The distance between Marineford and the Holy Land of Mariejois wasn't far—both essentially resided in the same sea zone. Not long after receiving the Five Elders' call, Kizaru stepped onto the deck of his warship and saw the towering Red Line ahead.
"The Red Line… no matter how many times I see it, it's still pretty spectacular…"
Kizaru narrowed his eyes, lifting his head to gaze toward Mariejois.
Even from this distance, he could vaguely sense a terrifying presence—a being so dangerous that even he felt a tinge of fear.
It was barely noticeable… but the mere fact he could sense any danger at all meant the being was powerful beyond comprehension.
Sadly, his hostility detection ability only worked on those harboring ill intent, and Imu, who currently slumbered within the Flower Room, clearly wouldn't have any reason to bear malice toward him—yet.
"Once I'm officially promoted to Fleet Admiral, I should find time to bring Boros here… let him probe the situation a little."
Kizaru thought to himself. Apart from himself, there wasn't anyone in the world who could take Boros head-on.
The Dark Matter Pirates may be fodder compared to him, but they'd do fine as the subordinates of a Pirate King.
---
"Adm— Admiral Kizaru, sir! We're about to dock!"
A marine on the warship called out respectfully. Kizaru's promotion was no secret—his popularity among the mid- and lower-ranking navy was immense.
Coupled with his feats during the Summit War—killing Whitebeard and gravely injuring Shanks—his name carried enormous prestige.
Many veteran marines remembered the old days—the monstrous prodigy of the Navy. Even before the official ceremony, many already saw Kizaru as the new Fleet Admiral.
"Mm. Got it…"
Kizaru nodded. In order to reach Mariejois, he still needed to stop at Red Port at the base of the Red Line and take the Bubble Elevator to ascend to the Holy Land.
Just as they were about to enter the harbor, Kizaru suddenly remembered something he had promised Tony Stark.
He had agreed to send the dinosaurs from Little Garden to the Jurassic Park Stark was building.
Rather than letting those prehistoric creatures serve as food for the giants in Little Garden, it was better to send them to the Marvel world where they could live comfortably.
Making a trip there personally wasn't difficult—but capturing all those dinosaurs would take some time.
Thinking of this, Kizaru casually picked up his Den Den Mushi and issued an order to Vice Admiral Vivian, the female giant still stationed at Marineford.
---
Receiving her superior's order out of the blue, Vivian was utterly confused.
Why would Fleet Admiral-to-be Kizaru suddenly ask her to go dinosaur hunting?
But orders were orders. Without question, she immediately set sail aboard her personal warship headed straight for Little Garden.
Catching dinosaurs would be nearly impossible for normal people.
But Vivian, as a giant with power rivaling the Seven Warlords, would have little trouble subduing them.
Still, capturing them alive was a bit tricky. And with that many dinosaurs, who knows when her boss planned to use them…
"Bring me the Den Den Mushi!"
Having learned how to "call reinforcements" from Kizaru, Vivian quickly came up with a solution—she called her bestie, "Black Cage" Hina.
As the user of the Cage-Cage Fruit, Hina could easily produce a massive amount of shackles. With her strength, not even a dinosaur could escape once bound.
While the reluctant Hina headed to Little Garden, Kizaru—who had arrived at Red Port—ran into an old acquaintance.
"Long time no see, old man Kong. At your age, you're still dying your hair? Trying to keep up with trends?"
Kizaru draped an arm over Kong's shoulder with a lazy grin. Despite being his old superior and half-mentor, Kizaru showed no signs of nervousness or formality.
"Hmph! Last time I saw you, you were still a punk kid—and now you're about to become Fleet Admiral?"
Kong spoke with a mixture of emotion and pride. Known for his strictness with subordinates, Kong showed none of that around Kizaru.
"It's already long overdue. And not that I'm saying I had a problem with Sengoku being Fleet Admiral, but if we're talking by the book… I should've gotten the position before him."
Kizaru pouted slightly. He had no intention of showing gratitude to the Five Elders for the promotion.
This was always supposed to be his. If the Five Elders hadn't deliberately suppressed him, he would've been promoted even before Sengoku.
In terms of both strength and merit, after Kong's retirement, Kizaru was the more qualified candidate to succeed him.
Of course, back then, Kizaru never actively competed with Sengoku for the position.
Still, that didn't stop him from writing the Five Elders' names in his little mental grudge notebook.
"You've still got that nasty temper of yours. Don't tell me you don't know why the Five Elders chose Sengoku…"
Kong rolled his eyes. If it weren't for Kizaru's sheer strength and overwhelming reputation in the Navy, he never would've been allowed to become an admiral with all the stunts he pulled.
Even when Kong had promoted him to admiral, he had hesitated for a long time before making the decision.
"So what? What's mine is mine—just a matter of time. Oh, right, I ran into Redfield back in Impel Down. Honestly, he wasn't that impressive."
Kizaru snorted and deliberately changed the subject, not wanting to hear Kong nag further.
But the moment he mentioned Redfield, Kong's expression darkened.
Even though Kong was proud of his time as Fleet Admiral—even with monsters like Rocks appearing—his defeat in battle against Redfield was a scar he could never quite forget.
There had been plenty of admirals who'd lost fights before, but to be the first Fleet Admiral to be defeated by a pirate?
That shame could last for centuries.
"That monster isn't as easy as you think… Wait—what happened to Redfield?"
Kong tried to defend himself but then paused, remembering Kizaru's terrifying capabilities. He asked cautiously.
"Dead. Not even ashes left. I just went 'pew' and he was gone."
Kizaru mimed a gun with his fingers.
Maybe a year or two ago, Redfield could've still put up a decent fight.
Unfortunately for him, when he crossed paths with Kizaru, the latter had already joined the Dimensional Chat Group and received Stand enhancements.
Forget Redfield—even if Rocks came back to life, he wouldn't stand a chance.
"Impossible… Just how strong are you now?"
Kong couldn't help but protest. He knew Kizaru well—if he thought a foe was powerful, he'd never speak so flippantly, even as a joke.
In other words, Redfield probably didn't even land a hit. That monster who had once defeated him in single combat had been utterly crushed.
The thought gave Kong a headache.
He had always figured that with Kizaru's potential, surpassing him was only a matter of time.
He even understood that current-day Kizaru was undoubtedly far stronger than him—but for the gap to be this wide?
He'd assumed that maybe Whitebeard had weakened, which is why Kizaru was able to kill him. But now he was beginning to realize—was it actually because Kizaru had gotten that strong?
"If I had to put it into perspective, I guess the gap between us is about… this much."
Kizaru held up his fingers, leaving a tiny gap between his thumb and forefinger.
Didn't look like much.
But when Kong followed his line of sight, he realized that from this angle, the gap perfectly framed the entire Red Line—that colossal natural wall.
"Bullshit! Let's fight one-on-one, see for yourself!"
Kong swore out loud, his competitive spirit ignited.
Old as he was, his drive hadn't faded.
After all, he was the guy who once fought Redfield head-on as Fleet Admiral.
"Nah… I don't wanna break your spirit."
Kizaru waved it off.
If it were before he joined the Dimensional Chat Group, Kong might've still had a chance.
Even at the start of the Summit War, a full-powered Kong could've forced Kizaru to use at least one hand.
But now?
The gap was so big, Kizaru didn't even feel like fighting.
"...Is it really that bad?"
Kong still looked a little unconvinced—but seeing the sincere look on Kizaru's face, he couldn't help but feel depressed.
Even during their ride up in the Bubble Pod, Kong wore a grumpy expression and didn't really feel like talking.
Thankfully, he came around quickly.
Kizaru was his old subordinate. His half-apprentice.
The stronger Kizaru was, the more it validated Kong's vision and leadership.
Redfield couldn't even beat half a student of his?
That alone made Kong feel superior.
With that satisfying thought, Kong's mood lifted.
By the time they stepped into Mariejois together, a smile had returned to his face.