A burst of golden light flashed across the sky as Kizaru appeared before Vice Admiral Tsuru and the other officers, his expression unusually tense. He had only just left the island, confident that at his speed, he could return to Kaito in an instant. But by the time he did, Kaito was already gone.
Realizing something was wrong, Kizaru hurried back—only to find the Marines in disarray.
"Staff Officer Tsuru, Vice Admiral Garp… I couldn't stop him. I'm sorry!" Kizaru's tone carried rare frustration.
Seeing him return safely, Tsuru and the others quietly released a breath. She shook her head slowly. "It's not your fault, Kizaru."
Then, raising her gaze to the figure still hovering in the air, her voice turned firm. "Kaito… what do you want? Or rather, what would it take for you to let this go?"
Sengoku was unconscious, Garp's strength was nearly spent, and though Aokiji had regained consciousness, he was in no better condition than Garp.
Even with Akainu and Kizaru still standing, their odds of victory were almost nonexistent. Kaito's strange ocular powers had felled Sengoku in an instant, and none of them understood how to counter it.
If they forced another confrontation, the result would be catastrophic for the Marines. Even victory would come at an unbearable cost.
The original plan—to capture Kaito with overwhelming numbers and send him to Impel Down—had completely collapsed. Their assessment of his power had been disastrously wrong.
At this point, only negotiation—or surrender—could prevent further losses.
"Are you saying," Kaito's calm voice drifted down from the sky, his eyes gleaming faintly, "that the Marines want me to… throw in the towel?"
Though Tsuru didn't want to admit it, she slowly nodded, her face tight with frustration.
Behind her, Kizaru, Akainu, and Vice Admirals like Weasel and Onigumo clenched their fists in silent fury. As Marines—the highest authority on the seas—they now had to bow before a single man.
For them, this was humiliation beyond words. If they could, many would have preferred to die fighting Kaito rather than admit defeat. But what choice did they have?
Though Tsuru held the rank of Vice Admiral, her authority was exceptional—comparable to that of Garp and even the Admirals. When she made a decision, it carried the same weight as Sengoku's own orders.
"I don't agree, Staff Officer Tsuru!" Akainu stepped forward, his voice deep and thunderous. "We still have countless elites left. If we fight Kaito now, justice will prevail!"
His killing intent was palpable. Cold, absolute, and merciless. Akainu had always believed in crushing evil without hesitation—and his long-standing hatred for Kaito burned like magma within him.
If there was even the slightest chance to destroy Kaito here, he would take it.
Several Vice Admirals nodded in agreement—Dolphin, Momousagi, Weasel, even Onigumo. Though they had seen Kaito's power, pride and anger clouded their judgment.
Tsuru sighed faintly. They still didn't understand the situation.
In the air, Kaito's lips curled into a faint smile. He had been deciding whether to leave or strike again—until Akainu's arrogance gave him a perfect excuse.
Fine then, he thought coldly. Let this dog serve as an example.
Without a word, Kaito's Rinnegan flared, expanding outward with deep purple ripples. An invisible surge of psychic power burst forth, flooding directly into Akainu's mind.
The magma man froze instantly.
The world of pirates was one that focused on physical power—their spiritual strength was crude by comparison. Observation and Conqueror's Haki touched upon mental will, yes, but not nearly to the precision or depth that Kaito commanded.
The difference between them was like that of a rookie genin and an elite jonin.
This was the true reason Kaito could defeat Sengoku and Garp with a single glance.
Akainu, who hadn't witnessed that earlier exchange, glared up at him without understanding. That moment of contact was all it took.
Kaito's illusion struck him effortlessly.
Seeing Akainu's expression turn vacant, Tsuru's eyes widened in alarm. Remembering how Sengoku and Garp had fallen earlier, she hurried forward and gripped Akainu's shoulder.
"Kaito, stop this!" she said sharply, then softened her tone. "Please—release him. We can talk."
Her voice trembled slightly, the calm of a seasoned strategist cracking for just a moment.
Kaito said nothing.
A second later, Akainu's body jerked violently. He gasped for air, chest rising and falling as he stumbled backward, his face drenched in sweat.
Everyone stared in shock.
One move—just one look—and Akainu had been completely subdued.
Silence fell. The only sound was the whisper of the sea breeze.
Even the proudest Vice Admirals felt a chill crawl down their spines.
If he could bring down three of the Marine's strongest—Sengoku, Garp, and Akainu—with nothing but his eyes… what chance did the rest of them have?
Every soul present now understood. Tsuru's choice to negotiate wasn't cowardice—it was wisdom.
Kaito looked down, amusement dancing in his gaze. "What did you say earlier, Staff Officer Tsuru?" he asked lightly. "I don't think I heard you clearly. Would you mind repeating yourself?"
The oppressive purple glow of his Rinnegan washed across the Marines below, freezing them in place.
At that moment, a weary voice cut through the silence.
"Kaito! For this old man's sake… that's enough, isn't it?"
Everyone turned. Garp stood with a pale face, steadying himself against the railing, his usual grin replaced by grim determination.
Kaito's expression softened. "Alright," he said simply.
He could see the sincerity in Garp's eyes—and he understood.
During the days he hadn't seen him, Garp must have returned to East Blue, to Windmill Village. He would have seen Risa, who was living there peacefully.
If not for Garp, Risa would never have had such a safe place to stay. That favor, Kaito wouldn't forget.
He cast one last glance at the group of shaken Marines below. Then, with a single step, space itself shattered around him—and he vanished into the air.
The tension broke like a storm subsiding. Everyone exhaled, relief flooding their faces as they turned toward Garp, gratitude and confusion mixing in their eyes.
"Garp… you know him?" Tsuru asked quietly.
Garp sighed. "Yeah. He's from East Blue. I once saved his village when pirates attacked. Seems like he hasn't forgotten the favor."
His tone was casual, but his mind raced. He was lying through his teeth, of course. Garp was no fool—behind that carefree grin lay a sharp intellect to rival Sengoku's.
He knew that if the truth came out—that Risa, someone close to Kaito, was living in Windmill Village—Marine Headquarters might use her as leverage.
And that was something he would never allow.