Ivan's aura pressed down on Kizaru like a clear blue sky. For a moment, Kizaru seemed to see his younger self.
The justice he once upheld was not ambiguous. Who hasn't been young? Who hasn't been passionate?
But when strength was insufficient, he had to compromise with evil. Even the purest justice would become tainted, muddled, and unrecognizable.
Aokiji was like this, he was like this, and even Akainu's extreme justice had changed somewhat.
Was he always this unreliable?
Not at all!
But insufficient strength was just that—these young people simply couldn't comprehend the power of the World Government!
He was called one of the Marine's three Admirals, one of the world's strongest combatants. Yet, in the holy land high above the sky alone, there were more than ten of the world's strongest combatants.
Hah, the strongest combatants—how laughable!
Because of ignorance, there is fear; because of knowledge, there is awe. Therefore, Kizaru would go all out to capture the Tanuki and maintain the current stability of the sea!
This was already the best choice!
Kizaru raised a finger and scratched his weathered cheek. "What a headache, kid. Since you won't listen to reason, I'll have to take you back. You know, to uphold justice, you need power!"
Ivan showed no fear. "You seem confident you can capture me?"
Kizaru slowly lifted his foot, the entire sole enveloped in golden light, answering with action. "Speed is power. Have you ever been kicked at the speed of light?"
A dazzling light flashed before Ivan, transforming into a brilliant cross—a cross that would deliver judgment upon the Tanuki.
An unprecedented pressure descended like Mount Tai, making Ivan feel immense strain.
Faced with such formidable force, even before clashing, instinct told him he was no match for Kizaru.
Yet he did not dodge. He believed he could block Kizaru's attack. He wanted to see just how large the gap was between himself and an Admiral!
The light flashed, and the lofty cross finally descended upon Ivan with divine punishment.
In an instant, the beam collided with Ivan. He crossed his arms, attempting to block it.
An unstoppable force struck Ivan. His arms immediately bore burn marks under the scorching beam.
The next moment, he was sent flying, becoming a blur that crashed through building after building, disappearing into a pile of rubble.
Kizaru strode toward Ivan, extremely satisfied with the result of his kick.
He had gauged the kick based on Ivan's previously displayed strength—just enough to knock him unconscious without being fatal.
"How terrifying, young man. It seems I'll have to make you behave."
Just as Kizaru thought he had taken down Shadow Garden with one kick, his expression suddenly changed drastically.
From the distant rubble, a fist suddenly burst forth, instantly scattering the surrounding debris.
Ivan's figure reappeared before Kizaru. On his chest was a charred footprint, but aside from that, he had suffered no serious injuries.
This scene clearly caught Kizaru off guard, but he reacted instantly. "How terrifying. So even your battle with Lucci earlier wasn't your true strength?"
Emerging from the ruins, the wound on Ivan's chest healed rapidly. At his level, Life Return was almost instinctual.
Once his physical condition returned to its peak, Ivan stretched his body and laughed heartily:
"So this is what an Admiral is like? Not that impressive! Since you couldn't defeat me instantly, you'll never have another chance to stop me!"
Kizaru was taken aback. "What are you talking about?"
Ivan didn't explain, instead grinning widely. "Kizaru, have you ever heard of the Golden Flash?"
"Golden Flash?" Kizaru looked puzzled. "Are you talking about me?"
"Perhaps... Kizaru, let's see who's faster!"
The next moment, Kizaru found Ivan's figure vanishing before his eyes.
He quickly used Observation Haki to sense, only to discover with shock that Ivan had appeared in an official's home hundreds of meters away.
He rushed over immediately, but by the time he arrived, it was already too late.
The official's head had already been torn off by Ivan. As Kizaru appeared, the bloody head rolled right to his feet.
Kizaru dropped his usual pose, immediately condensing light and kicking toward Ivan.
But Ivan's figure disappeared again, reappearing another hundred meters away.
This repeated each time—Kizaru would arrive just a step too late. In the relentless pursuit, he might land a hit on Ivan, but Ivan's strength was formidable enough that he never lost the ability to fight back.
With Life Return, Ivan's injuries healed rapidly, allowing him to return to peak condition within seconds.
In just a few dozen seconds, their figures crisscrossed Water 7 repeatedly, having circled the city dozens of times!
Once certain his plan had succeeded, under the immense pressure of Kizaru's pursuit, Ivan's expression twisted with excitement, almost maniacal.
He laughed loudly, using Flying Thunder God again to evade Kizaru's attack. "Kizaru, they say the fate of speedsters is always to be late. In battles between speedsters, even the slightest difference in speed creates a world of disparity."
As soon as he finished speaking, an incredibly thick beam of light struck where Ivan had been, completely destroying the buildings within a radius of dozens of meters!
Ivan's figure appeared atop the clock tower of Water 7. His clothes were torn and even burning, his entire appearance utterly disheveled.
Yet anyone who saw Ivan at that moment would feel every cell in their body tremble instinctively, overcome by a sense of primal dread.
Standing atop the clock tower, Ivan's voice rang out with wild arrogance, declaring to the Marines scattered throughout Water 7, the News Birds in the sky, and the civilians of the city:
"From today onward, the world's fastest is no longer Admiral Kizaru, but me, Tanuki of the Night Garden!
We are those who lurk in the shadows, hunting the shadows themselves. Today, we cleanse Water 7 of its sins, issuing a warning to all the darkness in this world!
Hahaha, all you dwellers in darkness, beware the deepest shadows—for there, a scythe rests upon your necks!"
With these words, Ivan vanished once more, and the clock tower was destroyed by the laser that followed.
By now, Kizaru was already pursuing Ivan with all his might, but how could mere light ever compare to Spatial Movement?
Just as Ivan had said, as long as Kizaru couldn't defeat him in an instant, Kizaru could only watch helplessly as Ivan accomplished everything he intended, purging all the darkness from Water 7!
For speedsters, combat is a battle of velocity—a mere hair's breadth can make a world of difference!
When Ivan's declaration concluded, everyone in Water 7 knew that Admiral Kizaru was now battling Tanuki.
Countless people stared in shock at the scene, their faces filled with disbelief.
For this was a rare defeat for an Admiral, and more importantly, it signified that the myth of the Marines' ultimate speed had been shattered by the Night Garden!
The title of the fastest on the seas had officially changed hands!