Light casually closed his fist.
CRUNCH.
An overwhelming, invisible telekinetic force slammed into Buggy and Mr. 3 simultaneously. The sheer, crushing pressure of Light's Force Authority snapped their necks and pulverized their internal organs in a fraction of a microsecond. The two cowards collapsed heavily onto the bedrock, instantly dead.
"Buggy! Galdino!" Bon Clay shrieked, jumping back in absolute horror.
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji instantly tensed.
Zoro ripped Wado Ichimonji from its scabbard, his eyes wide. Sanji's leg ignited, the cook dropping into a fighting stance. The fragile truce had violently fractured.
Light slowly turned his head. His dark eyes locked onto Zoro and Sanji.
He deliberately let his newly ascended Level 3 Conqueror's Haki leak out, entirely bypassing Luffy and directing the crushing, suffocating weight of a Warlord directly onto the swordsman and the cook. Layered within the Haki was a cold, piercing intent to kill.
Zoro froze, a drop of cold sweat rolling down his brow as his muscles locked up under the spiritual gravity. Sanji gritted his teeth, the cigarette trembling in his lips. They both felt it—the absolute, terrifying realization that if they took one step forward, the man in the black coat would sever their heads before they could even blink. Light stared them down, thoroughly enjoying the sheer terror radiating from the two combatants.
Then, just as quickly as it appeared, the oppressive aura vanished.
Light turned to Luffy, slipping his left hand casually into his pocket. A relaxed, easygoing smile spread across his face, his demeanor entirely shifting from a god of death to a casual ally.
"Relax, Straw Hat," Light said warmly, completely ignoring Zoro and Sanji's panicked breathing. "I just took out the trash. My eyes can see a person's true nature. Those two were sadistic, remorseless cowards who tortured civilians for fun. I don't ally with filth."
Luffy looked at the bodies, then back to Light. The rubber boy's instincts told him Light wasn't lying. The malice radiating from the False Deity just moments ago had been real, but right now, Light's intent toward Luffy was entirely clear.
"Okay," Luffy breathed heavily, letting his guard down. "But we need to go. Now."
"Agreed," Light nodded.
He casually drew his pitch-black saber an inch from its scabbard. With a flick of his wrist, a slash tore across the room. It bypassed the heavy Seastone bars of the final vault and effortlessly sheared through the massive chains binding Jinbe to the wall.
The massive Fish-Man caught himself before hitting the floor, rubbing his bruised wrists. He looked at the False Deity in profound shock.
"You are a man of honor, Knight of the Sea," Light stated, sliding his saber back into its sheath with a crisp click. "I have no quarrel with you. Come with us if you want to fight."
Jinbe bowed his head deeply. "I owe you my life. I will use it to aid Ace-kun."
Light turned his attention to Bonney. She was standing amidst the Revolutionaries, looking at Light with a mixture of awe and adoration.
"Bonney," Light called out, his tone shifting slightly, taking on the authoritative cadence of a captain.
"What?" she asked, stepping forward.
"When we reach the surface, I will secure a Marine warship. But you are not coming with us into the plaza," Light instructed calmly. "Your mission is to take the Okamas and whoever doesn't want to step into that meat grinder, and sail the ship through the Gates of Justice. Take them to Sabaody. Meet up with the rest of the Straw Hat crew and wait for me."
Bonney's pink eyes flared with immediate defiance. She took a step toward him, her fists clenching. "Like hell I am! I'm not running away! My dad is at Marineford! I have to—!"
"I know," Light interrupted, his voice incredibly soft, but carrying an absolute, unquestionable weight.
He stepped closer to her, looking down into her desperate eyes. Through his Level 5 Observation, he felt the agonizing heartbreak she carried for Bartholomew Kuma.
"I know he's there," Light repeated gently. "And I promise you, I will bring him back to you myself. Trust me. Go to Sabaody and wait for your father."
Bonney bit her lower lip, tears stinging the corners of her eyes as she recognized the absolute sincerity in his promise. She slowly uncurled her fists and nodded. "Fine. But not just him! You have to come back too!!"
Light smirked, turning his back on the group and looking up toward the dark ceiling of the Eternal Hell.
"Of course."
He could feel the massive, heavily armed battleships floating on the surface of the ocean, miles above them.
He rested his hand on the hilt of his saber, his Force Authority humming in his veins.
It was time to go.
He turned to everyone and suddenly-
BOOM!
His Conqueror's Haki flared.
"You lot..."
"Remember my name."
"I am Light."
His eyes, why were they so fierce suddenly?
CRACKLE-CRACKLE!
"I will destroy your world."
Dark purple lightning flickered in his eyes and sparks formed in the environment.
"I will kill every criminal that takes breath."
BAM! The floor cracked in spiderweb patterns. The cracks' edges continued expansion as the pressure increase showed absolutely no signs of stopping.
"Be one, and I will come for you."
SWOOSHH! BAM!
A fierce gale blew from nowhere in the underwater prison and slammed against everyone's chest.
"And I will kill you."
Except a select few and a pink haired girl, everyone's eyes began rolling back. They couldn't breathe.
Suddenly.
The pressure vanished.
The man who had almost just incapacitated everyone with pressure and killing intent laughed.
"Haha, let's go."
And yet none dared to laugh with him.
.
.
.
A/N: Apologies readers! I had to go out of town for a matter and missed uploading chapters! Seeking forgiveness!