Even with Maude taking a Celestial Dragon hostage, the World Government never considered resolving the situation peacefully.
Kizaru and the fleet of over a dozen Marine battleships had been dispatched with one sole purpose—to eliminate Maude.
To prevent leaks or unexpected variables, even Smoker and Hina, who were tasked with overseeing the exchange, had been kept in the dark.
According to the original plan, the moment the unharmed Celestial Dragon was secured aboard the battleship, Kizaru would lead the fleet in wiping out the Maude Pirates—razing both the crew and the island itself to the ground.
However, plans rarely unfold as expected.
In the end, Maude had outmaneuvered them, employing an unknown method to plant a deterrent within the Celestial Dragons themselves.
"Admiral Kizaru…"
The embodiment of the Marines' top fighting strength stood before him, yet Maude remained calm, meeting Kizaru's gaze with an air of composure.
At his current level of strength, he was more than capable of standing against an admiral or even an Emperor of the Sea.
Even if he couldn't win outright, he could at least escape with his life.
However, the opponent before him was Kizaru, an admiral famed for his unmatched speed.
Once targeted by him, the odds of escape became infinitesimally small.
This, in itself, was a testament to how seriously the World Government viewed the situation. Their intent was clear—they had sent Kizaru to eradicate the Maude Pirates before they could fully mature.
"Are you really prepared to make a move? Even if it means gambling with the lives of the remaining four Celestial Dragons?"
A dangerous smile slowly surfaced on Maude's face.
Once a trump card is revealed, control over the battlefield follows.
There are certain people, certain events—once anticipated correctly, the outcome becomes absolute.
Kizaru studied Maude's unwavering confidence, the fingers at his brow unconsciously pressing deeper.
Annoyance. And a hint of helplessness.
"Hmm~~"
He let out a contemplative hum, his eyes slightly narrowing. A flicker of killing intent flashed through them before he spoke, half-serious and half in jest:
"In my opinion~~ trading four Celestial Dragons for your head… doesn't seem like such a bad deal."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Maude's expression remained unchanged at Kizaru's words.
By contrast, Lafitte and the others sharpened their gazes, their killing intent subtly directed toward the admiral.
At Maude's signal, they would not hesitate to launch an attack.
Yet Kizaru paid them no mind, keeping his attention solely on Maude as he sighed:
"Bacardi Maude… your existence is far too dangerous. I have no doubt that you possess both the ambition and ability to inherit Whitebeard's throne. Given that, eliminating you here and now truly does seem more important than the lives of four Celestial Dragons."
"Hohoho…"
A glimmer of danger flashed in Lafitte's eyes as he curved his lips into a smile.
"To think our captain is deemed such a high priority by a Marine admiral… what an honor indeed."
As he spoke, his cane sword was already halfway unsheathed, its blade glinting with an icy sheen.
"I fail to see anything honorable about this."
Law furrowed his brows, his gaze fixed on Kizaru, fingers poised to activate his Domain.
And yet, Maude simply remained calm, studying Kizaru.
Through his Observation Haki, he detected not even the slightest hint of hostility.
As expected.
Despite the aggressive words, Kizaru did not intend to strike first.
Just as Maude had anticipated, even as Lafitte and Law radiated unmistakable killing intent, Kizaru merely shrugged and lamented:
"Too bad~~ Those higher-ups won't see it the same way. Perhaps this task should've fallen to Sakazuki instead~~ If it were him… hmm~~"
"If it were him, he probably wouldn't even be able to keep up with us."
"Confidence is a good thing~~ but overconfidence can—"
"It's not confidence. It's fact."
Maude interrupted Kizaru bluntly, then casually pointed toward the distant Marine battleships.
"See yourself out."
"Hmm~~"
Kizaru's eyes narrowed slightly.
RUMBLE—
At that moment, the ground beneath them began to tremble violently.
"Hmm~?"
Kizaru cast a curious glance at the quaking earth beneath his feet.
A faint sensation…
The entire island was slowly rising.
"The Fuwa Fuwa no Mi's power, huh…"
Recalling the island that had been hurled toward Mariejois, Kizaru quickly pieced together the cause.
"Of course, you'd have such an ace up your sleeve~~ If it were Kuzan or Sakazuki, they might not be able to keep you here either~~"
Kizaru's thoughts raced.
"So, because it was me, you refrained from lifting the island into the sky immediately? The sheer confidence… it's downright infuriating, Bacardi Maude…"
A sharp glint flashed in Kizaru's eyes as he stared at Maude, his irritation evident.
The frustration of being unable to act despite the overwhelming desire to do so…
Since becoming an admiral, this was the first time he had ever experienced such an utterly disgusting sensation—like swallowing a fly whole.
Meeting Kizaru's pointed gaze, Maude merely smiled and lifted his hand, preparing to snap his fingers.
With deliberate precision, he spoke:
"With a single snap, I can make a Celestial Dragon's chest burst open like fireworks. Would you like another demonstration, Admiral Kizaru?"
Silence.
Kizaru said nothing.
"Of course, if you all were just a bit wiser… I might not have to snap a second time."
Maude's tone was laced with unmistakable menace.
"A pirate's promise~~?"
"If you don't believe me, I don't mind making another trip to Mary Geoise… or perhaps…"
Maude smirked and, without warning, snapped his fingers again.
Snap!
Kizaru's expression darkened as he abruptly turned his head.
Through his advanced Observation Haki, he witnessed the scene unfolding on the distant battleship—
A second explosion of blood.
Another Celestial Dragon, chest burst open, reduced to nothing but a corpse.
He killed without hesitation.
This man…
A flicker of unease stirred within Kizaru's heart.
Then—
The sound of a blade being drawn.
CLANG—
Maude lowered his gaze.
His black blade, Shusui, unsheathed.
A single Iaijutsu slash—swift as lightning, an unbroken streak of brilliance—carved through Kizaru's back.
A low, resonant hum echoed.
The blow forced Kizaru's body to scatter into light.
Yet, the force imbued within Shusui sent that very light streaking toward the Marine battleship in the distance.
Before Smoker and the others could even react, Kizaru's fragmented form crashed violently into the ship's hull.
Despite his control over his ability preventing an explosive detonation, the sheer impact destroyed nearly half of the ship's interior.
On deck, the Marines were dumbfounded.
On the surrounding battleships, countless Marines stared in disbelief as their admiral was sent hurtling into their fleet.
Then—
They all witnessed it.
The island of Raijin, rising steadily into the sky, defying the relentless downpour of lightning.
As their gaze lifted—
They saw him.
Standing at the island's edge, radiating an overwhelming presence—Bacardi Maude.
The wind, stirred by the island's ascent, tousled Maude's hair and coat.
Before the eyes of the entire Marine fleet, he slowly sheathed Shusui.
A warrior's composure.
Undeniable strength.
"Th-this…"
The Marines, still in shock, turned their awestruck gazes toward Maude.
Under the looming shadow of Kizaru being struck down—
A collective sense of dread gripped their hearts.
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