Not only that, Kaito could feel that the surrounding space had become denser. He could no longer tear through it as effortlessly as before—it now required focus and effort. Still, it wasn't a real problem. As long as he could use his ability, the chakra consumption meant little to him. After all, compared to Kaguya, he was no ordinary being.
As his thoughts wandered, Sengoku and Garp regained their senses. The two exchanged a glance, and in an instant, golden and black iron fists—each carrying overwhelming power—tore through the air toward Kaito.
Bang! Bang!
A dark blue skeletal figure emerged, intercepting their attack with raw force.
A low hum resonated as the skeleton expanded. Two massive blue arms extended outward, flames of azure light burning fiercely around them. The force radiating from the apparition made both Sengoku and Garp's expressions stiffen.
"Fist Bone Meteorite!"
"Great Buddha Impact!"
The two bellowed in unison. The golden giant fist gleamed like molten glass, while Garp's dark fist radiated depth so intense it almost pulled the mind into its void.
Two titanic fists roared forward, distorting the air with their power as they collided with Kaito's twin blue-flamed bone fists.
Floating midair, Kaito let out a cold sneer. His black and white eyes shifted—first to the crimson of the Three Tomoe Sharingan, then to a curved sickle pattern, and finally into the ominous purple rings of the Rinnegan.
The moment his eyes changed, the attacks of Sengoku and Garp froze mid-motion, as though time itself had stopped.
Kaito's burning bone fists crashed into the two veterans mercilessly.
Clang!
Sensing something amiss, Momousagi reacted instantly. Without hesitation, she swung Jinpira, unleashing two bright arcs of sword aura that split the air and intercepted the oncoming fists.
Boom! Boom!
The dual slashes resisted for only a brief second before shattering under the pressure. But her goal was achieved—she managed to pull Sengoku and Garp back to safety.
"Did Vice Admiral Garp and Marshal Sengoku get caught?" Kizaru muttered, realizing something was wrong.
A golden flash streaked forward. Kizaru appeared between the burning fists, his blade gleaming like condensed sunlight as he slashed in a flurry.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Golden particles burst forth like cannon fire, colliding against Kaito's bone fists with relentless explosions.
Rumble! Boom! Boom!
The air quaked, light and heat flooding the battlefield.
Within the skeletal armor, Kaito frowned. He could feel resistance mounting—it seemed he couldn't press further.
Meanwhile, Garp, who had been dragged back by Momousagi, finally regained consciousness. His face was pale, his chest heaving heavily, sweat pouring down his temples.
"Go… Go!" Sengoku rasped before collapsing unconscious.
Garp gritted his teeth. Though still standing, his body was drained, his head pounding as if split open. His willpower alone kept him upright.
"Hah… Hah… Go! Kizaru! Don't meet his eyes! Retreat—return to Marine Headquarters immediately!"
With Sengoku down, Kizaru technically held the highest authority—but in reality, Garp's words carried more weight. Without hesitation, Kizaru nodded, motioning for the others to carry Sengoku and Garp toward the warship at the port.
In the blink of an eye, only Kizaru and Kaito remained.
Kizaru steadied himself, Observation Haki spreading in all directions, sensing the faint energy around him. Crossing his hands, his body erupted in dazzling golden light.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
He thrust both hands forward, unleashing a torrent of golden particles—each one a deadly beam of condensed light—raining down like a storm across the sky.
Bang! Bang!
The blue skeletal armor remained unbroken. Explosions rippled across its surface, but it held firm.
Kaito stood within, calm and detached, his gaze unwavering. To him, Kizaru's attacks were little more than a distraction. The Admiral was only buying time for his comrades to escape—and Kaito knew it.
Still, the display of power made even Kizaru uneasy. After this fight, he ranked Kaito above even the Four Emperors in sheer threat level.
The source of his dread lay in that eerie moment earlier—when both Garp and Sengoku were neutralized instantly by Kaito's eyes.
Driven by instinct and duty, Kizaru gave his all, fighting with every ounce of strength he possessed.
The golden light engulfed the island, painting the darkened sky in shades of brilliance. The spectacle was breathtaking—and terrifying. Each golden flare could easily reduce a mountain to rubble.
Amidst the storm of destruction, Kaito raised his arms.
A deep hum echoed.
A powerful gravitational pull surged outward, consuming everything in its range like a cosmic vortex. The golden particles veered off course, sucked toward him in torrents of light.
To a bystander, it almost looked as though Kaito was absorbing Kizaru's own power.
But Kizaru knew better.
Recognizing the danger, he turned into light and vanished instantly. He had seen this ability before—the gravitational pull that had captured Akainu. If even Akainu couldn't resist it, Kizaru stood no chance.
Feeling his opponent escape the pull, Kaito exhaled softly, a faint hint of disappointment in his tone.
With his electromagnetic sense, he scanned the entire Sabaody Archipelago, but Kizaru's presence was gone.
"As expected of the Pika Pika no Mi, the embodiment of speed," Kaito murmured. "He's already left the island."
Still, his attention soon shifted to the Marine warship departing in the distance. His sharp eyes spotted several familiar figures aboard.
Stepping forward, the space around him shattered—and in the next moment, he appeared before the fleeing warship.
On deck, Momousagi, Weasel, Onigumo, Tea Dolphin, and Dobberrman stood guard. Among the Vice Admirals, they were the strongest, capable of at least stalling him for a short time.
When they saw Kaito suddenly appear before them, their expressions changed drastically.
Kaito… what happened to Admiral Kizaru? Momousagi's heart sank. The thought that he might be dead sent a chill through her.
"What do you want?" Momousagi demanded coldly, her grip firm on her sword. Her beautiful face was composed but icy, as if sculpted from frost.
Her words sent ripples of panic across the ship.
Moments later, Garp, Tsuru, and Akainu, supported by the remaining Vice Admirals, emerged from below deck—ready to face the man who had shaken the Marines to their core.
A tense silence fell over the warship as every Marine present felt the gravity of the situation. The air seemed to thrum with anticipation, each heartbeat echoing the dread of facing a power far beyond their comprehension.
Kaito's gaze swept across the assembled forces, calculating, cold, and unyielding. Each step he took radiated dominance, his presence alone bending the tension of the battlefield.
The Vice Admirals tightened their grips, the faint hum of Haki flaring around them in preparation. They knew the next moments could determine not just the fate of their warship, but the lives of every Marine under their command.
Kaito's smirk deepened, and a low, almost imperceptible chuckle escaped his lips. The chase was over, and now the real test was about to begin.
_______
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