On the Going Merry, the crew braced themselves for battle. A reddish-yellow light shot onto the deck, swirling until it began to converge into a human form.
Zoro had already drawn his sword. Sanji stepped protectively in front of Nami and Robin, while Luffy stood at the front, fists clenched and eyes sharp.
Meanwhile, Usopp and Chopper huddled together in a corner, trembling from head to toe.
Everyone thought Admiral Kizaru had returned.
But when the light faded away, it revealed a familiar figure.
Shirogai looked at his companions with a casual smile.
"Hehe, did everyone miss me?"
"Shirogai!"
Usopp and Chopper immediately rushed from their hiding spot, clinging to his legs like children.
Chopper sobbed pitifully.
"Wuwuwu, Shirogai, you're finally back! We thought we'd never see you again!"
"Wuwuwu, Shirogai!"
Usopp, trembling but still trying to sound brave, puffed up his chest.
"Just now, Admiral Kizaru landed on the Going Merry, but luckily I scared him away with my ultimate technique, 'Admiral Expulsion Bullet'! Otherwise, we'd all be finished!"
Shirogai patted both their heads with a grin.
"Don't worry. He's just an Admiral, nothing too frightening. But Usopp, to think you actually scared away an Admiral—amazing!"
Chopper's eyes widened as he looked at Usopp with awe.
"Wow! So the Admiral really left because you expelled him?!"
"Uh…" Usopp froze, then coughed awkwardly before regaining his bravado.
"Hmph, of course! Besides me, Usopp the brave warrior, who else could send an Admiral running?!"
"Shirogai!"
Nami threw herself against him, tears still in her eyes.
"Luffy and Zoro got bullied in town, and they didn't fight back at all! They acted like something was wrong with them!"
Shirogai stroked her hair, smiling softly.
"Luffy being strange? That's normal. As for Zoro, well… besides muscles, there's not much else in his head."
"But…" Nami's lips quivered as her eyes turned red again.
"It really hurt to watch them beaten without lifting a hand."
"Nami, don't be sad."
Shirogai pointed toward Mock Town, now blanketed in snow.
"Did you hear that strange sound just now? That was me. I've already helped you get revenge."
"Really? Hmph!"
Nami's eyes sparkled, her tears gone in an instant. She turned proudly to Robin.
"See? I told you that noise came from Shirogai! I win—hand it over!"
Robin chuckled, pulling out two Berries and placing them in Nami's hand.
"Hehehehehe!"
Luffy leapt onto Shirogai, laughing with his usual carefree grin.
"Yahahaha, Shirogai, welcome back! Tell me—how strong is the Admiral?!"
"Not bad. I've already learned his ability."
Shirogai smiled as his gaze shifted to Sanji, calmly smoking, and Zoro, now sheathing his blade.
"When there's time, want to test yourselves against an Admiral's strength?"
Sanji blew out a smoke ring, intrigued.
"Of course."
A sharp glint flashed in Zoro's eyes.
"An Admiral, huh? Worth crossing swords."
Luffy's face lit up, his arm stretching out in excitement.
"Let's fight right now!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
All three were immediately silenced with large bumps on their heads.
Nami stood over them, furious—especially at Luffy, glaring in disappointment.
"Luffy! At a time like this, you're thinking about fighting?! You didn't even fight back in town!"
Shirogai chuckled at the sight.
"Hehe, so you really did get beaten up, huh?"
But his teasing instantly backfired.
"You've got some nerve to laugh!"
Nami's eyes narrowed as she rolled up her sleeves.
"You're the most reckless of them all, Shirogai! Running off to fight an Admiral alone?!"
"Hey, Nami! That's not fair!" Shirogai backpedaled quickly, scratching his head with a guilty smile.
"He was the one who came after me!"
"That's not the point!" Nami snapped, pulling out her Weather Wand.
"You treated us like burdens! We're companions, aren't we? We're supposed to face danger together!"
She swung the wand, chasing him all over the ship while he darted around, laughing nervously.
One had to wonder—if Admiral Kizaru saw this scene, what would he even think?
"Nami, calm down! He's an Admiral—"
"So what if he's an Admiral?!" she shouted, her eyes blazing.
"If another one comes, we'll face him together! Otherwise, what kind of companions are we?!"
Shirogai suddenly stopped running. He turned, looking at her with unexpected calm.
Bonk!
The Weather Wand smacked his head squarely.
The man who had survived the Blackbeard Pirates' ambush without a scratch now stood stunned from the blow of a single furious girl.
Nami froze, shocked that she had actually managed to hit him.
Shirogai rubbed his head, then smiled gently.
"Feel better now, Nami? Want another shot?" He pressed the wand back to his own forehead, speaking softly.
"I'm sorry. I really did make you worry."
Nami's lips trembled, her eyes reddening again.
While he had fought the Admiral, she had been terrified—terrified that if Shirogai lost, he'd be captured, leaving them helpless. Would they have to abandon him? Would they have to charge Marineford itself for a hopeless rescue?
The thought had shattered her.
"You idiot! Big idiot!"
Nami burst into Robin's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Sorry, everyone," Shirogai said, turning to the others with a sincere smile.
"Next time, I'll fight at your side."
Sanji smirked.
"An Admiral, huh? Count me in."
"The cook's right," Zoro agreed, crossing his arms.
"We want a piece of him too."
Luffy raised his head, his grin wide and bright.
"Of course we'll fight together. We're companions!"