Chapter 17

"The Tyrant," Kuma

"D-Did I hear that correctly…!?" "D-Dispose of us…!?" "Yikes!"

Bartholomew Kuma stood up, looking down on everything below. Moria lying battered and unconscious in the ruins of his own mast. The former victims of Moria's plundering, looking up at him fearfully at him. The Straw-Hats were on guard. They had not expected to encounter a secondary force on this island.

"Wait, he said 'dispose of us?' …Why us!? Why!? There's no need for that! We just got freed from Moria's power!" One of the club's members said it perfectly.

Maxwell immediately cast a Barrier on the crew. Zoro had his katana ready to draw, and Sanji stood ready to strike. If this was another Warlord, then they had to be prepared for anything!

"I can't believe we're fighting another Warlord!" Usopp grabbed his head at the absurdity of it all. They just beat one Warlord, a master of shadows and horrors. Now they have to face another one!? What does this guy even do!?

"You guys get back… I'll deal with this!" said Zoro.

"That's not how this works, Zoro." Maxwell stepped up beside the swordsman, staff in hand. Sanji also walked forward, begrudgingly, standing beside Zoro. Their Warrior-Mage-Rogue dynamic was going to be needed in this fight.

"Be careful!" Nami warned them, "He's got some kind of ability! I saw it. When he touches someone with his hand, she vanished!"

"Vanished?" Maxwell asked. To a mage, there were a lot of ways a person could "vanish."

"And he can teleport, too!" Kuma then started taking off his gloves. Nami gulped, "That… That hand is dangerous."

Kuma then suddenly disappeared, like he wasn't on the mast to begin with. He didn't even give an indication he was going to move! One moment he was on top of the ruin, the next, he was in the midst of the Thriller Bark Victims Association!

"AH!" "HE'S HERE!" "He's huge!" "When did he—!?"

"Damn!" Risuichi cursed. Everybody drew a weapon, looking a at Kuma. He stood like a broad stone monolith, just as tall as Moria. But where Moria was fat and disproportionate, Kuma stood like a herculean statue with a sweater on. "Just when we thought we were free! There's no way I'm going to die at a time like this! GET HIM!" Risuichi rallied the men.

"UOOOOOOOOH!"

"No—! Stop!" Lola shouted a warning, "You're no match for him!"

Kuma merely leaned down, and placed a hand in front of the chest of one of pirates. Then, all of a sudden, the sound of an air cannon blasted off, and an entire line of pirates got blasted back. There was even a trench from the air pressure!

"He didn't even touch them!" "Something went through him!" "Wait—! He disappeared again!"

"Pirate Hunter Zoro… Let's start with you."

Zoro, Sanji, and Maxwell spun around, suddenly realizing the Warlord was behind them! They had their weapons drawn, stances ready, but withheld the urge to attack him. Kuma stood with his back towards them. Even as he turned, it was as if Kuma was waiting for them. Like he was a mountain awaiting an adventurer at the summit…

Maxwell saw those eyes though. If Kuma was to be a mountain, then it would be the most treacherous kind. Full of sheer cliffs and rockslides if they were to climb. Featureless white sclera that held no iris looked as if they were carved from marble. Kuma's face was unreadable, almost as if it was sheered from hard stone.

The Thriller Bark crowd shifted as they saw found Kuma again. Some stood wearily with their weapons drawn, while others checked on their comrades that were caught by Kuma's palm. "Hey! Hang in there! Are you still breathing!?"

"What the hell did he do!?" "He didn't touch anyone, yet it's like something pierced through them!" "Is that his ability…!?"

Everyone that had been caught in that line of fire had fallen unconscious. The only indication they were attacked was the giant paw print mark left on their bodies. Everyone of them had two, one on the front, and one on the back. It was like they had been shot, yet their flesh was intact!

"This is two cruel," Lola grimaced as she held a saber in her hand, "We lived in that dark forest for years, under Moria's power. Now, after out brief moment of joy, another of the Seven Warlords shows up and says he's going to kill us!?"

"That's dirty damn it!" The whole association started to heckle Kuma. "Do you even know what kind of fight the Straw-Hats just finished!?"

"We're still uninsured, so even if the odds are against us, we'll still fight you! We don't care if you're one of the Seven Warlords!"

"Yeah! You're nothing compared to Oars and Moria!" They hoped they could prod Kuma into focusing on them so the Straw-Hats could escape. Their saviours were in no condition to fight a second Warlord, back-to-back.

"It's fine you guys! Just get back!" Lola and the others look back at Zoro as he starts to approach Kuma. He had drawn two of his three katanas and stared down the Warlord. "He called me out! Didn't you hear him? This is my fight, I don't need your help."

Maxwell put a hand on Zoro's shoulder, "Zoro, I really don't think you should fight this a—"

"Max—! Don't humiliate me…!" Zoro barked back at Maxwell. They locked eyes for a moment. Both men knew this was a hopeless situation, but that didn't mean they were just going to lie down and accept it! Maxwell was just thinking about this tactically, while Zoro wanted to go about this with honour.

…And while Maxwell thought Zoro was being an idiot, he respected Zoro for having that kind of self-sacrifice. The mage grit his teeth, and reluctantly, let the swordsman go.

"…You all have developed quite the reputation. I've heard that Straw-Hat Luffy had gathered a number of skilled subordinates, despite the crew's size."

Sanji, Usopp, Nami, Franky, and Chopper all blushed and rubbed their heads bashfully. "Oh no, no, stop!" "You're making me blush!" "Really, you're too kind!"

"NOW ISN'T THE TIME TO BE FLATTERED HERE YOU IDIOTS!" Maxwell barked back at the crew. He swore hie felt like his teeth had turned into a shark's maw for a moment. Thankfully Robin was taking this a bit more seriously.

"Your crew has left a trail of trouble wherever you go," Kuma continued. "Even though most of you were an unknown before, it's not just the captain who's getting noticed. You each have a portion of blame."

Usopp then saw Zoro moving one of his sheathes to the other side of his hip. "Hey, Zoro, wait! It's too dangerous! You're too beaten up right now!"

Zoro squatted low, into a horse stance, and Maxwell could see that defiant grin. "This kind of misfortune is just the way the world is. If you make excuses, will someone come and save you? No… If I die hear, then that's just my limit as a man!"

"Nitoryu Iai RASHOMON!" Zoro rushed towards the Warlord, attacking Kuma with a dual draw technique. The Rashomon gouged the very earth, Maxwell didn't even see Zoro draw! But the technique did not hit Kuma.

No, the Warlord had disappeared again, just as Zoro attacked… And now, he was suddenly in front of Zoro with his palm ready to strike!

Zoro quickly dived out of the way as Kuma struck the ground. Arm extended, the ground exploded beneath Kuma, leaving a paw like mark in the earth. He was fast!

Kuma again extended an arm, aiming his palm towards Zoro. A paw like shape came racing towards him, like an ultra powerful air cannon. Wanting to see what the technique was, Zoro didn't dodge until the last second. His body twisted as he leaned to the side, but he didn't come out unscathed like he thought. The air had just clipped him on the forehead.

"Look! Even though Kuma's barely done anything Zoro is breathing hard…!" Usopp was shocked at how hard of a time Zoro was having.

"Just what is his ability!?" Nami asked, "And what are those marks in the rubble!?"

The Risky Brothers and the rest of the Association was able to spot something unusual though.

"Look! On his palm!" "Is… Is that a paw!?" "Why is that on his palm!?"

There was indeed a paw like print embedded in Kuma's hand. Five smaller circles, beneath each knuckle, surrounded a larger growth, taking up most of his palm. And it was suspiciously similar to all those imprints Kuma had been causing!

Zoro wasn't about to give up though, "36-Pound Cannon!" Zoro swung one katana at the Warlord, sending a kamakaze to slice Kuma. However, Kuma just raised a hand, letting it his the broadside of his palm.

"Eh—" "LOOK OUT!" "UWAAAAAAAH!"

The kamakaze had reflected off Kuma's hand! Redirected into a pile of rubble the Thriller Bark Victims Association had been standing on! "He repelled Zoro's attack with his bare hands! How is that possible!?" Zoro's strikes were strong enough to split stone!

"So that's your ability…" Zoro observed.

Kuma's face was stoic, but it seemed he decided to affirm Zoro's belief, "I have the power to repel anything. I ate the Paw-Paw Fruit, allowing me to paw-man."

Maxwell couldn't help but blink, "What?" And the crew had similar reactions.

"A—!" "A paw-man!?" "That sounds so gentle!" "There are those kind of cute devil fruits, too!?"

Franky rubbed his chin, "He might be a Warlord, but maybe he's the compassionate kind… He might not be such a big deal after all—OOOOCK!"

Kuma had interrupted his musings by firing another paw print at him.

"FRANKY!" Maxwell and Chopper immediately ran over to the cyborg. He had crashed into some rubble and there was a giant paw print mark burned into his sternum.

"Cyborg Franky," Kuma hadn't even turned his head to aim at Franky, "Is this the limit of your strength?"

"Could he be repelling the air itself…?" Robin wondered, "A normal cannon shouldn't have any effect on Franky."

"I call it the Pad Cannon," Kuma explained. "Air is repelled at light speed, creating a shockwave that penetrates anything."

A shockwave from air travelling at light speed!? By that logic, Franky and the others should have had their intestines blown out of their stomachs! Maxwell could sense the rupturing of Franky's organs and quickly tried to heal them. Kuma wasn't going to play around with them like Moria!

Kuma stomped on the ground, twice, haunching over into a sumo stance. "Your time is up… Swift Pad Cannon!" The Warlord then started firing off more air cannons, slapping the air like a sumo wrestler.

Zoro didn't run, he instead equipped his third katana, biting down on the handle, and went into the barrage. He danced and weaved through the hail of paws, getting closer and closer to Kuma. And when he was close enough, Zoro leapt at Kuma, roaring as he slashed with all three swords.

Kuma blocked with his paw-padded hands. They didn't even draw blood. "GUAAH!" And Zoro was thrown back by the power of the Paw-Paw Fruit.

"ZORO!" Usopp yelled as their swordsman crashed into the rubble.

"Even that attack was repelled!" Chopper's eyes went wide. Kuma paws could repel a lot more than projectile attacks!

"You…!" Zoro was coughing a hacking up blood as he turned onto his knees. His wounds had reopened, and his injures were accumulating. Maxwell's healing circle had help with some of his injuries, but not by much!

"It's no good. He's done for!" "It's a miracle that he's managed to last this long!" "He's already taken the attacks from that ridiculously huge zombie Oars! They'd normally kill a man!"

"Zoro, he's behind you! Get away!"

Zoro flinched realizing he'd lost track of Kuma as he struggled to get up. Kuma loomed over behind him, his palm posed to strike Zoro into the ground. His body was too tired, he couldn't react in time!

"HORROR!" "CONCASSE!"

Kuma quickly turned around realizing someone was going to interfere. However, a black and violet miasma erupted from beneath him, blinding his vision. Then a black dress and leather shoe suddenly hit him in the face, with the force of a snapped steel cable.

"UOOH! SANJI! MAXWELL!" Chopper balked as the other two big shots of their crew engaged the Warlord. Maxwell had used a Horror spell to stun Kuma, while Sanji rapidly spun into the air, kicking the bear-eared hatted giant right in the face!

"That wasn't repelled by his paws!" Usopp cheered as he saw the Warlord take a hit, "That bastard's skull must have been caved in!"

Zoro didn't appreciate Sanji or Maxwell butting in though. "Who asked you to—!" However, his words died as he saw Sanji fall back down onto the ground.

"OAAAAAAH!" Sanji couldn't help himself, he howled in pain as he gripped his leg where he had struck Kuma. His kick hadn't even made a dent!

"Black Leg Sanji… So that's how you are…" Kuma rubbed his chin, whether in thought or to adjust his jaw, Maxwell had no idea. "And Magister Trevelyan. According to Navy intelligence, you seemly have an ability that allows opponents to overlook you in a group setting… It seems these rumours are somewhat true."

"Max…" Mordred's voice rose in concern, "That Horror spell didn't affect him at all…!" In fact, there was barely anything to grab onto!

Maxwell's eyes widened, "Oh crap…" That meant only one of three things. One. Maxwell and Mordred's control with the Horror spell was shot. Two. Kuma didn't find them at all the least bit frightening. Or three. Kuma was just as stoic as stoic as his face suggests, and was just as much in control of his emotions, as well as his body.

"Sanji's kick didn't move him even an inch!" Now it was Usopp's turn to balk, "What the hell is going on!?"

Sanji seethed, trying to work through the pain, "What's with that hardness…!? Is his face made of steel or something!?"

"F-FIREBRID STAR!" Not sure of what else to do, Usopp fired at the Warlord's back, hoping to at least cause some damage.

Kuma turned as he saw the blazing pheonix fly towards him, "King of Snipers, Sogeking…" Kuma turned and raised his hand towards the streaking firebird, "As outrageous as your title suggests…"

The elemental projectile bounced off Kuma's palm and flew straight back at Usopp. Nami and Chopper jumped out of the way, but Usopp had frozen seeing his own attack turn on him. "UWAAAH!"

"USOPP!" Maxwell's head jerked back to Kuma. "DAMN YOU!" Maxwell sprung into the Frost Step, shooting right into Kuma's legs. Ice and frost crept onto the Warlord's limbs, and Maxwell spun around to slash him with a Spirit Blade. However, when Maxwell turned to strike, Kuma was gone. Shards of ice on the ground was piled like snow.

"You've already had you chance, Magister Trevelyan."

"GAAAAAH!" Maxwell suddenly felt pain rip through his back and escape through his sternum. Kuma had appeared beside him, and Kuma's Pad Cannon was aimed right behind his back! Maxwell went flying! Crashing into a pile of rubble, Maxwell could barely breath. His insides burned as he felt the paw pad mark steam on his skin.

Kuma then sighed. "I thought as much. Destroying all of you, in a weakened like this, is not the least bit interesting at all… The government's order was to completely destroy you all, but… " Kuma then raised his hands to the sky, and his palms began to seemingly flash with hazes of light.

"What the heck is that?" "I can see a strangely shaped layer of air…" "It's getting smaller."

Maxwell could barely wince and the the paw shaped sphere kept descending upon Kuma. No one moved to do anything. Everybody was either too injured or too scared to stop Kuma from whatever he was doing.

He heard the girls explain explain though. Nami could sense it, "He's applying pressure, to a ball of air he's repelling with his paws… If it's been compressed that much…!"

"If that much air re-expands to it's normal state, it would create a giant shockwave, like a bomb…!"

"A bomb!?" Usopp exclaimed, "He can creat a bomb whenever he needs too!?"

The paw shaped bomb had finally shrunken to the size of a skull, which fit easily in between Kuma's two hands. "I will spare your lives."

Everyone froze for a moment, almost unbelievingly at Kuma's words. Was he really going to spare them?

"…In exchange, I want you all to give me the head of Straw-Hat Luffy."

There was the rub, Maxwell grimaced. He barely got an arm under him as he glared up at the Warlord.

"As long as I take his head to the World Government, they won't complain." They would overlook the details, so long as the primary instigator was dealt with. "Now… Bring Straw-Hat Luffy to me."

Everyone was silent for a moment. In exchange for sparing their lives, all they had to do was hand over Luffy.

Luffy, who had lead them into the Grand Line. Luffy, who had fought and beaten not only one, but TWO the Seven Warlords. Luffy their dear friend and champion whenever things became their darkest…

"You're telling us to betray our comrade…?"

…There was only one answer to that.

"HELL NO!"

Everyone shouted their answer at Kuma! Nami, Usopp, and Chopper at the top of their lungs. Maxwell and Franky, who defied their body's limit and stood up to the Warlord. Zoro, Sanji, Robin, with a ferocity so raw it demonstrating their loyalty too their captain!

Brook yelled it! Lola yelled it! The Risky's yelled it! Everyone alive and standing in the ruins of Thriller Bark yelled "NO!" at Bartholomew "The Tyrant" Kuma. They would not hand Luffy over for anyone, or anything!

"…That's a pity."

Kuma then opened his hands, and then compressed ball of air floated out towards them all.

"Ursus Shock."

BOOM!

Pure, unadulterated force ripped out of that tiny sphere! Glass shattered in the remaining windows of Thriller Bark's mansion. Stone and rubble blew like sand in a dessert wind. Trees were uprooted, men were sent flying, and any structure that had been fractured before broke under the immense pressure!

And Maxwell fell unconscious as all that raw power slammed into him.

O O O

Maxwell gasped as he was suddenly forced awake. He stated coughing. Maxwell was buried under some debris and the dust was everywhere. He only vaguely notice a green glow around him. Another Revival spell.

Maxwell's mana pool had been depleted. He could feel it in his bones. Maxwell wasn't going to be able to cast anymore spells for the next couple days, at least. Mordred was too exhausted after preforming that Horror Spell. A few scant hours wasn't enough to replenish all their energies. And Minieve was using the last of her spare energies to revive him. But why were they risking—?

Salem urgently spoke in his head, "Maxwell! You have to get to Luffy, quickly! Kuma's about to take him!"

Luffy! That's right—! Kuma!

With a burst of adrenaline, Maxwell dug himself out of the rubble. He pulled himself through a hole in the rubble and roles out into the open air. The mage covered in dust, his hair caked with dirt and grim. Never had he felt so filthy, but at this moment he didn't particularly care.

His armor was falling apart. His chainmail was in tatters. And his vambraces were so warped he was sure he needed replacements. Not to mention There was a giant hole in his gambeson, in that familiar paw padded shape. Maxwell's ribs were sticking out amongst the skin, making him realize just how much energy he expended.

But none of that mattered right now. Maxwell hastily looked around to see where Kuma was. He had been thrown back by that "Ursus Shock" attack, letting himself get buried. Maxwell had to find them!

The mage heard the low rubble of an upturned slab. Maxwell quickly turned around and saw Kuma there, a few metres away! He was standing over Luffy's unconscious body, holding a piece of stone and mortar. His captain had been covered in debris from the shockwave, and Kuma had dug him up!

Maxwell pushed himself off his feet to run, but instead stumbled and fell. His ankles felt weak, and for once he actually found his clothes cumbersome. His anorexic body was still reeling from the Pad Cannon Kuma had aimed at his back. Truthfully, Maxwell felt like his entire spine was on fire!

"…Now was not the time to live up to those old man jokes, dammit!" Maxwell whispered with a hiss. He desperately undid the buckles and knots he had on his person, trying to shed whatever metal on him as he crawled towards Luffy. Maxwell had to get to him, quick!

He pushed himself onto a piece of slanting rubble, trying to shed the gambeson. The rubble also served as a perch to keep Kuma in his sights. The Warlord had banished the slab he overturned and was moving to pick up Luffy!

But then, Maxwell thanked every god, spirit, and demon that was present in this world!

"SHISHI SONSON!"

Zoro was up. Awake! And he had just slashed Kuma with a katana! A deep gash along Kuma's pectoral all the way up to his shoulder!

…However, that victory was soon short lived. Both Zoro and Maxwell saw what was in Kuma's shoulder. The slashed jacket revealed a mechanical arm. Steaming, solid machinery full of pipes and hoses. It was fused into Kuma's body like tissue fibre. There was barely even a hint of flesh beneath it!

"…You're…" Zoro panted as the Warlord stood still, "What the hell are you…!? Are you a cyborg like Franky? …No… You're body's even harder than iron…!"

Kuma turned around, and opened his mouth. In the oral cavity, a light started to emerge, and Kuma hunched over as if to aim it.

Maxwell recognized that glow. He'd seen it once, when he spied on a fire drake. It was a breath attack!

"Zoro!" He tried to yell, but Maxwell's throat was so dry and cracked it sounded more like a wheeze. Maxwell tore off his chainmail. The light shone like a star brought down from earth, and it was aimed right at the swordsman.

Zoro jumped out of the way, as a beam of light shot out between Kuma's lips. The beam didn't hit him, however Zoro was picked up by the updraft as the ground exploded. Kuma didn't chase after him, Zoro was still heavily injured even if he dodged. He only turned around to face the swordsman.

It was a good thing too. The laser beam created by Kuma had enough heat to melt a steel beam and glass the point of impact!

"A cyborg…" Kuma spoke as his mouth still steamed, "Yes, I suppose I would be considered that. However, I am quite different compared to Cyborg Franky."

"I am what's called a 'Pacifista.' An incomplete human weapon in-development by the World Government. The person developing the project is none other but the Government's genius scholar, Dr. Vegapunk. He's the most brilliant man in the world. It is said that his scientific ability is so advanced, it would take 500 years for the rest of the world to catch up."

"…So, you have that body… and that Devil Fruit power… I'm starting to think you have an advantage over me…!" said Zoro. He knew his blade wouldn't be able to cut through those enhancements. The metal in those parts were strong, "And my body… won't do as I tell it anymore."

Zoro's breath was laboured. He was tired and bloody and couldn't stand up. "…So no matter what, you intend to take Luffy's head…?"

"That is what I'm most willing to do."

Zoro sat down, "…Alright. I'll give you someone's head."

Maxwell's eyes widened, "You idiot…! No. Don't do it!" He knew exactly what Zoro was going to do next!

"However, please… Take my life instead! Please be satisfied with that…!" He was going to trade his own! "I can't say my name is notorious yet…! But if you think of it as the head of the man who will become the Greatest Swordsman in the world, there shouldn't be any problem!"

Kuma stared at the swordsman for a moment. Zoro was bowing like a samurai with his fists on the ground. "…You have such ambition… And yet, you're saying that you're willing to die in this man's place?" Kuma gestured over to Luffy.

"…Right now, there's no other way… to save this crew…!" Zoro grunted out. "If I can't protect my captain, then my ambition means nothing. Luffy is… The Man who will become King of the Pirates!"

Damn it! Damn it all! Maxwell grit his teeth as he saw all of this unfold. This is not how things were supposed to turn out! Zoro can't sacrifice his life! Not now! Not ever! He was too young for it! Besides, didn't Zoro promise Luffy if he ever got in his way, he'd cut him down!? Damn him and that bushido code!

"Hold on there a second, you bastard." Maxwell blinked as he suddenly saw Sanji get up. His suit was torn in places, and was just as dirty as the rest of them.

"If you'll die, what'll happen…!? Ha!" Sanji spat, "What happened to your ambition, moron!?"

Sanji then pointed at Kuma, "Hey, giant guy…!"

"Hey!" Zoro barked out, but Sanji kept on talking.

"—Don't take this algae-headed swordsman's. Take mine instead!"

"Dammit Sanji! Not you too!" Were they all self-sacrificing idiots!?

…Maxwell chuckled to himself, his head hanging between his arms. Of course they were. They were loyal crewmates who wanted to achieve their dreams. But they would put them aside if if it meant protecting their friends! …And truthfully, he wasn't any different.

"The marines might not think much about me now, but out of everyone in this crew, the person who's going to cause the most trouble for you is me, Black Leg Sanji."

Sanji stood there with his arms crossed. "…Come on, do it… We've always been prepared to make this sacrifice…! Give me a glorious death!"

…

…

…

"You're both idiots!"

Sanji and Zoro both turned their heads as they saw Maxwell climb onto his feet. He had no staff, no focus, and looked even worse than both of them as he leaned against the piece of rubble. Maxwell couldn't help but chuckle at their reactions.

He limped over, his shoulders askew. It hurt to walk. He probably even looked decrepit. But the best thing in life came in threes didn't they? Kuma now had three Straw-Hat pirates standing before him.

"Bartholomew Kuma… Why waste your time on children, when the adult responsible is at fault?"

"HEY!" Zoro and Sanji both yelled at the mage.

"I've lived a lot longer than they have. Seen things few people should never see." Maxwell breathed out. "I've been at peace. I've been at war. And I've seen horrors that haunt my dreams when I sleep at night." He then pointed at the empty Celtic cross on his jacket. "And by that book, and that symbol on your chest… You're a man of faith, aren't you."

All three men look at Maxwell wondering where he was going with this.

"What do you see in these children? 'There I saw the Black City, towers all and stained. Gates once bright, golden, shut forever. Heaven filled with silence, then did I know all, and crossed my heart with unbearable shame...' Those are but a few words of my own faith, Kuma. Are they all beyond saving?" Maxwell gestured to Luffy, Sanji, and Zoro.

He then looked straight up at Kuma. "It's the eldest's job to take care of their siblings, when their parents are lost to them. And I've been taking care of this crew as if they were my own family… And as my family, I refuse to shame myself by having themselves be sacrificed in my stead. Don't waste your time on them, Bartholomew Kuma. Take me instead."

"…Besides, I'm guess your glorious Dr. Vegapunk would like to know how my magic works," Maxwell pointed out. "My powers are no Devil Fruit. And I'm guessing there haven't been to many wizards in the history of the world now, has there?" He was hoping he could convince Kuma to take him as a sacrifice. Maxwell wasn't going to allow anyone else to be taken. He technically wasn't even supposed to be alive here, so there was no shame in dying for this crew.

"…So, Warlord, What will it be?" Maxwell met Kuma's gaze as he judged each of them.

Who would die first? The swordsman who was destined for greatness? A vindictive chef promising violence? A mage claiming to have fostered these pirates? Or the troublesome captain these three were protecting? Each candidate held merit for having their head removed. Everyone of them was a potential threat to the World Government. So, who would be the first to die?

"Grk!"

What Maxwell felt was a pommel jam into his spleen.

"Zoro…! Don't…!" he barely grunted out.

And then darkness overtook him, as his body finally gave out.