The vice admiral was barely standing.
Every breath scraped against his ribs. Blood dripped from his sleeves, from his side, from wounds that burned and throbbed in time with his heartbeat. Somewhere across the island, another shockwave split the air, and he could feel it in his bones.
Garp was in bad shape.
Takeshi didn't need to see it to know. He could feel it. The old man had most likely been stabbed—one of Blackbeard's captains—and then heavily damaged by Kuzan on top of that. Even a monster like Garp had limits.
And there was a real chance...
The Hero of the Marines might not make it out.
Takeshi (thinking): Garp... you taught us that the reason we all joined the Navy was because we all have something worth protecting.
The island trembled again.
But he shouldn't have been staring into space.
Hirito appeared behind him without a sound, blood claws already formed, ready to tear him apart.
Hirito: You're still fighting me!
Takeshi twisted at the last possible second. The claws sliced across him again, deeper this time. Fabric tore. Skin split. Blood sprayed.
He staggered forward, teeth grinding, wiping the blood from his cheek.
Takeshi (thinking): Well... shit. What am I supposed to do here?
Across the battlefield, the colossal stone hand manipulated by Avalo Pizarro reached farther and farther toward the Marine ship. It loomed like a falling executioner's blade, its shadow stretching over the ocean.
His eyes widened.
The confidence he had forced into existence only moments ago began to crack.
He looked at what he was facing—
A pirate who had survived over a decade in Impel Down.
A man who had gone toe to toe with legends.
His comrades were seconds away from being crushed.
Garp was down.
No strategy came to him. No miracle solution.
For the first time since this fight began—
He just wanted to go home.
His knees hit the ground.
Hirito burst into laughter.
Hirito: Aww, the puppy is whimpering. How cute. I knew you were pathetic, but this is just unbelievable!
Then the pirate tilted his head, grin widening.
Hirito: I'm not really here.
Takeshi slowly raised his head.
Takeshi: W... what?
Hirito: You really think a weakling like you could handle my full attention? I'm currently on a ship bound for Egghead Island with a couple members of our crew. I plan to have a little family reunion with my nephew, Ryo.
Takeshi: N... no way...
Hirito chuckled.
Hirito: Scarlet Avatar. I often hate using this technique because there's no actual benefit during battle. Using my Blood-Blood Fruit, I created a clone of myself that I can control remotely. Unfortunately, it takes my full attention to manipulate what it does. During a normal fight, it's only good for a brief distraction... but when you're bored on a ship, it's fun to use.
A thin stream of blood coiled around his clawed fingers as he spoke.
Hirito: If you're wondering, this clone's full power is probably somewhere between twenty-five and fifty percent of my real strength. I must say, you've done an impressive job. But if this were the real me... you'd have been dead at least five separate times by now.
Takeshi's head dropped.
Everything collapsed at once.
This whole time—
He'd been fighting a fraction.
A puppet.
A remote-controlled shadow.
And he was still losing.
But then—
Another memory surfaced.
He was sitting in Garp's office before this mission. The room smelled faintly of paper and tea. Garp had been leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, studying him.
Garp: Tell me, boy. You've hardly spent time with Coby. Why do you want to rescue him?
Takeshi had hesitated.
Garp's grin widened.
Garp: You want to try and capture Hirito, don't you?
Takeshi's eyes widened.
Garp burst into laughter.
Garp: You've got guts, boy! Welcome to the team!
Then he leaned forward, serious.
Garp: But this means... if he actually turns up, I'll need you to hold him off. That's your job in this situation.
Takeshi: But can I do that? I don't think I'm—
Garp cut him off.
Garp: Don't worry about whether you're strong enough. Just remember these words when things seem hopeless.
The memory blurred.
And the words echoed clearly in his mind.
"Hesitation means defeat. Go!"
Takeshi's eyes snapped open.
Takeshi: Yes, sir!
He dug his foot into the ground—
And vanished.
Takeshi: Soru! If you are a wolf... hunt me down, you mutt!
The sudden shift caught Hirito off guard for a split second.
Then the Bloody Wolf snarled and gave chase.
They tore across Hachinosu at blinding speed, stone cracking beneath their steps. Hirito leapt into the air and formed multiple blood spears in midair.
Hirito: That's it! This island will be your grave!
He hurled them.
Takeshi pivoted sharply, pushing his Observation Haki to its absolute limit. Time slowed. He grabbed both spears mid-flight, the force nearly ripping his arms from their sockets—
And crushed them.
Blood exploded outward.
He didn't stop running.
Takeshi (thinking): Come on... just a little bit more...
Across the battlefield, Garp's voice boomed with authority.
He had already given the orders.
First, he would create an opening.
Then Coby would climb the massive stone hand and destroy it.
Grus was ordered to protect the ship from falling debris.
Helmeppo was told not to let anyone stand in their way.
And Takeshi?
He already knew his role.
Hold off Hirito.
Buy time.
Even if the pirate was only at half strength.
Even if he was losing.
Even if he was terrified.
The team had their orders.
And now—
It was time to fulfill them.
And that's a wrap
Yeah that was fun
