The sudden scene left everyone stunned.
Hancock struggled to push herself up from the ruins, gazing at the man bathed in Godly Fire, like a divine judgment descended from heaven.
Yet...
For some unknown reason, her gaze lingered only for a moment before shifting to Griffin, whose chest now bore a gaping hole.
How could this be...
He couldn't die, could he?
The man who had emerged unscathed from such a powerful blow—was he really going to fall to a sneak attack?
...
"Griffin!!!"
A roar echoed, but Lucci reached Griffin's side faster than the sound, his sharp claws retracting as trembling hands reached toward the wound.
...
"How... how could this..."
A chill spread from his heart to every limb, freezing his fingertips numb.
It had been three years since they parted at Marine Headquarters.
Lucci still remembered that afternoon when he first met the lazy young man.
He had found him utterly disagreeable.
"Disagreeable? Then eliminate him"—that was the mindset he learned in CP.
He failed.
Yet the victor didn't kill him. Instead, he took his hand and spoke of shared ideals.
...
Bonds aren't something that form only through long companionship.
Perhaps in a single moment, a single phrase, or a single glance—a bond can naturally take root.
Lucci remembered the sorrow in Griffin's eyes that day.
He remembered Griffin's comforting smile as he bandaged his wounds when Tenma targeted him...
So many memories, forever etched in his mind.
When he learned of Griffin's disappearance in the New World, Lucci resolutely refused the World Government's mission to infiltrate Water 7.
He set out alone to find Griffin.
CP wouldn't help him, the Marines wouldn't help him, and Pirates were his enemies.
Truly alone, he ventured through the New World for so long.
The territories of Pirate Emperors, the treacherous climate of the New World, the terrifying Sea Kings, the ruthless Pirates...
Countless brushes with death, yet he endured.
...
In the end, he learned of Griffin's experiences over the past two years through the newspapers.
He didn't blame the Marines for not telling him, nor did he blame Griffin for not reaching out. He was simply overjoyed—a happiness beyond words at having found what was lost.
He longed to see him, to hear about his years, to share his own stories...
They would talk for ages, from morning till night, from sunset till dawn.
He had cherished that hope.
...
...
His fingertips brushed the edges of the gruesome cavity. Wind whistled through the hole, carrying away all warmth.
"No..."
"This can't be..."
"Urgh... ah..."
A suppressed, bestial growl—as if from a slit throat—escaped his clenched teeth.
It sounded utterly inhuman.
...
Watching Lucci's eyes gradually lose humanity, his rationality completely shattered, Griffin felt astonished.
Why...
Has my Eye Power affected you to this extent?
I stopped interfering with your mind long ago.
Why... are you grieving so deeply?
...
Slap—
Griffin reached out and lightly slapped Lucci's face.
Lucci's nearly dissipated pupils refocused.
"Griffin..."
His voice was soft, as if afraid that speaking any louder would shatter the illusion before him.
...
"Go help that lady..."
"Lucci! Hurry and assist her... move!!"
...
Before Kari could pierce through, he had already used Life Return to shift the position of his heart. The wound looked terrifying, but to him, it was merely a minor injury.
After losing the ability to use Mangekyo, Griffin's Observation Haki constantly enveloped the entire area, detecting several reporters secretly filming in the distance.
On the high seas, whenever major events occurred, reporters from the World Economic Journal would inevitably appear.
Because the World Economic Journal insisted on reporting on Kari's affairs several years ago, the World Government had begun building its own propaganda network.
They established the 'World Government Newspaper,' using the most traditional method of delivering papers by ship. In some areas, they even employed CP members skilled in Moonwalk to compete for the World Economic Journal's market share.
...
From Griffin's observations, there were at least two World Government Newspaper reporters and more than five World Economic Journal reporters.
The show must go on...
...
...
Lucci's dim, shattered pupils regained their light as he carefully grasped Griffin's hand: "No! Wait for me! I'll find a doctor!!"
He turned toward the scattered members of the Red Hair Pirates, baring his teeth in a furious roar: "Where's the doctor! Show yourself! You must save him!"
"If he dies, I'll make sure all of you join him in death!!!"
...
"Heh heh..."
Hongō, the ship's doctor of the Red Hair Pirates, sneered coldly: "That kind of injury is beyond saving. He's just clinging to life for a few minutes thanks to the Zoan-type's powerful vitality."
"You'd better ask for his last words first, hahaha... cough... Watching you die before my eyes is simply exhilarating!"
"Gab, do you see this... hahaha..."
...
"Bastard!! I'll kill you!!!"
"Lucci!!"
The call from behind made Lucci halt his steps.
Turning around, the light that had just ignited in his eyes dimmed once more: "Griffin..."
...
Griffin wasn't wearing his habitual smile, speaking calmly: "I won't die. Go now, understand!"
...
"I understand... You promised, you absolutely cannot die!"
Crack—crack—
Lucci's bones emitted terrifying cracking sounds. After walking a short distance, black flame clouds ignited around his body.
The next moment,
Boom—!!
With an explosive sound, all that remained where he had been standing was a circle of spreading cracks and dust—his figure had completely vanished.
This is...
Fruit Awakening!!
...
A strange light flickered in Griffin's eyes. Even he hadn't achieved Fruit Awakening, yet Lucci had accomplished it!
Was it because Paramecia types were simpler?
Or was this Lucci's natural growth rate if he hadn't wasted time on undercover missions?
No matter what...
You've truly impressed me! Rob Lucci!!
...
A peculiar joy surged in Griffin's heart.
Smoker, Doll, Lucci... even Shanks, Beckman and the others...
They weren't like in the original timeline, waiting for a specific person's appearance to grow, but were evolving according to changing circumstances.
This proved the substantial reality of this world—it didn't exist because of any single individual.
These genuine changes were what brought Griffin joy.
No... perhaps I should say...
It's the feeling that I'm changing the world!
What a marvelous experience!
This world now exists because of me!!
"Bastard! How dare you show your face!!"
While rapidly retreating, Miya desperately gripped the spear piercing her chest, straining with all her might to pull it out.
Impossible...
The force was too great! Why does he possess such overwhelming power!!
Miya's desperate struggles appeared pathetically feeble, completely unable to break free from Kari's suppression!
Kari remained expressionless, showing no intention of communication.
Slap—
He struck Miya's chest with his palm, crimson flames flowing from his five fingers.
"Fire Release - Great Fire Heavenly Prison!"
With its triple restraint mechanism—chakra sealing + physical binding + backlash burning—this technique represented the pinnacle of fire release sealing arts.
Once successfully imprinted, except for Sage Art users, the target would be unable to use any abilities!
...
Scorching tongues of flame coiled around Miya layer by layer, though the burning pain was secondary.
Miya suddenly realized...
She couldn't activate the teleportation array to escape!!
Her deep-sea contract with that person was being blocked!!
How could this be possible!!!
——
Kari required no rest period.
Setting aside Griffin's growth during battles, Kari's evolution speed far surpassed Griffin's!
Two and a half years ago, he could barely hold his own against Miya, but now...
A mere member of the God's Knights.
As easy as turning his hand!!
...
"Six King Gun - Maximum Wheel - Death!!"
BOOM————!!
While maintaining the seal with one hand, Kari raised his palm to block Lucci's furious attack.
Slightly tilting his head.
...
"I remember you... someone who can't recognize the disparity in strength."
BANG—!!
His voice was icy cold, as if replaying the Sabaody incident from three years ago. With what seemed like a casual punch, Kari sent Lucci flying.
His blood-soaked pupils turned back to Miya, his body leaning forward along with the flames.
All she could think...
The only thought in Miya's mind was.
She was going to be devoured by this monster...
She was going to die!!!