Chapter 192: Confrontation with Kizaru
Near the food district, on the top floor of a four-story hotel.
Standing before massive floor-to-ceiling windows, a figure resembling some kind of anthropomorphic albatross—wearing a top hat and formal attire—gazed with keen interest at the distant battlefield where Kidd had just fallen.
"So that's the newly appointed Warlord... the Dragon Slayer?"
He was Morgans, president of the World Economy News Paper—one of the most influential figures in the underworld. He controlled countless newspapers across all four Blues and both halves of the Grand Line, and even maintained certain cooperative relationships with the World Government.
Naturally, he knew considerable information about the Dragon Slayer, the youngest individual to ever join the Seven Warlords.
Analyzing various intelligence reports, Morgans had concluded that this young man in white possessed tremendous potential to become a dominant figure capable of shaping the future of the seas.
"What a magnificent era we're entering!"
Morgans spoke with barely contained excitement. As a journalist, he absolutely thrived during such turbulent times.
Only in such a chaotic world could there be endless sensational stories and earth-shattering news.
Suddenly—
Hurried footsteps echoed from outside his door.
A middle-aged subordinate burst in and quickly reported with obvious alarm:
"President! Breaking news—Supernova Straw Hat Luffy just punched a World Noble!"
"WHAT?!"
Morgans was genuinely shocked, his avian eyes suddenly gleaming with predatory sharpness.
Assaulting a Celestial Dragon meant a Marine Admiral's arrival was now inevitable!
The Sabaody Archipelago was about to descend into absolute chaos!
Meanwhile, Rhodes received an incoming call on his Den Den Mushi.
Puru puru puru... Gacha!
"Moshi moshi. Is this Rhodes? It's Kuma."
A slightly hoarse, mechanical voice came through the receiver.
"Kuma?"
Rhodes's eyes gleamed with interest. For Kuma to call at this particular moment... could the Celestial Dragon incident have already erupted?
Sure enough—
"Straw Hat Luffy struck a World Noble. If nothing prevents it, the Marines will dispatch an Admiral—most likely Admiral Kizaru. Could you possibly... hold him off for a time?"
"A Marine Admiral, you say?"
Rhodes smiled with genuine anticipation.
He maintained good relations with the Straw Hat Pirates and didn't mind helping them. Besides, he genuinely wanted to test himself against one of the Admirals to properly assess his current combat capabilities. The gap between himself and Garp had still been too vast during their sparring match.
This would serve as perfect preparation for the upcoming Paramount War.
"You should possess sufficient strength to stall an Admiral. Please... help them."
Kuma's tone remained steady, almost unnaturally mechanical. The Pacifista conversion project must have already begun affecting him.
"Of course. He is the Revolutionary Army Commander's son, after all."
"So you knew about that?"
Kuma's tone carried slight surprise. He paused momentarily, then—as if remembering something—suddenly asked:
"I recall you inquired about Amazon Lily's location previously. How did things develop with the Pirate Empress?"
"Quite well, actually."
Kuma fell silent for a long moment, seeming both surprised and somewhat conflicted, but ultimately said nothing more before ending the call.
"An Admiral... I've finally found a lone wild Admiral to test myself against."
Rhodes put away his Den Den Mushi and looked toward Grove 27.
If he remembered correctly, Kizaru would land there, right?
By the time Rhodes arrived at Grove 27, the area had already descended into chaos.
Scores of terrified civilians crowded the streets, desperately fleeing toward safer groves.
The residents of Sabaody were well-informed and experienced—they understood perfectly what a Marine Admiral's arrival meant.
A single casual attack from such an overwhelmingly powerful being could reduce them to ash just from the collateral damage.
Upon arriving, Rhodes didn't immediately rush to find Kizaru. He planned to observe the situation from the shadows first.
In a sense, Rhodes and Kizaru were similar types—both excelling in extreme speed and mobility.
However, each possessed distinct advantages.
Kizaru's straight-line movement speed was likely faster than Rhodes's—potentially even faster than thought itself when traveling as pure light.
But Rhodes was far more agile in combat, with superior reflexes and adaptability. Like comparing the Goro Goro no Mi to the Pika Pika no Mi—raw speed versus practical combat application.
Of the three current Admirals, Kizaru was probably the one pirates least wanted to face. His speed was so overwhelming that even attempting to flee became impossible.
But Rhodes was different.
While his raw travel speed might be marginally slower than Kizaru's light-speed movement, his neural reflexes and mental processing—dramatically enhanced by constant Thunder God form training and the Book of Knowledge—were likely superior.
Soon, Rhodes heard a tremendous crashing sound as Mangrove Tree No. 27 slowly toppled over, its massive trunk splitting.
"He's here."
In Rhodes's field of vision, a tall figure draped in the Justice coat and wearing a distinctive yellow-striped suit approached with casual, almost lazy confidence.
He passed through the area like an unstoppable force, leaving pirates completely helpless in his wake.
The power differential between an Admiral and everyone else on Sabaody was simply insurmountable—a single Admiral could sweep across the entire archipelago if motivated.
This was precisely why the Celestial Dragons behaved so arrogantly here. They knew that whenever they were attacked, an Admiral would arrive to "clean up" Sabaody.
Kizaru advanced methodically and soon encountered four Supernovas blocking his path:
Basil Hawkins the "Magician," Scratchmen Apoo the "Roar of the Sea," Urouge the "Mad Monk," and X Drake the "Red Flag."
"Mm~ Supernovas are always so incredibly reckless..."
Just like Kidd's brutal defeat at Rhodes's hands moments earlier—
These Supernovas were swiftly overwhelmed by Kizaru's casual attacks.
With the exception of Basil Hawkins—whose Wara Wara no Mi (Straw-Straw Fruit) allowed him to survive several additional exchanges through damage redirection—the others were practically crushed without meaningful resistance.
"So this is... the power of an Admiral..."
Basil Hawkins felt his prepared straw voodoo dolls rapidly depleting, cold sweat trickling down his pale forehead.
However, his expression remained eerily calm. In his previous divination, the cards had shown zero probability of dying today.
As if on cue—
Just when everyone assumed Kizaru would finish off the defenseless Supernovas, his Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.
Puru puru puru...
No one could hear what the caller said, but remarkably, Kizaru actually withdrew without executing the fallen Supernovas.
Seeing this development, Rhodes knew it was time to act.
Kizaru immediately noticed Rhodes approaching from the shadows.
"Ohhh? If it isn't one of the Shichibukai How unusual"
Kizaru's expression remained characteristically lazy, but a hint of genuine wariness entered his gaze behind those tinted glasses.
This Dragon Slayer approaching at this particular moment... his intentions can't be innocent.
"Aren't you Vice Admiral Momousagi's former student? Are you really trying to interfere with Marine operations to help these pirates~?"
At this critical juncture between Kizaru and Rhodes, empty pleasantries would be meaningless. Direct confrontation of intentions was more appropriate.
"Helping pirates? No, no, no. I simply want to experience an Admiral's power firsthand before the upcoming war, Borsalino-san."
Rhodes slowly drew Spectre from its sheath, speaking with complete calm.
"It seems I can't proceed without dealing with you first~"
Kizaru replied in his characteristic drawling tone, expression remaining utterly blank.
This actually amused Rhodes. Could it be this guy doesn't genuinely want to fight for the Celestial Dragons' sake?
He truly was the laziest Admiral in the entire Marine organization, perfectly embodying the spirit of minimal effort.
"Have you ever been kicked at the speed of light~?"
Kizaru's body began glowing with brilliant yellow radiance as photons gathered around his frame.
"Let's find out."
Rhodes's body erupted with crackling silver lightning as he entered Thunder God form, electricity dancing across his skin.
The two speed-type combatants faced each other—light versus lightning.
The real battle was about to begin.
(End of Chapter)
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