"BOOOOM..."
At this critical juncture, a dazzling laser beam suddenly streaked across the distant horizon, racing forward like a meteor and striking Kaido—who was still locked in mid-air combat with Lancelot—with lightning speed!
Instantly, accompanied by deafening explosions, a massive ball of raging flames erupted skyward, completely engulfing Kaido!
"Huh?"
Witnessing this, Lancelot stared wide-eyed, momentarily stunned.
The unique and distinctive nature of this sudden attack made its source immediately identifiable—none other than Admiral Kizaru, renowned as one of the Navy's strongest combat forces!
Furthermore, Kizaru's attack forcibly shattered the stalemate between Kaido and Lancelot.
Now unable to maintain his defense against Lancelot's previously unleashed fierce slash, Kaido watched as his spiked club was cleaved apart in an instant, allowing the terrifying slash to mercilessly strike his body.
Meanwhile, the residual power of the earlier laser beam had not yet dissipated, resonating with this slash strike to form a near-perfect pincer attack from front and rear!
Sustaining consecutive heavy blows, Kaido could no longer withstand such ferocious assaults.
His body plummeted uncontrollably downward like a massive boulder, crashing violently onto the solid ground with an earth-shattering roar!
The entire earth seemed to tremble, kicking up clouds of dust into the air.
If not for his terrifyingly resilient physique, he would have surely perished in that pincer attack.
Even if he hadn't died, he would have been severely wounded.
Or rather, if it were anyone else—even someone with the title of the World's Strongest, Whitebeard—they would have been grievously injured.
But Kaido... slowly rose to his feet.
Apart from the pain from the attacks, he hadn't suffered any significant damage.
At the same time, a streak of light shot through the sky, eventually materializing into a figure.
It was so dazzling that it was impossible not to notice.
Lancelot and Kaido both turned to look.
The newcomer had short, slightly curly black hair.
He wore a pair of sunglasses, with a stubble beard framing his face.
He was tall and slender, dressed in a yellow-and-white striped suit, a purple tie, a dark green shirt, and white leather shoes.
Overall, he was a very well-dressed individual.
He even carried a somewhat gentlemanly air.
But... that face shattered any semblance of gentlemanly demeanor or attire, leaving behind only one impression: sleaziness.
And in the entire one piece world, only two people could be this sleazy.
One was the candidate for Admiral, Tokikake (Chaton).
The other was the man standing before them now—the Navy Admiral, Kizaru.
Lancelot: "..."
'Well, well, he arrived just in time. It seemed his fight with Kaido would have to end abruptly.'
He had originally wanted to have a proper battle with Kaido.
Only then could he truly gauge the extent of his own strength.
Now, that was clearly impossible.
Here in the Navy, he had no intention of fully revealing his combat capabilities.
Kaido: "..."
He fell completely silent.
Dealing with Lancelot alone was already taxing enough.
Add a Navy Admiral to the mix?
What was the point of fighting then?
Unless he wanted to be captured again...
The thought made him glance at Lancelot.
It wasn't that he had never been captured by the Navy before, but they had never been able to do much to him, so he hadn't feared capture in the past.
But now, this Navy Rear Admiral was capable of breaking through his defenses.
If he were captured again, death would be his only outcome.
With that in mind, Kaido decisively transformed into a giant dragon and sped off into the distance.
Kizaru simply hovered in the air, watching calmly, as if he hadn't even noticed Kaido's escape.
Seeing this, Lancelot's lips twitched involuntarily, and he couldn't help but ask.
"Admiral Kizaru, aren't you going to pursue him?"
Only then did Kizaru shift his gaze to Lancelot, a slight smirk curling at the corners of his mouth.
It only made his already sleazy appearance even sleazier.
Though he seemed completely unaware of it.
In a lazy drawl, he replied, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku's orders were to help you repel Kaido and ensure your safety. He didn't tell me to risk my life fighting Kaido... So, why would I bother putting in the effort?"
Lancelot: "..."
'Well, that's just so Kizaru. But is it really okay for you to be this blunt with me?'
At that moment, he was utterly speechless.
Meanwhile, Kizaru was scrutinizing Lancelot.
To be honest, although he hadn't witnessed the entire battle between Lancelot and Kaido, the final exchange of blows alone was enough to show that Lancelot's strength was definitely not inferior to Kaido's.
He couldn't help but sigh in admiration. "Oooooh... Young people these days are really terrifying, aren't they?"
Lancelot: "..."
He was utterly speechless at this sly old fox.
Kizaru then added, "I came here for two reasons: first, to support you and rescue you from Kaido's clutches; second, to inform you that Naval Headquarters has promoted you to Vice Admiral. You're to return with me to headquarters for the promotion ceremony."
"But as for the first part... I think it's somewhat unnecessary. Your strength... truly astonishes this old man!"
"I'm quite looking forward to seeing what expression Fleet Admiral Sengoku will make when he learns of your true power... It's bound to be spectacular!"
[Ding dong, host promoted to Vice Admiral.]
[Observation Haki upgraded to Advanced, Rokushiki upgraded to Life Return level, Fishman Karate techniques, Giant Strength Bloodline Gene acquired.]
'Damn...'
'I have to say, these rewards for being promoted to Vice Admiral are truly impressive.'
'So satisfying.'
[SYSTEM STATUS]
[Host: Lancelot Rank: Vice Admiral]
Talents & Bloodline
[Superman Physique: Body strength, power, and speed have reached superhuman levels in the One Piece world.]
[Bloodline Factor: Whale Shark Fishman]
[Bloodline Factor: Giant Strength Gene]
Sword Souls & Styles:
[Sword Soul - Ryoma:]
[Swordsmanship Style: One-Sword Style]
[Technique: "Return to the Sea - One Sword Slash"]
[Sword Soul - King Aska: (First King of Aska Kingdom)]
[Swordsmanship Style: One-Sword Style]
[Technique: "King's Sword" (The swordsmanship of the first king of Aska Kingdom; a sword path that perfectly combines Conqueror's Haki with swordsmanship, a style exclusive to kings.)]
Rank: Great Swordsman
Martial Arts (Vice Admiral Level):
Rokushiki (Six Powers):
Techniques: Iron Body Fist Style, Iron Body Utsugi, Iron Body Shatter, Iron Body Steel.
Ultimate: Six King Gun (Rokuogan).
Variants: Tempest Kick - Shigure.
Mastery: Life Return (Seimei Kikan).
Fishman Karate: Complete Mastery.
Attributes:
Doriki (Power Level): Admiral Level
Speed: Admiral Level
Body: Admiral Level
Swordsmanship: Admiral Level
Haki:
Conqueror's Haki: Top Tier
Techniques: Entanglement, Shapeshifting, King's Pressure.
Armament Haki: Advanced
Techniques: Entanglement, Emission, Ryuō.
Observation Haki: Advanced
Techniques: Wide-Area Search.
Devil Fruit:
Type: Zoan - Mythical Zoan
Model: Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon
Mastery: Beginner
Comprehensive Strength: Beyond Admiral