Grey, Alone and Helpless

Onigumo was sent flying by a punch from Rod, his body becoming a blur as he crashed through several buildings.

He's already mastered the emission of Haki this quickly!

The thought flashed through his mind as he felt the intense pain in his chest, Onigumo's expression turning even more sinister.

It even has a characteristic of internal damage now.

Someone like this...

Standing up again, Onigumo swung the long sword in his hand, stirring up a violent gust of wind that blew away the rising dust.

"If I let you keep growing, you'll definitely become a greater evil! In the name of Justice, I will absolutely kill you here!"

Onigumo's eyes, fixed on Rod, were filled with fierce killing intent.

To master such advanced Haki techniques at such a young age, and possess such powerful strength, he will surely be a major concern for the Marines in the future.

But what worries Onigumo the most is Rod's terrifying learning ability. After only two battles, he learned Armament Haki, and even gradually mastered more advanced Haki usage techniques during the fight. Such talent is truly chilling.

"Tch, say that when you can actually do it, Marine!"

Rod clenched his fist. Faced with Onigumo's harsh words, he wasn't worried at all; instead, his blood boiled even more.

With that last attack, he had successfully used Haki emission. He desperately needed to fight now; only intense battles could help him quickly master such a technique.

Without waiting for Onigumo to attack, Rod assumed a stance, stomped his foot, and shot towards Onigumo.

As he charged towards Onigumo, Haki, like black flames, flowed over him again, making him look as if he were wrapped in a layer of ominous black fire.

"Don't think you're the only one who's mastered Haki emission, brat!"

Pitch-black Haki covered Onigumo's entire body. His black hair began to move again, but instead of controlling his weapon, it merged with the flowing Haki, covering Onigumo's body.

"Life Return—Oni-Bui!"

Onigumo's muscles surged, squeezing out more power. Combined with the hair manipulated by Life Return, the dual forces stacked together. He swung his long sword with both hands and thrust it fiercely at the charging Rod!

Boom!!

Before Rod's fist could even touch Onigumo's long sword, two invisible forces clashed violently in the air. A fierce shockwave spread outwards from the area where they clashed, ruffling Rod's red hair.

"This is the feeling! You're really strong, Marine!"

Sensing the impact force from the other side, the fighting spirit in Rod's eyes intensified, and he was completely ignited.

I didn't expect a Vice Admiral who only had a few lines in the original work to have such formidable strength.

But, that's just what I wanted! Fight me, my whetstone!

"No one should have noticed me, right?"

Not far from the Polar, Grey hid sneakily in the woods, watching the two battlefields not far away, his face full of conflict.

When he returned with Nia and the others after shopping, he decided to wander around near the shore since they hadn't set sail yet.

After all, they would be at sea for many days. He was tired of looking at the endless ocean day after day. It was rare to be ashore, and he was worried about being chased by the Marines, so he didn't have time to explore slowly. He could only wander in the woods near the shore to console himself.

He hadn't expected that by the time he heard the commotion and rushed over, a fight had already broken out.

I didn't expect the Marines to catch up. I knew being a pirate was troublesome. Being chased by the Marines on the sea all day, with no moment of peace, I don't even have time for research.

Grey scratched his head, his already messy hair becoming even more disheveled.

It looks like they're not a match...

Even someone with Grey's lack of strength could see the current situation on the battlefield.

Nia was completely suppressed by the enemy. Her attacks couldn't hit the opponent at all. For some reason, the opponent wasn't defeating Nia quickly and decisively, but was instead jumping around with her.

Hmm... a cat that likes to toy with its prey, now being toyed with by someone else...

Grey nodded, then shifted his gaze to Law's side.

I knew you couldn't train like that! Rod is just messing around! Law has been in a state of severe injury almost constantly. How can he possibly be a match for the enemy?

Watching Law, who was barely holding on with Bepo's help, Grey couldn't help but sigh.

Will I be captured here?

Geez, I'm just a scientist!

"Scientist?"

"Yeah... Who!?"

Grey suddenly turned around.

"Marines!"

A squad of Marines in white uniforms stood not far behind Grey, their spears held tightly. Several pairs of eyes stared at Grey, a strange glint flashing within them.

"Are you..."

The leading Marine stepped forward, staring intently at Grey.

Oh no!

We've been discovered!

Grey's heart tightened, and a few drops of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

Nia and Law were already struggling to fend for themselves, Bepo was helping Law block enemy attacks, Rod and Nerl still hadn't returned, and as for Pekoms and Shakky, he'd seen their retreating backs, likely heading to find Rod.

No one could help him!

Was he going to be captured? And spend his life in prison? Would it be Impel Down?

He'd heard that Impel Down held only the most heinous criminals. Would he be torn to shreds by them?

No! He still had so much research to do!

"You're a scientist, aren't you!"

Seeing Grey frozen in place, the Marine took another step forward, the barrel of his gun almost touching Grey's face.

"Uh..."

Feeling the cold touch on his face, Grey's complexion turned ashen, his heart pounding uncontrollally.

Although he was an expert in weaponry, having designed firearms for Nerl that far surpassed standard Marine issue, having a gun pointed at his face was entirely different from pressing his own face against a gun barrel during research.

I'm going to die!

"Idiot! You're too close! I told you to show respect to scientists!"

Another Marine soldier stepped forward, slapping the head of the Marine who was close to Grey, then placed his hands on Grey's shoulders with a serious expression.

"I am Captain Gilbert Garan of Marine Headquarters. I sincerely apologize for my subordinate's rudeness."

Grey felt the two hands on his shoulders like vises, gripping him so tightly they almost lifted him off the ground.

This guy is even weaker!

Whatever, I'm about to be captured anyway, so I shouldn't worry about whether he's being rude or not.

"Are you a scientist?"

Huh?

The pain in his shoulders and the slight feeling of weightlessness as he was lifted briefly restored Grey's wits.

Come to think of it, ever since just now, they had been using polite language, hadn't they?