The sea breeze blew, causing Kizaru's robe to flutter. Under the sunlight, an indistinct glint flashed beneath his sunglasses.
"What's the matter, Admiral?" A Vice Admiral behind him asked curiously.
"News from Baterilla Island," Kizaru replied, stretching lazily. There was no urgency in his demeanor— as expected, he remained as unhurried as ever.
"Hmm?"
The Vice Admiral and the surrounding Marine officers turned their attention toward Kizaru.
"Rojen has appeared."
The mere mention of that name caused a palpable tension to ripple through the ranks.
Most of them were well aware that their primary mission in the South Blue was to capture Rojen. Pirate King's Women, on the other hand, was a secondary target— a faint distraction amidst the larger objective.
Compared to the Pirate King's younger brother, who naturally drew attention, the Pirate King's Women's priority had been lowered. But now, the main prey had revealed himself.
"What are your orders, Admiral?" The Vice Admiral's gaze remained locked on Kizaru as he asked.
"Well, naturally, we'll have to go and take a look. The Fleet Admiral's orders are absolute, after all." Kizaru's voice was light, almost playful.
As he spoke, his eyes flickered toward a young Marine among the ranks— a figure on the verge of dozing off. Despite the tense atmosphere, the man stood there, unmoved, seemingly lost in his own world.
"Rear Admiral Kuzan."
The young Marine gave no immediate response. He remained still, his posture relaxed, as if fully intent on ignoring the world around him.
The other Marines exchanged awkward glances. While some frowned, no one dared to reprimand him. They all knew Kuzan's strength. At such a young age, he was already a Rear Admiral. His future was undoubtedly bright, and few wished to provoke him.
"Kuzan."
This time, Kizaru's tone carried a hint of amusement. In his eyes, both pirates and Marines had their fair share of oddities. Kuzan was certainly one of them. Then again, others might say the same about Kizaru himself.
"Huh?"
After being called twice, Kuzan finally stirred, responding groggily.
"There's a task for you."
Kizaru waved his hand dismissively, entirely unfazed by Kuzan's sluggish behavior.
"Admiral Kizaru, please give your orders," Kuzan replied, half-awake.
"Rojen has surfaced on Baterilla Island, so..."
A sly smile crept across Kizaru's face.
"This region will be under your watch. If you see any suspicious ships or individuals, take immediate action."
He paused before adding, his tone notably deliberate:
"And pay special attention to pregnant women."
Kizaru's gaze lingered on Kuzan, the meaning behind his words unmistakable.
"Understood, Admiral Kizaru."
Kuzan saluted, though the sluggishness in his expression hadn't entirely faded.
Rojen was making moves in the open, but his true intentions remained uncertain. Yet Kizaru was no fool. With a single decision, he had thrown a wrench into any potential schemes. Whether this was a diversion or part of a greater plan, the Marines' presence would ensure nothing slipped through unnoticed.
After the orders were given, the formal handover proceeded smoothly. Kuzan boarded another warship, ready to fulfill his new task.
"Set sail for Baterilla Island."
With that command, Kizaru and his fleet swiftly departed, the vast sea stretching endlessly ahead.
While the skies above Kizaru remained clear, the skies over Baterilla Island roared with lightning and thunder, accompanied by a relentless downpour.
On the warship, two figures stood locked in a fierce standoff, their expressions tense.
"Boom!"
Lightning illuminated the turbulent sky, casting flashes of light across their determined faces.
The battle was far from over.
Moya, a Marine Vice Admiral, might have been at the lower ranks among his peers, possessing only basic mastery of Busoshoku Haki and rudimentary swordsmanship. Yet, his raw physical strength vastly exceeded Rojen's. Despite Rojen's refined techniques, his stamina and overall endurance paled in comparison.
It had become a grueling deadlock.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Their weapons clashed, sparks flying with each violent collision.
As the fight dragged on, a heaviness crept into Rojen's expression.
"This guy..."
Moya had been on the brink of defeat earlier, nearly losing his life due to his initial recklessness. However, after recovering from his misstep, he became an impenetrable force. Even with just 40 percent of his original strength, he held Rojen at bay.
"Huff... Huff..."
Rojen's breathing grew labored. Despite his precise swordplay, his physical body couldn't match Moya's sheer resilience.
If he had properly cultivated his internal energy through techniques like the Dragon-Elephant Prajña Merit, Changing Muscles Classic, or Washing Marrows Classic, he might have withstood the strain. However, his limited exposure to these advanced martial arts left him vulnerable.
On the other hand, Moya's presence remained unyielding. His breaths were primal and steady, only his increasing fury giving away his frustration.
"You damn brat!"
The humiliation was unbearable. A Marine Vice Admiral unable to overpower a 15- or 16-year-old boy? The shame of his injuries and the near-defeat gnawed at him.
If his comrades ever heard of this, they would surely laugh him into oblivion.
"Confusion Blade, Double Slash!"
Moya's twin blades whirled through the air like a vicious storm, cutting through the rain curtain and bearing down on Rojen.
Having dominated Moya earlier, Rojen had grown reckless. Now, his disrupted rhythm gave the Vice Admiral the opening he needed.
"Not good!"
Black Haki-coated energy surged around Moya's weapons, and the malice in his eyes deepened.
Rojen's heart pounded. He could sense the impending danger. Without thinking, he closed his eyes, focusing all his senses.
"Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki!"
He surged forward, Rainbow Abyss gleaming as he countered the incoming attack. Deprived of sight, he relied solely on instinct, attuning himself to the slightest vibrations of the air and the echo of raindrops.
Judging Moya's movements using only the principles of the sword— it was a daunting challenge.
"Clang!"
A moment passed. Steel met steel, the force of the collision reverberating through the ship.
Another breath later, Rojen's eyes snapped open.
"Drip, drip."
Bright crimson droplets stained the deck, mingling with the rainwater as it pooled beneath him.
"Kid, did you really think you were my match?" Moya's voice was low and mocking with a victorious glint in his eyes.
"With your strength, how could you possibly stand against Dragon?"
Even though Rojen had held the upper hand earlier, Moya now saw through him. His skill with a blade was exceptional, but in terms of raw strength, he was still leagues behind.
Dragon, a rising star among the new generation of Marines, held a far more formidable presence than Moya. Despite his lower rank as a Rear Admiral, Dragon's strength was likely superior. The idea of someone like Rojen defeating him was absurd.
"Or is there something else you're hiding?"
Moya's gaze narrowed as he scrutinized Rojen, his curiosity mingling with suspicion.
(End of Chapter)
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