Rock stopped beside the bed.
The candle flame swayed gently, light and shadow flickering across his profile.
His gaze fell on Ginny.
The faintly visible blue scales gave off a cold glint beneath the dim yellow light.
"Azure Jade Scales..."
he murmured.
His voice was quiet, yet it pierced the air like a needle.
The entire church fell silent in an instant, and Kuma's pupils abruptly contracted!
He stared fixedly at Rock, as if trying to confirm something from the other man's eyes.
"Vice Admiral Rock..."
His voice was dry, every word laden with emotions suppressed to the limit.
"Do you... have a way?"
The moment those words left his mouth, even he failed to realize their weight.
A Navy legend he had not seen in ten years had suddenly appeared before him. The shock alone was enough to leave anyone dazed.
But now, he pushed everything else down. Only one thought remained in his mind.
—Save her.
Rock did not answer immediately.
A faint spark of electricity danced at his fingertips before slowly settling on Ginny's wrist.
"Zzt—"
In an instant, the current surged through her like an invisible probe.
All the information unfolded within his perception.
Time seemed to stretch on, and no one in the church spoke.
There was only rain tapping against the roof and the faint crackle of electricity.
Only a few seconds passed, yet it felt like a century. Kuma's hand clenched unconsciously.
He did not dare move. He did not even dare breathe, afraid he might interrupt this.
Finally—
Rock withdrew his hand, his gaze darkening slightly.
"It hasn't reached the irreversible stage yet."
"She can be saved."
The words fell.
"Boom!"
Kuma's world collapsed with a roar in that instant, then pieced itself back together at the very same moment.
His whole