Faced with this scene, Aramaki's chest heaved, and in the briefest of moments, the look behind his sunglasses
passed through struggle and deliberation before settling into a humiliating calm.
Back in the Navy, he might once have upheld some form of "justice," and perhaps he had once been willing to fight to the death.
But those choices had been made with a way out, an organization behind him, and a higher purpose to sustain him.
Now, however, he faced the undisguised killing intent of six elite fighters from the Blackbeard Pirates surrounding him,
felt Kuzan's gaze, a man who stood at the same peak General-Class level as himself, and the unfathomable threat of Blackbeard's two Devil Fruits...
Before him lay a truly inescapable fight to the death, with hopes of victory or survival so faint they barely existed.
The little pride he held as a member of God's Knights, instilled in him by Saint Saturn, and his "loyalty" to the World Government
recoiled before his survival instinct and the absolute disparity in strength.
"...Tch." Aramaki clicked his tongue softly, the sound tinged with resentment and self-mockery.
He did not answer Blackbeard's taunting, threatening question. Instead, he stepped aside, clearing the way deeper into the passage.
At the same time, the power and hostility surging around him receded swiftly like an ebbing tide.
That gesture made his choice clear.
He would submit for now rather than confront the Blackbeard Pirates head-on.
"Zehahahaha!! A wise choice, Mr. Former Admiral!" Blackbeard burst into triumphant laughter.
He stepped forward and patted Aramaki's cheek with unabashed arrogance, then swaggered down the passage Aramaki had cleared.
Lafitte, Van Augur, Jesus Burgess, and Samuel followed close behind, sweeping mocking or indifferent glances over Aramaki.
Kuzan brought up the rear.
As he passed Aramaki, he paused briefly and