The people in the distance, whether civilians or Pirates, watched this scene unfold.
For a moment, they were all struck speechless with shock.
After all, it had been less than half an hour since Vice Admiral Onigumo, exuding an imposing aura with a Cigar in his mouth, stepped onto the square.
And now, he was being held in Xiano's hand like a helpless chick.
Less than half an hour…
In such a short time, a Naval Headquarters Vice Admiral had been defeated?
Was this still the East Blue?
"Cough, cough…"
Xiano's expression remained cold as he tightened his grip, making it increasingly difficult for Onigumo to breathe.
Naturally, Xiano had sustained injuries as well. The intense physical clash and head-on fighting style had inevitably left marks on his body.
But compared to Onigumo, who was covered in wounds and looked as pitiful as a dying dog, Xiano's injuries were nothing.
Just as Xiano had declared earlier.
In terms of strength, speed, martial arts, Haki, and even Life Return… he was slightly superior to Onigumo in every aspect. But when combined, it resulted in a complete and overwhelming dominance in actual combat!
Enough to turn his advantage into victory within this short half-hour, utterly crushing his opponent!
"Release Vice Admiral Onigumo!!!"
A furious roar suddenly came from the distance.
It was Hound, leading four Naval Headquarters Rear Admirals. Seeing the dire situation, they could no longer heed Onigumo's earlier instructions and rushed onto the square using Moon Walk.
Drawing their swords, they launched attacks from different angles, aiming to strike Xiano, who stood at the center of the square.
Xiano glanced up but paid them no mind.
Just like when he had first appeared.
Behind him, four figures instantly shot out, each intercepting one of the Rear Admirals.
"Hey, don't mess with our Captain," Zeff said with a smile, removing his white hood for the first time as he delivered a powerful kick toward Hound.
"That's right, this isn't your place to interfere!" Kuina drew Wado Ichimonji, her blade clashing fiercely with the Rear Admiral to the east.
"And you!" Nojiko donned her Metal Gauntlets and punched the only female Rear Admiral square in the chest.
"Awooo—!" Agin howled, not caring about the situation but feeling like something was missing if it didn't join in.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Figures flashed in mid-air, and the sound of clashing metal echoed continuously.
Kuina and Agin quickly gained the upper hand, while Zeff and Hound, the strongest among the Rear Admirals, were evenly matched.
Nojiko, however, was slightly outmatched in every aspect and took a few hits.
But regardless of the battle's progress.
The four Rear Admirals, who had just breached the edge of the square, were all intercepted and locked in fierce combat, unable to break through the defense line and get anywhere near Onigumo.
A few Lieutenant Officers tried to come to their aid, but a Wall of Fire suddenly erupted from nowhere, roaring into a circular barrier that trapped them inside.
"…Let, let me go."
Onigumo knew he couldn't rely on his subordinates anymore. Staring into Xiano's eyes, he forced out a hoarse voice from his throat:
"Let's… let's end this today. Don't worry, if you release me, the Marine Headquarters will overlook all your crimes…"
"Overlook our crimes?"
Xiano raised an eyebrow, almost laughing in disbelief.
This bastard, so used to being high and mighty, didn't even know how to beg for mercy properly!
He looked at Vice Admiral Onigumo as if he were an idiot. "Now that you can't win, you start talking like this. When you were putting on that arrogant act earlier, did you ever think about showing us any mercy?"
"Get over here!"
Xiano's grip tightened abruptly, dragging Onigumo's body through the puddles as he strode toward the front of the square.
The Pirates gathered in the center retreated to both sides in awe.
As for the ordinary citizens, most had already huddled in the corners, their gazes filled with anger and hatred as they looked at Onigumo.
Screech—
Onigumo's head slammed heavily against the steps of the execution platform. Xiano hauled him up the stairs, and in Onigumo's clouded pupils, the scenes along the way were reflected—
The shattered square, the shops on both sides collapsed by cannonballs, the houses with beams caved in, and the civilians lying by the walls, grievously injured.
In the corner, what seemed to be half of a baby's swaddling cloth swayed amidst the ruins...
In the blink of an eye, they had reached the execution platform.
"See it clearly?"
Thud! Xiano grabbed Onigumo's hair and pressed his face against the platform. "Do you see it clearly now?! Answer me!!!"
"Let me go..."
Onigumo gritted his teeth, desperately trying to lift his head. Inadvertently, he caught sight of the scene directly in front of the execution platform, and his pupils suddenly contracted.
No! This was the exact same perspective Pirate King Roger had seen before his death.
What is this?
What is this black-haired brat trying to do?!
Does he really dare to kill me?!!!
Boom—
Amid the pouring rain, a flash of lightning split the gloomy sky, illuminating the two faces confronting each other on the execution platform.
"Are you insane? Daring to kill a Vice Admiral of the Naval Headquarters, do you know what you'll face? Do you want to sink so low as to become a Pirate, forever hunted by the Marine Headquarters?!"
Onigumo roared in fury.
The six Spider Spear Hair Braids at the back of his head suddenly thrashed wildly, but they couldn't break free from the five iron-like fingers gripping him.
"It seems you really didn't see it clearly."
Xiano ignored the threat, merely shaking his head slightly as his right hand continued to exert greater force:
"Of course, how can someone as extreme as you, who doesn't even care about the lives of your subordinates, be expected to feel remorse..."
"For the suffering you've caused the people!"
Crack!
The crisp sound of bone breaking suddenly rang out, drowning out all the noise.
Onigumo's twisted neck suddenly drooped at an unnatural angle, the light in his pupils gradually fading. The six spider-like arms at the back of his head stiffened for a moment before crashing to the ground.
The entire square fell into an eerie silence.
Countless eyes focused in disbelief on the execution platform.
He really killed him...
He really killed him just like that!!!
The execution platform of Loguetown, where Roger had died eighteen years ago, had finally seen a second person executed on its heights, in full view of the public!
And it was actually a Vice Admiral of the Naval Headquarters!
In the distance.
Four Rear Admirals witnessed this scene and stood frozen in place, unable to believe their eyes.
For a moment, they were dazed and lost their will to fight, allowing Kuina and the others to easily subdue them.
"We'll spare your lives for now. How to deal with you will be up to the Captain!" Zeff clicked his tongue, disarmed them, tied them up, and knocked them out one by one.
Around the square.
The citizens who had been huddled in corners and houses were still staring blankly at the execution platform, unable to recover from the shocking scene.
However, the Pirates gathered in the center suddenly became as if injected with adrenaline, raising their arms and roaring with excitement.
"——OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!"
--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!