Hakoku, passed down through generations

Just as the purple-black cage of flames took shape, two figures charged into the reception hall, one after the other.

Leading them was a red-haired man. His famed blade, Gryphon, was already drawn, its edge coated in Conqueror's Haki. He was poised to strike, but the instant he saw the scene before him, he froze.

Behind him, Gaban's eyes widened as well, his twin axes suspended in midair as he hesitated between advancing and retreating.

The two exchanged looks.

The eerie glow of the purple-black flames reflected in Gaban's eyes. He looked uncertainly at the blond figure enveloped in fire:

"You... could you be...?"

In his current state, Dawn registered as a complete void to Observation Haki—nothing at all. Even though Gaban had met him a year earlier, he was now a little unsure.

"It's me. Now isn't the time for small talk. We can talk after the battle."

Dawn did not turn around. He landed beside the Pentagram Magic Circle etched into the floor and pressed his hand against its center. The black vortex in his palm began spinning furiously.

"Mr. Gaban, you know him?"

Shanks walked over to Gaban, who was checking Yarulu's condition, and asked in a low voice,

"Then do you know who he really is?"

Ever since catching a fleeting glimpse of this mysterious man at the Holy Land of Mary Geoise a year earlier, Shanks had been secretly investigating his identity.

But a year of investigation had turned up nothing.

"Yes. I met him once a year ago."

Having finished examining Yarulu's body, Gaban shook his head gravely.

"Ida survived because of him. Don't worry. He's on the side opposing the World Government. Given the current situation, he should be our ally."

He offered no further details. He liked watching the trouble other people