"Pfft!"
Sanji and Law spat out blood simultaneously as they crashed to the ground.
The blinding light gradually dissipated, revealing a towering figure stepping forward expressionlessly.
"That's..."
Law clutched his chest and looked up, his pupils constricting instantly with disbelief.
How could this be!
This guy... wasn't he already killed by Lord Xiano long ago!!!
————
Gr 40, Commercial Street.
The once bustling avenue was now in complete chaos, with panicked crowds scattering like tidal waves in all directions.
The sounds of explosions from the distant amusement park area hadn't ceased, filling the air with the scent of gunpowder.
Being just a stone's throw away from Sabaody Paradise, the disturbances from that area were immediately palpable here.
"Things suddenly got chaotic."
Kid crossed his arms, standing at the street entrance as he glanced at the people scrambling past him, occasionally looking back in terror:
"Seems like some of our fellow Pirates have stirred up quite the commotion over at the amusement park."
"I grabbed two people to ask. Apparently, they attacked a Celestial Dragon," Killer said calmly. "In that case, a Navy Admiral is probably already on their way. We should retreat, Kid."
"Retreat? Hey now, with such a grand spectacle unfolding, you'd rather run than go see the show?"
Kid smashed his fists together with a fierce grin. "Tch, Killer, with that attitude, you'll never challenge the Sea Emperors, let alone become the Pirate King!"
"Let's go check it out! Might even get a chance to take down a Navy Admiral or something! That'd at least triple my bounty and cement my position as the top Supernova!"
With those words, Kid strode forward against the human tide, heading straight for the amusement park.
"..."
Killer sighed quietly after a moment of silence.
After years together, he knew Kid's temperament too well—once this arrogant fool set his mind on something, not even nine Sea Kings could drag him back.
Just as he was about to follow, Killer's expression suddenly changed drastically: "Kid! Above you!"
"Huh?"
Kid instinctively looked up—and in that instant, a dark figure came diving down from the rooftops, rapidly enlarging in his vision!
BOOM!
Dust exploded outward as an ear-splitting impact slammed Kid deep into the pavement.
The solid granite road instantly cracked like a spiderweb, fractures spreading several meters outward while nearby tourists screamed in terror, fleeing in all directions.
As the dust settled, a tall figure slowly straightened up.
This was a middle-aged man with meticulously slicked-back hair, dressed in a tailored black suit bearing a silver-white [PX-03] emblem on the chest. A cigar hung from his lips, and his left arm—from the elbow down—had been replaced by a gleaming mechanical Golden Hook.
Such an appearance... should theoretically exude an untamed, roguish charisma.
Yet those eyes were icy and hollow, devoid of any human emotion, now scanning Killer and Kid with flickering red lights.
Beep beep beep!
"Targets confirmed. Captain Kid, bounty 300 million Berry. Killer the Manslayer, bounty 165 million Berry."
"Experimental Pacifista PX-3 initiating capture protocol."
The mechanical voice came from PX-3 as it slowly raised its right arm, its palm splitting open to reveal a dark cannon muzzle.
"What the hell is this thing?!"
Killer reacted with shock and anger, hastily drawing his twin blades. But before he could act, a blinding golden light had already gathered at the cannon's mouth.
BOOM!
A thick laser beam instantly tore through the street. Killer barely managed to dodge sideways, but his left shoulder was still grazed, blood immediately spurting out.
"ARGH!!"
Kid finally broke free at this moment, erupting from the pile of rubble and flashing to a spot over ten meters away. He looked up at his opponent, veins bulging at his temples.
"You bastard, you actually dared to step on my head?!"
Then pay the price!
Roaring, he spread his arms wide, activating his Magnet-Magnet Fruit powers to their fullest.
All metal objects on the entire street began violently trembling.
Street lamps, signs, shop iron doors, pirates' swords, pedestrians' jewelry... Every metallic item was pulled as if by invisible hands, howling as they converged toward Kid.
"Magnetic Spi—"
Before he could finish calling out his attack name, PX-3 suddenly appeared right in front of him. The mechanical golden hook struck Kid's abdomen at speeds barely visible to the naked eye.
"UGH!"
Kid's eyes bulged as he vomited blood, his entire body sent flying like a cannonball before crashing heavily into a thick red tree in the distance.
"Kid!"
Killer paled in shock and was about to rush forward when a chilling cold sensation crept up his spine.
Realizing something was wrong, he whirled around.
Two equally massive figures in black suits with PX numbers embroidered on their chests had somehow already positioned themselves in a fan-shaped formation, surrounding both him and Kid.
"PX-3 through PX-5 have reached designated positions. Targets successfully contained."
All three Pacifistas raised their mechanical golden hooks simultaneously, their icy, emotionless voices echoing through the streets:
"Per Commander Sentomaru's orders, commencing elimination of all Supernova threats to Sabaody Archipelago."
——
Grove 13.
Open area outside Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
Ace and Zoro, exhausted from sitting on the ground, struggled to their feet, their expressions grim as they stared ahead.
THUD. THUD. THUD...
Two massive black shadows slowly emerged from the woods, advancing toward them. Between the two figures walked an obese man wearing a cloth apron, a giant axe resting on his shoulder.
——
Docks.
"It seems our plans need adjusting."
Drake adjusted his captain's hat as he spoke quietly: "We shouldn't linger at Sabaody. Since the coating's complete, we should set sail immediately."
"But those Supernovas you planned to befriend—"
"That'll have to wait until we enter the New World."
Drake's expression remained calm. "Assuming they survive, that is."
"Oh? From the sound of it, you're quite confident in your own survival?"
A lazily teasing voice suddenly came from above. Drake startled, his head snapping upward.
There, sitting casually atop the mast with legs crossed, was Admiral Kizaru.
"Long time no see, Drake."
Kizaru grinned as he spoke, "Well, well, what a surprise. The first person I run into after coming ashore is actually you—the fallen Rear Admiral rumored to have defected from Marine Headquarters..."
Whoosh!
He raised his index finger, and a flash of golden light streaked through the air.
Before Drake could even react, his chest was pierced. His eyes rolled back as he let out a muffled groan and collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"My apologies," Kizaru said airily. "An Ancient Zoan ability sounds terrifying, after all. Best to end the fight before you transform. I'd rather not face a dinosaur or anything like that."
With those careless words, he stepped over Drake's body without a second glance and leisurely strode onto the island under the gaze of countless onlookers.
Then, his eyes turned toward a certain alleyway.
"Oh? Over here seems..." Kizaru tilted his head as he spoke.
The next second, Cavendish—who had been crouching in the alley, stealthily watching the docks—was suddenly kicked in the back. He crashed into the open square, knocked out cold.
"...seems there's another Supernova here."
As the second half of his sentence trailed off, photons reassembled in the square, reforming into Kizaru's figure.
"Purupuru~"
The sound of a Den Den Mushi ringing abruptly cut through the air. Kizaru raised an eyebrow in mild surprise and answered the call.
"Hey! Old man, where are you?"
"Oh, if it isn't Sentomaru."
Kizaru chuckled. "I just landed, you know. Calling in such a hurry—what's the matter?"
"You're too slow, old man!" Sentomaru's voice was grave. "I got lucky here. Black Fist Ace and Roronoa Zoro were already exhausted when I found them. Didn't take much effort to capture them. And as a bonus, I nabbed another Supernova—Bartolomeo!"
"According to reports from the other Pacifistas, Killer's been captured alive too. Though that Kid guy—no surprise, being the strongest of this batch of Supernovas—managed to escape."
"Well, it's your first time on a real combat mission. This much is already impressive. Some slip-ups are inevitable," Kizaru nodded slightly. "What about the Celestial Dragons?"
"Relax, old man. They definitely sent Pacifistas there first. By now, the fight should be... Oh? What a coincidence! PX-1 and PX-2 just sent word—they've subdued the Pirates who attacked the Celestial Dragons. The two Celestial Dragons are unharmed, just a little shaken!"
"Is that so?"
Kizaru clicked his tongue. "Well, I expected as much. But as usual, it seems this old man's trip was for nothing..."
————
At the entrance of Sabaody Paradise.
"Filth! Filth! Filth!"
Pulmin Saint shrieked hysterically, lashing out repeatedly with his whip. "Go ahead, act tough now! Who gave you the gall to defy a god, scaring me like that?!"
Beside him, Charlia Palace sat elegantly atop her slave's back.
"What a dull farce," she yawned lazily, her gaze sweeping over Law—clutched in PX-1's grip—and Sanji, pinned to the ground by PX-2.
"Pulmin, had enough fun? It's about time we headed to Auction House No. 1. I still want to buy a slave with Giant Bloodline there."
"Auction house?"
Pulmin Saint snorted coldly, "Of course we're going, Charlos, but the white bear I wanted hasn't been brought back yet!"
"It's been half an hour since they were sent out, and there's still no response. Seems like counting on those useless Marines is hopeless."
He looked up at Sentomaru not far away, "Hey! You there, Fatty! Listen up, now we can only rely on you. Take your men and capture that white bear for me immediately. Remember, I want it alive!"
Sentomaru's brow furrowed slightly.
Behind him, ten PX-model Pacifistas stood in a row, cigars dangling from their mouths, silent and motionless.
Besides the restrained Sanji and Law, the unconscious bodies of Zoro, Ace, Killer, and others lay on the ground, all shackled with heavy chains.
"Honorable Pulmin Saint, first of all, I am also a Marine—one of the most tight-lipped elite Marines."
Sentomaru spoke gravely, "Secondly, our duty is to protect you until Admiral Kizaru arrives. As for capturing some white bear..."
"Go ahead. Since we're here, we might as well satisfy the Celestial Dragons, no?"
A leisurely voice drifted down from the sky.
Whoosh!
Golden light flashed as a figure clad in a white Justice cloak landed gracefully.
"Old man!"
Sentomaru sighed in relief and hurried forward, "You're finally here. Being left alone with these Celestial Dragons was unbearable..."
"Careful with your words, Sentomaru-kun."
Kizaru chuckled, raising a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture. "Take a few Pacifistas and carry out Pulmin Saint's orders. I'll hold the fort here—no need to worry."
"..."
Sentomaru glanced back, hesitating, but ultimately nodded. "Understood. PX-5 to PX-7, follow me. Target: Bepo of the Mink Tribe, bounty 1,500 Berries!"
"Still hunting people down? That's enough!"
A sharp shout suddenly rang out from the distance.
A woman's voice?
Sentomaru and Kizaru turned simultaneously to see a furious black-haired woman with a high ponytail, a Master Swordsman, striding toward them.
At the same time, the surrounding Pacifistas reacted, their eyes glowing red as mechanical beeps sounded.
"Target approaching. Searching database... Identity confirmed: Pirate 'Cross-Eyed Swordsman' Tashigi, bounty 107 million Berries."
"Threat level: Medium. Proceed with capture?"
"Shut up! You freaks of nature!"
Tashigi snapped, drawing her sword and pointing it at Kizaru. "I'm no Pirate! I've never done anything evil—stop slandering me! I was once a Marine, and now I'm an adventurer who came here to follow Lord Xiano's path!"
"Another Marine defector, huh?"
Kizaru sounded amused. "My, how the world keeps sinking into depravity..."
"It's you who are depraved!"
Tashigi's anger flared uncontrollably. "I've heard everything from the townsfolk! A Celestial Dragon wants to enslave a Mink, and his friends fought back—what's wrong with that?"
"But what about you? Afraid the Celestial Dragons might suffer even the slightest loss, you mobilized thousands of soldiers, even dispatched an Admiral!"
"Is this the so-called righteous Navy? Look at your groveling demeanor—disgusting! Absolutely revolting! You're tarnishing the very word 'justice'!"
"More of these weak words? I'm rather tired of hearing them. So to me... they hold no weight at all."
Kizaru remained smiling. "You should probably stop talking now. Besides, that white bear—though his bounty is only 1,500 Berry—is still a Pirate at the end of the day. As the Navy, capturing Pirates—what's wrong with that?"
"Oh? Pirates?!"
Tashigi laughed bitterly in fury, pointing behind the two Celestial Dragons:
"Then let me ask you—what about them? Are they Pirates too?! So eager to protect the Celestial Dragons, yet where were you when those suffering needed help?"
In the direction she pointed—
Aside from the two abnormally tall slaves being used as mounts, there were five or six young women in tattered clothes.
Heavy iron collars bound their necks, their exposed skin covered in whip marks. They knelt on the ground with hollow eyes, silently weeping.
One red-haired girl, hearing the commotion, lifted her head as if to speak—only to be kicked viciously by a guard beside her, forcing her to curl up in pain.
"What's all this noise?"
A displeased voice rang out—Pulmin Saint, growing impatient, urged his mount forward with a whip:
"You mean them? Don't mistake me for some vulgar lecher. These are just skins I grabbed on a whim while waiting, to hang on my walls as decorations."
Pulmin Saint spoke disdainfully, then gave Tashigi a once-over, his eyes faintly lighting up:
"Hmm? You, woman—your skin seems quite fine too. Very much to my taste. Hey, Borsalino, tie this one up for me. This collectible—I'm claiming her."
"..."
Kizaru frowned slightly, glanced at him, adjusted his sunglasses, and remained where he stood.
"Why aren't you moving?"
Charlia Palace also rode forward on her slave, speaking coldly, "Didn't you hear our order, Borsalino?! Have you forgotten what you are, just because you've climbed to the rank of Navy Admiral?!"
"I understand. Please don't be angry, Lady Charlia."
Kizaru smiled faintly and gave a slight bow before turning to Tashigi with a regretful sigh:
"Ah, what a bother. A direct command from the World Nobles—hard to refuse... But you, knowing I was here, still let your hot-bloodedness get the better of you. Surely, you've prepared for this outcome..."
Whoosh—!
The moment Kizaru raised his finger, golden light gathering at its tip—the sky over Sabaody Archipelago abruptly darkened.
The once-clear heavens were devoured by darkness at visible speed, thick storm clouds surging like an army of thousands.
Boom...
Rolling thunder roared from afar, casting the entire island in flickering light and shadow.
"What's happening?"
"Why did the weather change so suddenly?"
"Is a storm coming?"
The surrounding marines instinctively looked up, whispering among themselves.
The two Celestial Dragons frowned slightly and casually gestured. Immediately, agents in black suits stepped forward to hold umbrellas for them.
Crack!
In the next instant, a crimson-black bolt of lightning split the sky, landing with a thunderous explosion in the empty space between Tashigi and Kizaru, under the horrified gazes of everyone present.
"Hey!"
Sentomaru sensed something and shouted a warning, "Old man, be careful! Something came down with that lightning!"
"Ah."
Kizaru took a deep breath, his expression turning grave in a way Sentomaru had never seen before. "I... can see that too."
Whoosh~
The howling wind forced Kizaru to narrow his eyes as the dust gradually cleared, revealing the figures within.
Thud. Thud.
The first to emerge from the dust were two towering figures, each as massive as a small hill. They stood silently on either side, unmoving.
Following closely behind was a high-ponytailed black-haired girl whose face was nearly identical to Tashigi's.
Yet her aura was utterly different—cold, aloof, and proud.
A single glance from her sharp eyes was enough to make one's vision sting, as if pierced by the terrifying pressure of a blade.
"These people..."
A marine officer who finally recognized them suddenly paled, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
At the same time, the Pacifistas' alarms blared incessantly, accompanied by their emotionless, mechanical voices:
"Beep! Target detected: 'Thunderfall' Bartholomew Kuma, top executive of the Falling Stars Adventure Pirates. Bounty: 870 million Berries. Threat level: high. Unable to handle. Requesting reinforcements immediately!"
"Beep! Target detected: 'Rumbling' Jack, top executive of the Falling Stars Adventure Pirates. Bounty: 777 million Berries. Threat level: high. Unable to handle. Requesting reinforcements immediately!"
"Beep! Target detected: 'Wind Erosion' Kuina, top executive of the Falling Stars Adventure Pirates. Bounty: 940 million Berries. Threat level: high. Unable to handle. Requesting reinforcements immediately!"
...
"Beep! Warning! Warning!"
Suddenly, the Pacifistas' alarms grew even more frantic, their voices trembling slightly.
"Maximum-level threat detected: 'World's Greatest Swordsman' Xiano, Captain of the Falling Stars Adventure Pirates. Bounty..."
"3.276 billion Berries!!!"
"Extreme danger! Extreme danger! Immediate evacuation advised! Immediate evacuation!"
"Shut up, PX units!"
Sentomaru roared, turning his head, though cold sweat still trickled down his forehead as he clenched his teeth.
Damn it!
What the hell was going on? During his experiments with Dr. Vegapunk, he had never seen the Pacifistas react like this.
These soulless war machines... were they actually feeling fear on an instinctual level?!
Whoosh~
The dust finally settled completely.
The three top executives wordlessly stepped aside, clearing a path as a tall, slender figure strode forward from between them.
It was a strikingly handsome young man with black hair and dark eyes, his black cloak billowing wildly in the fierce wind.
With each step he took, the ground trembled faintly, as if the entire island shuddered at his arrival.
"Hey, that guy... is he really...?"
"You've gotta be kidding me!"
"The Sea Emperor himself has actually descended upon this island in person!"
Shouts of alarm erupted one after another, instantly throwing the naval ranks into chaos and uproar.
Several Lieutenant Officers standing at the very front paled, almost instinctively stepping back in unison as cold sweat drenched their backs in an instant.
"Lo... Lord Xiano!"
Tashigi's voice trembled with excitement, tears glistening in her eyes. With great effort, she suppressed her overwhelming emotions, placing her right hand over her chest as she bowed in a perfect Swordsman's salute.
A smile curled at the corners of her lips.
At last, at long last...
From the East Blue onwards, through countless hardships along this journey.
She had finally met him again!
Xiano gave her a slight nod, patted the young girl's shoulder, then gestured for Kuina to help her up and take her to the back.
He then raised his head, his gaze passing over the crowd to lock onto Kizaru. With a gentle smile, he said:
"Well now... It's been a long time, Borsalino."
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