Speed at Its Absolute Limit

Bartolomeo's attack landed, stabbing firmly into Gladius's body.

Unfortunately, his aim was slightly off. He had not struck Gladius's throat, so he could not stop Gladius from self-destructing.

"You bastard, you really planned to die together with me." Gladius roared, "Then I'll grant your wish!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Gladius detonated himself without hesitation.

"Boom!!"

A terrifying explosion erupted within the Barrier Ball, madly destroying everything inside.

Bartolomeo, who took the attack head-on, was instantly blasted bloody all over.

But he paid no attention to his injuries. In his eyes, as long as he could protect Sister Robin, it did not matter even if he died.

"What a pity..."

"Hmm?"

Hearing Gladius's voice, Bartolomeo's pupils shrank. That bastard was still alive?

Had that stab not killed him?

"Gladius, you..."

"You thought you had already killed me?" Gladius said coldly. "Too naïve, Bartolomeo."

"What you stabbed was not my throat at all, but my shoulder!"

So close. Just so close.

If Bartolomeo's blade had shifted just a little farther to the left, his throat would have been pierced, and the explosions would have stopped.

But fortunately, Bartolomeo's aim had been just a little off.

"I didn't hit a vital spot?" Bartolomeo said with an ugly expression. "I clearly aimed for his neck..."

Right, his body had become so round that his neck and shoulder had blended together, making him misjudge... Damn it, he had miscalculated.

"Bartolomeo, you are a Devil Fruit user too, so... you should understand, right?" Gladius lowered the hand covering his shoulder and said, "As long as I remain conscious, the explosions will not stop!"

While speaking, Gladius glanced at the bulging rock wall beside Nico Robin.

His self-destruction had failed to hurt Nico Robin, but the rock wall's explosion could still send her flying.

"Bastard,