Joy Boy staggered half a step, blood pouring from the corners of his mouth as he struggled to lift his bloodshot eyes.
First, he stared at the brother before him, whose face was twisted with conflicting emotions. Disbelief, bewilderment, and shattered trust filled his eyes.
Then he slowly turned to look at the cold, merciless Imu in the black robe.
In an instant, every question, every detail that had felt wrong, fell into place!
From beginning to end, this had all been Imu's scheme!
The brother he trusted had long since been turned by Imu, the killing blow planned well in advance!
Imu calmly met Joy Boy's broken, despairing gaze and gently shook their head. Their voice was thick with mockery and indifference as they spoke slowly, word by word.
"So, you really are a fool, monkey."
That simple sentence was like a dull knife, brutally slicing through everything Joy Boy had held onto, through all his innocence.
At that moment, the remaining Holy Knights erupted in absolute fury!
Their eyes blazed red, their rage surging as they glared at the killer before them. Furious screams and curses rang out without end!
"Monkey! Have you lost your mind?! What are you doing?!"
"That's our commander! The boss who taught you Haki and gave you a new life!"
"From having nothing to founding the Knights, the boss treated you like family, like a brother! And you dared to stab him in the back! You dared to betray him!"
"Traitor! You ungrateful bastard!"
"I'll kill you!!"
Every surviving soldier of the Knights trembled, murderous intent boiling within them. They tightened their grips on their weapons, ready to charge forward and execute the traitor!
A brother who had shared life and death with them had pierced their commander's heart at the final moment