The Attack on Marineford

The air in the courtyard seemed to have been gripped tight by an invisible hand.

The madman charged forward with his blade raised, his steps staggering but utterly determined. He was like a beast driven into a corner, with nothing left but the instinct to tear and bite.

"Zephyr—!!!"

"I'll make you—taste what it feels like to lose everything too!!!"

The roar nearly tore his throat apart as it echoed through the cramped courtyard.

Zephyr's wife's pupils suddenly contracted. Acting on instinct, she shielded the child in her arms with all her strength and staggered backward, her back slamming hard into the doorframe. There was nowhere left to retreat.

The blade, wrapped in a frigid killing intent, came crashing down from above—

At that very moment.

"Well, well~"

A languid voice, almost careless to the point of indifference, abruptly cut through the despair, completely out of place.

"You're in quite a hurry..."

The next instant—

"Shhk."

A faint yet dazzling beam of light swept across the courtyard without warning.

The madman's right hand abruptly seized up.

Blood gushed out as though being squeezed under pressure—his wrist had been pierced with pinpoint accuracy.

"Ah—?!!"

Before his scream had fully taken shape, the long blade lost control and clanged to the ground, sending sparks flying in every direction.

The madman stood frozen, staring down at his powerless right hand, still dripping blood. His face was filled with bewilderment he could not comprehend.

The shadows of the trees in the courtyard swayed gently.

A tall, slender figure slowly emerged from the darkness.

His Rear Admiral uniform stood out sharply beneath the lights. His cape hung from his shoulders, and his sunglasses reflected a cold gleam.

Borsalino held up his hand, his index finger not yet lowered. The remaining particles of light at his