At this point in the unfolding events, the Marines no longer had any legitimate reason to continue attacking Maude.
Therefore, when Gion insisted on carrying out her intent to kill, Tokikake (Chaton) intervened without hesitation to stop her.
Having already stepped into this conflict, he had no intention of standing idly by while Gion handed Maude an opportunity to retaliate.
At the same time, he also didn't want Maude to take advantage of the situation.
That was why he had spoken those words, carrying a double meaning, to urge both sides to exercise restraint.
"You've done enough, don't you think?"
Maude met Chaton's unhidden gaze and smirked contemptuously. With a casual flick of his fingers, he slid the letter from its envelope and then, as a taunt, snapped it toward Gion, who stood just three meters away but could no longer advance another step.
Gion's expression remained icy, her gaze filled with murderous intent as she watched the letter fly toward her.
Frowning slightly, Chaton raised his free hand and intercepted it midair.
Clearly, his previous attempt to de-escalate had failed to make Maude back down.
Watching Chaton's blatant attempt to mediate, Maude narrowed his eyes and chuckled. "With your face that swollen, you'd better get it treated soon—unless you want it to look even uglier than it already is."
"Hah…"
A vein bulged on Chaton's forehead at the remark.
But he had no interest in engaging in a war of words with Maude. He merely grinned, brushing off the insult as if he hadn't heard it.
His reaction was well within Maude's expectations.
After taking a jab at Chaton, Maude shifted his gaze to the seething Gion and remarked, "Crazy woman, it was your recklessness that got Wolfrat killed. And worse still, his death was meaningless."
The sharp accusation nearly sent Gion into a blind rage.
Had Chaton not been firmly restraining her, she might have already swung her sword at Maude, consequences be damned.
"Hmph…"
Seeing Gion utterly powerless to act, Maude sneered before turning his back on her and walking away.
That blatant act of exposing his back to her carried an unmistakable air of mockery.
Chaton frowned as he stared at Maude's departing figure and said sternly, "Gion, calm down."
He knew Gion's abilities well, yet it was clear that she had deliberately suppressed the power that normally kept her emotions in check.
Gritting her teeth so hard that blood seeped from her lips, she seethed, "How am I supposed to calm down in a situation like this?"
Under Chaton's superior strength, she found herself completely unable to break free without harming him in the process.
After a brief hesitation, Chaton sighed lightly and said, "With your ability, you could regain your composure in an instant if you wanted to."
"…"
Gion fell into a sudden, deathly silence.
She fixed her eyes on Maude's back, feeling, for the first time, a sense of sorrow over her own abilities.
As he strode away, Maude could distinctly feel Gion's burning, vengeful gaze on him—but he remained unfazed.
It was about time to add her name to the Hunter's Notebook.
Once the final stage of his plan was completed, her experience points would inevitably become his to claim.
A few steps later, Maude became aware of the Warlords positioned around him.
Mildly surprised, he came to a halt and let his calm gaze sweep over Crocodile, Doflamingo, Jinbe, and Kuma.
Finally, he looked skyward.
Amidst the newspapers fluttering down from the sky, a tall figure descended—it was none other than Lafitte, returning from Mary Geoise.
Maude smiled at the sight of his crewmate's return before shifting his gaze back to Gion and Chaton. With a serious expression, he said, "You two… just wait and see."
His words fell just as Lafitte retracted his wings and landed beside him.
Hearing Maude's cryptic remark, Gion and Chaton reacted differently—one seething, the other contemplative.
Standing at Maude's side, Lafitte glanced at the lifeless body of Wolfrat, which was now being held by Sentomaru, and let out a chuckle. "Looks like I missed quite the show."
"There was no show—just a farce."
As Maude spoke, he casually caught one of the newspapers drifting down from above.
It was today's edition, most of its content centered around his appointment as a Warlord of the Sea.
The World Economy News Paper wasn't generous enough to scatter such a large number of newspapers for free.
Which meant someone had orchestrated this spectacle.
As for who…
Maude glanced at Lafitte and chuckled.
Noticing Maude's look, Lafitte remained silent but removed his hat, tapping it lightly against his foot a few times.
After completing that habitual gesture of delight, he bowed slightly toward Maude.
Indeed, the rain of newspapers was his doing.
There was no grand scheme behind it—he had merely spent a little money to ensure that everyone in the Sabaody Archipelago learned of Maude's new status as a Warlord within half an hour.
As for whether it had the intended effect…
The stunned, speechless expressions of those clutching newspapers all around them spoke volumes.
"Let's go."
Watching Lafitte's gentlemanly bow, Maude casually skimmed the newspaper's contents before heading toward Grove 13.
"Hoho…"
Lafitte chuckled, twirling his cane idly as he followed closely behind.
All eyes remained fixed on their departing figures.
Among them, a scruffy, middle-aged man with three missing fingers murmured with a complicated expression, "I've been here for over twenty years, and I've never seen a rookie this terrifying."
"No kidding. Every major incident this year has involved him. Forget about taking down Moria and a few Supernovas—this guy was right here in Sabaody, yet he silently replaced Moria as a Warlord. A freak like him… who knows? Maybe next year, he'll take down the world's strongest man."
"Idiot! That's Whitebeard you're talking about…!"
"I was just saying, no need to take it so seriously."
"Regardless, it won't be long before his name spreads across the entire sea!"
"Yeah…"
As they read the news of Maude's appointment, many people found themselves instinctively gazing at his retreating figure.
Most of their expressions carried a mix of awe and fear.
Jinbe silently watched Maude head toward Grove 13. After some hesitation, he finally decided to follow.
But before he could, a figure stepped in front of Maude.
It was Sentomaru.
Before stopping Maude, he had already entrusted Wolfrat's body to the other Marines.
Maude looked at the man blocking his path and said indifferently, "At this point, what more do you want?"
"Heh."
Sentomaru fixed him with a firm gaze and said meaningfully, "I'm not officially a Marine yet, so even if you're a Warlord now, I can still beat you up without worrying about the consequences."
"Oh?"
Maude remained unfazed. "But you're not even qualified to make me lift a finger."
Sentomaru raised his palm and smirked. "Scared, are you? You're strong, sure—but I don't think you can beat me."
Maude simply smirked in response.
Beside him, Lafitte's eyes gleamed sharply. "Shall I 'take care' of him?"
Hearing Lafitte's casual demeanor, Sentomaru didn't get angry. Instead, he let out a laugh and replied seriously, "You might as well all come at me together—saves you from losing too miserably."
"There's no need for that."
Suddenly, a voice came from behind Sentomaru.
When…?
The moment he heard it, Sentomaru's heart tensed. He swiftly turned his body, darting a glance in the direction of the voice.
Gaya's eyes were slightly widened, a resolute amber light gleaming within them.
The battle-axe she had inherited from Gaban was already in her grip. As her aura surged, the long black curls draping over her waist stirred despite the absence of wind.
Exuding an imposing presence, she smiled at Sentomaru and said, "If you're itching for a fight, why not let me entertain you?"
"..."
Sentomaru's expression grew serious.
This woman…
Just where did this monster come from?!
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