"Pay attention to the time. Sengoku and Aokiji from Marine Headquarters will be here soon,"
Dragon reminded, his tone steady as his sharp eyes locked on Rain, who was bracing himself for battle.
"I know," Rain replied with a curt nod, already shifting his stance.
But before he could act
"Wororororo! How could such a lively event go on without me?!"
Kaido, who had been missing for some time, finally appeared. His massive figure loomed as he strode forward and came to stand beside Rain. His intent was clear: he would join forces with him against these enemies.
"Show me then… what other trump cards does the World Government have!" Kaido's wild laughter rolled like thunder.
"Kill!"
The aged swordsman didn't hesitate. His eyes narrowed as he locked onto Rain, his blade already cleaving down in a terrifying arc.
The air itself screamed under the force of his swing. Even before the slash reached him, Rain felt its razor edge.
His instincts screamed...this was no ordinary strike. Even Armament Haki might not be enough. If he took this head-on, he would be cleaved in two.
"…Extreme attack power?"
In that instant, Rain understood. He was facing the type of swordsman who threw away all defense to reach the absolute peak of offense.
The old man's body was frail, his life force flickering… but his blade carried the purity of a killing strike honed through decades.
Such men were like cursed blades themselves—if their strike landed, it was death, no question.
A blade that cut the enemy at the cost of the user's own body. A blade so sharp it could split space itself.
"One for one…?" Rain's lips curled into a sharp grin.
"Just what I wanted!"
His sword rose and in a flash, he cut through the slash, forcing it aside. The moment the attack was neutralized, Rain surged forward, closing the distance with deadly intent.
"Oh?"
The old swordsman's eyes widened in faint surprise. "Interesting. So he trusts his defense that much?"
But almost immediately, pity replaced the spark of intrigue.
"…A shame. He die too quickly. Otherwise, I wouldn't have to end here myself."
For him, the CP0 chief stirred...the telepathic power of his Devil Fruit ready to merge with his swordsman's killing intent.
Together, their coordination forged an invincible rhythm of death.
But now, CP0 was already dead.
It had been too fast—so fast that the perfect combination between the two never even had time to take form.
"What a pity… is this the end?"
Realizing that his life might end here, the old swordsman felt no regret.
As the Shield of God, the only one he was ever meant to protect was that adult.
Although that adult didn't actually need protection, someone still had to act in his stead. One cannot do everything alone. That would be too unfair.
At the same time, the old swordsman had already tasted all this world had to offer.
There was nothing left he yearned for.
"Sir… I'm sorry. I can no longer carry out your orders."
The thought flickered across his mind—then disappeared.
"Kill!!"
His voice cracked like thunder as he swung his strongest blade.
This strike was enough to tear the very seams of space.
"God Falls!"
Seeing the blade descend, Rain stopped holding back. His own aura surged.
Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki entwined around his sword like black lightning.
"Ace!"
The two blades met.
Boom!!
At the instant of impact, a violent power erupted outward, ripping the battlefield apart.
"Can't stop it!"
Rain's pupils constricted. His power held for three seconds—then the edge of the slash pushed through.
Even the strongest form of Haki could barely stand before this space-distorting strike.
"Maybe… this really is the most powerful slash in the world…"
That thought flashed through Rain's mind, even as he gritted his teeth and pressed forward.
The old swordsman's body trembled as the backlash tore through him. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Yet his eyes were calm.
"…Sorry, Garling. It seems I have to die here."
With that single whisper, the Shield of God collapsed, his sword falling silent.
"It's a pity… if I didn't know magic, I would've been in trouble here."
Rain's tone was almost sympathetic as he looked at the old swordsman.
Then, the form magic was activated.
Under its effect, the terrifying slashes shrank a hundredfold in both force and scale.
What had once been enough to tear apart the world itself dwindled into a blade that could barely kill an ant.
"Wha…?!"
The old swordsman's eyes widened in disbelief. Even in his long life, he had never seen such a twisted, incomprehensible power.
But he would never have the chance to ask.
Rain's blade swept down, severing both man and sword in a single stroke.
Perhaps this was the so-called fate of a swordsman… to meet death with a broken blade.
"Impossible… even he's dead? Who else can stand against him?"
The Five Elders, who had once placed their faith in the Shield of God, felt their hearts clench. For the first time, panic brushed their ancient faces.
Worse still, Sengoku and Kuzan had yet to arrive. And at Rain's speed… could he reach the Flower Room before their reinforcements ever set foot inside?
Saint Nusjuro with the sword slowly stood, his grip tightening as he prepared to draw. His lips parted, the thought of charging forward heavy in his chest.
But then
All five froze.
Their gazes flicked to one another, silent recognition flashing in their eyes. As though some unseen command had brushed across their minds.
In the next breath, they sat back down, composed as ever.
Saint Nusjuro, who had half-drawn his blade, let out a quiet breath and slid it back into its sheath with a click.
The oppressive tension dissolved, leaving only their cold stares fixed upon Rain.
They had made their choice.
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