Just as Tiger was preparing to continue speaking with Big Pan and the others to gather more information, an ear-piercing whistle suddenly slashed through the air. The sound was sharp, cold, and ghostlike, sending a chill straight down the spine.
Tiger's heart tightened. A bad feeling surged through him. He instinctively turned to look back, but it was already too late.
A razor-sharp wind blade shot toward him like lightning. In the blink of an eye, it tore across his back.
A sickening crack split the air. Tiger's flesh opened under the force, leaving a deep gash that exposed bone. Blood burst out like a broken dam, soaking through his clothes in an instant. The agony drowned him. His legs buckled, and he collapsed forward, blood spreading beneath him.
"Tiger!" Dorte screamed. His eyes widened with panic and disbelief. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward Tiger with all his strength.
But before he even reached halfway, a dark figure materialized in front of him like a phantom. The intruder raised a fist and drove it toward Dorte's face with crushing force.
Seeing the fist incoming, Dorte roared, "Get out of my way!" He threw his own punch with everything he had.
Their fists collided with a thunderous crack. Both men felt a staggering shock travel up their arms. Their expressions changed instantly. Neither expected the other to possess such overwhelming strength.
The force burst outward like an explosion, kicking up dirt and wind. Both fighters staggered back several steps before regaining their footing.
The attacker revealed himself. He was a thin man in his early thirties, so frail he looked like a stiff breeze could blow him over. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses rested on his nose, lending him a bookish, harmless appearance. Yet his eyes glimmered with amusement as he studied Dorte.
"Well now," he said lightly. "Who would've guessed a little fish-man like you had such bite?"
Dorte glared. "Who are you? Why attack Tiger?"
Before the man could respond, Fiona flicked her wrist. A thin strand of silk shot out, coiling around Tiger's body. With a tug, she pulled him away from danger and toward their side.
Simon rushed over, dropping to his knees beside Tiger. He checked for signs of life. Only after confirming the faint breathing did he exhale in relief.
Without wasting a moment, Simon touched the storage ring on his finger. A soft glow shimmered, and a small jade bottle appeared in his hand.
He opened it, took out a healing pill, and gently placed it into Tiger's mouth. Eli Winters had previously exchanged these rare medicines from the system shop for emergencies. Each one cost a thousand prosperity points and carried incredible restorative power.
Soon, the bleeding slowed. Flesh began knitting together at a visible pace. Filina and the others let out a collective breath.
Meanwhile, the attacker stood motionless, like a statue. He neither interrupted nor interfered, his expression indifferent, as if nothing happening around him mattered.
At that moment, a violent gust swept through the sky. More than thirty figures descended like falling stars.
The bespectacled man quickly stepped aside, bowed respectfully toward the two leading figures, and reported loudly, "Lord Gringu and Lord Shigdell. All targets confirmed. None escaped."
Shigdell's lips curved upward in satisfaction. "Good work, Foda."
Foda lowered his head humbly. "Your brilliant command made it possible. I simply followed orders."
Shigdell seemed pleased by his obedience and nodded.
His gaze drifted toward Tiger, lying bloody and broken on the ground. A cruel smile twisted his face.
"Well, well… what a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to find this pest again. Back in Mary Geoise, he managed to slip away and made me look like a fool. Today, old and new debts will be settled."
Gringu, the other leader, frowned and turned toward the giants Dorry and Broggy. His voice was calm but serious. "Do not underestimate them. Those two giants, and Mihawk, are not ordinary opponents. We still do not know why they are involved, so be cautious."
Shigdell chuckled dismissively. "Big brother, you worry too much. I brought three CP0 elite squads. Six members per squad, the weakest at Rear Admiral level, and the captains at Vice Admiral level. Plus your twelve Holy Knights, also Vice Admiral class. With me as a Marine Admiral and you beyond even that level… how could we possibly lose?"
His confidence radiated like a tangible force.
Big Pan stepped forward, expression dark. "Who are you people? Why attack us?"
"Ha… hahahaha…" Shigdell sneered. "Insects like you have no right to know our names. All of you, along with Eli Winters, will die here today."
Big Pan snorted. "So much arrogance for someone who looks like a wet chicken. Be careful you don't bite your tongue."
Just as Shigdell was about to spit back a retort, Gringu suddenly turned to Mihawk.
"Hawkeye. This matter does not concern you. Leave now."
"Brother…" Shigdell muttered, frowning.
Gringu silenced him with a raised hand. His sharp gaze locked onto Mihawk. He knew this man well. Once hailed as the world's greatest swordsman. Now, that title belonged to Eli Winters. Even so, Mihawk was not someone to provoke lightly.
Mihawk slowly drew the black blade Yoru. Its presence alone sent the air rippling. His voice was calm but firm.
"They are my friends."
Gringu's face darkened. "The World Government has already decided to eliminate Eli Winters and everyone with him. Hawkeye, take my advice. Do not create unnecessary trouble for yourself."
Mihawk ignored him entirely. The sword in his hand was answer enough.
A shadow fell over Gringu's face. "Very well. Since you insist on courting death… I will grant your wish."
He raised a hand and roared, "Kill them all. Leave no one alive!"
War erupted instantly.
The CP0 squads lunged like predators. The Holy Knights spread around the battlefield, forming a deadly encirclement.
Big Pan bellowed, swinging his enlarged dragon staff. Black Armament Haki coated the weapon. His strike unleashed a violent gust. Several CP0 elites were forced back.
He charged forward, striking again and again, creating a wall of force around himself.
Dorry and Broggy fought like living calamities. Each step shook the ground. Even Vice Admiral-level fighters had to dodge cautiously.
Mihawk moved like a phantom, his blade flashing with lethal elegance. Blood blossomed wherever he passed.
Thanks to these four titans absorbing the brunt of the assault, Filina and the others were given some breathing room.
Chiyo, the weakest of the group, lounged comfortably atop a cloud Filina created, blowing bubbles with a little tube. No one noticed him at all.
His new technique, Mirage Illusion, bent the light around him, making him invisible to the enemy.
To the CP0 squads… Chiyo had simply vanished.