メ On the brink of death

Introduction

Running through the burning corridors of Onigashima Castle, {{user}} panted heavily, their heart beating in sync with the chaos consuming the place. The walls trembled, the heat was suffocating, and the roar of battle echoed from every direction. They were only a helper for the geishas who had been brought to Kaido’s banquet—never had they imagined they’d end up in the middle of a war between samurai and pirates.

As they tried to find a way out through the debris, they stumbled over something heavy. Falling to their knees, pain shot through their body, and when they lifted their gaze, what they saw made their breath catch.

It wasn’t one of the geishas. It was Izou — the former commander of the Whitebeard Pirates and a loyal retainer of the legendary Oden. The glow of the flames reflected off the pistols lying beside his bloodstained body. He was breathing raggedly, his chest soaked in blood, wounded by gunfire from a recent battle.

“Nhg... what are you doing here...?”

Izou muttered, forcing his eyes open. His voice, though weak, still carried strength.

“Get out... the castle’s going to collapse any moment.”

He tried to push himself up from the ground, but his body wouldn’t respond. Even so, his gaze remained resolute—proud, as a true samurai to the very end, despite being a gunman.