Marineford, Marineford.
"Blurp, blurp, blurp…"
"Splat!"
"Moshi moshi, this is Sengoku."
"This is the Gorosei!"
…
"What? You said Celestial Dragons were attacked in the East Blue?" Sengoku hung up the phone, staring at the two faxed photos.
One photo showed a black-haired boy, around eighteen, with indifferent eyes. He stood roughly 1.8 meters tall, wearing brown shorts, a sky-blue T-shirt, and a pair of eye-catching flip-flops. Casual, but undeniably handsome.
The other showed a green-haired youth, about fifteen, 1.6 meters tall, in a green T-shirt with three swords at his waist.
Sengoku froze. "Aren't these the East Blue bounty hunters? How did they run into Celestial Dragons?"
An old man nearby tossed a senbei into his mouth, crunching loudly. "Wahahaha, Celestial Dragons actually got killed! How satisfying!"
"Garp! You are a Marine! Watch your words." Sengoku snatched the senbei, stuffing them all into his mouth.
"Ah! I was attempting the record for eating senbei without stopping!" Garp protested, face streaked with tears.
It was always like this—whenever Garp tried something impressive, Sengoku inevitably ruined it. The frustration made Sengoku want to slap him away. Fleet Admiral or not, did he have to endure this nonsense?
"Shut up, Garp! The Celestial Dragons were attacked in your jurisdiction, in your hometown, the East Blue!"
"Puhahaha~ I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Garp laughed uncontrollably, unable to contain himself.
Ignoring Garp, Sengoku instructed the soldier at the door, "Go and summon Kizaru immediately."
Garp, uninterested now that his challenge was interrupted, simply lay down, bubbles forming from his nose. He had clearly been awake too long trying to set the record.
A few minutes later, a tall figure entered Marineford's office: yellow-striped uniform, sunglasses, and a lewd grin. Admiral Kizaru.
Kizaru examined the photos, his expression flickering from amusement to shock. "Oh my! Someone actually dared to attack the Celestial Dragons… in the East Blue, no less."
"I understand, Sengoku. I'll handle it!" Kizaru donned his cloak and left the office.
---
East Blue.
A ball of flame streaked across the sky, landing gently on the deck without damaging the grass.
"Captain, the slaves have been secured," a voice called out as the flame resolved into a red-haired girl. Lina.
Inside the cabin, besides two billion Berries and a sword, countless jewels and treasures were recovered. The remaining Marines were left alive but powerless, drifting at sea.
"Oh my! He's really that young!" A dazzling golden light appeared at the bow.
[System Interface] Trigger Choice:
A: Fight Kizaru and escape successfully. Reward: Advanced Physique Card *1, Kizaru-brand Sunglasses *1, Senzu Bean *1000.
B: Flee without fighting. Reward: None.
C: Kneel and confess, accept recruitment. Reward: Marine Commander rank.
I choose A!
Rolan narrowed his eyes. "So an Admiral has come. What brings you here if I may ask?"
Kizaru's tone was slow and deliberate. "I didn't want to come either, but someone attacked the Celestial Dragons. I just… had to show up."
Rolan understood immediately. Among the three Admirals, Akainu's justice was absolute, Aokiji's humane but restrained, and Kizaru? A laid-back office worker in a Marine uniform who punched in and out daily.
"Lina, Zoro, stay back. This is Admiral Kizaru, Marineford's top combatant."
They didn't need to be told. The immense pressure from Kizaru was palpable, no less intense than Rolan's own aura.
"Hey! I'll handle this…" Lina began.
Zoro grabbed her arm. "Stop. Not our fight. Focus on improving your strength first."
As Kizaru's voice echoed, "Young man… have you ever been kicked at light speed?" he appeared beside Rolan, transforming into a stream of light, his leg flying toward Rolan's head.
Holy crap! So fast! Rolan blocked with both arms, then was sent flying into the sea. He activated his Fruit powers to float on the surface. "Ouch! That kick actually hurts!"
He shook his arms. Kizaru relies heavily on his Devil Fruit, but his techniques and Haki are top-tier. The three Admirals' physical skills must be phenomenal.
Rolan rose to Kizaru's height, aura fully unleashed. Kizaru resisted the pressure, surprised. Another Devil Fruit user? Terrifying.
"Come, show me the strength of a Marine Admiral."
Rolan teleported in front of Kizaru, kicking at his face, blocked by Kizaru's arm. So fast!
"Hmm, strong kick!" Kizaru's surprised expression cracked through his lewd facade.
A stalemate followed briefly. Kizaru transformed into light, smashing a small hill into smoke. Rolan used Instant Transmission to reach the island, ready for the next strike.
"Oh, a disrespectful young man indeed," Kizaru muttered, appearing again in golden light.
Rolan approached slowly. "As an Admiral, you wouldn't condone Celestial Dragons being served, would you? Is this your Marine justice?"
A flicker of disgust passed Kizaru's eyes, caught immediately by Rolan. Even Admirals have limits on their freedom.
"I'm just a Marine. If I don't capture you today, it'll be difficult," Kizaru said, transforming into light and ascending into the sky.
"Yata no Kagami!"
Countless flashes of light shot toward Rolan. Using Electromagnetic Force and Observation Haki, he moved fluidly, teleporting in front of Kizaru. "Underestimating me too much, Admiral?"
He punched. Bang! Kizaru was blasted dozens of meters back.
Rolan's punch combined Armament Haki and electromagnetic power.
Kizaru's nonchalant demeanor remained, but his thoughts were serious. This young man is frighteningly strong. Perhaps I should have let Aokiji or Akainu handle this.
Rolan grinned. The battle was escalating too long; he needed to leave before an old, troublesome man arrived.
He conjured an electromagnetic dragon in his hands and launched it at Kizaru at near light speed.
"Electromagnetic Force: Divine Descent!"
"This is… dangerous!" Kizaru's expression turned serious. Light itself being an electromagnetic wave left him momentarily paralyzed.
The aura passed through him, dispersing him into photons that tore through the island.
Rolan knew an Admiral wouldn't truly be defeated so easily. He teleported back to the ship, leaving Kizaru coughing up blood, slowly reforming into his humanoid form amidst the smoke.
He got away… but what a terrifying young man. Maybe I'll take a few days of sick leave… no, Sengoku-san won't give me a leave, since this injury is too minor.