He staggered backward, his body momentarily going rigid.
What drove him to even greater despair was that Xia Le's furious assault continued.
The long blade swung again, slashing across his abdomen and opening long, bloody gashes.
Then it abruptly changed direction and severed one of his arms.
"You've lost!"
Xia Le's voice thundered in Saint Saturn's ears, shaking him to his core.
"Have we lost?"
He murmured.
He raised his head and looked at Marshall D. Teach, who was locked in fierce combat with Ace, then at Shanks and Mihawk, who were still making their way over despite their grievous injuries.
Finally, he glanced at Saint Garling, who lay on the ground, his fate unknown.
"Yes, we've lost!"
Saint Saturn had already lost the will to fight.
My gamble failed!
The words whispered through his mind.
He did not know the true source of Xia Le's immortal body. But he now knew that the Dark-Dark Fruit could not counter it.
And that conclusion only deepened his despair.
"How could anyone possibly defeat him?"
Saint Saturn murmured.
But finding the answer to that question was no longer his concern.
"From today onward."
"This world will no longer have me in it."
"Has this day finally come?"
He spoke softly.
At that moment, Saint Saturn could not even tell what he was feeling.
Fear? Sorrow?
Neither seemed to be there.
Before death arrived, he had felt afraid, worried, and hesitant. But now that it was truly upon him, he felt an inexplicable calm.
The scenes before his eyes shifted rapidly as he began looking back over his life.
Thud!
Suddenly, a muffled sound interrupted his memories.
He looked down and saw a long blade piercing his heart.
"It's over."
Saint Saturn said softly.
His expression was calmer than ever before. He stared