This time, Admiral Kizaru showed no mercy toward Luffy and his crew. With a heavy kick, he struck Zoro dual swords directly!
Zoro expression changed instantly, his hands losing control as the swords were sent flying by Kizaru kick. Zoro himself was also sent flying, a mouthful of blood spraying from his lips.
"ZORO!" Luffy shouted in panic, charging forward without hesitation toward Kizaru.
"Luffy, run!"
"This isn't someone we can handle right now!" Zoro spat out the blood in his mouth, yelling at the already frenzied Luffy.
"I won't abandon my friends!" Luffy roared. Immediately, he activated Gear Second, his body radiating intense heat.
"Oh ho, this looks interesting!" Kizaru remarked with his usual playful tone.
However, even after entering Gear Second, Luffy couldn't lay a finger on Kizaru. Instead, he was kicked to the ground with ease.
Just as Kizaru was about to stomp on Luffy, Robin summoned countless hands from the ground, pushing Luffy out of harm's way.
"I'm going in!"
"If we don't act now, they're done for!" Marco leaped down from the building, heading toward the scene.
"The one we've been waiting for has arrived!" Pryce said, looking into the distance as he spoke to Marco.
"Who?"
"Who's here?" Marco asked, confused.
By now, the news of Luffy attacking a Celestial Dragon should have spread far and wide. Who would dare step into this mess?
"Dark King Rayleigh!" Pryce said softly.
Hearing the name, Marco heart skipped a beat.
The former first mate of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, was still alive? And he was stepping in to help Luffy? How unbelievable!
Sure enough, an elderly man clad in tattered robes, wearing glasses, emerged from the shadows. Kizaru, who had been about to pursue Luffy after Robin intervention, stopped in his tracks.
He sensed an overwhelming power emanating from that direction.
"Dark King Rayleigh!" Kizaru eyes narrowed as he uttered the name.
"Kizaru, it's been a while!"
"Back then, you were just a Rear Admiral!" Rayleigh took a sip from the flask he carried, speaking casually.
"Rayleigh, if you leave now, I'll pretend I never saw you."
"You can continue living your life on Sabaody." Kizaru said after a moment of thought.
After all, Rayleigh wasn't a priority target, and given Kizaru personality, he'd rather avoid unnecessary trouble.
"But I can't stand by and watch these promising youngsters get crushed by the Marines." Rayleigh said with a tone of regret.
"Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit!" Kizaru immediately understood Rayleigh stance, letting out a cold snort.
At that moment, Rayleigh noticed Pryce sitting on the rooftop of a nearby building.
"Good afternoon, Dark King Rayleigh!" Pryce, sensing Rayleigh gaze, waved at him with a smile.
'Even with my strength, I can't gauge the depth of this young man!'
'His potential is limitless!' Rayleigh thought to himself in astonishment.
After all, Rayleigh close friend Shakki runs a bar on the surface, but in reality, it's a hub for intelligence! Shakki had told Rayleigh about the infamous Senzu Beans on the black market and the legends of the Teleportation Talismans circulating among the Marines and pirates.
Rayleigh had always thought Pryce might just be a genius scientist, like Vegapunk. But this time, upon meeting Pryce, Rayleigh realized he was wrong!
This guy is completely unfathomable in strength!
"I never expected the now-famous young Pryce to know the name of an old man like me!"
"I'm truly flattered, truly flattered!" Rayleigh replied with a hearty laugh.
"Should I set up a table for you two to get to know each other properly?" Kizaru, caught in the middle finally couldn't hold back and spoke through gritted teeth.
"Come on, Kizaru!"
"Let me see how your strength has progressed!" Rayleigh smile faded as he drew a sharp longsword from his cloak.
Seeing Rayleigh draw his weapon, Kizaru frowned and raised his hands high above his head.
"Ama no Murakumo!" Kizaru roared, pulling a photon sword brimming with light elements from his palm.
Without further ado, the two clashed!
In an instant, countless flashes of blades scattered in all directions!
The Supernovas and their pirate crews watched the battle in stunned silence.
Is this what a battle between top-tier fighters looks like? How could ordinary people dare to intervene in such a fight?
At this level, getting too close would likely result in being minced into pieces!
Meanwhile, some people attention wasn't on Kizaru or Dark King Rayleigh. They were focused on Pryce, who was intently observing the battle between Kizaru and Dark King Rayleigh!
Upon learning Pryce identity, they immediately recalled the various rumors about him. As the inventor of the Senzu Beans and Teleportation Talismans, Pryce must surely have these items on him!
Currently, Pryce was alone.
Although he seemed to have some strength, he definitely couldn't handle a crowd!
Sure enough, pirates were slowly gathering below Pryce location! Hawkins, Apoo, Drake, and even the newly arrived combatants of the Kid Pirates—hundreds of them stood below, eyeing Pryce menacingly.
"Pryce, hand over your Teleportation Talismans and Senzu Beans, and we'll spare your life!" Kid said with a sinister grin.
"Spare his life?" Marco, standing nearby, was amused and stepped forward. Seeing Marco there, some immediately began to reconsider.
"Marco, they're here for me!"
"Don't intervene!" Pryce said with a smile to Marco.
Hearing Pryce refuse Marco help and prepare to face them alone, their hopes were reignited.
Marco watched with amusement as the crowd seemed to regain their confidence.
By then, these guys probably won't even have time to cry!
But since Pryce had spoken, he was more than happy to take a break.
So without hesitation, Marco nodded and sat back down.
Pryce stood up and jumped straight down from the high-rise building.
In no time, the crowd immediately surrounded him!
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