"Victor, don't go over there! Can't you see Akainu's trick? His target isn't the Pirate Empress—it's you!"
Crocodile, locked in combat with Donquixote Doflamingo, snarled angrily as he saw Victor charging recklessly forward.
Akainu would never waste time attacking a Seven Warlord like Boa Hancock without cause, not in the middle of this decisive war.
His true target was Victor—the one who had already thrown Marineford into chaos and could grow into a threat not just to the Marines, but to the World Government itself.
Crocodile couldn't believe Victor didn't realize this.
Was the brat simply that confident?
What Crocodile didn't know was that Akainu's attack on Hancock had already crossed Victor's bottom line.
Even if Victor wasn't Akainu's equal, it didn't matter. If he couldn't protect Hancock, then he'd rather die trying.
Admiral Akainu, driven by his twisted "absolute justice," never hesitated to use underhanded tactics. To him, any means were justified if it achieved his goal.
That's why—even against Boa Hancock, still a Seven Warlord at this moment—he launched a sneak attack. She wasn't weak, but Akainu wanted to make sure his strike landed.
Victor arrived a heartbeat too late. Hancock had managed to block part of the blow, but she was still struck hard, coughing blood from the ambush.
Her flawless face twisted in pain.
Victor's expression darkened like a brewing storm.
"…Victor…"
Hancock staggered back to his side, determination burning in her eyes despite her wound. She wasn't about to let him face such a terrifying enemy alone.
Victor, though, pulled her gently behind him, his hand brushing over the scar marring her pale arm.
Akainu stepped forward, eyes blazing with ruthless conviction. "Victor. As expected, you came running. My plan worked perfectly. You've caused too much trouble for the Marines. I won't allow you to live. Are you prepared to die here?"
Victor didn't respond. He only tightened his grip on Hancock's hand before letting go, silently placing her behind him.
Akainu smirked cruelly. "Still trying to protect someone? Pathetic. It doesn't matter. You're surrounded by my magma barrier. Your speed won't save you this time."
Around them, a circle of molten lava bubbled and hissed, cutting off any retreat.
[Ding! Choice Triggered!]
Choice 1: Beg Admiral Akainu for mercy and agree to join the Marines in killing Whitebeard. Reward: Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
Choice 2: Fight Akainu alongside Boa Hancock. Reward: Titanic X. Risk: Hancock may be seriously injured or even killed.
Choice 3: Fight Akainu alone and survive one round. Reward: Power Pill.
Victor almost swore out loud.
What kind of garbage choices were these? No way in hell would he sell his soul to the Marines, and dragging Hancock into danger was out of the question.
That left only one path.
But a "Power Pill"? What kind of useless crap was that? It wasn't even nighttime—what good could it possibly do now?
"Victor… I'll fight with you."
Hancock's voice wavered, but her determination didn't.
Victor turned to her, his palm brushing her arm again, then cupped her face gently. "Hancock… listen. Find a chance to escape. Leave this rabid dog to me."
Her eyes widened, heart pounding.
Akainu's face twisted in fury. "Victor! Don't you dare ignore me!"
And then, Victor pushed further.
"Red Dog! Stop wasting time. Luffy will save Ace, and I'll defeat you!"
Drawing the cursed blade Second Generation Kitetsu, Victor surged forward.
Lightning crackled.
Thunder x Swordsmanship—Thunder Dragon's Fury!
The air shook as his blade slash fused with a roaring storm of thunder, forming a colossal dragon that lunged with fury at Akainu.
"Come, brat!"
Akainu bellowed, magma surging from his arms like a volcanic eruption. With terrifying confidence, he clashed head-on against the lightning dragon, his flames roaring against the storm.
"Look! Victor's fighting Admiral Akainu!"
The magma barrier kept outsiders from seeing inside the battlefield, but the thunderclaps and volcanic explosions were unmistakable.
A second clash between Victor and a Marine Admiral had begun!
"Sakazuki… you must kill him," Sengoku muttered grimly, his golden Buddha form forcing Luffy back down as the boy tried to rush toward Ace again. "If Victor survives, he'll become the Navy's greatest nightmare."
"Oh, what a shame to waste such a terrifying little devil," Doflamingo sneered, his grin never fading. "Don't you agree, Phoenix Marco?"
Marco's brow furrowed as he fended off Kizaru's relentless beams. "It's not decided yet." But deep down, he worried.
Akainu had just gravely wounded Whitebeard. Victor was strong—no doubt—but still so young. Against Akainu…
"Victor, brat!" Whitebeard's thunderous voice echoed as he clashed with Aokiji. "Don't you dare fall here! The new era needs kids like you!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Lightning and magma collided again and again, shockwaves tearing the air apart.
But finally—the magma swallowed the thunder.
Victor's Thunder Dragon was consumed.
And in that moment, the battlefield's greatest warriors all reached the same grim conclusion:
Victor was strong. Incredibly strong.
But against Akainu…
He was standing at the edge of death.