A Just Stance

"Arrogant brat!"

"Who gave you the nerve to speak to me like that?"

Faced with Leon's provocation, Sakazuki on the warship gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead.

Akainu, who believed in absolute justice, would go as far as shelling civilian refugee ships.

But from his standpoint, Sakazuki was merely carrying out his conviction to eradicate evil completely.

It had nothing to do with morality, no time for pity—he was just a soldier.

That was precisely why, even when facing Leon, who seemed to be demanding an explanation for being shelled without cause, though Sakazuki was already so provoked that gray smoke billowed uncontrollably from his body, he still chose not to strike on the spot, only coldly uttering a single sentence.

"I don't have time to fool around with you right now!"

"If you just want an explanation, when we get back to Marineford, I'll be happy to oblige anytime!"

Leon nodded noncommittally, said nothing more, turned, and flew away from Sakazuki's warship.

The next moment, all the Marines who had fallen into the sea were quickly hauled up by Leon, landing on the refugee ship one after another like dumplings being dropped into a pot.

Having done all this, Leon turned to look in Sakazuki's direction, spread his hands in an inviting gesture, and then vanished from the sea in an instant.

"Bastard!"

Sakazuki slammed his hand viciously onto the railing, the wooden rail instantly scorched into a charred gap.

For a moment, everyone's eyes were fixed on Sakazuki.

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki..."

"The refugee ship..."

The Marines on board cautiously asked Sakazuki whether they should still carry out his previous orders.

Having lost the initiative, Sakazuki, under the watchful eyes of everyone, no longer had sufficient reason to attack the ship carrying civilians and Marines.

"Send men to the refugee ship immediately to take in the surviving Marines, and strictly interrogate every single person on that ship!"

"If you find anything suspicious."

"Eliminate them at once!"

"Yes, sir!"

The scene, put on pause by Leon, began to move again.

The Marine warships unleashed even fiercer firepower, vowing to erase the entire Ohara Island from the map.

On the island, Kuzan and Sauro, after Leon's interruption, found the tense atmosphere between them somewhat eased.

"That bastard Sakazuki would actually do something like that!"

"Good thing Leon was there..."

Kuzan felt somewhat relieved that he had arranged for Leon to rescue the fallen Marines in advance, giving Leon the chance to stop that bombardment.

Because the distance was too great, they hadn't heard the exchange between Leon and Sakazuki clearly, assuming Leon had simply stepped forward to block Sakazuki's mad actions.

"Is this what justice does, Kuzan?" Sauro demanded loudly.

"That was just Sakazuki acting on his own! Not everyone in the Marines is that extreme..."

"Enough, Sauro!"

"I'll plead for you with Fleet Admiral Kong..."

Kuzan stood his ground, still unable to resist making one final attempt to persuade Sauro.

"Don't say any more, Kuzan!"

"I no longer want to argue about what justice is..."

"Right now, I just want to protect my friend!!!"

Before the words faded, Sauro struck out at Kuzan without hesitation.

His massive palm slammed into the ground, kicking up a huge cloud of dust, as Kuzan leaped high to dodge Sauro's attack.

Seizing the opportunity, Sauro scooped up Robin from the ground with both hands and turned to flee toward the other side of the island.

"Time Freeze Capsule!"

Kuzan waved his hand, releasing a burst of cold air. Ice spread rapidly across the ground, directly encasing Sauro's left leg.

Sauro crashed heavily to the ground, stretching out his arms desperately to ensure Robin wouldn't be hurt.

"Sauro, are you okay?"

Young Robin's face was full of worry.

Sauro, covered in wounds, forced himself to speak.

"Robin, you escape on your own."

Kuzan walked unhurriedly toward Sauro, giving the two plenty of time to say goodbye.

"Dere shishishishishi!"

"There will surely be companions waiting for you in some sea."

"Go find them, Robin..."

"Ice Time."

Kuzan struck, freezing Sauro and his laughter solid in a block of ice.

"Brother Kuzan, you really don't hold back..."

Leon's voice came from behind Kuzan. He stepped past him and placed his hand on Sauro, now a frozen statue.

The blazing fire on the island reflected in Kuzan's sunglasses as he said softly, "Can't be helped..."

"I'm a Marine after all..."

Kuzan was still lost in sentiment, never anticipating Leon's next move. With a single-handed burst of strength, Leon ripped Sauro's body from the ground, then swung it hard.

Sauro's body shot into the sky like a glittering meteor, vanishing from sight.

"Hey!"

"What are you doing..."

Kuzan raised an eyebrow.

Leon brushed the ice shards off his hands and said meaningfully to Kuzan, "Didn't Brother Kuzan ask me to see Sauro off?"

"Leaving him here like that—what if a cannonball accidentally shatters him?"

With that, Leon turned and walked back into the island, raising a hand behind him to make an "ok" gesture at Kuzan.

This kid...

Kuzan shook his head, the corner of his mouth twitching up before quickly flattening again. Then his gaze shifted to the direction the little girl had fled.