Suddenly, a deafening explosion shattered the silence.
Crack... Boom!
Under the combined force of the seven tremor-users, the once-impenetrable ice layer instantly fractured, shattering into a million fragments.
A terrifying energy, capable of tearing everything apart, honed in on the Admiral trapped within.
Just as the force was about to connect, Kizaru's heart clenched.
With a dull thud, his figure was violently ejected from the epicenter, plummeting from mid-air as a spray of blood stained the sky crimson.
When he staggered to his feet, he was a wreck of his former self.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his chest heaved with each labored breath.
Kizaru was in a dire situation, yet his eyes still flickered with the sharp glint of frantic calculation.
"What a terrifying bunch," he muttered.
His body suddenly radiated a blinding light, like a star going supernova.
As the light flared, his figure vanished, leaving only a streak across the sky as he attempted to flee.
But just as everyone thought he was gone, Kizaru abruptly reappeared high above them, palms facing downward.
Countless orbs of light gathered in his hands, pulsing with intense energy.
The sky filled with a swarm of luminous spheres, forming a massive, deadly array.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
This time, Kizaru was truly enraged.
Ron could see that this attack was far denser and more violent than any he had ever unleashed before.
The orbs rained down like a torrential storm, indiscriminately bombarding everything in sight.
The ground erupted as massive craters formed, sending dust and debris flying to blot out the sky.
Ron felt an unprecedented pressure.
This... is the true power of an Admiral.
"Heh... finally getting serious, is he?" a lazy voice called out. "This little drizzle isn't even enough to tickle me."
At that moment, three figures emerged from the back of the crowd, their unhurried strides exuding complete indifference to the chaos.
They gazed calmly at the descending rain of light.
"Mythical Zoan: Phoenix Form!"
Three enormous phoenixes soared into the sky.
Their massive forms, wreathed in azure, emerald and crimson fire, were awe-inspiring.
Their wings interlocked high above, forming a tri-colored shield of regenerative flame that met the storm of light head-on.
Each impact was accompanied by a violent explosion, yet despite the overwhelming power of the attack, the phoenix shield displayed astonishing resilience.
Whenever a hole was blasted through, the flames would instantly regenerate, neutralizing Kizaru's assault.
Kizaru's expression darkened.
He watched as his ultimate attack was rendered useless by impossible regeneration.
"Shameless," he growled.
"Hahaha, Kizaru! You're not leaving today!" Jozu taunted from below.
Kizaru ignored him, his face an eerie mask of calm.
Though he appeared to be focused on the phoenixes, the majority of his attention—and his attack—was secretly redirected toward a single target.
He knew the shield wasn't perfect; during the brief moments of regeneration, small gaps would appear.
It was all he needed.
Ron had always been his true target.
"Danger!" Jozu's furious roar echoed as he rushed toward Ron, his body transforming into diamond.
But it was too late.
Startled by the sudden shift, Ron felt every hair on his body stand on end as a life-or-death crisis washed over him.
There was no time to think.
His instinct immediately took over.
Fingers pointed like a sword, he unleashed a flurry of invisible blades that erupted from his body, slashing toward the incoming light orbs.
The orbs were instantly split in half, exploding harmlessly on the ground.
Yet their numbers were overwhelming.
Even as he cut them down, stray specks of light slipped past his defense and struck his body.
BOOM!
A thunderous blast engulfed the spot where Ron stood, obscuring all vision.
"RON!"
"VICE-CAPTAIN!"
Jozu arrived a moment later, punching relentlessly at the remaining spheres of light.
The phoenixes, seeing their vice-captain hit, folded their wings to form a final protective barrier around the cloud of dust.
"Tsk..." Kizaru sighed, his eyes flickering with surprise as he stared at the point of impact.
"A master swordsman at such a young age? But something feels... off."
Ron appeared too frail to possess such a powerful sword aura.
Kizaru knew, however, that even a true master would be severely injured by a direct hit from his attack.
"Cough... I'm fine."
As the dust settled, Ron emerged while coughing violently.
His clothes were tattered, but he didn't seem seriously harmed.
He shot Jozu a meaningful glance.
Jozu was puzzled at first, but then understood.
Is he really unhurt, or is his acting is just that good?
Before he could decide, Kizaru spoke.
"Ron, Vice-Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates," the Admiral drawled, his eyes committing Ron's face to his memory.
"I'll remember you."
With those final words, his body dissolved into countless specks of light and vanished into thin air.
The pirates sighed.
"Are all Admirals this hard to catch?" one lamented.
"It's just Kizaru," another replied. "His Devil Fruit is broken. The fastest one out there."
"The Glint-Glint Fruit... Heh, we'll have that power too, someday!"
"Alright, enough chatter," Ron cut in, laughing at the crew's bravado. "Hurry up and collect Kizaru's blood."
It wasn't a total loss.
They had secured the blood sample.
"Cough, cough..." Ron coughed again, a sharp pain radiating through his chest.
The shockwave had still dealt him considerable damage.
If not for his enhanced physique, he would have been killed instantly.
Seeing this, the "Ice Witch," Whitey Bay, rushed forward, her face etched with concern.
"Ron, are you alright?" she asked, her voice sharp but caring.
She gently took his arm and draped it over her own shoulder, supporting his weight.
Ron forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just had the wind knocked out of me."
Whitey Bay snorted, a hint of amusement in her eyes.
"Hmph. Always putting on a brave face. You're coming with me."
Without waiting for his consent, she pulled him into a supportive embrace.
Ron felt a surge of warmth rise in his chest; tonight, he decided, he would have to reward her properly for her care.
"Big haul!" Jozu shouted. "Let's go home!"
*****
On Jaya Island, the Whitebeard Pirates' base was filled with unprecedented joy.
To celebrate their victory and the acquisition of Kizaru's blood, a grand banquet was held.
The firelight danced across smiling faces as the air filled with laughter and the aroma of roasted sea king.
Ron, as a key member of the operation, became a target for toasts.
One cup turned into many, and before he knew it, the world began to blur.
He woke the next afternoon, sunlight streaming into his room.
For a moment, he thought he was dreaming.
He was in his own bed, and on the table beside it was a lavish breakfast and a small note.
"Seems like a lot happened last night..." Ron mused.
He picked up the note left by Whitey Bay.
It was filled with caring words, ending with: Remember to eat well.
"So this is what it feels like to be cared for," he murmured, a smile tugging at his lips.
In his past life, he'd never known such warmth.
Here, in this other world, he had found a home.
After enjoying the carefully prepared meal, Ron began to plan.
The ten billion Berries from the Celestial Tribute would sustain his experiments for a few days, but it was far from enough.
Their actions had drawn the full attention of the World Government; he knew this was only the beginning.
But for today, he would savor this rare moment of tranquility.
He had work to do.