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Pere~Pere~Pere~Pere~!
The urgent sound of the Den Den Mushi echoed continuously in the field.
But no matter how anxious Graeme was, no one answered the call.
No matter how many numbers he tried, even the ones manned 24 hours a day, there was still no response.
"What's going on? Why can't we reach anyone?"
"Stop wasting your efforts, Graeme. The signal here is completely blocked. Even if you call for another day and night, Maria won't get the message."
At that moment, a familiar voice came from behind.
Graeme turned around and saw Akira walking slowly, hands in his pockets.
Behind him were not only the CP0 members who had betrayed him but also a Doflamingo clone, wearing sunglasses and flashing a sinister smile.
"Fufufufu, my Birdcage move is quite something, Lord Akira."
The Doflamingo clone's fingers were shaped like claws, controlling the threads that had enveloped the entire island, clearly eager to claim credit.
"Very practical," Akira commented lightly.
The Birdcage is indeed a powerful and practical move, especially in this situation. It had not only trapped Graeme but also blocked any chance of him sending out news.
"Akira, so it really is you!"
Graeme frowned, giving up on the pointless effort, and put the Den Den Mushi away. "What are you doing?"
"Isn't it obvious from the situation?" Akira replied with a cold tone.
"Why betray us?" Graeme took a deep breath, his face turning serious once he got a clear answer.
The nature of the situation had completely shifted. This wasn't like the time when he, as Marine Fleet Admiral, targeted Impel Down Director Desmond.
This was outright rebellion.
After all, Akira was directly going against the Marines under the orders of the Five Elders.
Targeting Graeme was the same as betraying the Five Elders themselves.
And Graeme knew that Akira was intelligent enough to understand the gravity of his actions.
Once such a move is made, it can't simply be resolved by returning the Marines' industry.
Akira removed his cloak of justice, tossing it to the CPO members behind him, while casually cracking his neck.
"You don't need to know why. You only need to know that you'll die here."
Explaining oneself to a man doomed to die was one of the most pointless actions Akira could imagine.
The villain dies because he talks too much, and Akira had always remembered that, so he wasn't interested in giving his reasons.
'Damn it, that b*****d Akira's loyal behavior before was all just an act!'
'Damn it, I was tricked!'
Graeme gritted his teeth, seething with anger.
Akira's public image had always been one of loyalty to the World Government and the Five Elders.
No matter how reasonable or unreasonable the orders, Akira had always carried them out without question. This not only caused the Five Elders to lower their guard around him but also increased their trust in him.
Graeme never expected to be stabbed in the back like this.
And with this betrayal, his life was most likely going to end here.
"You underestimate me," Graeme said, taking a deep breath, calming his racing heart, and shifting into a battle stance.
He knew that words were useless now. The only way out was to rely on his own strength to fight his way through.
"I'm not a loser like Desmond. Once I capture you, everything you've arranged today will be worthless."
Graeme removed his distinctive mask, revealing his true face.
At the same time, the power of his Devil Fruit surged through his body, causing him to grow several times larger.
"Then let's see you try," Akira said, flicking his glasses before vanishing instantly.
Boom.
The next second, the two clashed with a thunderous impact.
A powerful and overwhelming force exploded from the collision, and countless dark cracks spread across the ground like lightning.
"Everyone, with me!"
"Go assist my lord!"
The clones didn't hesitate, rushing forward to attack Graeme.
A massive wave of murderous intent and pressure surged towards Graeme.
His face turned pale, and sweat dripped from his forehead.
"Akira, you b*****d, this is disgraceful!" Graeme shouted in fury.
Akira licked his lips. "I need a swift victory, and let's be honest, you're no match for me in a one-on-one fight."
Graeme was a leader of a powerful organization, one of the Five Elders' most trusted individuals. If he disappeared for even a single day, it would immediately raise concern and suspicion.
Akira knew this, and to avoid further complications, he had to end this quickly.
Over the past few days, Akira had not only created numerous clones but also brought in some of the most powerful allies from his reserves.
The goal was simple: eliminate Graeme as fast as possible.
Even if it meant burning through resources at an alarming rate, the payoff would be worth it.
Rumble.
Thunder boomed across the sea, and dark clouds gathered overhead.
Lightning and sword strikes filled the air.
While Akira and Graeme clashed in their intense battle, elsewhere, on the Marine base...
Inside the Fleet Admiral's residence.
"Nurse, nurse! Sister Rouge's water just broke—she's going into labor!" Stella's frantic voice filled the air.
"Quick! Hurry, get everything ready!"
A midwifery team, recruited from the Sabaody Archipelago for their expertise, rushed into action.
Rouge, her face drenched in sweat from the pain, was carefully wheeled into the delivery room by the nurses.