Under normal circumstances, Aokiji would rarely oppose Garp's decisions.
As for Maude's situation, Aokiji himself didn't particularly care.
Even if Maude were officially branded a pirate, as long as Garp wanted to let him go, Aokiji would likely turn a blind eye.
However, once Maude became entangled with the Revolutionary Army...
When it came to matters of principle, Aokiji could no longer remain indifferent.
As soon as he voiced his objection, the sharp sound of something slicing through the air came from behind.
Unsurprisingly, the one attacking him again was Morley.
With his massive trident in hand, Morley relentlessly aimed for Aokiji's head.
Aokiji sighed lightly and stepped forward, dodging the heavy blow.
"Damn man!"
Failing to strike Aokiji once more, Morley growled in frustration.
Instead of pursuing further, he hurled the unconscious Tatamu toward Sabo.
"Sabo, catch Tatamu!"
Hearing this while on the run, Sabo turned and saw Tatamu flying toward him.
Without hesitation, Sabo extended his arms and securely caught Tatamu.
"Phew..."
Feeling Tatamu's steady heartbeat, Sabo couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Seeing Sabo catch Tatamu, Morley also felt a sense of relief.
At least now, there was no immediate danger behind them.
Aokiji glanced at Maude and the others fleeing joyfully in the distance, scratched his cheek, and then turned his gaze to Morley, who wore a pleased expression. His tone remained calm.
"Don't get too optimistic. Your chances of escaping this island are next to none."
"Hmph, unless we try, no one can say for sure!"
Morley's eyes flared as he raised his trident, once again aiming for Aokiji's head.
Aokiji said no more. His body began to turn into ice as he prepared to freeze Morley again.
Elsewhere, Sol wore a grim expression.
After hearing Aokiji's remarks, he roughly understood the situation.
Apparently, Maude and Sunny had assisted the Revolutionary Army at the pig farm earlier that morning, and now the Revolutionary Army had returned the favor by helping Maude and Sunny.
This mutual aid didn't sit well with the Navy's perspective, leading to obvious conclusions.
Garp fixed his eyes on Sol, his voice low and firm.
"You actually got involved with the Revolutionary Army."
"If I said we didn't, would you believe me?"
Sol's response was met with Garp's fist.
Cursing under his breath, Sol dragged his injured body to narrowly avoid Garp's attack.
If it had been their captain or Rayleigh in his place, Garp might have believed them without a second thought.
But with himself here, Sol knew better than to hold onto such hope.
Since convincing Garp was out of the question, he had no choice but to go all out.
He knew full well he couldn't defeat Garp, no matter what.
But what he could do was put himself at risk to create an opening while Aokiji was preoccupied with the effeminate giant, taking the chance to strike at Aokiji.
Garp, however, had no such concerns. He launched a fierce offensive against Sol, determined to put an end to this enmity once and for all.
In the streets, what was once a bustling district had been reduced to rubble.
Not a single building remained intact.
Everywhere, the ground was pockmarked with craters, a scene of utter desolation.
These were undoubtedly the results of the clash between Sol and Garp.
Gion carried Wolfrat through the ravaged streets, her feet deftly navigating the uneven terrain.
Blood steadily seeped from Wolfrat's wounds, leaving a trail behind them.
"Hoo hoo."
A light chuckle echoed from above.
Gion stopped abruptly, her gaze sharpening as she looked skyward.
There, Lafitte hovered, pure white wings flapping to keep him aloft.
With a cane in one hand and the brim of his hat held down with the other, he gazed at Gion with playful amusement.
"You are...the famous Demon Sheriff."
"Titles are trivial," Lafitte said, his red lips curving into a smirk as his feet gently touched the ground.
Though his gaze seemed lighthearted, there was an unmistakable pressure behind it as his eyes flickered briefly toward the severely injured Wolfrat.
Gion's expression grew increasingly tense.
She didn't fear Lafitte himself but worried he might strike a fatal blow against Wolfrat.
Lafitte, sensing her concerns, stopped pacing and twirled his cane.
His sidelong glances, though devoid of any overt killing intent, stung like needles in Gion's eyes—a blatant mockery.
"I know you—Rear Admiral Gion of Headquarters. Hoo hoo, you seem a little tense?"
"Step aside."
Gion's brow furrowed deeply.
Lafitte paused, his cane still, and held it horizontally before him, his smirk unbroken.
Gion's face turned icy with intent. She slowly placed Wolfrat on the ground.
Watching her movements, Lafitte's grin only widened.
"Rear Admiral Gion, your friend is at death's door. If, say, a rock the size of a dinner plate were to hit him now, what do you think would happen?"
"..."
Silence fell as Gion gripped her sword hilt.
Lafitte's smile deepened, but his eyes turned cold.
"Being at someone else's mercy is an unpleasant feeling, isn't it, Rear Admiral?"
"Hm?"
Gion's eyes narrowed coldly as she unsheathed her blade.
"Hoo hoo."
The moment Gion drew her sword, Lafitte's grin and icy gaze vanished without a trace, as if they had never been there.
In the same moment, he elegantly stepped aside, doffing his hat in a gentlemanly gesture of courtesy.
It was as though his previous provocations had been mere illusions.
Infuriated by such mockery, Gion's face darkened, and she sent a slash toward Lafitte.
With a light chuckle, Lafitte leapt into the air, dodging the slash filled with her anger.
His pure white wings unfurled again, carrying him back into the sky.
Adjusting his hat back onto his head, Lafitte remarked seriously, "Rear Admiral Gion, time waits for no one, and for your friend, even less so."
With those parting words, Lafitte glanced at the increasingly grim-faced Gion, laughed softly once more, and flew off decisively.
Gion coldly watched Lafitte disappear.
She couldn't discern his true motives, but the word "mercy" he had spoken left her with a vague suspicion that it had something to do with Maude and his group.
With no time to waste, Gion quickly sheathed her sword, picked Wolfrat back up, and continued her desperate sprint toward the harbor.
Onboard a Navy warship, Bogard, who had been on standby, immediately noticed Gion and Wolfrat as they approached.
Seeing the extent of Wolfrat's injuries, Bogard acted quickly, ordering the ship's medics to prepare at once.
The well-trained medical team grabbed their kits and a stretcher without delay.
Before Gion could board the ship, they rushed down the gangway toward her.
"Hurry! Place the injured man on the stretcher!"
The medics urged Gion to lay Wolfrat down, but she seemed oblivious to their words, her wide eyes fixed on the distant bay.
"Rear Admiral Gion, please cooperate immediately."
Noticing her unusual behavior, Bogard followed her gaze toward the bay.
What met his eyes was a twin-masted ship just entering the harbor.
"That ship...!"
Bogard's expression changed drastically.
From aboard the ship came a cheerful voice.
"Hey, Yasopp! To satisfy your curiosity, we're taking the bay route for the first time!"
"Don't be ridiculous! This is all because the boss wanted a drink—it has nothing to do with me!"
"Ha! As if. This isn't the East Blue—don't get your hopes up about seeing anyone you know..."
"Wait a second. Something's not right."
"That warship over there...it looks like..."
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