A favor from Azure Dragon

Sakazuki looked at the tall, gentle man before him, his gaze lingering on the man's face for a moment.

Almost without thinking, he asked, "My injuries..."

"Were you the one who healed them?"

Kuma paused, seemingly caught off guard by his directness. Then he nodded, his voice as gentle as ever.

"Yes."

"Mr. Rock brought you here."

The instant those words fell, Sakazuki's expression grew solemn.

He asked no more questions. Instead, he instinctively straightened.

He brought his feet together and held his back perfectly straight, his movements crisp.

Then he lowered his head slightly and gave Kuma a formal bow.

"Thank you."

His gratitude was heartfelt. Clearly startled by the gesture, Kuma hurriedly waved both hands, a hint of fluster in his voice.

"No, there's no need for that!"

"I just... did what I should."

He seemed unused to being treated with such solemn respect.

Just then—

"Hey there."

A familiar, easygoing voice sounded nearby.

Rock strolled over. Seeing Sakazuki standing ramrod straight, his color much improved, he curled his lips into a teasing smile.

"You're awake?"

He was carrying a freshly purchased newspaper, casually rolled up in one hand, and seemed to be in quite a good mood.

Stepping between them, Rock shook out the newspaper and spread it open before Sakazuki, tapping the most prominent column.

"Take a look at this."

"Garp really is something."

"He actually punched the guy's head flat!"

Sakazuki instinctively looked down.

A single photograph took up almost the entire front page.

The image was striking—

A vice admiral in a black suit, a Marine coat bearing the word "Justice" draped over his shoulders, was throwing an iron fist coated in Armament Haki.

His fist had yet to fully withdraw, and even the air seemed warped by the blow.

And that punch—

Had