Somewhere on Green Island...


    A lone figure moved silently through the dense forests of Dark Arena Island. His steps made no sound, his presence nearly undetectable. He moved as if he had spent a lifetime in this forest, knowing every inch of the terrain.


    Admiral Max Stormblade.


    A swordsman so skilled, he could cut down an entire army without taking a single scratch. Every move he made was precise, calculated, and deadly.


    Then—BOOM!


    A fiery blast appeared through the trees, forcing Max to halt. Blue flames crackled at the ground where he had just stood. His sharp eyes turned toward the shadows as several Kitsune users showed up, their fox-like eyes gleaming, fangs prepared.


    As the Kitsune users appeared from the wild , Max narrowed his gaze. He adjusted his grip on his katanas and spoke up, his voice calm but firm.


    "So, you sent that letter and called me over here?"


    One of the Kitsune stepped forward, a smirk playing on his lips. "That''s right. We wanted to make sure you came alone."


    Max exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "And here I thought it was some official business. Turns out, you just wanted me dead."


    The Kitsunes laughed. "You catch on quick, Admiral. This will be your last battle. We are here to put a full stop to your story."


    Max fell into thoughts, his mind processing the situation. The Kitsunes moved swiftly, wasting no time, and in the next instant, they launched a barrage of fox-fire blasts straight at him.


    Max barely dodged, the scorching heat grazing past his uniform. "Fast!" he noted, watching as some of them transformed mid-air, their bodies stretching into monstrous fox-like forms. Their speed had doubled.


    A few quick slashes from Max kept them at bay, but he noticed something troubling.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    They weren’t stopping.


    More Kitsune showed up from the cliffs, their numbers growing. Dozens surrounded him.


    Max let out a low chuckle. "So… it’s one versus an entire army, huh?"


    Then—he moved.


    Faster than the Kitsune had ever encountered, Max dashed between them, his triple katana style leaving a trail of blood in his wake.


    One Kitsune charged—Max sliced through his leg with one katana, cut his lungs with the second, and ended it with the third, severing his head cleanly.


    Another tried to jump him from behind—he sidestepped and countered with a swift spin, slashing through its ribcage.


    One by one, they fell. But more kept coming.


    Then—ROOOOAAARRR!


    A powerful presence erupted from the wild, shaking the ground.


    Max barely turned before a massive Kitsune, larger than the rest, slammed him from behind—sending him crashing into a cliff.


    Max grunted, wiping blood from his mouth. His sharp gaze locked onto the towering Kitsune, its fur glowing with an unnatural aura. It wasn’t just any Kitsune.


    This one was different.


    For the first time, Max couldn''t predict his opponent’s next move.


    The Kitsune army saw their opening and charged together—but then—


    A blue portal appeared behind Max.


    And in an instant—he was gone.


    SHRIIING!


    A flash of steel. The giant Kitsune froze, its body splitting apart in several clean cuts before it even realized what had happened.


    Max had reappeared behind it.


    The power of his Portal Fruit.


    The remaining Kitsune staggered back, their confidence breaking.


    "Impossible…!" one of them muttered.


    Another snarled, "He—he''s a monster! We have to retreat!"


    But Max didn''t leave that option open.


    One by one, he hunted them down, slicing through the survivors.


    The few who remained bolted into the forest.


    But they couldn’t escape.


    "Triple Dragon Twister!"


    Three massive hurricanes erupted, sweeping through the battlefield, trapping and shredding the Kitsune in their grasp.


    Only one remained.


    The massive Kitsune leader stood tall, his burning claws clashing against Max’s katanas, shaking the ground with every strike.


    Max grinned, "Not bad… but you''re out of luck."


    WHOOSH!


    Another portal opened—Max vanished.


    The Kitsune hesitated—then felt something tighten around its neck.


    Max had reappeared behind it, gripping a lead like it was a wild dog.


    "You''re a bad boy, Tommy," he said, smirking.


    The Kitsune roared, thrashing wildly, but Max held firm.


    Desperate, the Kitsune bolted toward the sea, intending to drag Max down with him.


    Max narrowed his eyes. He understood the plan.


    At the last moment—he let go.


    A portal opened above the ocean.


    Max stepped through, appearing a few meters above—and kicked the Kitsune down with full force.


    The giant beast hit the water—sinking instantly.


    There was no escape. No return.


    A Devil Fruit user in the sea… was as good as dead.


    Max returned to the barely alive Kitsunes lying on the ground. Their bodies trembled as they released glowing orbs—fragments of their energy forming temporary souls. The orbs flickered and moved toward him, trying to enter his body, but Max swiftly dodged.


    He frowned. "What the hell is this?"


    The orbs rushed at him.


    He dodged.


    They circled him like they were alive.


    "Whatever this is... it’s dangerous."


    He glanced at his canteen, still half-filled with water. A quick idea formed.


    Max swiftly uncapped the bottle—and trapped the orbs inside.


    "Now... let’s take you to the Kingdom of Rose," he muttered, stepping toward the village.


    Before that—he needed to call Leon.