From a distance, whether they were townsfolk or pirates, everyone watching the scene was struck dumb with disbelief.
Just ten minutes ago, Vice Admiral Onigumo had strutted into the square with a cigar between his teeth, radiating menace.
Now, he was being held aloft in Shanu's grip like a helpless chick.
To defeat a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral in mere minutes—Was this really still the East Blue?!
"Guh… guh—!"
Shanu's expression was blank as his grip tightened. Onigumo's breathing grew ragged and shallow.
Shanu was injured too—after all, their earlier brawl had been nothing short of brutal, pure strength against strength. But compared to the vice admiral—whose body was a ruin of blood and bruises—Shanu's wounds were trivial.
Just as he had said earlier: In strength, speed, technique, Haki—and even Life Return—he surpassed Onigumo in every aspect by just a little. But all those small advantages combined created an overwhelming gap in real combat.
Enough to turn dominance into total victory within half an hour.
"Release Vice Admiral Onigumo!!"
A furious shout rang out from the distance.
It was Hound and the other four Headquarters Rear Admirals. Seeing the dire situation, they could no longer obey Onigumo's earlier orders. Each stepped onto the air using Geppo, drawing their blades as they dove in from all directions, surrounding Shanu in the center of the square!
Shanu lifted his eyes briefly—then ignored them.
Just as when he'd first appeared—Four figures behind him moved in unison, each intercepting one of the incoming Rear Admirals.
"Hey, don't you go messing with our captain."
Zeff, removing his white hood for the first time, grinned as his leg lashed toward Hound.
"That's right! This isn't your place to interfere!"
Kuina drew Wado Ichimonji, her blade clashing with the Rear Admiral attacking from the east.
"And you!"
Nojiko slipped on her metal gauntlets and drove a punch straight into the chest of the lone female Rear Admiral.
"Awooo!!"
Gin tilted his head back and howled. He didn't need a reason—he just had to.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sky rang with steel as figures darted through the rain.
Kuina and Gin quickly gained the upper hand, while Zeff and Hound fought to an even standstill. Nojiko was slightly outmatched but holding on fiercely.
Whatever the case, all four Rear Admirals were stopped cold at the edge of the square, unable to advance a single step toward Onigumo.
A few lower-ranking officers tried to charge in—but suddenly, a wall of fire erupted around them, sealing them off completely.
"…L-let me go."
Realizing no help would come, Onigumo rasped through gritted teeth:
"Let's… end this here. I swear, if you release me now, Marine Headquarters will overlook all your crimes…"
"Overlook?"
Shanu's brow arched—and for a moment, he almost laughed.
This arrogant bastard—Even when begging for mercy, he didn't know how to beg.
Shanu looked at him as if at a fool.
"Oh, so now that you've lost, you can talk like that? When you had the upper hand earlier, did it ever cross your mind to show us mercy?"
"Get over here."
Shanu's hand clenched tighter, dragging Onigumo through the rainwater toward the front of the square.
The pirates nearby instinctively stepped aside in awe, while the townsfolk shrank back into corners, glaring at Onigumo with a mix of rage and hatred.
Thud!
Onigumo's head slammed against the steps of the execution platform as Shanu hauled him upward.
In the Vice Admiral's dimming eyes, the reflection of the world twisted by—
The shattered plaza.
Shops reduced to rubble by cannon fire.
Collapsed homes.
Civilians lying bloodied against broken walls.
And in a heap of debris—
A baby's half-buried swaddling cloth, fluttering weakly in the rain.
In the blink of an eye, they were atop the platform.
"Do you see it clearly?"
Thud!
Shanu grabbed Onigumo's hair, slamming his face against the wood.
"Look! Do you see it now? Answer me!!"
"L-let me go…"
Onigumo strained to lift his head, but when his gaze drifted forward—
He froze.
No… this perspective…
This was the same view the Pirate King Gol D. Roger had before he died.
Wait—what was this kid planning to do?!
Was he actually going to—?!
RUMBLE!
Lightning tore through the dark clouds, illuminating the two figures facing each other atop the platform.
"Are you insane?! If you kill a Marine Vice Admiral, do you know what will happen to you?! You'll be hunted endlessly by Marine Headquarters! Do you want to fall and become a pirate yourself?!"
Onigumo roared in panic.
The six spider-like braids at the back of his head flailed wildly—but he couldn't break free from that iron grip.
"Guess you really didn't see clearly after all."
Shanu ignored his threats, slowly drawing the katana at his waist.
"A man who doesn't even value his subordinates' lives… how could he ever feel remorse for the suffering he's brought upon civilians?"
"Then allow me to teach you what atonement looks like."
SHING!
The blade flashed—
Blood sprayed.
Onigumo's head flew high into the air!
The headless body convulsed once—then collapsed.
The square fell deathly silent.
Hundreds of eyes widened, fixed upon the execution platform.
He really did it.
He actually killed him.
For the first time since Gol D. Roger's death eighteen years ago, another man had been executed atop Loguetown's platform.
And this time—it was a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral!
From afar, the four Rear Admirals stood frozen in shock, their spirits breaking.
Kuina and the others easily disarmed and bound them.
"We'll spare your lives for now," Zeff muttered, kicking each unconscious. "The captain will decide what to do with you later."
All around the plaza, the townsfolk hiding in corners stared blankly at the execution stage, unable to comprehend what they'd just witnessed.
But in the center, the gathered pirates suddenly erupted—
their roars cutting through the storm.
"OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH!!!"