Shiki was tall.
Even standing without his lower legs, he was taller than Griffin.
He lowered his head, the wound piercing his skull no longer bleeding, the intense pain of nearly two decades fading away.
...
"I never came here."
The crimson in his eyes faded as Shiki calmly gazed at the icy plain.
"This country is too weak. I lost interest in it long ago and never thought I'd return one day."
"Pirates have no homeland to speak of. That's why I despised Roger and Whitebeard."
"Is a homeland something special? Even as I'm about to die here, I don't find it particularly remarkable."
"It's just ordinary..."
...
"Perhaps it's the lack of anything special that makes it a homeland."
...
Shifting his gaze back, Shiki grinned. "So... kid, where is your homeland?"
Griffin shook his head gently. "I don't know, and it doesn't matter."
"Any last words? Time is running out."
...
Shiki looked down.
In his chest was a massive hollow, its edges spreading with an icy blue hue that eroded his very existence, turning flesh into specks of frost.
He reached up to stroke his chin, paused for a few seconds, then suddenly burst into laughter.
"Gyahahahaha!!"
"Like a skewered roasted chicken, burnt to a crisp! Gyahahahaha!!!"
"Hahaha..."
The laughter gradually subsided.
His gaze lingered on the "old companions" that had been with him for decades.
"Sakura Ten and Kogarashi are two fine fellows..."
...
"Uchiha Griffin, use them well. Perhaps..."
Shiki looked up at the sky.
How long had it been since the man who once ruled the seas from the skies had gazed upward like this?
"Just take it as a joke from me."
"They might be the key to unlocking some great treasure. That's why I went after them in the first place, after hearing the rumor."
"Artifacts from the second destruction of the world. If you seek the truth of history, go to the Giant Kingdom."
"It was because of them that I met Rocks."
"Quite a journey..."
...
"Too many last words. Can't be bothered to remember."
Griffin turned away, the pure white in his hair fading back to black.
Behind him, the Comma Ice Wheel that had replaced the Awakening Flame shattered.
...
Along with it, Shiki vanished.
Even with only his mouth left, the noisy man kept chattering.
"Hey! Brat! You must crush the Great Pirate Era that Roger started! I've already boasted about it!"
"Gyahahahaha!! What kind of expression would Roger have? When I die, I'll probably end up in the same place as him!!"
"He wasn't a good man either!!"
"You're leaving too fast, you bastard! I still have so many things to ask you!!"
"Why is your Awakening so different? What will you do next? What is your dream?"
"Why did you have such calm eyes even when I thought you were dead?"
"What is it that drives you all?"
"Hey... tell me..."
"Why couldn't I be like you, fighting for—"
...
...
——
South Blue, unknown waters.
Massive islands fell from the sky, crashing violently into the sea and sinking amidst towering waves.
The ocean currents would remember—these islands had once touched the clouds, carrying a legend both arrogantly domineering and profoundly lonely.
Shiki, dead.
—
—
—
"You've been away too long, Rear Admiral Griffin."
"Indeed. There are only three days left until the execution. The main character can't be absent."
On the deck of the White Wolf stood a tall, stunning woman and a man in a gray suit who could barely pass as a supporting character.
Her jet-black hair was tied into an elegant yet practical bun, revealing a slender, snow-white neck.
A few loose strands brushed against her cheeks, softening her sharp features and adding an untouchable, icy allure.
Her hand rested on the hilt of the famous sword Konpira, her beautiful eyes fixed on the twin swords Griffin carried, shimmering with curiosity.
The Marines' undisputed top beauty, Admiral Candidate Momousagi Gion.
And Chaton Kake.
…
Griffin had spotted them from afar, showing no surprise. "Three days…"
When he first arrived in Kano Country, there had been two months left until the scheduled execution.
Had he really stayed that long…?
"What brings you here?"
…
Kake had a cigarette dangling from his mouth, hands in his pockets, hunched over—a look that…
Could easily compete with Kizaru for the title of the Marines' most unsavory uncle.
"Didn't Gion already say it at the start~?"
"Your report to Fleet Admiral Sengoku said you'd return to Kano Country for a week, something about… the breathing rhythm of old tea trees aiding meditation?"
"Couldn't you have come up with a better excuse? Like visiting a lover… cough."
Kake feigned a cough, grinning. "The Fleet Admiral was worried something might've happened to you, so he sent us to check."
"After all, it'd be strange if you went out and didn't stir up any trouble."
…
"If those were Fleet Admiral Sengoku's exact words, I'd sue him for slandering a subordinate."
…
Kake froze. "Uh… Why so serious? I was just joking…"
Griffin's stiff expression relaxed as he chuckled and patted Kake's shoulder. "Coming from you, it's fine. You've misunderstood me, Kake. I really don't like causing trouble."
…
Kake had seen plenty of Marines who bullied subordinates and flattered superiors, but this was the first time he'd encountered one who targeted only the Fleet Admiral…
Wait…
Why are you so casually putting your arm around me? We just met!
No…
Kake's pupils contracted sharply.
The real question is, why didn't I notice him getting this close or touching me at all?!
…
With Kuzan's promotion to Admiral, the three Admiral positions were now fully occupied.
Former Vice Admirals with epithets were designated as Admiral Candidates. Headquarters currently had three: Momousagi, Chaton, and Black Horse.
They were eligible to fill any vacant Admiral positions.
…
Kong had never fought with such abundant resources. In his era, they couldn't even fill all three Admiral slots, and when trouble arose, they had to call Garp back from vacation.
Zephyr retired early, leaving Sengoku and Garp to shoulder almost everything in those years.
…
Even if he was far from matching the current three Admirals, Kake still had confidence in his own strength.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku had originally intended to send someone else to fetch Griffin, but Kake had volunteered to see this young Marine Rear Admiral who had earned an epithet so early.
Surprisingly, Gion had felt the same.
…
Before Kake could process it all—
"Those are… Sakura Ten and Kogarashi!!!"
Gion's eyes widened as she exclaimed in shock.
She had felt these two swords looked familiar earlier, and from this angle she could see them clearly, immediately recognizing them.
How could she not recognize them...
She had been present during that battle years ago when Shiki wreaked havoc at Marine Headquarters!!
...
Gion stared intently at Griffin's back.
Cross-shaped hilts, silver-white blades with a central black line—two completely identical swords...
He unconsciously pressed his hand against his right chest.
It was this very sword, stained with the blood of countless Marines, that had pierced through his chest!
"Shiki..."
He didn't even notice the slight tremor in his voice when mentioning that name.
...
Griffin glanced back casually and said:
"Oh... a gift from a dead man. Not bad, right?"
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