Despairing King

Maud and Aokiji stood side by side.

Faced with such a combination, a long-forgotten sense of despair suddenly rose from the depths of King's heart.

However.

Although he could not see any chance of victory, that did not mean he would simply sit back and await death.

Since Kaido had entrusted him with guarding their home,

then even if he had to die, he would hold out until the very last moment.

A red glow representing Observation Haki suddenly appeared in King's eyes.

There was no longer any possibility of negotiation in the current situation.

In the end, the only choice left to both sides was to fight to the death.

That was the relationship between enemies.

And so—

King, who had not said a single word to Maud from beginning to end, suddenly attacked.

He showed no hesitation and was not intimidated by Maud's strength or reputation.

King took a step forward. The black wings on his back suddenly folded, and his tall, upright body shot toward Maud like a blade leaving its sheath.

The unusually long sword tightly gripped in his hand ignited with roaring flames, just like the flames on his shoulders.

The not-so-narrow corridor was instantly illuminated by firelight.

"Flame King, Talon!"

Appearing before Maud in an instant, King pushed his Armament Haki and strength to their limits. He swung the flaming greatsword downward toward Maud's vital point.

Maud stared at the flaming blade sweeping straight toward him. Reflected in his eyes was a sharp and dangerous talon-shaped slash.

The attack closed in, aimed directly at Maud's vital point.

Yet Maud remained unmoved, calmly watching the flaming blade descend.

Then—

Two enormous black hands shot out from behind Maud. Using both palms, they forcibly caught the flaming blade as it came crashing down.

The flaming blade,