to the surface.

"Bastard!"

"We absolutely cannot let this man leave Marineford alive."

"Yaen!!!"

Vice Admiral Garp and Vice Admiral Tsuru in particular wished they could tear Yaen completely apart on the spot.

However, Charlotte Linlin, who had been continuously suppressed by Vice Admiral Garp, had unknowingly grown more than half again as large as she had been at the beginning. The increase in her strength had reached an utterly