He Didn't Even Have Time to Go Out and Show Off (For the 8th + from the benevolent lord, Innocent Little Chubby)

Another ten minutes passed.

A mass of golden light coalesced, and Borsalino, covered in grime and looking rather battered, met Zephyr out at sea.

"Looks like you failed."

Zephyr's expression was impassive. The steam around him had vanished; he had long since left Life Return behind and was simply hovering above the choppy sea with Geppo.

Borsalino looked awful, his face pale.

He had sustained some serious injuries.

He had only given up because he couldn't hold out any longer. If he kept pursuing with his battered body, and the Golden Emperor doubled back, he might end up on his knees.

Given the Golden Emperor's shameless, underhanded nature, he was exactly the sort to pull something like that.

Damn it.

He'd taken another serious loss this time. He'd let his guard down again!

Seeing Borsalino's expression shift between dark and grim without answering, Zephyr couldn't be bothered to say anything more. He kicked off, sending the sea sinking beneath him, and shot away like a cannonball, becoming a speck in the blink of an eye.

Borsalino glanced back at the horizon. With a grim face, he turned into a golden streak and vanished as well.

After some time, the two returned to the volcanic island. Since they hadn't caught the Golden Emperor, they would just capture some other pirates instead. The whole island was gripped by panic in no time!

Elsewhere, high above the sea.

Chaos and Crocodile stood in the palm of the Goddess of the Heavens, both breathing a little easier.

Archino, at their feet, had recovered somewhat as well.

"Boss, that must've been Black Arm!"

Crocodile exhaled a ring of smoke, his black fur coat billowing behind him, his face full of displeasure!

If Black Arm Zephyr hadn't shown up, they would definitely have caught Borsalino.

"Almost