As an ally, the strength and battle record Maud had displayed since joining the battle had completely won over the Marines fighting on the same side.
To them, setting aside Maud's identity as a pirate, his strength and sense of responsibility were enough to earn their respect and admiration.
Conversely, after Maud became their enemy,
the more they had admired Maud before, the more wary they were of him now.
"What are you all shrinking back for?"
Seeing his comrades retreat, Vice Admiral Momonga's expression darkened.
"The justice we've upheld until now isn't that cheap."
"Vice Admiral Momonga..."
Hearing this, the surrounding Marines drew a deep breath and quickly adjusted their mindsets.
Maud was certainly terrifying as an enemy, but they were the final unyielding wall protecting the world order. They had no room to retreat!
After reprimanding his comrades, Vice Admiral Momonga turned around and looked at Maud with a solemn expression.
Thud, thud—
Heavy footsteps came from behind Vice Admiral Momonga.
Giant Vice Admiral Lacval strode over to the Marines, raised the long blade in his hand, and pointed it straight at Maud.
"Bagard. Maud, since you voluntarily relinquished your position as a Shichibukai, I assume you're prepared to be hunted down!"
The Little Garden incident had remained a thorn in the side of the few Giant Vice Admirals in Headquarters.
Previously, because of Maud's status as a Shichibukai, the Giant Vice Admirals had lacked a reason to hunt him down.
Now that Maud had voluntarily abandoned his status as a Shichibukai, Lacval, upholding Elbaf's honor, couldn't simply look the other way.
The meaning behind pointing his blade at Maud was even clearer.
"Lacval."
Before Maud could react, Vice Admiral Momonga had already stepped in front of Vice Admiral Lacval and said in a deep voice, "Compared with