Whoosh——
Golden lasers flashed continuously, arriving above the dock in just a few breaths.
The light points converged and reassembled, forming the figure of Kizaru in midair.
"What luck, I still managed to catch up."
He looked down from above at the Endgame about to dive into the deep sea and locked eyes with Shano at the bow of the ship.
"You guys go down first, I'll join you later."
After giving the crew a command, Shano stepped onto Moonwalk and also rose into the sky.
"Hey, Yellow Monkey."
He hands in pockets, grinned, and initiated the conversation, "It's been almost three months since we last met."
"Indeed, it's been a long time, you little monster... truly terrifying, you were faking your death last time and even tricked me, leading to quite a scolding from the Marshal afterward,"
Kizaru smiled, raising his finger to gather a dazzling golden light, "This time, causing such a big commotion again, are you still dreaming of walking away openly?"
Buzz!
The blinding laser burst instantly and as it left his fingertip, it split into countless golden beams, pouring down on Shano like a torrential downpour!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The continuous laser barrage struck Shano, exploding into a sky full of golden flames, so dazzling that the spectators in front of the screens instinctively closed their eyes.
And when they opened their eyes again, the golden light had already dissipated from the screen.
The black-haired youth remained as he was, hands in pockets, casually suspended in the air, not having moved an inch, without a scratch on him.
"Not painful nor itchy."
Shano glanced at himself, mocking with a laugh, "Such scratchy moves don't even need me to use Haki. Stop embarrassing yourself, Yellow Monkey, and show me your full strength. Let me see how much chance you really have against me when it's not a sneak attack like last time!"
He didn't lower his volume, and the voice echoed below, clearly reaching everyone's ears.
What an arrogant tone!
Can someone face a Navy Grand Admiral with such composure?
And what did he say... a sneak attack?
The World Government's announcement never mentioned this, so last time's result was actually achieved by a grand admiral's sneak attack?
In that moment.
Both the people on-site and the spectators in front of the broadcast held their breaths and widened their eyes, afraid to miss even a second of the scene.
High above.
"..."
Kizaru remained in his usual slothful manner, but behind the shades, his eyes carried a shadowy gravity.
Partly because Shano's words damaged his reputation in this public setting;
Partly because of the shocking physical strength Shano displayed...
No need for Haki, and not having eaten any Devil Fruit.
Simply with his body, he could block the ordinary lasers released by him?
Couldn't even scratch the surface of his skin?
"Such a terrifying growth rate, it seems over the past three months, your strength has increased quite a bit indeed."
Kizaru brought his palms together and as they parted, golden light scattered, forming a dazzling Light Sword in his hands, his exclusive skill, Ama no Murakumo.
"Since ordinary moves are ineffective against you..."
Kizaru's figure suddenly vanished, and the next instant he appeared in front of Shano, the Light Sword tearing through the air, slashing straight down!
"Then try this!"
"Just in time!"
Shano grinned, finally drawing out his right hand, tightly clenching his fingers as an ink-black color entwined them, colliding fiercely with the approaching Light Sword.
Boom!
A dull explosion resounded across the coast, stirring a violent airwave causing several ships undergoing coating to rock and sway with the tide.
Thud! In the high air, the two retreated several meters apart before swiftly intertwining again, fist following punch, and sword following swing, wild yet sharp.
Even those unable to clearly see their movements could feel an intense killing intent rising, like a burning fire in both hearts.
"Close combat, no fear against me?"
The more Kizaru fought, the more his expression turned sour.
He could sense there was still a slight gap in overall strength between them, but that gap was no longer obvious.
And whether it was in the intensity of Haki or the exhibited body techniques, this kid had already stood on the same level as himself.
His desire to take down the opponent within a short time faded away little by little, eventually breaking like a bubble, turning into an illusion in an instant.
During the failed operation on Thor Island a few months ago, when Akainu met him privately, he frankly stated,
This kid used some strange means to instantly restore his physical state to peak condition, otherwise, thirty minutes would be enough to take him down.
It was an earnest truth, Kizaru and Akainu had worked together for many years and he knew there was no need for his colleague to lie about such matters just to save face.
But now...
With the strength this kid was showing, how could he be taken down within thirty minutes!
In a one-on-one fight, at least one day and night couldn't determine a winner!
And if he chose to escape, he could leave anytime, as a Devil Fruit Ability User, Kizaru had no way to do anything to him.
Luckily.
This time, because it was the last chance to kill him in Paradise, and plus the Shampodi Islands were close enough to the headquarters.
Therefore, with unprecedented seriousness, they dispatched another person...