"You idiot, what are you spacing out for?!"
Meiser, who had rushed out while holding Galette, scolded, "Don't you know to dodge a Laser attack?!"
If he had been even a fraction slower just now, this woman's body would have been pierced through!
Kizaru's Laser was no joke—its power was terrifying.
"I'm not that fast."
"And... I believed you'd save me."
By the end of her words, a smile had appeared on Galette's face, showing no regret for her earlier actions.
"Why go through such trouble...?"
"Meiser, don't underestimate a woman's resolve."
Galette, who had jumped out of Meiser's arms, turned to look at Kizaru in the distance. "Come on, let's take this guy on together."
Let's see whether they'd make it out alive... or die fighting here together!
Meiser sighed. It seemed there was no changing this woman's mind.
With that, smoothly leaving this place wouldn't be easy anymore.
Even if Merry reached the destination and activated the Reverse Summoning Technique, he couldn't just abandon Galette here.
After all... this was a woman willing to face a Marine Admiral for him!
Thinking this, Meiser said, "If that's the case...
"Then let's give it a try."
Hearing Meiser's words, Galette's lips curled upward. Then, she summoned butter, coating it around her hands.
Though this was her first time cooperating with Meiser... she'd give it her all!
"Are you two... done talking?"
Kizaru spoke up, "If you're done, I'll make my move~"
Despite his words, Kizaru didn't wait for their response before attacking.
A flash of yellow light—Kizaru appeared right in front of Meiser, swinging his long leg in a whip-like kick.
"Bam!!"
The powerful kick landed on Meiser's arm. Even with Haki defense, he could feel the terrifying force behind it.
The next moment—
"Whoosh!"
"Boom!!"
Like a cannonball, Meiser was sent flying, crashing into a distant hillside and carving a massive crater into the ground!
"Meiser!!"
"Do you have time to worry about others?"
Looking down at Galette, Kizaru didn't hesitate—he raised his leg and kicked straight at her.
"Butter Flowing Wall!"
"Thud!"
"Wha—?!"
Galette's pupils shrank as she watched Kizaru effortlessly pierce through her ability.
Her Butter Flowing Wall had been broken in a single strike?!
Without time to think, Galette immediately infused her arms with Haki, bracing to block the attack head-on.
"Bam!"
An overwhelmingly heavy blow slammed into her, sending her flying!
"Whoosh!"
"Boom!!"
She crashed not far from Meiser, creating another massive crater.
"Cough..."
Blood trickled from the corner of her lips as Galette's expression twisted in pain.
The force behind that kick had been monstrous... Her arms throbbed as if the bones had cracked!
"As expected of a Marine Admiral..." Galette gritted her teeth.
If it weren't for Haki defense, her arm would have been severed by now.
No, wait... not just her arm!
Without Haki defense, her internal organs might have been shattered!
"Whoosh!"
In a flash of light, Kizaru appeared before Galette, raising his hand to aim at her, intending to knock her unconscious with a Laser attack.
At that moment, a massive rocky hand suddenly emerged from the ground, grabbing Galette and swiftly retracting back underground.
The next instant...
"Whoosh!"
"BOOM!!"
Kizaru's Laser struck the spot where Galette had just been, blasting the crater even wider!
"Oh~"
"That was quite fast~"
After saying this, Kizaru glanced in Meiser's direction and remarked, "Earth Release Technique is really troublesome, isn't it~"
Meiser merely responded with a cold smirk, offering no verbal reply.
He then tossed a smoke bomb, obscuring his own position.
"Smoke bombs... are useless against me," Kizaru said.
As he spoke, he had already closed the distance to Meiser, swinging his long leg in a sweeping kick.
But Meiser, having prepared his Ninjutsu in advance, quickly burrowed underground, narrowly evading the attack.
Watching where Meiser had disappeared, Kizaru stroked his chin. "Hmm... planning to drag this out underground, are we?
Though he'd prefer to leave with his target now... stalling time isn't actually disadvantageous for him.
After all... this is essentially Marine territory!
After a moment's thought, Kizaru shook his head. "Well then, I'll just blast you out."
Finishing them sooner means getting back to tea sooner - far more comfortable than loitering here in the wind!
With this in mind, Kizaru swiftly ascended into the air and unleashed his attack downward.
"Yasakani Sacred Jewel!!"
"Rat-tat-tat!"
"BOOM!!"
"BOOM!!"
"BOOM!!"
Countless Laser attacks pounded the earth, forcibly tearing open the ground as they advanced relentlessly toward Meiser and Galette's location!
For a Marine Admiral wielding advanced Observation Haki, tracking targets underground was child's play!
"Tch, a Marine Admiral's destructive power is truly terrifying," Meiser spat.
At this rate, it wouldn't be long before they'd be forcibly unearthed.
Realizing this, Meiser slapped the ground again, activating Earth Release to shift positions.
While manipulating the technique, Meiser asked, "Galette, where's your brother?"
"That's right, my brother!"
Galette suddenly remembered - if her brother were here, they wouldn't need to fear a Marine Admiral!
Excited by this realization, she began, "My brother he..."
Then she froze mid-sentence.
"What's wrong?"
"I... I don't actually know if he's still there," Galette admitted awkwardly.
"Huh?"
"You came to find me without your brother knowing?"
"No..."
Galette lowered her head, murmuring softly, "I was too worried about you, and my brother was still fighting, so... I came alone."
Meiser facepalmed, momentarily at a loss for words.
He could almost imagine how much Katakuri must hate him.
Not only had he taken his sister away, but he'd also dragged her into such a dangerous situation... Next time they met, wouldn't they just end up fighting?
Though he had indeed considered the idea of fighting Katakuri before, doing so over this reason felt a bit...
For a moment, Meiser felt a headache coming on.
"Maybe my brother will think to look for me here," Galette added.
Once Brother Katakuri realized she was missing, he would surely search everywhere for her.
If he got wind of what the Straw Hat Pirates had done, he might come looking for her at Auction House No. 1.
"Where were you before?" Meiser asked.
"Right where you were fighting that Kid guy."
"That place..."
Meiser thought for a moment. That location wasn't exactly close to here... Had Galette run all the way over?
She really had gone through a lot.
Looking at Galette, Meiser sighed quietly.
No matter what, her actions had genuinely moved him.
Because of that, he couldn't let her die here!
At this thought, Meiser resolved inwardly: No, I have to find a way to get Galette back to Katakuri.
Once that was done, the two of them could leave this island first, and everything else could be dealt with later.
As for himself—
After sending Galette back to Katakuri, Merry and the others would probably summon him back by then.
"Can your Earth Release Technique get us there?" Galette asked.
"No."
Meiser shook his head. "The Sabaody Archipelago is too unique—each small island is connected by bridges."
"To reach another island, we'd have to emerge from underground."
"And I doubt... Kizaru would give us that chance."
Meiser was well aware that someone of Kizaru's caliber would undoubtedly have mastered Observation Haki!
And—possibly even advanced Observation Haki at that!
That was likely how he had detected the Shadow Clone earlier.
Even if they tried to ambush him from underground, they wouldn't escape his perception!
In that case, moving to another island was impossible.
Kizaru would absolutely attack the moment they surfaced!
"That really is a terrible situation..." Galette frowned.
Though she didn't mind dying here alongside Meiser... if there was a way to survive, who would willingly choose death?
"I'll find a way to get you out," Meiser said.
Hearing this, Galette immediately grew agitated.
"I told you, I—"
"Galette!" Meiser cut her off. "I'm a Ninja. I have ways to escape Kizaru. Trust me!"
Galette froze at his words, her voice catching in her throat.
After a moment, she gave a bitter laugh. "So... I'm just holding you back, then?"
She had thought coming here would help Meiser, but... had she only ended up burdening him instead?
At this realization, Galette's expression darkened.
"I'm sorry, I..."
"No!"
"Don't overthink it, Galette. I'm not blaming you," Meiser said. "I'm actually really happy you came to save me."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Meiser nodded and said, "Really."
"That's good..."
Galette breathed a sigh of relief. She was glad Meiser didn't blame her.
Thinking this, a smile returned to Galette's face as she said, "I'll listen to you."
No matter what, her feelings had been conveyed.
Even if they ultimately couldn't escape, she wouldn't regret it.
"Don't worry, I definitely won't let you die here!" Meiser said with a serious expression.
"Okay!"
At that moment, Meiser sensed something was off.
That was... why had Kizaru stopped attacking with his laser Gatling gun?
Could he have given up?
"What's wrong?" Galette asked in confusion.
"The commotion above has stopped..."
Hearing this, Galette was stunned for a moment before realizing the vibrations from above had indeed ceased.
Did this mean that guy had left?
No... that couldn't be. Meiser had killed three Celestial Dragons—there was no way a Marine Admiral would just leave so easily.
That guy must be thinking of some way to finish them off.
With this in mind, Galette said, "Be careful. He might have thought of a way to deal with us."
Meiser nodded in agreement and said, "I'll go up first to check."
Hearing this, Galette immediately reached out and grabbed Meiser, firmly saying, "No! What if he's waiting for you up there?"
Who knew if that guy was deliberately baiting them, waiting for Meiser to go up and investigate?
"I'm not stupid," Meiser said helplessly. "Of course, I'll send a clone to check the situation."
Poof
As he spoke, a Shadow Clone appeared beside Meiser and immediately used Earth Release Technique to leave.
"A clone..." Galette said in astonishment. "You really know a lot..."
Lightning Release Technique, Water Release Technique, Earth Release Technique... and now the Clone Technique... this guy was incredible!
"Seems your Four Emperors Crew's intelligence network isn't that great."
Hearing Meiser's words, Galette rolled her eyes and said, "We don't pay much attention to what happens in Paradise."
"So, you only knew I was a Ninja and nothing else, huh~"
"Well... not exactly." Galette rubbed her nose. "Because your eyes are special, I guessed you might have a unique bloodline."
"As for those Release Techniques, I just made educated guesses."
Before meeting Meiser, she had done some homework, reading up on Ninja tales and stories.
And it had come in handy.
"You're quite honest," Meiser said, both amused and exasperated.
"Hehe, because I don't want to lie to you."
At that moment, Meiser's expression shifted slightly before turning surprised.
"What's wrong?"
"No wonder Kizaru stopped attacking us—someone's blocking him..."
His Shadow Clone had spotted a familiar figure: Rayleigh, who had left earlier to collect Red Tree Resin!
The man was now standing in front of Kizaru, smiling as he blocked his path.
'Looks like we'll be able to leave smoothly this time...' Meiser thought to himself.
This man was the Pirate King's right-hand man—stopping a Marine Admiral wouldn't be a problem!
But... this is a huge favor to owe.
"Someone blocked him..." Galette frowned, then her expression brightened with excitement. "Could it be my brother?"
If her brother had come here, stopping a Marine Admiral wouldn't be a problem at all.
"Not quite..." Meiser shook his head. "Come on, I'll take you up to see what's happening."
Galette looked puzzled. If it wasn't her brother... who else could stop a Marine Admiral?
Still, she didn't say anything more and obediently let Meiser pull her along as they rushed toward the surface.
"Oh~"
"How scary~"
Kizaru tilted his head slightly as he looked at Rayleigh, who had intercepted him. "I never expected the Pirate King's right-hand man to personally step in to help the Straw Hat Pirates..."
"You... wouldn't be planning to set sail again, would you?"
"Spare me," Rayleigh chuckled. "I'm just an old man now—no thoughts of making a comeback."
"Then what's the meaning of this?"
"Ah, just don't like seeing certain people bullying the weak, that's all," Rayleigh replied.
After arriving, he had seen Kizaru launching attacks toward the ground.
Curious, Rayleigh used Observation Haki to scan below and immediately sensed Meiser's presence.
After a moment's thought, he guessed the young man might have stayed behind as a rearguard—so he acted without hesitation!
"How bold of you—"
As he spoke, Kizaru raised his Sword of Gathering Clouds and slashed straight at Rayleigh!
In response, Rayleigh calmly infused his own blade with Haki and lifted it to block the strike.
Clang!
"Oh~"
"As expected of the Pirate King's right-hand man~"
Though he said that, there wasn't a trace of fear on Kizaru's face.
After all... as a Marine Admiral, he had absolute confidence in his own strength!
Just then, Meiser and Galette emerged from underground, drawing the attention of both Kizaru and Rayleigh.
"Oh~"
"Finally decided to show yourselves, huh?" Kizaru narrowed his eyes. "Seems this guy gave you quite the confidence boost."
Hearing this, Meiser smirked. "Heh, well... the old man is Dark King Rayleigh, after all."
Galette, meanwhile, looked at Rayleigh with mixed emotions. Earlier, she had even considered finding a chance to beat him up, but now...
Instead, he had saved them?
For a moment, she wasn't sure how to feel.
"Is this your little girlfriend, Meiser?"
Before Meiser could respond, Galette nodded firmly. "Mhm!"
"You're absolutely right—I'm his fiancée!"
This Dark King Rayleigh guy had good taste. In that case... maybe she wouldn't beat him up after all.
Hmm, they might even need him as a witness someday!
"Good eye, haha."
"Hey, hey, hey—are you two seriously ignoring me right now?" Kizaru frowned. "Chatting away like I'm not even here..."
What, did they think he didn't exist?
Annoyed, Kizaru's body began glowing yellow as he prepared to rush forward and knock those brats down.
But the moment he activated his Elemental Transformation, Rayleigh's sword came down, forcing him back to solid form.
Clang!
"Tch..."
Kizaru shot Rayleigh a glare and spat in irritation.
It seems a bit difficult to perform Elemental Transformation movement in front of this guy.
Well, that makes sense. After all, this guy is the vice-captain of the Pirate King, so it's normal for him to possess advanced Observation Haki.
Against someone like this, using Elemental Transformation would actually be more dangerous.
"Kizaru... bullying the weak isn't a good habit."
"The Navy capturing pirates—isn't that just normal procedure?" Kizaru said as he stood back up, dusting off his pants:
"Snuffing out evil in its cradle—I see no issue with that."
No matter what, he had to consider things from the Navy's standpoint.
And a Bloodline Ninja brat with such monstrous talent—who knew if they might eventually grow to the level of a Four Emperor?
To prevent that from happening, taking them away here and now was the optimal solution.
But Kizaru also knew that Dark King Rayleigh wouldn't let him take the kid away.
So... he could only hope that Akainu would hurry over in time.
"I just wonder how Akainu will react when he sees Dark King Rayleigh...
Hopefully he doesn't get overexcited and charge in to kill the old man too.
Killing the Pirate King's vice-captain now... who knows if it might draw out other Roger Pirates members.
If they decide to make a big move then, things could get messy."
Just thinking about it gave Kizaru a massive headache.
Running into this old geezer... what rotten luck!
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