The pirate swordsman's corpse crashed to the ground.
His skull had been torn open, spilling red and white across the ground...
A flash of electricity flickered in Enel's hand in the distance.
It connected to the little Ark Maxim in the air.
The Ark Maxim slowly floated down. Enel stroked the child's little head, soothing the lingering terror.
The three-year-old had hovered on the brink of death several times in just half a day.
At last, the child relaxed and slowly fell asleep.
Only the tightly knitted brows betrayed the turmoil within.
Then the Ark Maxim floated after Enel toward Sakazuki.
Enel approached with a somber expression and handed Sakazuki a Den Den Mushi.
"Uncle."
The child had been clutching this Den Den Mushi.
Even when nearly squeezed to death, the child had never let go... perhaps because it was something his mother had left him.
Sakazuki took it.
He nodded without saying anything.
He brought out the Den Den Mushi, hesitated, then made the call.
Elsewhere, Zephyr raced toward Tanli Island using Geppo, his figure flashing across vast stretches of sky.
Just then, his Den Den Mushi rang.
Zephyr answered instantly, sonic booms accompanying his anxious voice.
"Dilia, how are things? I'll be there any moment!"
Sakazuki's somewhat subdued voice came from the other end.
"Admiral Zephyr, this is Sakazuki. Your child is safe..."
At first, Zephyr was overjoyed.
Then the realization struck him like a bolt from the blue.
Dazed, he fell from the sky.
Splash!
He plunged into the sea. Only the shock of the icy water brought him back to his senses.
Using Geppo, he kicked off and shot out of the water.
Back in the air, he continued racing toward Tanli Island.
Zephyr's voice was hoarse as he forced the words out.
"I understand,