If it had been Akainu Sakazuki, this battle would never have ended like this. He would never have simply walked away halfway.
But for Kizaru? That actually made sense.
Don was momentarily stunned by Kizaru's sudden retreat.
Still, remembering the sort of things Kizaru was known for, he didn't find it strange in the least.
That didn't mean Don allowed himself even a shred of relaxation.
Only after a long while did he finally descend onto the scarred, unrecognizable island below.
Among the three Admirals, Akainu's personality and methods were the most in line with a cold, ruthless Marine.
And yet, apart from the Buster Call on Ohara and the Paramount War, Akainu hadn't acted all that often.
Instead, it was the seemingly lazy Aokiji and the ever-slacking Kizaru who made more frequent moves.
Landing, Don's mind sifted through what he knew of the Admirals.
One kick for a Supernova, killing his own teacher Zephyr, and later the battle where they captured Vegapunk…
These thoughts lingered as Don walked toward the ruined arms factory.
With a slash, he split apart the charred rubble, revealing the passage leading underground.
"Come out!" Don called.
After a moment, footsteps echoed from the darkness, and Robin emerged.
"Who did you fight just now?" was her first question.
The acrid heat of scorched air still clung thickly around them.
To push Don this far, the opponent must have been terrifyingly strong.
"Kizaru. I went a little overboard in the North Sea, so the Marines sent him to stop me."
Robin froze, her eyes widening sharply.
"Admiral Kizaru?"
"Why so shocked? Didn't I already fight Aokiji before?" Don countered, noting her expression.
"There are only three Admirals in total… and now you've fought two of them?" Robin said in disbelief.
And what's more—after clashing with Kizaru, Don stood here completely unharmed.
"That guy wasn't serious. He was probably just going through the motions." Don waved it off casually.
In truth, most of his lost vitality in the battle came from unleashing his own full power.
That kind of berserk output, combining his Devil Fruit with Haki, gave him the strength to contend with top-class opponents—but at the cost of enormous consumption.
He still needed to raise his foundation.
Every battle brought him some form of growth, and this was no exception.
At the very least, he had gained a deeper grasp of both his Fruit's potential and Haki. Once consolidated, his strength would climb again.
"What about us, then?" Robin asked about their next move.
After all, the Marines had even dispatched an Admiral. Their actions had clearly stirred up more than just a little trouble.
"Continue, of course. We've already started," Don replied without hesitation.
"If we continue, the Marines might send even more people," Robin said, concern heavy in her voice.
"Then we finish quickly." Don made the decision firmly.
Robin, though worried, didn't press him further.
"There's someone else still in the factory underground. Pretty badly injured," she mentioned, glancing toward the passage.
"One of Doflamingo's men. His luck's something else."
Don shook his head slightly, then turned his gaze toward the coast.
"Should we take care of him?" Robin asked directly.
After all, of all Doflamingo's subordinates they'd crossed paths with, Don had killed nearly all—except Viola.
"Not now. Let's leave this place first."
Don waved her along and headed for the shore.
The island itself had been reshaped beyond recognition by the aftermath of their battle.
"The ship's gone!"
By the time they reached the coastline, their vessel had been completely destroyed.
"Then we'll find another island, restock, and buy a new ship."
Don slipped an arm around Robin's waist as flames roared skyward.
Robin looped her arms around his neck, the fierce winds stinging against her skin.
Together, wrapped in fire, they tore across the horizon.
Onboard a Germa 66 snail-ship
"So, Kizaru's gone?"
Judge frowned. In this negotiation, the Admiral hadn't shown his face once. Curious, he had sent scouts, only to learn Kizaru was no longer aboard.
"Most likely. After all, an Admiral wouldn't sit idle doing nothing forever," Reiju guessed aloud.
That was good news.
Judge naturally dreaded the Admirals. None of the three were easy to deal with. With Kizaru gone, negotiations might finally progress faster.
If the World Government still intended to strip him of his strength, then there was no need to keep talking.
They had no sincerity at all.
Their aim was never to let Germa join as equals—it was only to conscript them as lapdogs.
Judge wasn't foolish. On the contrary, he was keenly aware: the only reason the World Government was even negotiating was because he still held strength they wanted.
If that power disappeared, he would lose all bargaining chips—and even the ability to protect himself.
For an ambitious man like Judge, that was utterly unacceptable.
"Go inform those bastards that the talks start today—early. And tell them this will be the last time. If they have no sincerity, then Germa will walk away."
"Yes, Father!"
Reiju nodded and left swiftly.
Yet, not long after, she returned in haste.
"Father, Kizaru's back."
Judge froze at the words.
"So he never left?"
"He did leave… but he's returned now." Reiju answered, just as puzzled.
"This man…" Judge's expression clouded. The resolve he had just made wavered again.
If they broke with the World Government here and now, a direct clash with Kizaru was inevitable.
"Did you find out why he left?"
Judge frowned, thinking hard.
"Father, it might be related to that man—the one who destroyed Doflamingo's factory," Reiju offered.
"You mean… Kizaru went to capture him? And came back this quickly… does that mean he succeeded?" Judge asked, startled.
He had even considered approaching that man. But if Kizaru had acted, then the man was likely already in Marine custody.
Judge couldn't help but feel regret.
"Highly possible," Reiju nodded.
"Enough. Let's focus on the matter at hand. Resume negotiations," Judge said at last, exhaling slowly, though his brows remained furrowed.
Meanwhile, Kizaru, newly returned, pulled out a Den Den Mushi to contact Sengoku at Marineford.
"How did it go? Did you secure the target?"
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, that young man is no ordinary opponent. I couldn't take him."
Kizaru leaned back, legs crossed, his lips pursed in their usual drawl as he spoke into the receiver.
END OF CHAPTER
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