On the Sabaody Archipelago, Urouge—the Supernova with a robust frame and a pair of angelic wings—was directing his crew as they loaded supplies onto their ship. He leaned on his odd, pencil-shaped weapon, sweat glistening across his brow.
"At last," Urouge muttered, wiping his forehead. "We can finally get away from this cursed place."
But before he could take a step, a sudden wave of heat swept over him. His instincts screamed danger. Turning sharply, his eyes widened at the sight of a Marine in a white coat, a ferocious glare fixed directly on him.
"Y–You… Admiral Akainu!" Urouge's voice carried both shock and dread.
"Speak," Sakazuki growled, his fist already smoldering like molten rock. "Where is Straw Hat Luffy?"
Urouge clenched his jaw, fury replacing hesitation. "I don't know, and even if I did, I'd never tell a Marine like you!"
He had fought tooth and nail to survive the New World. How could he back down now, even in the face of an Admiral?
Akainu's scowl deepened, veins bulging along his temple. "Pirates… always so laughable. Do you truly not see the gulf between us?" His voice rose like a volcanic eruption. "Then I'll make you understand!"
The ground hissed and bubbled as droplets of magma fell from his body, scorching the soil beneath his boots. His killing intent was suffocating. Raising his fist, Sakazuki bellowed: "Great Eruption!"
A colossal fist of magma burst forth, detonating like a volcanic explosion. Though he used only a fraction of his strength, the attack was catastrophic. Urouge's ship and every one of his men were engulfed instantly, the vessel melting into twisted slag as fiery blasts rained down across the bay.
The sea itself seemed to ignite.
Urouge staggered back, horror gripping him. "My crew… damn you!"
Rage fueled his muscles, veins bulging as he swung his weapon with every ounce of strength toward the Admiral's head. But Sakazuki barely twitched. A sheen of hardened black spread across his arm—Armament Haki—and he caught the blow effortlessly.
Urouge froze. "What…? Even my full force…"
"You brought this on yourself," Akainu said coldly. "If you miss your men so much, I'll send you to join them."
At that moment, his Den Den Mushi rang. Without glancing at Urouge, Sakazuki answered.
"Fleet Admiral Akainu here."
"Reporting, sir. Straw Hat Luffy has been located, but he's proving too strong. The Pacifista units can't hold him!"
"Give me the location." His voice was calm, even bored. Sengoku's orders had been clear. He couldn't linger here, not while chaos spread.
Beside him, Urouge trembled, blood trickling from his mouth. He dared not breathe too loudly, praying Akainu would leave to chase Luffy and spare him. But such hope was foolish.
Sakazuki ended the call and turned, magma bubbling once more. His lips curled into a sinister grin. "Worthless pirate." He slammed a hardened fist into Urouge's chest. Blood gushed from Urouge's mouth as he crashed into the scorched ground, his enormous frame crumpling like a broken doll.
Satisfied, Akainu shifted fully into magma, his body blazing as he flew southward in pursuit of Luffy.
Meanwhile, a Marine warship cut through the waves, already nearing Sabaody. Standing at the prow, Thorne Ashveil narrowed his eyes. The air reeked of smoke and molten rock. The island was aflame.
Stepping off onto the grass, Ashveil closed his eyes and activated his [Search]. Within moments, his expression sharpened. "So it isn't Kizaru this time," he murmured. "It's Akainu… Sakazuki himself."
A faint smile tugged at his lips. This man—the so-called red dog—was someone Ashveil had long marked for death. "Interesting. In Marineford, I was meant to strike you down. Perhaps my arrival has already twisted the flow of this world. All the better."
He remembered too well how Akainu had slaughtered Whitebeard, how his ruthless brand of justice had scarred the seas. Kizaru could be lazy, but Sakazuki was a menace. Removing him would tilt the balance of the coming war.
"A perfect opportunity," Ashveil whispered. "Akainu… today, you die."
His thoughts were broken by a faint, raspy plea. "H… help me…"
Ashveil glanced toward the source. Lying in the scorched dirt, charred wings spread pitifully, was Urouge. The once-mighty Supernova was barely clinging to life, his massive body soaked in blood.
Even with his formidable endurance, Akainu's strike had nearly erased him. Only stubborn willpower kept him breathing. Ashveil's eyes softened with faint interest. He wasn't one to meddle—but he was a man who believed in fair bargains.
From his coat, Ashveil withdrew a vial of medicine, tossing it lightly into his palm. "This will keep you alive. The price… if you survive, you'll serve as a chore boy on my ship for three years."
Urouge's lips trembled, tears stinging the corners of his eyes. "Th… thank you… I accept."
A faint chuckle left Ashveil. "Good. Then you may yet see another dawn." He tossed the vial at Urouge's side and turned away without hesitation.
Behind him, Urouge clutched the medicine as though it were salvation itself. "Don't… don't go near him," he croaked. "Admiral Sakazuki will kill you!"
The wind whipped across the burning island. Ashveil's coat fluttered, his steps unhurried, his gaze locked on the horizon where magma lit the sky.
"That's exactly why I came," he said, a sharp smile cutting across his face. "For his head."
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