Ron was also puzzled, but considering Teach's personality, he quickly came to a conclusion.
"Teach has always been cautious," Ron explained.
"He never puts himself in a dangerous situation if he can avoid it. He might have already arrived on Jaya and is simply observing us from a hidden spot."
Ace nodded, his expression turning serious.
"Ron is right. I noticed that about him even before... Thatch's incident. The man always has an escape route planned."
"Alright, I trust you, Ron," Jozu said.
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire world seemed to freeze.
A dazzling golden light, like a meteor streaking across the sky, captured everyone's attention.
Countless shimmering orbs of light converged from all directions, swirling in midair until they gradually formed the distinct outline of a man.
The silhouette solidified, materializing into the unmistakable figure of Admiral Kizaru.
He hovered silently, and an Admiral's oppressive pressure descended upon the island, as if the world itself had fallen silent in his presence.
"The Whitebeard Pirates?" Kizaru's lazy voice drawled.
"Kizaru?" Ace breathed.
Jozu drew a sharp breath. "Incredible... an Admiral really showed up and very fast too."
Meanwhile, Kizaru's gaze fell upon the unconscious pig lying on the ground.
He recognized the Celestial Dragon's suits and rubbed his temples in mock exasperation.
"My, my. Pirates truly are terrifying" he sighed. "To think you guys beat up Saint Charlos into such a state... oooh, how terrifying."
At the same time, he noticed Ron standing beside the pig.
His pupils contracted when he spotted the fresh bloodstains on Ron's knuckles.
He immediately understood the situation.
"Did you do this?" Kizaru asked, his voice losing some of its laziness.
"That's right," Ron replied without hesitation. "He was just a pig, nothing more nothing less."
Kizaru fell silent.
The eyes of the other pirates lit up.
As expected of their vice-captain—even if his strength was weak, his guts in the face of an Admiral was second to none.
Kizaru's expression darkened.
To openly humiliate a Celestial Dragon was a direct slap to the authority of the World Government and the Marines.
He took a deep breath, trying to maintain his nonchalant demeanor, but the displeasure in his eyes was clear.
"Young people these days are truly scary," Kizaru said, his voice carrying a probing edge.
"I don't believe I've heard your name before."
Ron slowly raised his head, his piercing gaze locking onto Kizaru's.
The air crackled with tension, and all sound seemed to fade, leaving only the silent confrontation between the two.
"Ron," he said, his voice steady and clear. "Vice-Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates."
Each word was declared with absolute confidense and determination.
Hearing this, Kizaru froze for a moment as he was clearly stunned.
As a Marine Admiral, he was intimately familiar with the major powers at sea, yet he had never heard of the Whitebeard Pirates having a "Vice-Captain."
This forced him to reassess the young man before him.
Marco then took a half-step forward, subtly placing himself between Ron and the Admiral.
The message was unmistakable.
From this position, he was certain he could intercept any sudden attack.
"That's right," Marco's voice was firm. "Ron is our newly appointed Vice-Captain."
Kizaru silently committed the name to memory.
Just as he was about to speak, a thought flashed through his mind.
He recalled the recent chain of events—especially the strange reports about a radiant golden light over Jaya Island and Aokiji's severe injuries.
A bold idea began to take shape in his mind.
He decided to probe. "Vice-Captain Ron... might I ask if the recent changes within your crew are because of you? Ace gaining two Devil Fruit abilities, the massive golden light over Jaya Island..."
Kizaru fixed his gaze on Ron, trying to catch any hint of a reaction.
To his surprise, Ron showed no panic or evasion.
In fact, a slow grin spread across his face.
"So you figured it out," he said, his tone utterly devoid of fear. "That's right. I did it. What are you going to do about it?"
Kizaru's eyebrow twitched.
"..."
Now that everything was out in the open, there was no need for more questions.
"Well now... have you ever been kicked at the speed of light?"
With that, Kizaru raised his right foot.
Blinding golden light gathered around it, growing brighter and brighter, like a miniature sun.
In an instant, his body vanished, streaking directly toward Ron.
"You're not touching our Vice-Captain!" Jozu's voice thundered.
He appeared before Ron in a flash, his right arm already transformed into a wall of glittering diamond.
His presence was like an impenetrable barrier, standing firmly between the Admiral and his target.
BOOM!
Kizaru's light-speed kick met an immovable wall.
The impact sent a shockwave tearing through the clearing, kicking up a massive ring of dust and debris.
The surrounding pirates held their breath, watching with tense anticipation.
As the dust settled, Jozu stood exactly where he had been, not having moved a single inch.
The diamond coating his arm gleamed, completely unscathed, as if the Admiral's kick had been nothing more than a gentle breeze.