New World, Unnamed Island.
After three days of preparation, Lirisk felt that he was in perfect condition. He walked out of the practice room in the camp.
This pebble-shaped island hardly had any vegetation and could be seen in its entirety at a glance. He scanned the surroundings, his brows furrowing in displeasure. "Zero, hasn't that guy arrived yet?"
"Are you sure you didn't give the wrong sea map?"
The coordinates were personally written by him, and Lirisk couldn't possibly think there was a mistake.
Even if he was actually wrong, that would mean his subordinates failed to verify properly and deceived him. They should be executed!
After all, they were Celestial Dragons, and there couldn't be the slightest negligence in matters of security.
Zero advised Lirisk not to reveal the information prematurely before the duel, to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the situation. Lirisk, for once, found it troublesome to intervene in such small matters regarding his loyal hound so he let Zero handle it.
And that's how Rowen ended up reaching Yerkes Island before Lirisk and the issue of handing over the sea map happened…
What Log Pose?
Zero claimed ignorance on this matter!
It must have been the work of his subordinates!
"Sir, pardon my frankness, but could it be that Vice Admiral Rowen realized the situation was unfavorable and fled the battle?"
Other than Rowen, Zero had never seen anyone who fought against Celestial Dragons and came out of it alive and kicking!
Not only did he fight Celestial Dragons, he fought two of them!
He was audacious to the extreme!
Now that he knew Celestial Dragons were after him for revenge, fear and trepidation were normal feelings… at least in the realm of common knowledge or so-called "common sense."
To die sooner rather than later, knowing one would die, each person when faced with death, would choose to live on, hoping for a chance to survive.
Lirisk frowned. He didn't consider Rowen to be a coward, but he was also well aware of the intimidation his identity as a Celestial Dragon carried. If it weren't for the prestige of the Celestial Dragons, he wouldn't have left Mary Geoise ten years ago, only to lose his sanity and become a wild beast for a decade.
If the situation were indeed like that, Rowen's decision to escape the battle would make sense.
"Is that so? Then he must have quite the courage!" Lirisk's eyes flickered with a cold light as he spoke. "If he stands me up, there will be no forgiveness!!"
Zero secretly cursed Lirisk in his heart, his face turning pale…
"Who's there?!"
Zi Zi!
"Commander, don't draw your guns. It's me…"
Zero: "…"
F*ck!
How did this guy find this island?!!
Hearing the familiar voice in his ear, and seeing Lirisk's agitated expression, Zero twitched his lips, forcibly dispersing the power of obliteration he had concentrated in his palm. Then, he raised his head and let out a long sigh.
I don't care anymore!
I'm not dealing with this anymore!
I'll silence this matter once I get back!
"Oh my, why are you so angry, Saint Lirisk?"
The voice arrived first, followed by an electric flash. On this desolate island with nothing but emptiness, a tall and somewhat disheveled figure appeared in front of them. Rowen stared at Lirisk, whose eyes were shining brightly, and noticed his unsettled expression.
"Could it be that I'm late? Today is only the third day!"
"No, you're not late!"
Lirisk looked at the face before him. It was familiar yet unfamiliar, as it had only appeared in photographs and documents. He smirked, "It's just that three days ago, you left Yerkes Island. With your speed, you could have arrived in half a day."
Beside him, Zero's heart leaped!
"Oh, that thing…?"
Rowen glanced nonchalantly at Zero, then suddenly said without a care, "I'm not cut out to be a navigator. I got lost for a full three days… I even bumped into Germa 66."
"Germa 66? Those Germa soldiers? Aren't they in the North Blue?!"
Lirisk was shocked, then his expression turned sour. "You're not trying to fool me, are you, Vice Admiral Rowen…"
Who gets lost from the New World and ends up in the North Blue?!
Does he really think I've never been out to sea before?!
[Zoro: I can do this!]
"No, the facts are true as such. Saint Lirisk, you are free to investigate!"
Lirisk looked quietly at Rowen, who met his gaze with sincere eyes.
"Well, it doesn't matter."
Both sides stared calmly at each other for one or two minutes. Suddenly, Lirisk waved his hand, and a scorching Battle Intent emerged from him. "Since you're not late, let's begin now!"
Shua!
Buzz!
The Thunder Cloud Sword buzzed loudly as Rowen drew it and held it in his hand. "I'm ready to accompany you anytime!"
"Rowen! You're quite daring!"
At this moment, Zero suddenly came forward to reproach, "This is none other than Saint Nibelung Lirisk! Are you trying to gain the upper hand with weapons?!"
Zero knew that Rowen's personal sword was a weapon of Saijō Ō Wazamono grade!
In this world teeming with monsters, Saijō Ō Wazamono weapons carried such a prestigious reputation. Their sharpness and durability were in a terrifying realm beyond ordinary understanding!
Even if it were wielded as a fire poker, it could cut down most New World powerhouses who lacked proficiency in Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki)!
Let alone in the hands of Rowen…
Lirisk's gaze was filled with killing intentions as he spoke.
"Get lost!"
"Sir?!"
Dong!
Lirisk's figure flashed by, his speed surprising not only Rowen but also Zero.
"Bang!"
A heavy punch landed squarely in Zero's abdomen, and he instantly spat out a pool of blood. The blood was obstructed by his mask, then flowed down his chin, dampening his attire.
"I told you to get lost, so get lost!"
"Yes!"
Zero forced a bitter smile, knelt on one knee clutching his stomach, nodded, and helplessly chose to leave.
He really couldn't prevent this battle!
Witnessing everything Lirisk had done, Rowen's heart grew heavy. An exceedingly fierce killing intent soared, but his expression remained calm.
"Do you know how many years I've been waiting for this battle, Vice Admiral Rowen…"
"Thirteen years!"
This time, Lirisk suddenly spoke.
He seemed not to expect an answer from Rowen and continued on his own, "I gathered renowned powerhouses from the sea, they feared me, dreaded me, and wouldn't dare to lay a hand on me. Later, I set off to find Doflamingo. He planned to kill me, to use it as leverage against the World Government…"
So that's your reason for joining forces with me against Doflamingo?
Rowen seemed to have grasped something.
Given Doflamingo's cunning nature, he was certainly capable of such actions.
Lirisk wasn't aware of what Rowen was thinking; he continued speaking.
"Later… I encountered you!"
"Although I had limited awareness during our battle, I knew that you intended to kill me!"
"So…"
"Come on! Let's fight!!"
"I, Saint Nibelung Lirisk, declare this in my name!"
"In this battle, you are innocent!"
"I, Saint Nibelung Lirisk, swear with my blood!"
"This duel is sacred and solemn, a matter of life and death!"
Faced with Lirisk's resounding roar, Rowen's calm expression finally shifted.
"Do you know about… Stockholm Syndrome?" Rowen continued without expecting a reply from Lirisk.
"It's a phenomenon where victims develop emotions for their assailants and may even help the perpetrators. This emotion causes the victim to feel fondness, dependence, and may even assist the wrongdoer."
Lirisk: "… Is this your pre-match trash talk?"
Rowen nodded. "Yes!"
"Hmph!"
Hiss!
A sound like the swelling before a balloon burst forth, followed by a strong bloody scent permeated the central arena. After an intense shock, Rowen held the Thunder Cloud Sword, and with ruthlessness, swung it down.
Chi… Bang!
[The chapter is complete]
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