Akon Daddel looked toward Vial Emily, who was locked in battle with Crocodile, and a trace of obsession flashed through his eyes.
She was the woman he had confessed to dozens of times, only to be rejected every single time.
Yet Vial Emily always responded with things like:
"Daddel, you're such a good person."
"Daddel, I've always seen you as an older brother."
He firmly believed that if he continued treating her well, one day he would eventually win her heart.
Among the remaining members of the God's Knights, his ability to sense danger was the strongest.
He could clearly feel the terrifying Haki radiating from Crocodile.
He knew that was not an opponent Vial Emily could handle alone.
The moment he saw Crocodile smash Vial Emily into the ground with a single strike, fury exploded within him.
"Damn you, Crocodile!"
"How dare you hurt my Vial Emily!"
"I'll kill you!"
"Vial Emily, wait for me! I'm coming to help you right now!"
"I won't let anyone hurt you!"
As these thoughts raced through his mind, anticipation gradually appeared on his face.
By the time he defeated Crocodile, Vial Emily would surely be overwhelmed with gratitude.
Thinking about her cold and determined rejections only made him more frustrated.
For years, he had dreamed of holding her in his arms.
Now, an opportunity had finally appeared before him.
If he defeated Crocodile and rescued her, perhaps everything would change.
Lost in his fantasies, Daddel rushed toward the battlefield at full speed.
At that moment, a powerful presence descended from the sky.
Boom!
A figure landed directly in front of him.
Daddel's eyes narrowed.
He carefully examined the man who had suddenly blocked his path.
The newcomer was tall and powerfully built.
A pair of small white wings extended from his back.
Dark red hair framed his face, while tattoos covered the area around his left eye and shoulder.
His upper body was bare beneath a white trench coat, giving him a wild yet imposing appearance.
A cigarette hung loosely from the corner of his mouth.
His expression was indifferent as he looked at Daddel.
He removed the cigarette and slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"Heh."
"So this is one of the World Government's God's Knights?"
"Looks pretty ordinary to me."
"Nothing impressive."
A vein bulged on Daddel's forehead.
"What did you say?"
"Who the hell are you to spout such nonsense?!"
The words struck directly at his pride.
Especially the part about him being unimpressive.
That was something he absolutely could not tolerate.
The man placed the cigarette back between his lips and took another deep drag.
Then he flicked the cigarette butt.
Whoosh!
The burning ember shot forward like a bullet.
Daddel's pupils contracted.
He instantly shifted several meters to the side and narrowly avoided it.
After landing, his face twisted with rage.
"I don't care who you are."
"How dare you attack me and stop me from saving Vial Emily?"
"Prepare to die!"
He had almost used a vulgar expression but quickly changed his wording.
After all, Vial Emily had once told him she disliked crude men.
On the other side of the battlefield, Crocodile happened to catch sight of the scene.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"So you couldn't resist the temptation of battle after all."
"Wyper, Captain of the Guard Corps."
Standing before Daddel was none other than Wyper.
The renowned captain of Peach Garden's Guard Corps and a former Shandian warrior.
When he learned that Peach Garden would be going to war with the World Government, he had immediately requested permission from Rolan to participate.
Rolan had not objected.
However, Raki had strongly opposed the idea.
With nearly all of Peach Garden's major combat forces heading toward Crusimia, someone had to remain behind and protect the nation.
Despite her objections, Wyper had secretly followed the expedition anyway.
Besides, Raki's strength was more than enough to defend Peach Garden.
The nation itself had already become a kingdom of warriors.
Furthermore, before the campaign began, Nami had elevated every island under Peach Garden's control in the New World to an altitude of ten thousand meters.
Under such circumstances, there was little chance of danger reaching the homeland.
Crocodile withdrew his thoughts.
It seemed Wyper had been holding back his desire to fight for quite some time.
He quickly refocused on Vial Emily, who continued darting around him at incredible speed.
Meanwhile, Daddel no longer cared who stood before him.
Using another burst of speed, he appeared beside Wyper.
His sword descended toward Wyper's neck.
Slash!
Wyper showed no intention of dodging.
He simply stood there and allowed the blade to strike.
Clang!
A metallic impact echoed across the battlefield.
Bright sparks exploded from the point of contact.
Daddel's eyes widened.
Wyper's neck had transformed into rough, dark-green scales.
"Nani?!"
"What kind of monster are you?!"
At the same time, he felt deeply humiliated.
Never before had anyone casually allowed his sword to strike them head-on.
Wyper slowly rolled his shoulders.
His cold gaze settled upon Daddel.
Then he spoke.
"That didn't hurt."
"Are you trying to tickle me?"
Feeling the overwhelming Haki emanating from Wyper, Daddel instinctively retreated several steps.
Then he suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"Good!"
"What a bold statement!"
"Let me show you my true power!"
As he spoke, his body rapidly transformed.
Brown wool spread across his frame as he assumed the form of a sheep-like beast.
"I'll use my awakened Sheep-Sheep Fruit to teach you the consequences of interfering with a man pursuing love!"
Powerful Haki wrapped around his two horns.
A formidable aura erupted outward.
Despite the display, Wyper's expression barely changed.
His arms transformed into enormous pteranodon wings.
With a single flap, he vanished.
The next moment, he appeared directly in front of Daddel.
Without hesitation, he raised his leg and kicked downward.
Daddel was startled.
The speed was incredible.
It was even faster than Soru.
Realizing he could not dodge in time, he chose to endure the attack.
Boom!
The Haki-coated kick struck his wool-covered body.
Yet the expected impact never came.
Wyper's leg slowly sank into the thick wool.
It felt as though he had kicked an enormous mass of cotton.
There was no point of resistance.
Wyper's expression shifted slightly.
What surprised him even more was that the wool wrapped around his leg like countless chains.
In an instant, it tightly restrained him.
Sensing the opportunity, Daddel immediately swung his sword toward Wyper's trapped leg.
At that moment, black Haki erupted around Wyper's foot.
The binding wool shattered apart.
With a burst of speed, he appeared dozens of meters away.
"Interesting."
For the first time, a hint of interest appeared in his voice.
Daddel, however, was stunned.
This was unprecedented.
No one had ever escaped his wool restraints through brute force.
Not once.
As he stared at Wyper, his gaze suddenly drifted toward the distant Vial Emily.
Determination instantly returned to his face.
"So what if you're strong?!"
"Vial Emily is mine!"
The words escaped before he could stop himself.
His face immediately stiffened.
"Bah!"
"I meant your life is mine!"
Wyper simply raised a hand and beckoned.
The gesture carried all the contempt Daddel needed to see.
...
Elsewhere on the battlefield, Meryl Tongett Martin looked at the beautiful young woman standing before him.
A warm and gentle smile rested on his face.
"So you're Miss Nami."
"The world's greatest navigator."
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
Nami looked up at the member of the God's Knights before her with visible surprise.
In her imagination, anyone from Mary Geoise should have been arrogant and insufferable.
The kind of people who casually referred to everyone else as insects.
Yet Martin was completely different.
Not only was he handsome, but he also seemed genuinely polite.
More importantly, Nami could sense that his words were sincere.
There was no deception behind them.
He felt nothing like an agent of the World Government.
Seeing this, Nami immediately clasped her hands together in front of her chest.
She tilted her body slightly and flashed him a charming smile.
Her voice became soft and sweet.
"Then, handsome knight, could you kindly step aside and let this poor young lady pass?"
Martin smiled gently.
"I truly wish I could."
"But unfortunately..."
"My identity is that of a God's Knight."
The smile remained on his face.
Yet his answer was unwavering.