As Yemu's words fell, everyone froze in shock.
Almost as if responding to him, the castle gates creaked open. Through the roaring wind and swirling snow stepped a towering man, his entire being exuding a demonic, suffocating presence.
Clack... clack...
With each deliberate, heavy step, the most dangerous enemy the Sky Pirates had encountered since setting sail—Douglas Bullet—appeared before them.
In that moment, no one in the castle dared to breathe. The oppressive despair radiating from Bullet's body crushed every ounce of courage in the room. He was like a killing machine, devoid of warmth or humanity, consumed entirely by rage, destruction, and ruin.
Enel was already standing at Yemu's side. Tiger, still lying on his own bed, clenched his fists tight. Erik, tending to his sister, gripped his twin blades. Flare and Baby-5 clutched each other's hands, while Dr. Kureha's entire body tensed in fear.
"So... terrifying..."
"What a monster..."
"Is that thing even human?"
When Douglas Bullet's eyes fell upon Yemu lying on the bed, his brow tightened. His body radiated restless fury as he muttered, voice low and menacing like a demon's whisper.
"What... is this?"
The crimson light in his eyes sent a shiver through everyone present.
Then Yemu's calm, steady voice broke the heavy silence.
"Don't misunderstand. I just lost a bit of blood, that's all..."
Hearing this, Bullet's expression twisted into excitement. His gaze shifted toward the other bed—where a small, pale girl lay completely drained of color. Understanding flickered in his eyes, and a cruel smile spread across his face.
"So that's it. Once again, you've grown weak because of your pathetic comrades..."
"Right now, I could kill you with ease..."
"!!!"
Everyone tensed instantly. Enel, Flare, and Erik instinctively stepped in front of Yemu's bed.
Seeing this, Bullet's mocking grin deepened.
"Just as I thought. Companions only make you weak. You don't actually believe these pitiful worms can protect you, do you?"
Before Yemu could reply, Enel couldn't hold back any longer.
"Hah... this is the first time someone's called me a pitiful worm. I'm the First Mate, you know. Being looked down on like this... really pisses me off. Looks like I'll have to prove myself."
Bullet tilted his head slightly, smirking as he glanced at Enel from the corner of his eye.
"Just another lucky fool who happened to eat the Goro Goro no Mi..."
"!!!"
The words struck a nerve. Enel's fury exploded as he stepped forward—only for Yemu to grab him by the arm, pulling him back.
Bullet's eyes glinted with contempt. He spared no further glance at Enel or Yemu, and not even a flicker of interest at the rest of the Sky Pirates.
But then Yemu spoke again—and his words made Bullet's brow crease deeply.
"No need to get so worked up, Enel. He calls you pitiful, but isn't he the same? A man who can't even exist without depending on others..."
"!!!"
The entire castle seemed to freeze.
Flare and the others could feel it—the once-overwhelming aura of the devilish man before them had faltered at Yemu's words.
But Bullet quickly recovered, letting out a thunderous laugh.
"Hah! So that's it—you know you're about to die, so you're trying to win a few words before you go?"
"No..."
Still lying on the bed, Yemu shook his head and continued softly.
"I was wondering before... we've met, sure, but we're not that familiar. There's no real grudge between us. Why go so far to kill me? But now, I think I understand. Ever since Roger died, you've lost your sense of purpose. You're trying to prove your own existence... by killing me, aren't you?"
The words stunned everyone—and even Bullet's face darkened, his composure cracking for the first time.
The others exchanged glances. It was clear now—Yemu had struck a wound buried deep within Bullet's heart.
However...
"Are you sure it's wise to provoke this guy like that?"
Flare leaned back slightly and asked in a low voice.
As if answering her concern, Bullet suddenly burst into a maniacal laugh.
"Kahahahahahaha..."
"Indeed, I wasn't wrong about you. Crossing the entire Grand Line, island by island, to track you down was worth it."
"Only someone like you is worth killing!"
"If I kill you, I'll prove to the world that I'm right."
"Dreams, comrades, ambition, inheriting will—none of that matters. Only absolute strength is the truth of this world."
At that moment, watching Bullet roar like a madman, everyone present shared the same thought: he might truly be the pitiful creature Yemu called him. But that didn't change the fact that he was terrifyingly dangerous.
They were already thinking about escape routes when Yemu suddenly spoke.
"So, have you picked out my grave yet?"
Bullet paused a beat, then laughed even harder, crazed.
"Of course. After all, you're the heir to Roger's will—if I kill you, I won't do it carelessly..."
"We must choose a proper grave."
"Only then will our fight be worthy."
"It's a pity I didn't realize sooner how interesting you are."
"No wonder Captain Roger and Mr. Rayleigh valued you so much. You're exactly my type."
"Then, see you tomorrow morning. By then you should be back at full strength, right?"
Yemu nodded faintly.
"Of course..."
"That's perfect. I hope you'll let me savor the pleasure of battle tomorrow. Don't die so easily... otherwise I'll torture your comrades one by one and kill them."
With that, Bullet laughed madly as he strode out of the castle, his figure swallowed by the snowstorm.
When Bullet's voice faded, everyone finally let out a breath.
"You're not really planning to fight him tomorrow, are you? We can still escape now..." Flare asked anxiously.
Yemu shook his head.
"There's no running."
"Then can you beat him?"
Yemu shook his head again.
"Though it sounds like boasting his ego and diminishing my own, my chances of winning are under ten percent. This guy's combat power is definitely at Sengoku's level."
"!!!"
The group was stunned—Sengoku was an Admiral, and ten percent might as well be zero.
"What if the two of us team up?" Enel suggested.
Yemu shook his head once more and said words that puzzled everyone.
"I want to fight this battle alone."