Kizaru's attack came too fast.
Before Liam Ross's clone could even sense it, the golden admiral's sword Ame-no-Murakumo had already pierced clean through his chest. A sharp pain burst across his body. The clone's Observation Haki was far too weak to react in time.
Instinct took over. Ignoring the searing wound, Liam swung a furious punch toward the glowing figure behind him.
But Kizaru was already gone. His body shimmered into light, slipping through Liam's fist as if the air itself mocked him.
On the warship miles away, Liam's true body slammed a fist into the armrest, his voice low and angry.
"Damn it!"
If his real body were here, he would never have been pushed this far. The clone only had half his original strength, its Haki and techniques drastically weakened. Even though Kizaru and Akainu weren't yet at their peak far from their strength during the Marineford War the difference was still immense.
Escape? Liam gave a bitter laugh.
Knowing Sengoku's scheming nature, there was no way this was a simple trap. The man had clearly anticipated everything, even Liam's ability to vanish at will.
And with two future admirals and three vice admirals working together, even bringing Chinjao to help barely balanced the odds.
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, a sudden glint of light caught his eye. Ame-no-Murakumo was already descending again. Liam's pupils contracted as he quickly raised his arms, hardened with Armament Haki.
"Earth Dragon Wrath!"
A massive dragon made of solid earth erupted from the ground behind him, roaring as it charged toward Kizaru.
The admiral didn't flinch. He didn't even turn around. The dragon slammed into his back but his body shimmered, scattering into golden particles of light. The attack passed harmlessly through him.
Seeing this, Liam couldn't help but admit Kizaru's mastery of his fruit was terrifying.
"Mountain Cannon!"
From the side, Vice Admiral Burnman saw an opening and lunged forward, his fist wrapped in blazing energy.
"Earthen Wall!"
Liam reacted instantly. The ground surged upward between them, forming a thick barrier.
Burnman's fist smashed into it, shattering the earth to dust, but before he could strike again, more soil reformed in front of him, trapping him in a cage of shifting sand and stone.
And then another flash of gold.
Liam barely moved aside before a razor-sharp blade of light sliced through where his neck had been.
"Damn it!"
He crossed his arms just in time. The light slash hit, sending him flying like a kite cut loose. His body crashed into the ground, blood spilling from his lips.
Every breath burned. His organs screamed. Still, he pushed himself up, eyes sharp with defiance.
In the distance, Chinjao and Akainu were locked in a furious clash, neither gaining ground. The shockwaves from their blows rippled through the air.
Behind his mask, Liam's gaze flickered.
I can't win this. Not like this. There's only one option left...
High above, Kizaru floated lazily, arms crossed, his smirk playful. He was curious would this pirate vanish again like before? How did a man with an Earth-type fruit manage to use invisibility?
Even Sengoku couldn't explain it.
"Liam Ross," Kizaru called down with mock amusement. "You're cornered. Stop struggling. You can't win."
Liam spat blood and sneered.
"You Marines... always hiding behind numbers. Try fighting me one-on-one, and we'll see who's left standing!"
He might be wounded, but his pride refused to bow.
Hearing his taunt, both Chinjao and Akainu halted for a moment. Akainu's glare burned hotter than his magma.
"For scum like you, there's no fairness. Justice doesn't negotiate with evil it burns it away."
"Evil?" Liam's smile turned sharp, almost sad.
"Yes, there are pirates who deserve that label those who kill and steal for pleasure. But not all of us. Red-Haired Shanks. Whitebeard. They never preyed on the weak. They protected those who couldn't protect themselves."
His voice grew stronger with every word.
"When Whitebeard ruled the seas, whole islands lived under his protection. Even you Marines can't claim that. You say you fight for justice, but what about the corruption inside your own ranks? What about men like Captain Nezumi, who worked hand in hand with pirates while calling themselves saviors?"
The air fell still. Even the vice admirals wavered for a heartbeat.
Then Liam's voice struck again, cold and clear.
"Tell me, Admiral Sakazuki what justice was it when you ordered the bombardment of the refugee ship at Ohara? Was slaughtering innocent civilians part of your duty too?"
The moment he said it, silence spread like a wave.
Akainu's expression darkened. He clenched his molten fists, his jaw tightening.
He didn't regret that day. To him, eliminating potential threats to the world's balance was justice. The higher-ups had rewarded him for it. But even so, the memory left an unspoken scar among those who had been there.
Liam stared at him quietly.
"You see? Justice or evil it's not about your title. It's about your heart."
Akainu exhaled sharply, his tone cold as steel.
"The world has no place for dangerous men like you. Justice must remain pure, and corruption must be erased."
"That's your answer then..." Liam murmured. "Maybe the problem isn't you, but the world itself."
He smiled faintly.
"No wonder Dragon started his revolution."
Akainu stepped forward, magma swirling around his arm. "Then disappear with your ideals!"
Before Chinjao could move to intercept, Liam suddenly straightened and shouted
"Take me to Impel Down!"
Everything stopped.
Akainu froze mid-stride.
Kizaru blinked.
Chinjao stared, mouth half open.
Even the three vice admirals looked utterly confused.
"...Huh?"
For a moment, even the battlefield went quiet, the smoke and fire hanging still in the air before chaos resumed its rhythm, but this time with disbelief written on every face.
The unthinkable had happened.
Liam Ross defiant pirate, wielder of the Earth's might, and enemy of the Marines had just surrendered himself.
And no one could tell whether it was a trap, a trick... or the first move of something far greater.
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