The Marines' latest mobilization deployed over a hundred elite soldiers proficient in Haki and Rokushiki, along with three Vice Admirals and one Admiral.
Such an overwhelming force sent waves of fear through the pirates scattered across the Sabaody Archipelago.
Like ostriches burying their heads in the sand, every pirate did their utmost to hide in places they deemed safe, not daring to take even a glance at the unfolding situation for fear of attracting unwanted attention.
It was the wisest choice.
Even though Aokiji and his forces weren't here specifically for them, if they were spotted, the Marines would certainly eliminate them without hesitation.
At this moment—
Hawkins faced a critical decision.
Should he retreat, abandoning Perona and Urouge, relying on his substitute dolls to escape?
Or should he wager his life, fighting to the last breath to ensure Perona and Urouge's safety?
Avoiding disaster is human nature.
Hawkins felt no pressure about leaving Urouge and Perona behind if it meant his survival.
However…
"I've already missed one chance to make a real choice…"
A gleam of resolve flashed in Hawkins' eyes.
"This time, I'll bet everything!"
"That man… is worth it!"
"Whether it's life or death, gain or loss, I'll leave it all to fate!"
Memories of Maude's incredible feats raced through Hawkins' mind.
In an instant, his decision was made.
Hawkins suddenly surged past Onigumo, charging toward Urouge and Perona.
"Hm?"
Onigumo, ever perceptive, noticed a shift in Hawkins' demeanor—a transformation in his previously bleak aura.
Though puzzled, Onigumo did not hesitate.
As Hawkins recklessly rushed past him, Onigumo slashed at him with his blade.
Blood sprayed, and a substitute doll tumbled from Hawkins' body.
Sacrificing one doll, Hawkins temporarily broke free from Onigumo's grasp.
Onigumo cast a brief glance at the third doll that had fallen from Hawkins.
By now, he had a rough grasp of Hawkins' abilities.
And he was certain—Hawkins' number of substitutes was limited. There was no need to rush.
Hawkins, now free, dashed into the Marine encirclement, reaching the downed Perona and Urouge.
"Hawkins, you…"
Urouge, his vision blurred, struggled to lift his head and look at Hawkins, who had thrown himself into the fray without hesitation. He could hardly comprehend his actions.
Perona remained unconscious from the heavy blow she had suffered, missing the sight of Hawkins' courageous charge.
Had she seen it, her sentimental nature might have led her to tear up, regretting all the sharp-tongued remarks she had thrown his way.
"…."
Hawkins offered no explanation to Urouge. Instead, his straw-formed hands conjured several black iron nails out of thin air.
Whoosh!
With a cross-swing of his arms, Hawkins flung dozens of nails at the surrounding Marines.
In response, the Marines effortlessly evaded using Soru, dodging the incoming projectiles with ease while swiftly closing in on Hawkins.
"Shigan!"
"Rankyaku!"
A barrage of Haki-infused attacks rained down upon Hawkins.
Like Urouge, Hawkins lacked any proficiency in Haki and was unable to withstand the combined assault of these elite Marines.
On this so-called Island of Failure, countless pirates with bounties of seventy or eighty million, or even over a hundred million, had met their demise due to their lack of Haki.
Even Hawkins, with a bounty exceeding two hundred million, was now experiencing firsthand the overwhelming power of the New World.
Brutal attacks forced more substitute dolls out of Hawkins' body.
One after another, each doll, shrouded in wisps of black smoke, was forced out from beneath his clothes before falling to the ground.
Against such absolute disadvantage, his ability to negate fatal injuries only served to buy him a little more time—it did nothing to change the inevitable outcome.
Before long—
His stock of prepared substitute dolls had dwindled to single digits.
9, 8, 7, 6…
Like a countdown to his demise, each fallen doll marked the little time he had left.
The battle was decided.
Bastille raised his Shark Cutter and rested it on his shoulder, his tone cold and firm: "The Magician Hawkins is not an 'alive' capture target. To be safe, let's execute him on the spot."
"Yes, sir!"
The elite Marines responded in unison.
Executing a pirate on the spot was far easier than capturing them alive.
Onigumo, gripping his eight blades, slowly walked to the edge of the battlefield, watching coldly as Hawkins was overwhelmed.
A "Supernova"?
Just another kid who didn't even understand Haki.
This result was anything but surprising.
"Damn, that hurt…"
The previously knocked-away Dalmatian, now recovering, walked toward the battlefield's edge.
"You okay, Dalmatian?"
Bastille glanced at him with a question of concern.
Dalmatian spat out a mouthful of blood, shaking his head. "I'm a Zoan user. This is nothing."
Zoan abilities granted him exceptional endurance and recovery.
That's why he hadn't been taken out in a single hit by Urouge and had quickly regained combat capability.
"This should end soon."
Dalmatian looked at the helpless Hawkins, his face gradually taking on his beastly features as he bared his fangs. "I'm pissed off right now… So, let me deliver the final blow."
"Suit yourself."
Bastille remained indifferent.
Onigumo watched in silence, expressionless.
Inside the battlefield—
Pinned down by relentless attacks, Hawkins felt a heavy weight in his heart.
"…Fate has not chosen me."
With a resigned sigh, Hawkins accepted his fate.
Yet, he held no regrets about his decision.
With only one substitute doll left, Hawkins remained composed.
Dalmatian, now in his half-beast form, stepped forward, looking down at the calm Hawkins. "Looks like you've come to terms with your fate."
With that, his beastly right hand turned pitch black as it was coated in Haki.
Soru!
Dalmatian vanished in an instant, lunging at Hawkins.
Just then—
The bubbles floating above Sabaody Archipelago burst with soft pops.
A dark streak shot down from the sky like a comet, piercing through the battlefield.
By chance—or perhaps by design—the descending shadow struck Dalmatian mid-attack.
BOOM!
Dalmatian's hybrid form was abruptly crushed into the ground, buried deep before he could even let out a scream, losing consciousness instantly.
The dark figure that had slammed Dalmatian into the ground was wrapped in waves of shadowy energy.
Hiss…
The ebbing shadow waves receded, revealing the figure of Maude.
His expression was calm as he flexed his pinky finger slightly.
"…Looks like I accidentally stepped on an insect."
"!!!"
"Vice Admiral Dalmatian…!!!"
"W-What?!"
"Ba… Bacardi Maude!!!"
The assembled Marines stared in shock at Maude's dramatic entrance.
"Oh? A Vice Admiral?"
Hearing their cries, Maude shifted his foot and glanced down at the ground.
"My bad, my bad. I thought I stepped on an insect. Turns out it was a Vice Admiral."
"You…!"
The Marines' expressions turned grim.
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