Kai couldn't believe it.
He forced his remaining mist to spread again, scanning the area one more time.
The image formed inside his mind—gray, blurred outlines—but even so… he recognized it.
That silhouette.
That presence.
"…Ken?"
In that instant, everything fell into place.
How the guards had found them so quickly.
How the escape plan had been exposed.
How Ken had known about the tunnel.
About the guard shift.
"So… you were working with them all along," Kai whispered.
Ken said nothing.
Instead, the Mafia Boss burst into loud laughter.
"HAHAHAHA!"
"Did you really think escaping would be that easy?"
He stepped forward, his smile twisted.
"I planned everything. Every step. Even this bullet—" he tapped the revolver, "—I bought it specially. Seastone ammunition. Meant for that damn Vice Admiral of the Marines."
"But I figured… testing it on you first wouldn't hurt."
His eyes gleamed with cruelty.
"You slaves are just tools. And when tools break… you throw them away."
Kai's fists trembled.
Hatred boiled inside him.
Pain.
Betrayal.
Ken had been the closest thing he had to a friend in this world.
And now—
Kai felt the wound in his shoulder burn. His strength was already half gone.
Five more minutes…
If this fight lasts five more minutes, I lose.
Suddenly—
His mist screamed a warning.
The Mafia Boss lunged.
Kai barely dodged as the blade cut through the air. A gunshot rang out.
Kai instantly turned into mist, fleeing to the side.
That bullet… If it hits me again, I'm dead.
He tried to reform his body—
Another attack interrupted him.
Panic crept in.
If I stay in mist form too long, my stamina will run out.
Kai forced himself to calm down.
Think.
Two enemies.
One chance.
The Mafia Boss watched carefully, trying to prevent Kai from reforming.
He knew one thing about Logia users—
stay in elemental form too long, and they exhaust themselves.
Then—
He noticed something.
The mist ahead suddenly thickened.
"He's trying to escape!" the Boss shouted, rushing toward it.
But he didn't notice—
Behind him, Kai was reforming.
Ken did.
His eyes widened. He raised the gun—
Too late.
Kai gathered mist around his finger.
"Kiri Kiri no Mi…
Mist Bullet."
The shot of compressed fog struck Ken directly in the eyes.
"AGH!"
He dropped the weapon, blinded.
Kai didn't hesitate.
"Kiri Kiri no Mi…
Mist Hand."
A fog-formed arm shot forward, grabbing the gun and hurling it deep into the forest.
The Mafia Boss turned, furious.
"You useless slave!"
He struck Ken aside.
Then his gaze locked onto Kai.
All of this… was because of him.
The Boss charged.
Kai tried to dodge—
Pain exploded in his shoulder.
His energy was nearly gone.
The blade pierced his chest, tearing open a deep wound.
Kai gasped, blood spilling from his mouth.
"So," the Boss sneered, raising his sword,
"this is the end for you."
The blade descended—aimed straight at Kai's heart.
Is this it…?
Am I really going to die like this?