Battles erupted in various locations, ended, and then transitioned into the next conflict.
The sprawling city of Alabarna found no peace; the war was still ongoing.
The Rebel Army hadn't even arrived yet, and the city was already in this state. The main force should be moving by now. They would reach the city before long. When that happened, what would become of this country?
Crouched atop the roof of a dilapidated house, Nick gazed at the cityscape with a faint smile on his face.
"Human power is a terrifying thing. Such a beautiful town, tattered in just a few hours."
The scenery he had certainly seen before was gone. Much of it had been destroyed.
That said, his heart didn't ache. This wasn't a place he had any particular attachment to.
Nick was a traveling bounty hunter.
Drifting through the Grand Line without a fixed base, he lived by capturing wanted criminals, handing them over to the Marines, and collecting the money. He had no specific goal.
Therefore, seeing the broken town and hearing the screams of the people, he thought nothing more than, "These things happen."
"At this rate, reconstruction will be a nightmare no matter who wins. In that sense, the result is the same either way. Well, I didn't care which side won from the start."
As he spoke, Nick turned to his right. Before he knew it, Kiri was standing there silently.
"What about you? Which side are you on now?"
"Does it matter?"
"It does. If we were allies, there would be no need to fight."
Kiri, who had come alone, had been treated for his injuries; bandages were wrapped around various parts of his body. But those injuries had happened just a short while ago. He couldn't possibly be in perfect condition.
Yet, Nick judged the man standing before him to be insane.
One look at his eyes told the story. He had come to eliminate his target.
"It doesn't matter which side. Either way, I'm not letting you escape."
Exasperated, Nick lowered his gaze.
He slowly stood up.
Kiri stared at his enemy with cold eyes, radiating bloodlust without any attempt to hide it.
Nick had heard about him beforehand, but this was beyond his expectations. He hadn't thought the man would carry such a chilling aura. However, having heard he was strong, Nick didn't let his guard down.
In the end, this was what Nick had sought from the beginning.
More than money, status, or fame, he wanted a battle that made his heart race.
Living purely for amusement, he was simply looking for a strong enemy.
If this was a man acknowledged by one of the Shichibukai, he would surely be entertaining. Nick faced Kiri once more.
"Whatever the reason, you stuck your neck into the pirate world yourself. You're prepared for whatever happens next, right?"
"I'm flattered. You gonna do something about it?"
Nick pulled thick-bladed knives from his coat, holding one in each hand.
He was already in a combat stance. He showed no sign of retreating.
Wearing a smile that suggested composure, he actually looked delighted.
"I just want to live every day with a thrill. Hunting pirates or siding with them, it's all for that. If you can satisfy me, that's enough."
Seeing Nick stand tall like a guardian statue, his fighting spirit came through clearly. In response, Kiri took out knives of the same size as Nick's. He gripped them in a reverse hold, one in each hand.
Their expressions differed, but their glares were equally intense.
The air was taut. The pressure pricked at their skin. The surrounding silence only heightened the mood, whether they liked it or not.
Nick desired a fight he could purely enjoy; Kiri steeled his resolve.
No matter what means I have to use, I will eliminate this man.
Spinning the knives in his hands, Nick suddenly started walking.
He moved forward without fear, stopping right in front of Kiri. He was already within striking distance. Close enough that extending an arm would allow the knife to cut skin.
The two stopped moving and stared into each other's eyes. But there was not a shred of friendly emotion between them.
The killing intent they released clashed, swirling between them, the tension thick enough to choke on.
"Well then, let's do this."
Silence reigned for a few seconds after he spoke.
The moment Nick's smile vanished and his eyes changed, he thrust his arm out swiftly. The tightly gripped knife closed in on Kiri's neck, but Kiri, completely unfazed, caught it with his own knife.
Blocked, Nick didn't force it; he pulled back and thrust his left arm.
Kiri reacted quickly, parrying with the knife in his right arm, and then they both launched their next moves.
Knives in both hands were swung ceaselessly, clashing and making the metal sing. Neither moved their feet from their spots; they moved only their arms, shifting their stances slightly, seriously aiming for the other's life.
It was as if they were testing each other's strength.
Blades scraped against blades, sparks flying, piercing their vision with flashes of varying size.
Eventually, they slammed their blades together with exceptional force, stopping each other's movement.
Pushing against one another, ready to kill at any moment, their gazes locked and refused to let go.
The opening moves were equal. It seemed safe to think so.
"Hmm, nice. Feeling good so far."
Nick, showing his composure, spoke with a smile, but Kiri, glaring at him from point-blank range, wore a grim expression.
"You know, the highest bounty I've taken down so far was 100 million berries. But hey, if I'm facing a guy trained by a Shichibukai, you're worth more than that, right?"
"Who knows. I'm not interested, and I don't feel like answering."
"Cold. Let's enjoy this a little more. It's a rare contest."
Kiri twisted his wrists. Grind—the sound of blades scraping rang out as the angle changed. Seeing that motion, Nick moved instantly, kicking off the ground with both feet to jump. Simultaneously, Kiri spun while crouching, unleashing a kick—or rather, a sweep—with his extended right leg.
Nick, having jumped to dodge, landed safely with room to spare.
Reflexively trying to attack, he witnessed the moment Kiri extended his arm from his crouched position.
A pursuit attack, scooping up from below. Nick dodged by stepping back.
Kiri continued his assault as he stood up.
Even while moving his feet to gain distance, Nick looked like he was having fun.
"Haha, nice. That's what I'm talking abou—"
"I don't intend to enjoy this."
Immediately after hearing those words, Nick realized a leg had been swung up right before his eyes. The kick connected directly with his face. His body was blown away as lightly as paper, bouncing several times across the roof.
He barely managed a breakfall, landing on one knee.
Touching his face with his right hand, he found a nosebleed. Considerable pain covered his entire face.
The composure that had certainly existed seemed to shadow, and the smile vanished from his face.
Ahead of Nick's gaze, Kiri disassembled the paper knives he had been holding, preparing to use a new ability. As proof, paper was floating around him.
His usual looseness was gone entirely, replaced by an overly cold, emotionless expression.
Silent eyes recognized the target as prey.
Standing up without a word, Nick tightened his expression.
Having taken down a 100 million berry bounty, he couldn't deny he had been confident—or perhaps arrogant—that he wouldn't lose. He hadn't expected to beat a Shichibukai, of course, but he truly believed he wouldn't lose to a mere subordinate.
was that belief crumbling now?
Just one hit. Yet his thoughts led him to an answer he hadn't anticipated.
Fear?
Impossible, he thought, spinning his knives.
Reset and restart the match. He didn't seem to have lost himself yet.
"I can't enjoy myself with your level. Not even if there were a hundred of you."
"You talk big. I don't mean to brag, but I'm not even serious yet, you know?"
Saying this, Nick leaned forward, gauging the timing, then pounced.
Placing himself at his preferred distance, he swung both arms, thrusting the knives. Watching with cold eyes, Kiri dodged calmly without panic. Without moving much, he arched his back and moved his head, evading completely.
Only a few attacks. Yet all were seen through. With a bored look, Kiri swung his leg, kicking Nick's body easily. Kicked squarely in the stomach, Nick's breath hitched.
It wasn't great pain, but for a split second, the impact stopped his movement.
A raised left leg caught his jaw, making him stumble.
Immediately after, his temple was struck by Kiri's right leg, sending Nick's body rolling across the roof.
Ordinary kicks, with no sign of ability usage. Normally, there was no way he couldn't dodge them.
Looking back at himself lying on the ground, Nick turned pale.
Strange. He was genuinely puzzled as to why this was happening. Regardless of the circumstances, this was an opponent he had defeated once before. In fact, the wounds Nick had inflicted remained on Kiri's body, visible in the bandages. It was weird for there to be such a huge gap.
Unnoticed, cold sweat ran down his face.
Kiri waited for Nick to stand. He dared not attack, simply watching.
Nick rose slowly, as if to erase his agitation.
Looking at his eyes, it was clear the enemy was at least somewhat confused. But Kiri's emotions did not move. He stood there, revealing nothing.
"That's what happens when a mere bounty hunter sticks his neck in without any resolve. Facing you like this, I don't find you scary at all."
"Big words... You guys are 'mere' pirates yourselves. Think you're different from the rest? Nothing changes. Not me, not you."
"We're not the same."
Small pieces of paper drifting nearby gathered in one spot.
Without any large movements, they were becoming part of Kiri.
"You don't know true resolve."
"What...?"
As Nick frowned, this time Kiri went on the offensive.
Using no tricks, he simply approached with speed from the front. Before the surprised Nick could react, a left fist thrust out and struck his stomach dully. The moment Nick bent over in agony from the impact, Kiri jumped lightly and brought his raised right heel down onto the defenseless back of Nick's head.
Nick fell face-first, crashing into the ground with unprecedented force.
Blood splattered from his nose, and the hard roof cracked.
Behind the fallen Nick, Kiri raised his right arm.
Countless papers wrapped around it, gathering to form an iron-hard fist that smashed down onto Nick's head again.
Part of the roof was destroyed, and Nick vanished into the dust. Debris fell into the room below with a roar, but Kiri stared silently at the large hole in the roof.
A hole big enough for a person. Nick had fallen through it. He would likely come back up soon.
Deciding to wait right there, Kiri stood his ground.
For a short while, there was no sound, no presence. Then, without warning, he flew out.
Nick burst through the dust, landing on the roof and readjusting the hat he must have dropped.
Blood streamed from his head, and he looked slightly disgruntled.
He didn't show intense anger, but he wasn't the same as before either. Nick brushed the dirt off his clothes and muttered, not looking at Kiri.
"Ah, shit... that hurts."
He brought Kiri into his field of view again.
The agitation was gone. His face was calm, devoid of a smile.
In exchange, he finally seemed serious; his earnest expression displayed the difference from before.
"Well, talking is easy. This is easier to understand, right?"
Dexterously spinning his knives, he waited for a reaction.
Kiri remained silent, not reacting at all.
"Don't act cool about resolve and whatever. In the end, it's a world of life or death. Kill properly and survive—we live in a world that just repeats that."
"Yeah... that's right."
He accepted it easily without arguing.
Paper spontaneously separated from Kiri's hands, floating into the air again to wait around him.
A strange sight just to look at. It was a Devil Fruit ability. But the opponent wasn't the only one who had eaten a Devil Fruit. Nick, too, had eaten one long ago.
Without any warning, the change began.
Rustle, rustle—his skin shifted, feathers sprouted, and his form became eagle-like.
The Tori Tori no Mi (Bird-Bird Fruit), Model: Eagle. Now in hybrid form, Nick spread his wings and pointed his knives at the enemy.
Physical ability, mobility—his body surpassed human limits in many ways.
Fighting head-on had never been a good choice.
However, Kiri made no attempt to run or hide.
Using no stratagems, he stood rigid, simply watching Nick's form.
Only his gaze flicked briefly to check the room through the hole in the roof.
"This is my real territory. I'll focus only on killing you."
having changed form, Nick showed a smile.
As he said, his true strength started now. The greatest advantage of a Zoan type was the dramatic enhancement of physical abilities. He gained power incomparable to his human form.
This was the state in which he had taken down Kiri during the first ambush.
Convinced the situation would change from here, Nick flapped his wings and took flight.
"Ready? Hah, look at me throwing around the word 'resolve' lightly too."
After rising gradually, he spoke with a somewhat amused air.
Nick initiated a dive of his own will, attacking from above Kiri. His arms, integrated with his wings, gripped the knives tightly, his gaze constantly locked on Kiri's vitals.
Kiri, who had been watching the whole time, acted calmly and jumped into the hole instantly. Nick followed suit. It wasn't far from ceiling to floor, but the two closed the distance rapidly in mid-air.
The raised knives were about to be swung down.
Watching them, Kiri dealt with it coolly.
The paper dancing around him obeyed his command, sticking to both of Nick's hands gripping the knives.
With the momentum of the quick contact to cover his hands, Nick's arms were swept violently backward.
Naturally, his torso was left wide open, and Kiri's attack flew in immediately. Before landing, Nick was kicked in the side, blown away, and slammed into the wall.
By the time Nick hit the floor, Kiri landed on his hands in a handstand and flipped lightly to his feet.
"Gah...!? Shit, that hurts again..."
While the overturned Nick was trying to stand, Kiri looked away, scanning the room and spotting a bookshelf that had escaped the fire. Books still remained, barely safe.
Just by extending his hand, they moved.
Flutter, flutter—countless pages detached from the books and flew out.
Innumerable papers gathered into a swarm and flocked to Kiri, crawling along the ground in a movement so eerie it induced chills and fear.
He hadn't looked away for long.
But when Nick looked at him, his appearance had changed.
"What... is that?"
It looked like a white coat. The gathered paper had formed something that looked exactly like clothing.
It no longer looked like paper. Wearing a thick white coat, he stood there majestically. How beautiful, and how cruel, that figure was.
The essence of his ability. Nick was witnessing it now.
"This is my true strength. The more paper I have, the stronger I get... Paper Armament: White Thunder."
The paper that had been writhing moments ago now maintained silence as mere clothing.
Faced with that unnatural sight and his words, Nick understood.
"I see. The more, the better, huh... Does that mean it took you time to find me because you were gathering paper? Doesn't seem like a coincidence you showed yourself here."
"I have a cautious nature. From here on, I don't intend to take any time."
"Nasty habit."
Nick looked around the room again. Though damaged and ruined in places, the interior items were relatively intact. More importantly, this was a large house.
He must have shown himself anticipating the interior conditions.
Burning with anger or not, he hadn't lost his cool judgment. The current situation was the result.
Though his appearance had changed, Nick didn't know yet how his strength differed.
At the very least, the narrow room was disadvantageous. Thinking he couldn't use his specialty—aerial combat or hit-and-run from high places—Nick considered escaping outside.
Fortunately, the walls were cracked and on the verge of collapse. There was a hole in the ceiling too.
Plus, his equipment was fully stocked; he figured he could handle this.
"You certainly look strong, but I have to see your skill to believe it. If you lose after gathering all that, I can't even sympathize."
Saying this, Nick dropped something on the ground with a casual air.
A bomb with a lit fuse.
As the round object rolled—clack, clack—and Kiri looked down at it disinterestedly for a split second, Nick spread his wings and took off quickly. He exited through the hole in the ceiling.
Then, the explosion. The interior of the building was blasted, and massive amounts of smoke billowed from the hole into the sky.
Nick hovered, flapping his wings, looking down.
Surely that wouldn't kill him. He waited in the air for him to come out.
And just as expected, he emerged without taking much time.
An uninjured Kiri appeared on the roof from within the smoke and looked at Nick. He showed zero agitation.
This level of attack was within expectations. Not even a surprise. The problem was what came next—something Nick, who was starting to feel overwhelmed, understood better than anyone.
He flapped his wings, gaining more altitude.
The strength of the Tori Tori no Mi lay in flight and mobility impossible for humans. Outside the room, he wouldn't lose easily. He had confidence, experience, and technique.
After looking down at Kiri from high above, Nick began a nosedive.
"Alright, here we go."
Falling straight toward the ground, he grabbed the air with his wings to accelerate himself.
Straight down from above Kiri. His figure was directly below.
confirming Kiri stood motionless, Nick judged he had a winning chance.
He already knew the enemy's weakness. Contact with water weakened him and made voluntary movement difficult. And the device to exploit that weakness was hidden under his clothes.
A deadly tool that shot water with a simple action.
Even if it only had the power of a squirt gun against a normal human, he had confirmed it was effective against him.
He didn't think Kiri had forgotten, but the pirate seemed to be rushing for success.
Seeing Nick plummeting toward him, Kiri braced himself without panic.
Standing with legs apart, he extended his right arm straight to the side, pointing only his index finger.
"Now, what will you do! A half-hearted attack won't stop my charge!"
The distance closed rapidly. But he was still too far to fire the water.
At that distance, Kiri suddenly swung his right arm toward the sky. Naturally, his arm didn't stretch, and just as Nick raised an eyebrow wondering what he intended, he received a tremendous impact.
An attack too fast to see smashed into his cheek.
He saw it. He definitely saw it. He just couldn't react.
The moment Kiri swung his arm up, the white coat moved eerily, and an extended tentacle struck Nick.
Unexpected speed. By the time he realized it, the attack was already over.
His vision shook, his stance broke. Rocked in mid-air, he was wide open.
Another hit. As Kiri swung his left arm, a thick extended tentacle struck Nick's wing.
Thud—a heavy impact. Pain that nearly made him faint shot through him. Iron-hard, wide range, and too fast to dodge. This wasn't normal damage.
The earlier kicks seemed like child's play in comparison.
Hit on the wing, his posture collapsed completely, and without time to recover, his body spun ungracefully.
"Guh...!?"
Against the spiraling Nick, Kiri launched further attacks.
Swinging his right hand to extend a tentacle, he caught the falling Nick from above and forcibly slammed him down, more than doubling his fall speed.
Added to the damage of the blow was speed he couldn't escape.
Without killing the momentum, Nick's body was smashed into the ground.
Dust rose, obscuring his figure for a moment.
Having crashed with tremendous force, Nick lay collapsed, groaning in pain all over.
As the wind carried the dust away, Kiri jumped down from the roof.
He walked leisurely over to Nick, looked down at the fallen man, and did not strike.
A terrible insult. In a situation where he could finish him, he deliberately let him be.
"Stand up."
"You..."
Kiri waited quietly for Nick to desperately try to stand with his trembling body. He wasn't unharmed, but he seemed capable of continuing the fight.
He stood, picking up the dropped knives. He had no leeway to pick up his hat.
Immediately after grabbing his weapons, he spread his wings. As if to intimidate.
Kiri's demeanor didn't change. The coat he wore was quiet, as if the earlier attack had been a lie, retaining a beauty that didn't look like paper. His dignified stance was terrifying.
But Nick couldn't retreat now; he attacked.
"Uooooooaaah!!"
Kicking the ground, catching the wind with his wings, he advanced at high speed.
In the next instant, a heavy blow pierced his face, intercepting his charge.
Nick, who had tried to move forward, was sent flying backward past his starting point, landing spread-eagled on his back.
"Stand up."
Kiri spoke concisely and walked closer. Nick felt the presence without looking.
So, Nick used the momentum to spring up and immediately transitioned into an attack.
If I strike unexpectedly, maybe it will reach. Mocking that thought, a paper tentacle smashed into him, Kiri's attack blowing his body away lightly.
Rolling across the ground again, Nick vomited blood and stopped moving. It was no longer just a cut head. His nose was broken, and several bones inside his body were likely fractured too.
An inescapable, intense pain was ingrained in his body.
Kiri approached again, standing right in front of him this time.
Clearly closer than before. Is he inviting me? Nick's face twisted.
"Stand up."
The repeated words were the same. Even standing in clear superiority, he wouldn't let him flee.
Spitting out the blood in his mouth, Nick stood and faced him.
This close, his arms would reach. Knives were enough. If he just hit first, there was a chance.
Gazes collided, glaring silently.
He had underestimated Kiri too much. But realizing the reality, Nick, who still thought 'I haven't lost yet,' was apparently not calm.
The proof was that he looked Kiri in the eye and didn't run.
"Impressive... You're worth that man's obsession."
Reacting not at all to his words, Kiri stared up at Nick's face.
Saying anything now wouldn't shake him.
Nick swung his knife in his hybrid form.
He thought he chose an abrupt timing, but Kiri reacted instantly.
Even though Kiri moved after seeing Nick move, he swung his right arm, and the tentacle extending from the coat struck Nick's cheek first. The intense impact interrupted Nick's attack and forcibly shifted his field of view.
In that moment of stumbling, a tentacle punched Nick's stomach in sync with Kiri's left arm movement.
His body lifted for a second, and he desperately put strength into his legs to stay upright. But giving him no time, the next blow struck Nick's jaw from below.
Wobbly, visibly lacking strength. Before he knew it, Nick had dropped both knives, and didn't even have the composure to crouch and pick them up.
Kiri's eyes watched the scene without wavering.
Nick's body swayed unintentionally, but he hadn't given up; trembling, he reached for his hip. He barely managed to grab the pistol he had loaded beforehand.
Desperately drawing the pistol, he aimed the muzzle at Kiri with sheer willpower.
But faster than he could pull the trigger, his shoulder was punched, his body flew, and the pistol clattered to the ground.
Nick fell again.
Ruthless attacks that allowed no time to regain composure cornered his body and mind further and further. It was natural to think, I'm going to be killed.
When he stood up, exhausted, Kiri was waiting right in front of him again.
Before he could feel fear, a tentacle hit his chest, and Nick's body was blown away with force. But Nick used the momentum to his advantage, spreading his wings to try and escape into the sky.
Survival was the top priority. That was why he hadn't died until today.
Life was more important than the result or process of a match. Therefore, he had no hesitation in retreating.
Moving quickly, he jumped high, trying to leave the area without looking back.
(This is no good...! I need distance—)
But before he reached his target altitude, he was yanked violently from behind. Surprised, Nick looked back to see a thin paper tentacle wrapped around his left leg, tracing back to Kiri's coat.
Kiri swung his extended left arm with all his might.
Suppressing the eagle's power, Nick's body was swung around.
Dragged forcibly down, he crashed into a roof.
From there, Kiri swung his arm sideways; the connected tentacle dragged Nick's body, slamming him through a row of building walls as he moved, the sounds of destruction overlapping as debris fell.
By the time Kiri turned his body around, Nick had been moved to the street on the opposite side, crashing into a building.
Only after a loud crash was heard did the paper release his leg.
Nick lay collapsed inside a broken house.
Having been dragged and smashed through walls repeatedly, he was in a state where moving seemed impossible.
Shards of stone and wood pierced his flesh in places, and blood spread on the ground. His expression of agony was only natural.
Still crawling, he tried to escape through the hole his impact had created. That was the only resistance he could muster. Beaten by overwhelming power, his spirit broken.
A torturous battle that Kiri likely could have ended from the start, but deliberately prolonged.
That thing... is not human.
Having seen many bounties, Nick thought this, his will to fight completely extinguished.
At that moment, he heard footsteps behind him. Without looking back, Nick sighed.
The very instant he turned around, before he was even allowed to see the figure, a thick tentacle punched his chest, blasting him through the wall on the far side.
Nick's body bounced ungracefully on the ground without taking a breakfall, looking like a limp doll.
Vomiting massive amounts of blood, into his wavering vision, Kiri descended to the ground a short distance away.
"Guh, gah...! Haa, wait..."
Using both arms, he desperately propped himself up and turned his face toward Kiri.
The difference in power was overwhelming. Winning was impossible no matter what.
So, Nick decided to negotiate.
"As you can see, I... haa... have the ability to fly. It's rare in this world. Right? If you use this, I can create advantageous situations for you, anytime, anywhere."
Standing in the middle of the road, Kiri looked at Nick.
Cold eyes, expressionless. At least he didn't seem about to attack.
"I'm a bounty hunter, after all... There are things you guys can't do. Isn't the cooperation of a civilian valuable? I have... connections with the Marines, too."
"Hmm..."
"It's not a bad deal. I don't mean to brag, but I think... I'm useful..."
He attempted persuasion with desperate, dying breaths. Seeing Kiri not interrupting, he wondered if there was room for negotiation, and a sliver of hope was about to be born in Nick's heart.
He had heard the man was sharp. The possibility shouldn't be zero.
Believing that was the only thing he could do now.
"I do like useful talent. Gathering guys like that and using them well can be a way to protect comrades. Especially rare talent with specialized abilities isn't easy to find."
"I see... then!"
"But not you."
Kiri showed a smile for the first time.
A pure smile, like a child's. That only made his abnormality more apparent.
It wasn't an expression to direct at a bloodied man lying on the ground.
"You've lived like that until now, haven't you? You'll definitely betray us in the future. You will absolutely leave our side to become an enemy."
"I-I swear. I will never do that."
"Tongues can say anything."
For some reason, Kiri's coat was rustling—zawa zawa.
As if the collective of paper was about to start something, each sheet began to move, the sound growing louder as they brushed against each other.
To the pale-faced Nick, he must have looked like a demon or a devil.
His tone made it clear he was about to finish his target.
"That's what happens when you stick your neck in without any resolve. If you're not willing to bet your life, don't mess with pirates with half-hearted feelings."
"A-Ah... My bad. I'm reflecting on it, right now."
"The best use for you... is to change the user of the Tori Tori no Mi."
Saying this with a smile, Kiri raised his right arm and held up a single finger.
As the white coat expanded, countless papers began to move in unison, inciting terror by sight alone.
Nick felt like he was already dead.
Now, the expression changed completely.
Staring at the stiff-faced Nick, Kiri, still smiling, swung his arm down.
"Hii...!?"
"Paper Cry—!"
Accompanied by a roar like an angry shout, a massive swarm of paper raced through the air, cloaked in a gale.
In an instant, Nick's figure was swallowed, captured, carried, and passed by like the wind. Racing down the unobstructed main street, it moved hundreds of meters and still didn't stop.
Swallowed, Nick felt as if he were in a muddy torrent.
Vision gone, body paralyzed, dragged away without knowing where he was going.
Eventually, a large tower came into view ahead.
Flying at high speed without deviation, the swarm of paper slammed into the tower.
Pinned down by wave after wave of paper, Nick found even breathing difficult.
A few seconds felt like eternity. Nick endured, gasping for air.
Then, when the rush of paper ceased, his vision cleared all at once.
He had endured. He was still alive. He smiled involuntarily.
Before his eyes, Kiri emerged from the massive lump of paper.
"—Hell Scroll of Hungry Ghosts."
Wrapped in white paper, his appearance had changed again.
Swords in both hands. On his back, he carried a great ring, upon which eight bladed weapons were lined up at equal intervals, all points aimed at the target.
This time, Nick accepted his fate.
Face pale, Kiri's movement as he approached, falling from the sky, looked terribly slow.
Then, contact.
The result was visible in an instant.
The moment Kiri spun his body, two swords and eight blades attacked the target simultaneously, slashing the body, gouging the flesh, scattering it to the sky and the walls.
It was as if a red flower had bloomed.
Tens of meters from the ground. When Kiri landed, obeying gravity, a red rain fell, dyeing his body crimson from head to toe.
After it rained for a while, he looked up.
A red-stained silhouette was crucified on the wall, silent, not falling down.
He exhaled—Phew—and returned to his usual atmosphere.
Smiling with a satisfied face, Kiri spoke in a light voice.
Addressing the opponent who surely couldn't hear him, he spoke with a strange familiarity.
"Well, I feel better now, so I won't take your life. Even if the Devil Fruit respawned somewhere in the world, getting it would be almost impossible anyway."
His body was stained a dark, dirty red, but his expression was bright.
Doing only what he wanted to do seemed to have distracted him.
Anyway, the uneasy element was gone. The troublesome opponent with mediocre skill but flight capabilities was out of the war; even if someone saved him, he wouldn't be coming back. Now Kiri could focus on other enemies.
This time, Kiri began to walk with his usual, yet serious expression.
"If you learned your lesson, change jobs. Don't underestimate pirates."
Walking away briskly, he didn't look back.
Kiri's eyes were set on the next objective—something he had decided to accomplish no matter what.
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