"Oh~"
"It seems my method is quite effective after all~"
Kizaru smirked as he observed the massive water sphere below, now reduced by more than half. "Once this water disappears, let's see what you'll do then."
As he spoke, Kizaru intensified his attack frequency, aiming to evaporate the water sphere even faster.
Tch...
Meiser, still within the shrinking water sphere, clicked his tongue upon seeing it reduced to less than half its original size.
Damn light... How utterly annoying.
Relying on scorching heat, Kizaru had managed to diminish his water sphere to this extent!
Now, dodging the lasers had become far more difficult than before—one misstep, and he could be hit.
Meiser knew full well that maintaining the water sphere at this point would only waste his Chakra.
"Seems... there's no need to keep this up anymore," Meiser muttered to himself.
With that thought, he glanced up at Kizaru high above, his eyes narrowing as he launched his attack!
"BOOM!!"
The spherical water sphere trembled violently before transforming into several roaring Water Dragons, surging upward toward Kizaru!
"ROAR!!"
"Oh~"
"Finally decided to come out of that water ball, have you~"
Watching the Water Dragons close in, Kizaru chuckled. "How... clever of you~"
Had Meiser delayed even a moment longer, Kizaru was confident he could have crippled him right through the water!
As he mused, Kizaru transformed into a streak of light, darting upward and effortlessly evading the Water Dragons' snapping jaws!
Then, with a swift motion, he pulled out a slender, gleaming sword from thin air.
"Sword of Gathering Clouds!"
"Hyah~"
Raising the blade, he swung it down hard at the Water Dragons below!
"CLANG!"
"BOOM!!"
With a single strike, he obliterated the Water Dragons outright!
The defeated water lost all momentum, scattering in all directions as countless droplets rained down.
"SPLASH~"
Drenched by the falling water, Meiser frowned at the Sword of Gathering Clouds in Kizaru's hand.
"You're a Sword Master too?"
That earlier attack hadn't been a laser—it was a Flying Slash, a technique only a Sword Master could wield!
This was genuinely unexpected.
"Whoosh~"
"Click~"
Landing smoothly on a rock, Kizaru smiled faintly. "Is it really so strange... that this old man is a Sword Master?"
Though his mentor Zephyr had often criticized him for over-relying on his Devil Fruit Ability... after decades of training, he had long since eliminated any weaknesses!
Even if he relied solely on swordsmanship, his strength remained formidable.
"Hmph, fair enough."
Meiser nodded, offering no rebuttal.
After all, Kizaru was one of the Marine Headquarters' Top Forces—a monster among monsters. It wasn't surprising he'd mastered swordsmanship.
"Brat, tell me... do you have any other tricks up your sleeve?"
Kizaru grinned at the water-beaded Meiser. "If you do, this old man wouldn't mind playing with you a little longer."
Ninja techniques were quite intriguing—he wondered if there were even more interesting ones.
Kizaru's leisurely demeanor only fueled Meiser's irritation.
"Releasing such high-intensity laser attacks must be draining for you too."
"Don't underestimate a Marine Admiral, kid~" Kizaru said. "This old man... can keep fighting for days and nights!"
"Of course, that's assuming you have the stamina for it~"
"Tch, so even his endurance is monstrous..."
Meiser clicked his tongue. It seemed unlikely he could exhaust the man to death.
But...
By now, Luffy and the others should have reached Shakky's place. Meiser thought to himself.
As long as they made it to Shakky, even if he couldn't defeat this guy, his life wouldn't be in danger.
After all... Kizaru had explicitly stated he wanted to capture him alive!
"Not attacking anymore?" Kizaru tilted his head. "Then I'll make my move."
First, he'd break the kid's limbs—that ought to shut him up for good.
"Then come and try!"
"Boom!"
As soon as Meiser spoke, the ground beside Kizaru exploded. Meiser's Shadow Clone burst out from underground at blinding speed, throwing a punch straight at Kizaru!
"This old man told you, sneak attacks don't work on me."
"That's not necessarily true!"
"Earth Release: Rock Hand Technique!"
"Boom~"
A massive hand made of rock shot out from the ground, seizing Kizaru in its grip.
The next moment...
"Bam!"
The clone's Haki-infused fist landed squarely on Kizaru's face.
"Huh?"
Even Meiser was stunned by what he saw.
Did that actually hit?
Wasn't this guy made of light? Why did he sometimes seem... a bit slow?
"You really are... a rude little brat."
"Clang!"
A flash of golden light, and the rock hand gripping Kizaru shattered into pieces!
In an instant, Kizaru appeared right in front of Meiser, raising his Ama no Murakumo sword to point directly at Meiser's face.
"You—"
"Stop!!"
"Hmm?"
Kizaru paused mid-sentence, surprised. Who dared to interrupt at a time like this?
Turning his head, he saw an unfamiliar woman standing there.
Who was she?
"Galette?!"
Meiser stared in disbelief. Why was Galette here?
Hadn't she noticed the Marine Admiral?
Or... was this her first time seeing one too?
"Oh~"
"So you know each other~"
Kizaru mused. "In that case... she's a pirate too?"
If this woman was a pirate, he wouldn't mind capturing her as well.
"That's right, I'm a pirate." Galette admitted boldly.
Meiser: ???
"Galette, you idiot!!" Meiser was dumbfounded. "Don't you recognize him?"
Admitting you were a pirate in front of a Marine Admiral—what was she thinking?
"If you're a pirate, then this makes things easier."
Kizaru nodded, then glanced at Meiser. "Seems like she's your friend... In that case, you two can keep each other company!"
As he spoke, golden light flickered around Kizaru's body, as if he were about to charge at Galette.
"Idiot, run!"
"How could I possibly abandon you and run away?" Galette declared. "I came here specifically to save you!"
After speaking, Galette glanced at Kizaru, who had appeared before her, and said, "Kizaru, I am Charlotte Galette of the BIG MOM Pirates. Think carefully before you lay a hand on me."
"Hmm?"
Kizaru, who had been about to send Galette flying with a Light Speed Kick, immediately halted his movement.
"BIG MOM Pirates..." Kizaru scratched his head. "One of the Four Emperors' crew?"
"How truly... terrifying~"
Charlotte... That was indeed the surname of that woman. So this girl was her daughter, then.
In that case... he really couldn't touch her.
Without explicit permission, even as a Marine Admiral, he couldn't actively attack a member of a Four Emperors' crew.
Especially now, when the Marines were in such a sensitive position!
If they provoked another Emperor at this moment... Marine Headquarters would truly be finished.
If Whitebeard and Charlotte Linlin joined forces, they could obliterate Marine Headquarters entirely.
With that thought, Kizaru lowered his long leg.
Galette let out a sigh of relief.
"So the name of the Four Emperors carries that much weight?" Meiser remarked, eyeing Kizaru with surprise. He hadn't expected Galette's mother's reputation to intimidate Kizaru like this.
"Brat, don't make it sound like I'm afraid of the Four Emperors," Kizaru retorted irritably. "It's just that I don't have permission, that's all."
If it really came to a fight, he believed he wouldn't lose to those guys. He had full confidence in his own strength.
"Sounds like fear to me," Meiser muttered with a smirk.
Kizaru: "..."
Suddenly, he really wanted to beat this brat senseless.
His gaze darkened as the thought crossed his mind.
Meiser: "???"
Meiser stared at Kizaru in astonishment. Was this guy really that sensitive about this sort of thing?
"Kizaru, you can't touch him!"
"Hmm?"
"And why can't I?"
Kizaru glanced at Galette. "Don't think just because you're that woman's daughter, you can act so arrogantly in front of me!"
Can't touch him... Did this little girl really think the name of a Four Emperor's crew meant she could do whatever she wanted?!
Whatever. He couldn't be bothered with her. Best to just grab the brat and leave.
At that moment, Galette declared without hesitation, "Because he's my man!"
Kizaru: "???"
Just as he was about to move against Meiser, Kizaru stumbled in shock.
Then, he stared at Galette in disbelief. "What did you say?"
"I said, he's my man!"
Kizaru: "..."
Wait, so this brat is actually part of a Four Emperors' crew?
Then what was his purpose in joining the Straw Hat Pirates?
Could it be... to get close to Straw Hat Luffy?
But what would his goal be in doing that?
He didn't understand.
Seeing Kizaru rendered speechless, Galette grinned. "He's my husband, a member of the Charlotte Family. So... you can't touch him."
"If you lay a hand on him, you're declaring war on us!"
"You... better think carefully, Marine Admiral!!"
Kizaru's silence gave Galette a glimmer of hope.
This time... perhaps she could really take Meiser away unharmed!
Seeing Galette's smiling face, Kizaru suddenly chuckled.
Then, glancing at Meiser, he said, "Little ninja, are you really the son-in-law of the Charlotte family?"
"Does that mean... you've betrayed the Straw Hat Pirates?"
Meiser didn't answer Kizaru's question but instead looked at Galette.
He noticed the woman frantically signaling him with her eyes, as if saying: Just agree for now, we'll deal with the rest later!!
After a brief silence, Meiser smiled at Galette—a smile that made her heart sink.
Could it be...?
"Galette, I appreciate your kindness," Meiser said. "But I can't betray the Straw Hat Pirates."
"Oh~"
"So it's fake after all~" Kizaru remarked with amusement.
What an interesting turn of events. When this daughter of Charlotte Linlin spoke, her expression didn't seem feigned—meaning she truly regarded him as her husband.
Did this imply Charlotte Galette had come under Charlotte Linlin's orders?
How... fascinating!
"Come to think of it, that woman does have a habit of collecting men or recruiting sons-in-law," Kizaru mused silently.
In that case, she must have taken an interest in the Blood-Eyed Ninja's lineage as well.
Understandable. Who wouldn't want a ninja who mastered the Water Release Technique?
Even the Marines were highly intrigued by this kid.
"You idiot!" Galette groaned in frustration. "Even if you want to reject me, at least read the room!!"
What harm would agreeing for now do?!
Surviving a Marine Admiral should be the priority, shouldn't it?!
Everything else could be discussed later!
Even if he ultimately refused to go with her, she'd accept it.
But at the very least... he needed to stay alive first!
This fool!!
"Tsk tsk, the young lady has a point. Would've been easier if you'd just agreed~" Kizaru said with a grin.
"Cut the act," Meiser scoffed, eyeing Kizaru. "You never had any intention of letting me go from the start."
"Oh~"
"Caught me~"
Kizaru feigned surprise. "How did you figure that out?"
Truthfully, he'd never considered sparing the kid—after all, this guy had killed three Celestial Dragons and was personally named by the Five Elders for capture!!
Under those circumstances, even if he were Charlotte Linlin's son-in-law, Kizaru would still take him away!!
At the end of the day... he wasn't even Linlin's blood relative. Galette froze upon hearing their exchange—so Kizaru had been toying with her all along?!
"Didn't take much thinking," Meiser sneered. "I killed three Celestial Dragons. If the World Government let me off that easily, you'd lose all credibility."
"Not to mention... they're very interested in my abilities."
With these preconditions in place, even if he really was the son-in-law of a Four Emperor, the World Government might not let him off.
"Absolutely right." Kizaru nodded bluntly. "I must take this kid away, and no one can stop me."
After speaking, Kizaru paused, then turned to Galette and said, "Little girl, you'd better leave before I change my mind."
"Otherwise... I won't mind taking you both away."
If possible, he didn't want to lay hands on Charlotte Linlin's daughter either.
Because... that would be too troublesome!
Galette didn't respond, falling into silence.
After a moment, she finally spoke. "I see. It seems Mom's name alone won't be enough to take Meiser away..."
Kizaru merely smiled at this, saying nothing.
"In that case..."
As she spoke, Galette stepped forward, one foot after another, until she stood right beside Meiser. Then she turned to face Kizaru and continued, "Then you'll have to take me down too!"
Kizaru: ???
Meiser: !!!
Kizaru looked at Galette in confusion. Hadn't he made himself clear?
Did she really think he wouldn't dare to act?
If a member of the Four Emperors provoked a Marine Admiral like him... he wouldn't mind beating them half to death either!
Meiser, meanwhile, stared at Galette in shock. He never expected her to say something like that.
Was she... planning to live and die with him?
"Hey, what kind of nonsense are you spouting?" Meiser said. "Get out of here! A Marine Admiral is no joke!"
This Galette wasn't even as strong as he was!
Against a monster like Kizaru... she'd probably be taken out in one kick, just like a Supernova.
He didn't want this woman to die here.
"I'm not spouting nonsense!"
"How long have we even known each other, and you're already talking about living and dying together?"
"So what?" Galette said with absolute seriousness. "Once I, Galette, have made up my mind, I won't change it."
"Watching the man I've chosen die right in front of me... I can't do that!"
If Meiser really died here, Mom might arrange another marriage for her.
But Galette, who had already chosen Meiser, could never accept that.
In the end... she might even be killed by Mom in a fit of rage.
In that case... they might as well fight together here and now!!
If she really had to die alongside Meiser, she'd have no regrets.
Seeing the determination in Galette's expression, Meiser felt shaken.
This woman actually...
"Ohhh~"
"What a touching little drama you're putting on~" Kizaru said with a smirk. "But you two, I don't have time to play along."
"If you don't leave now, I'll have to take action~"
"Crack—"
Veins bulged on Galette's forehead as a circular Butter Ring materialized in her hand.
Then, glaring furiously at Kizaru, she shouted, "You think this is an act?!"
"You bastard, don't you dare underestimate my resolve!!"
"Whoosh~"
Galette, who had long made up her mind, didn't hesitate to strike at Kizaru!
The Butter Ring spinning mid-air flew toward Kizaru at incredible speed, finally landing on his hand.
Seeing this, Galette's heart leaped with joy.
Once caught by her Butter Ring, he'd be completely at her mercy!!
"I got him, Meiser, quick...!"
Before she could finish speaking, she saw Kizaru raise his hand and casually peel off the Butter Ring, tossing it aside like trash.
What...? Galette's pupils contracted sharply. Was her Devil Fruit Ability truly this ineffective against a Marine Admiral...?
Not even capable of restraining him for one second?
Are Marine Admirals... this terrifying?
"You've made your move..."
Kizaru's smile faded as he said: "Then... I shall take this as a provocation against me!!"
"Little girl of the Charlotte family... are you... prepared?"
Since the other party had attacked him first, there was no need for courtesy anymore.
As a Marine Admiral facing a member of the Four Emperors Crew who challenged him... he had every right to retaliate!!
With this thought, Kizaru decisively raised his hand, gathering a Laser in his palm.
"Laser Beam!"
"Whoosh~"
"BOOM!!"