At that moment—
Cabaji and Mohji finally understood something.
From beginning to end, aside from Buggy, who held a sliver of value in Captain Yuuki's eyes, the two of them had never been as useful as they imagined.
Thud.
Mohji dropped to his knees as well, cold sweat soaking his back.
Seeing the two of them about to plead, Yuuki casually waved a hand.
"I only want the head of the Chain-Hand Pirates' captain," he said evenly.
The words struck like lightning.
Mohji and Cabaji both stiffened—then their eyes lit up.
Boom!
A cannon roared overhead. A shell tore through the air, plunging straight toward the deck where they stood.
Whoosh!
Conrad raised an arm. A green spatial gate bloomed into existence and swallowed the cannonball whole.
Before Mohji or Cabaji could react—
Conrad seized one in each hand, stamped the deck, and surged into the air in a flare of emerald magic, carrying them toward the Chain-Hand Pirates' ship.
"Who the hell are they?!"
"They're flying!"
"Idiots, don't just stand there—fire!"
"AAAAAH—!"
Within moments, the cannon fire ceased. Shouts and screams erupted from the enemy ship instead.
Yuuki paid no attention to Vivi and the others standing in stunned silence. He walked over to the massive sea-king octopus that had been hauled onto the deck, its charred flesh releasing a rich, mouthwatering aroma.
Buggy, ever perceptive, hurriedly dragged over a table and set it before Yuuki. He placed a neatly prepared, oversized tentacle on top.
"Captain Yuuki… um… Mohji and Cabaji probably aren't a match for their captain, right?"
Buggy asked cautiously. He had heard everything.
Yuuki swallowed a bite of octopus and glanced at him.
"What? Want to help?"
"N-No! Of course not!"
Buggy froze, the blue markings around his eyes twitching as he shook his head vigorously.
He might have regained the powers of the Chop-Chop Fruit, but he knew his limits. In the East Blue, he'd been worth fifteen million Beli. The enemy captain carried a bounty of seventy-five million in the Grand Line.
The gap spoke for itself.
Buggy cast a glance toward the distant battle, silently offering Mohji and Cabaji a second of respect—then returned to carving octopus' meat with a wide, flattering grin.
Truth be told, the sea-king's flesh was springy and delicious. Even without seasoning, it was rich and flavorful.
Compared to the world of Black Clover, the variety of food here was on an entirely different level.
Vivi hesitated—then stepped forward.
"If you're hungry, join me," Yuuki said lightly, casting her a sidelong glance.
Vivi inhaled slowly and sat cross-legged across from him, forcing herself to remain composed.
Igaram immediately stepped up beside her. With slightly stiff table manners, he selected several fist-sized pieces of octopus and placed them before her.
Then, a white napkin folded neatly over his sleeve, he stood upright behind her.
Buggy let out a low, mocking chuckle.
If their positions were equal, that would be one thing.
But in a situation where Princess Vivi was asking for Yuuki's help, such rigid ceremony only revealed insecurity—like a weaker man insisting the stronger one strike first.
Igaram's face reddened, but he did not waver.
No matter the kingdom's current crisis, as captain of the royal guard of one of the Grand Line's greatest nations and a member state of the World Government, he would never allow anyone to belittle their princess.
Oddly enough, Buggy's laughter eased Vivi's nerves.
"If they fail to kill Walter… what happens?" she asked quietly.
Yuuki speared another piece of octopus, smiling gently.
"There is no 'if.'"
Conrad would handle most of the crew. Mohji and Cabaji would face only Walter.
With Conrad standing nearby, Walter could not devote his full strength—at best, he would manage sixty or seventy percent.
Even so, defeating him would not be easy.
Vivi understood at once.
They had only two outcomes—
Return with Walter's head.
Or die trying.
Cold.
Merciless.
Staring at Yuuki's mild smile, Vivi realized she might have misjudged him.
He looked barely a year or two older than she was.
Yet behind those eyes lay something far older—calm, measured, seasoned.
"Power always demands a price," Yuuki said softly.
"The gifts bestowed by fate come with their cost already marked."
Vivi froze.
Already marked…
Her thoughts drifted to his promise to deal with Crocodile in Alabasta.
Was that, too, a transaction with a hidden price?
Silence settled over the deck.
Yuuki paid no mind to the shifting expressions around him and continued eating.
Meanwhile, the sounds of battle aboard the enemy ship dwindled. Only occasional roars suggested the fight was not yet over.
"That should do it."
Yuuki gestured to Buggy.
Understanding instantly, Buggy dashed to the helm and steered their ship toward the enemy vessel.
Six or seven minutes later, they drew alongside it.
A gust of wind carried over a thick, metallic scent of blood.
Vivi's face paled.
Whoosh!
A green blur flashed.
Conrad reappeared at Yuuki's side, his black cloak spotless.
Yuuki nodded slightly. Through Conrad, he already knew the outcome.
Honestly—
He was surprised.
Clack.
A heavy, staggering figure emerged on the enemy deck.
Drenched in blood.
Left arm severed at the shoulder.
Left leg twisted grotesquely, bone visible through torn flesh.
Cabaji staggered forward, vision unfocused—yet in his intact right hand, he clutched a grotesque head.
Walter's.
After only two steps, he collapsed again.
"Unexpected," Yuuki murmured with a faint smile, snapping his fingers.
Snap.
A silver spatial portal opened overhead.
Thud! Thud!
Cabaji and Mohji fell through onto the deck.
Mohji's chest had been torn open, blood pouring freely. He was barely breathing.
Even Buggy's eyelids twitched at the sight.
The impact jolted Cabaji back to consciousness. He forced his head up weakly.
Seeing Yuuki, a spark returned to his dim eyes.
"I… got it…"
Even unconscious, his fingers had not loosened their grip on Walter's head.
Yuuki regarded him thoughtfully.
In the original story, Cabaji had been sly and opportunistic—a swordsman fond of dirty tricks.
In this battle, that nature had shown. Mohji's near-death state might very well have resulted from being used as bait.
Cabaji was a man willing to use any means to achieve his goal.
Ordinarily, Yuuki would not favor such a person.
But—
When one stood high enough to hold another's life in their palm—
A ruthless blade was often the most useful tool.
After all—
Yuuki was no saint.
He admired a line once spoken by Roronoa Zoro:
"A scar on the back is a swordsman's shame."
But admiration did not mean agreement.
He glanced at the silent faces around him—Buggy, Vivi, Igaram—
Then back at the two dying men.
For the first time, a smile of genuine approval appeared.
"When facing a powerful enemy—whether through cunning or deceit—"
"If you wish to win… if you wish to fulfill your ambition…"
"Then strike from behind if that is what it takes."
"You have proven your value."
As he spoke, crimson flames rose from his body.
Buggy, Vivi, Igaram, and Mr. 9 all recoiled instinctively.
"Flame Recovery Magic—Phoenix Feather Robe!"
Whoosh!
Scarlet fire enveloped Mohji and Cabaji.
Under everyone's disbelieving gaze—
Flesh knit.
Bone reformed.
Mohji's gaping chest wound sealed before their eyes.
Cabaji's severed arm regrew in seconds.
Buggy's jaw nearly hit the deck.
"Th-That's impossible…"
Vivi gasped, hand over her mouth.
Igaram and Mr. 9 stood frozen, even pinching themselves to confirm it was real.
Those injuries had been fatal.
Healing alone would have been miraculous.
Regenerating a lost limb?
That was beyond medicine.
"That's not treatment," Mr. 9 whispered hoarsely.
"That's magic."
Yuuki smiled faintly.
"There's no need to be so surprised. I believe I mentioned I'm a mage."
"And magic… is simply the art of creating miracles."
"Is that supposed to be normal…?" Vivi muttered weakly, her composure finally cracking.
And for once—
No one laughed.
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