"To say something like that is truly..."
Kizaru slightly lowered his eyelids as his entire body erupted with dazzling golden light, vanishing from his original position in an instant.
"Quite excessive, don't you think?"
Kizaru raised his right leg high, the overwhelming photon energy coating his entire limb in a radiant golden hue, turning it into what seemed like a "Golden Leg."
"Speed is weight. Have you ever been kicked at the speed of light?"
His right leg lashed out—deceptively slow yet impossibly fast.
Whether intentional or not, the tip of Kizaru's foot aimed precisely at Golden Lion II's mouth, the sheer force behind it seemingly intent on smashing that irritating mouth to pieces!
At the critical moment,
Golden Lion II swiftly raised the Named Swords in his hands—[Cherry Ten] and [Withered Tree]—forming a defensive barrier in front of him, blocking Kizaru's kick.
CLANG—
Kizaru's "Flash Kick" collided violently with Golden Lion II's twin blades, producing a sharp, resonant sound. The resulting shockwave erupted outward, illuminating the dim expanse of Infinite Hell with blinding golden light.
Domino and Sadie, who had just infiltrated Infinite Hell, belatedly noticed the commotion.
"Admiral Kizaru! It's Admiral Kizaru!"
"With the Admiral here, Impel Down is safe!"
The two, who had initially steeled themselves with a "do or die" resolve, instantly relaxed.
Magellan and Hannyabal losing to Golden Lion II was simply a matter of insufficient strength.
But now that the "World Government's Supreme Combatant" had arrived, all problems would be resolved!
At the battlefield,
Golden Lion II gripped the hilts of [Cherry Ten] and [Withered Tree] tightly, locked in a stalemate with Kizaru.
The blinding golden radiance of Kizaru's right leg grated against the two extraordinary blades, producing an ear-piercing screech.
Golden Lion II's eyes narrowed slightly as the metallic sheen of [Armament Haki] surged from his body, gradually coating the blades in an inky black hue.
With two "Black Blades" in hand, Golden Lion II momentarily withstood Kizaru's pressure.
"Haki reigns supreme..."
Golden Lion II quietly activated the power of the [More-More Fruit], his aura skyrocketing in an instant.
"Have you ever been slashed by a Black Blade?"
"Calamity Cut!"
[More-More Fruit: Hundredfold Strength]!
With a fierce grit of his teeth, Golden Lion II unleashed an unimaginable surge of power.
Even Kizaru could clearly feel the terrifying force reverberating back through his right leg.
This strength—was no less than that of Whitebeard Jr. Edward Teach, whom he had encountered days prior!
Kizaru's [strength] was relatively lacking among the Admirals.
Golden Lion II's sudden explosive power had already surpassed what Kizaru could withstand.
[Cherry Ten] and [Withered Tree] cleaved forward—a single "Calamity Cut" sent Kizaru flying far into the distance.
The "Yellow Flash" traced a vivid arc across the skies of Infinite Hell.
"This strength... truly monstrous, isn't it~?"
Just as he was about to crash into the walls of Infinite Hell, Kizaru once again entered his Logia state, his body dissolving into tiny particles of light, forcibly countering Golden Lion II's attack through this method.
Meanwhile, Golden Lion II, empowered by the explosive force of the [More-More Fruit], sent Kizaru flying with a single strike, propelling himself into the air as well.
A crimson glow flickered in Golden Lion II's eyes—his [Observation Haki] had been pushed to its limits.
Yet it still wasn't enough to track Kizaru's movements!
If that was the case…
Golden Lion II silently summoned the two seven-star [Grand Prize Trophies] he had obtained by defeating Venom Person and Lone Red, smashing them directly into his [Observation Haki].
His already seven-star [Observation Haki], after receiving two upgrades, underwent a qualitative leap in power.
[Observation Haki: ★★★★★★★★] (Eight-Star)
An endless surge of inspiration exploded in Golden Lion II's mind.
At this moment, it seemed that with just a thought, he could develop his [Observation Haki] in any direction he desired.
Would it be Lone Red's "Mind Reading"?
The pinnacle masterpiece, "Foresight"?
The Mermaid Princess's "Emotional Influence"?
Or perhaps some other advanced sensory ability…
Particles of light shot out from where Kizaru had been standing, converging high above Infinite Hell, instantly reforming into his human shape.
Golden Lion II stared ahead at Kizaru, who was now transforming into a massive "cross-shaped light mass."
The choice was clear—
Lone Red!
Seizing the spark of inspiration in his mind, Golden Lion II focused his [Observation Haki] toward his chosen path—Mind Reading!
After a brief charge, the "cross-shaped light mass" that was Kizaru unleashed an endless barrage of radiant bullets.
Countless golden projectiles streaked across the sky of Infinite Hell, as if summoning a river of stars.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
Every single golden bullet Kizaru fired locked onto Golden Lion II with unerring precision.
Faced with this overwhelming storm of "Yasakani no Magatama," Golden Lion II's expression remained utterly calm. He simply swung his sword as swiftly as possible while subtly activating the power of the [Float-Float Fruit].
"Wave Slash!"
Golden Lion II swung [Cherry Ten], releasing a massive, soaring slash.
The brilliantly colored slash surged forward, colliding head-on with the "Yasakani no Magatama."
BOOM—
Golden bullets crashed against the crescent-shaped slash, triggering a continuous chain of explosions. The crescent-shaped slash shrank under the relentless bombardment until it vanished entirely.
But the time and space bought by "Wave Slash" had served its purpose—
Golden Lion II had already prepared his next move.
"Lion's Roar: Earth Bind!"
The ground of Infinite Hell trembled violently under the power of the [Float-Float Fruit], and an enormous tornado of earth erupted, instantly enveloping Golden Lion II within its protective embrace.
The rapidly spinning earthen tornado formed a solid defensive wall, blocking the remaining "Yasakani no Magatama" attacks.
The "Yasakani no Magatama" bombarded the "Lion's Roar: Earth Bind," with the terrifyingly powerful light bullets blasting one crater after another into the earthen tornado. Fragments of dirt scattered in all directions.
This apocalyptic battle scene left Domino and Sadie trembling with fear.
Even the four Warden Beasts they had brought along cowered behind the two women, terrified by the disaster-like spectacle.
As time passed,
the earthen tornado created by "Lion's Roar: Earth Bind" showed no signs of shrinking.
After all, the number of light bullets condensed by "Yasakani no Magatama" was ultimately finite,
while the "Lion's Roar: Earth Bind" was connected to the boundless earth of Infinite Hell.
Finite against infinite.
Kizaru had no choice but to halt his assault.
"So it really is the [Float-Float Fruit]..."
Kizaru stared at the still-spinning earthen tornado, feeling a sense of absurdity himself.
"The famous swords [Cherry Ten] and [Withered Tree], and now this [Float-Float Fruit]...
First, there was 'Whitebeard Jr.,' and now a 'Golden Lion II' has appeared?"
Kizaru was utterly baffled.
Where were all these "second generations" of legendary pirates coming from?
Why were there only "Pirate Seconds" and no "Marine Seconds"?
Why couldn't the Marines ever catch a break like this?
Kizaru quietly observed the "Lion's Roar: Earth Bind," waiting to see when its user would finally emerge.
Yet no matter how long he watched or waited, the earthen tornado showed no signs of stopping.
"No way..."
An unbelievable thought flashed through Kizaru's mind. He instantly activated his [Observation Haki], probing through the gaps in the earth for any trace of his enemy.
However,
the interior of the earthen tornado was completely empty—there was no one inside!
Meanwhile,
Golden Lion II was swiftly making his way toward the Maritime First Level of Impel Down through the massive pit he had accidentally created earlier, which connected Infinite Hell, New Kama Land, and Scorching Hell.
"You've been fooled, Kizaru! This is my escape route (scratch that)—strategic retreat route!"
In the blink of an eye,
Golden Lion II flew from the sixth level's Infinite Hell to the fourth level's Scorching Hell.
Scorching Hell, Starvation Hell, Beast Hell, and Crimson Hell were all interconnected.
In just a few breaths,
Golden Lion II flew from Infinite Hell to Crimson Hell, then straight out to the Maritime First Level.
Impel Down, second prison break—success!
By this time,
Kizaru in Infinite Hell finally realized he'd been tricked.
He unleashed the power of his [Glint-Glint Fruit], completely obliterating the spinning earthen tornado in Infinite Hell, then transformed into light and left, following the guidance of his [Observation Haki] to instantly arrive at the Maritime First Level.
The speed of the [Glint-Glint Fruit] was undeniable.
By the time Kizaru reached the Maritime First Level,
Golden Lion II had only just flown up to the floating warships in the sky.
But his attack preparations had long been ready!
The moment he detected Kizaru's presence, Golden Lion II once again stirred up towering tsunamis.
"Lion's Roar · Sea Dragon Twister!"
Endless seawater, carrying bewildered Sea Kings, formed massive water tornadoes that reached the heavens.
These colossal water tornadoes, carrying overwhelming momentum, directly crashed down toward the Maritime First Level of Impel Down.
Standing on the Maritime First Level, Kizaru bore the brunt of these "Sea Dragon Twisters" as their primary target.
No matter how thoroughly Golden Lion II had prepared in advance, Kizaru's [Glint-Glint Fruit] always allowed him to react at lightning speed.
As the terrifying water tornadoes were about to engulf the entire Maritime First Level, Kizaru raised his right leg again. After a brief charge, he unleashed an immensely thick yellow beam.
"Ama no Iwato!"
Boom—bang bang bang—
The thick laser beam transformed from "Ama no Iwato" directly struck the cascading water tornadoes.
The seawater and the Sea Kings trapped within instantly exploded under the devastating force of the beam.
The bones and blood of the Sea Kings immediately tainted the water, filling the area with a nauseating stench of blood.
Seawater and blood splattered everywhere, as if an unprecedented "torrential blood rain" had fallen upon Impel Down's Maritime First Level.
Kizaru transformed into light, effortlessly dodging the filthy blood rain, and instantly arrived at the floating warships in the sky.
By the time he steadied himself on a ship's mast and reappeared, not a single drop of blood stained his pristine appearance.
"My, my~" Kizaru murmured, gazing at Golden Lion II aboard a nearby floating warship.
"If I let you escape just like that, I'd be throwing away the dignity of a Marine Admiral..."
"Didn't you already lose face last time when you teamed up with that giant freak bird and still failed to capture Teach?" Golden Lion II tilted his head mockingly.
"Wasn't that embarrassing enough, Admiral Kizaru?"
Last time?
Teamed up with the giant freak bird?
Teach?
As these key phrases connected in his mind, a startling realization struck Kizaru.
"You know Whitebeard Jr. Edward Teach?" Kizaru widened his eyes in shock.
"Are you allied with him?"
"Don't make our relationship sound so cozy," Golden Lion II scoffed, swinging [Cherry Ten] and [Withered Tree] to unleash a relentless barrage of Soaring Slashes, faintly echoing the essence of "Lion: Thousand Severance Valley."
"We were just crewmates on the same ship, that's all!"
Crewmates on the same ship?
Whitebeard Jr. and Golden Lion II were crewmates on the same ship?
Ship? Crewmates?
Kizaru's mind reeled with growing horror.
If he remembered correctly, the original Whitebeard and Golden Lion had also been crewmates on the same ship.
That ship had also carried infamous pirates like Kaido of the Beasts, Charlotte Linlin, Wang Zhi... and many other notorious figures.
The Rocks Pirates!
A terrifying crew that once dominated the entire New World, leaving all other pirates powerless!
And the captain of the Rocks Pirates back then was none other than Rocks D. Xebec!
"Lion: Thousand Severan
ce Valley" slashed toward him.
Kizaru hastily transformed into light to evade.
The powerful Soaring Slash directly tore through the naval warship where he had just been standing.
But this "minor" loss was no longer within Kizaru's considerations.
Whitebeard Jr., Golden Lion II...
Would there eventually be a Big Mom II, Beast II...
Or even a Rocks II?!
Kizaru couldn't help but let out an internal groan.
Could it be...
That the Rocks Pirates were making a comeback?