Leo staggered backward, dropping to his knees as the adrenaline finally left his system. The world tilted, the massive wave of the Spirit Drive attack having taken every last ounce of energy he had. He gasped, hands pressed to his thighs.
"Huf… huf… that was risky," Leo choked out, his vision swimming. "Going head-on… I would've died if I missed the center line."
DING!
Battle Report: Defeat Vice Admiral Strawberry
XP Gained: 3000
DING!
Gēmu Gēmu no Mi Interface
Host Level:16 (80% to Level 17)
XP: 3000/4000
Authority Points: 1000 (Reason: High-Visibility Conflict, Defeat of a Government Official, and successful protection of a Warlord-level target.)
DING!
Health: 20/100 (CRITICAL!)
Stamina: 10/100 (CRITICAL!)
Attack: 150
Defense: 90
Sekiro was instantly beside him, the Tenseiryū back in its scabbard. He knelt and offered a steady, gloved hand. "Are you okay, Leo?"
Leo took the hand, hauling himself up painfully. "Yes, thank you. Just empty." He looked down at the borrowed Marine saber, which now lay bent and useless on the ground. "Another one gone. I need to find a good, reliable sword."
As they talked, the sound of heavy hydraulics filled the air. Leo snapped his head up. Bartholomew Kuma was moving toward them.
Leo's body went rigid. This is it. We're dead.
"Sekiro," Leo hissed. "Get ready! He won't recognize us! He's going to attack!"
Kuma stopped directly in front of them, his massive body radiating lethal intent. His head tilted, and his massive mouth opened, revealing the internal mechanics as he prepared to fire a concentrated laser.
Leo squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for impact. Sekiro tensed, ready to deflect the laser.
FWOOM!
The laser beam erupted—but it sailed harmlessly over their heads, slicing through the air and vaporizing the small groups of pirates who were attempting to sneak in from the shadows, looking for an easy kill or loot.
The pirates screamed as they were instantly obliterated.
Leo blinked. "What? Why didn't he attack us?"Don't tell me he thinks I am Luffy's ally?
Kuma stood motionless, his massive form sparking and emitting small electrical currents from the damage he had sustained. After another long, silent moment, the Pacifista slowly turned and lumbered back to the Thousand Sunny, settling back into his protective, inert position.
"What commitment," Leo muttered, watching the cyborg stand sentinel. "He is on the verge of death, but still trying to protect the thousand sunny."
"His objective is absolute," Sekiro confirmed, sheathing his sword.
Leo knew the truth: Kuma's internal programming—the last shred of the Revolutionary's will—still held them as allies. But he couldn't push his luck.
"We should go, Sekiro," Leo said, turning away from the devastated grove. They left the quiet scene behind, the dust settling on the bodies of the Vice Admirals and the remnants of the failed assassination attempt.
The Final Wait
Back at the inn in Grove 22, Leo spent the next several days focused solely on recovery, using the sparse medical supplies he'd kept. Sekiro stood watch, occasionally venturing out to ensure their anonymity and secure simple food.
Leo's mind was fixated on two things: the impending reunion and the fate of the Thousand Sunny. Every morning, he and Sekiro would make a silent, scouting trip to Grove 44. They would watch Kuma—always damaged, always static—and the unmoving ship.
The days crawled past, marked by the slow, inevitable ticking of the countdown clock in Leo's head.
Leo's Inner Monologue: The entire world is waiting for this moment. Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and the others…
They're coming.
Then, one morning, the final countdown appeared clearly in his mind.
TIME UNTIL STRAW HAT REUNION: 12 DAYS REMAINING.
Leo snapped out of his daze, realizing the finality of the moment. He had survived Marineford, unlocked his power, gained a legendary summon, and beaten three Vice Admirals.
"Sekiro," Leo said, his voice ringing with renewed purpose. "Twelve days. Our next mission is clear.
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