"They're coming."
"But…"
"…not yet."
Arthur streaked through the air, wind surging beneath his feet. Behind him, the stone giant grew ever larger, lumbering in pursuit. He already understood Rubin's intent, but there was no chance he would stop now.
Swish! Swish!
Arthur's figure blurred toward the distance. Rubin's face twisted darker and darker. The massive size of the giant gave it strength—but robbed it of speed.
"Tsk!"
"Damn it!"
"You brat!"
"I swear, I'll kill you with my own hands!"
Roaring with fury, Rubin abandoned the giant's body, his form blurring into a shadow as he burst forward. He stepped into the air—Geppo. For those of true strength, most of the Marine's Six Powers, save Kami-e, were simple to master.
"…He's here."
Arthur muttered, yet only accelerated.
"Wind King's Spear!"
Dozens of spears of storming wind rained down. Rubin shattered them one by one, fists wrapped in Armament Haki, forcing his way forward in a relentless charge.
"There it is."
Arthur's eyes locked on the palace—and the trembling figure within. The emperor of the Ferguson Empire himself.
Arthur dropped from above.
"Wind King's Hammer!"
"Stop!"
"Bastard!"
"Your Majesty!"
Shouts erupted from the guards as they surged forward, trying to shield their ruler. But their blades and bodies were meaningless before Arthur. In an instant, he cut down a hundred men.
Step.
Arthur landed beside the emperor, smiling faintly.
"Now… can you order Rubin to kill himself?"
"You brat!"
Rubin's voice thundered as he arrived.
"Release His Majesty!"
Arthur ignored him, his gaze still on the emperor.
"Well? Can you make Rubin take his own life?"
"Hehehehe…"
The emperor trembled, yet a crooked smile spread across his lips. His voice rasped:
"Arthur Pendragon. You underestimate me. Rubin—kill him. My son will inherit the throne."
He closed his eyes. Even knowing death was certain, even quaking with fear, he stood as an emperor until the very end.
"Ohhh…"
Arthur chuckled with amusement.
"Not bad."
Slash!
His hand swept, cleaving through the emperor's neck. Blood sprayed. Rubin froze for a heartbeat—then twisted into a snarl.
"You brat!"
"I'll kill you! I'll kill you! I'll drag the entire Rocks Pirates into the grave with me!"
Memories surged—of this emperor, corrupt and flawed, yet still the one who clothed him, nurtured him, sought out a Devil Fruit to make him stronger.
At that moment—Rubin snapped. He didn't notice that his feet no longer touched true ground, but a thin, invisible film of wind beneath him.
"Checkmate," Arthur said quietly.
"What?!"
Rubin realized too late—his Devil Fruit powers wouldn't activate.
"Too late."
Arthur moved faster than thought.
"Wind King's Sword!"
Dozens of blades of slicing wind slashed toward Rubin.
Shhh—
Rubin retreated, sacrificing flesh to survive. But blood spattered the air. His left arm and right hand fell away, severed. His body staggered—disfigured.
Yet the Stone-Stone Fruit did not rely solely on hands. Even maimed, its power still pulsed within him.
"HEHEHE…"
"You brat…"
"I'll kill you…"
"I'll kill you!!!"
His laughter turned manic, distorted. His body blurred and vanished, merging once more with the earth.
"…That feeling?"
"An awakening?"
Arthur's eyes widened.
"What the hell? You're a side character! A background extra! And you're telling me you can power up mid-fight like this?!"
And yet—
Rumble!
The palace shook violently as the ground split apart. From the ruins rose a colossal beastman of stone, towering and monstrous. Atop its head stood Rubin, madness burning in his eyes.
"Arthur! You bastard! Even if I can't kill you, it doesn't matter! I'll bury every last Rocks pirate with me—I'll slaughter you all!"
"RARRRGHH—!"
"Hundred Beasts of the Earth!"
Rubin's fists hammered down, each blow erupting into the shape of roaring beasts—wolves, lions, tigers, serpents—all formed of stone, each cloaked in Armament Haki. They descended in a storm of claws and fangs.
"This guy…"
"…what a pain."
Arthur's lips twitched. He had wanted to finish this fight quickly. Instead, Rubin's rage had driven his Devil Fruit to the realm of awakening.
It was absurd. Like a parody of the future. When Trafalgar Law fought Doflamingo, his arm was nearly severed—but later, against Big Mom, he undergoes awakening.
But this?
Rubin? A background general? Awakening...?
"What a headache."
Arthur sighed. But this time, he drew it—the Sword of Promised Victory—Excalibur.
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