Under Sentomaru's command, the island's residents had already been evacuated. He led all fifty of the latest Pacifistas in defending the southwestern coast.
Crimson rocky cliffs rose and fell around the shoreline. Sentomaru stood firmly atop a boulder with his legs braced apart, a massive double-bladed battle axe slung over his shoulder and determination in his eyes.
Before him, countless steel warships filled the sea, arrayed in confrontation from a hundred meters away.
The atmosphere of war grew heavier by the moment. Even the sea breeze carried traces of gunpowder.
"Yo~, it's been a long time, Sentomaru."
Kizaru's frivolous voice rang exceptionally clearly amid the grim atmosphere. He stood at the bow of a warship with his hands in his pockets.
"The Straw Hat Crew is inside, right? Could you trouble yourself to have those Pacifistas stand down, if possible?"
Kizaru spoke softly, raising a hand to adjust his glasses. A trace of complicated emotion appeared in his eyes.
"After all, I don't want to fight you either, Sentomaru."
"You're here to kill the doctor too, aren't you?! Answer me, old man!"
The moment Sentomaru saw him, his eyes darkened. More than wariness, he felt anger and confusion.
Their days spent together kept replaying in his mind. Now that they stood with weapons drawn against each other, it was difficult to accept.
"I will never take even one step back!!"
Bang!
Sentomaru gritted his teeth, took a broad step to the right, lowered his body, stomped down hard, and shouted:
"If you want to lay a hand on the doctor, step over my corpse first! Come on, old man! I'm the man with the strongest defense in the world!!"
"Is that so?"
Kizaru let out a soft sigh and looked up at the sky, his gaze somewhat distant.
At the