"You bastards, you really have some skills!"
Just as Mizuchi and Luffy exchanged a knowing smile, two dark figures leapt down from the towering trees above and landed in front of Mizuchi.
"You actually kicked PX-4 onto the warship? Impressive."
The newcomer held in his hands the "body" of the Pacifista that Mizuchi had just sent flying off the island, while beside him walked another Pacifista, completely intact.
"Pacifistas… I didn't expect to run into two at once."
Mizuchi shook his head helplessly. He had already recognized the identity of the newcomer the moment he saw his face.
It was Sentomaru, Captain of the Marines' Science Unit, the same man whom Kizaru had been relentlessly searching for.
"Who's that?"
Luffy looked at the newcomer with curiosity.
"Sentomaru… he's a tough one."
Mizuchi answered Luffy's question for him.
"Let's start the fight! PX-1!"
Sentomaru's expression was grave as he looked at Mizuchi. He had already contacted Kizaru and learned about Mizuchi's situation, so without wasting any words, he immediately ordered the Pacifista into attack mode.
"Light-Speed… Kick!"
The Pacifista's body glowed as it prepared for combat. But Mizuchi's movements surpassed everyone present. A dazzling flash of yellow light streaked across, and before the Pacifista could even attack, Mizuchi's kick sent it flying off Sabaody Archipelago.
"You…"
Sentomaru, shocked at the Pacifista's instant defeat, lifted the massive axe on his shoulder, ready to strike. But then he saw Mizuchi's devilish grin as he charged straight at him.
"A free ride home for you!"
Another blinding flash, and Sentomaru was sent hurtling out of the Sabaody Archipelago as well.
The display of Mizuchi's power left Luffy staring with eyes that practically shone with admiration, his gaze practically radiating love.
"This guy is insanely strong!"
Nami looked at Mizuchi in confusion. With his strength, he could easily crush the entire Straw Hat crew. So why would he join them?
"Could it be…"
Robin watched Mizuchi's actions thoughtfully, equally stunned by his power.
"Strange… didn't Sentomaru say he was coming here? Oh… you're here too. Did you see Sentomaru?"
While the Straw Hats were each processing their thoughts about the newly joined Mizuchi, Admiral Kizaru appeared, casually strolling forward after striking the advancing Nami with a finger blast.
"Nami-chan!"
"Nami!"
"…"
The Straw Hats' shocked cries paled in comparison to the anger burning inside Mizuchi.
"You… damn you!"
Nami's injury enraged Mizuchi. Before his rebirth, he had helplessly watched Ace die. Now, having crossed into the world of pirates, he would never allow anyone he cared about to be harmed or killed before his eyes.
"Yata Mirror!"
A blinding light erupted around Mizuchi, and he moved with the glow, appearing directly above Kizaru.
"Argh! You're really testing my patience!"
Kizaru squinted, extending four fingers. Four dazzling beams of yellow light shot toward Mizuchi's body.
Whoosh!
Using the Yata Mirror, Mizuchi dodged Kizaru's attack and raised his left leg high, delivering a heavy kick aimed at the admiral.
"Yata Mirror!"
A flash of yellow, and Kizaru preemptively avoided Mizuchi's kick before it landed.
"Yata Jewel!"
Crossing his hands over his chest, Mizuchi unleashed a barrage of concentrated light, raining down like a storm of bullets on Kizaru below.
"So strong!"
"This power far exceeds ours!"
"He can go toe-to-toe with a Marine Admiral for this long, leaving him completely unable to retaliate!"
Chopper, Robin, and Sanji watched in shock, momentarily forgetting to tend to Nami.
A Marine Admiral—the highest-ranking combat force in the Marines. Mizuchi had shown no prior fame in this world; perhaps there wasn't even a single bounty on him.
Yet this completely unknown man had forced Admiral Kizaru to the point of utter helplessness.
"How… terrifying is this person?"
"How strong is he really?"
These questions ran through every Straw Hat member's mind.
"A pirate unnoticed by Marine Headquarters, huh? Your strength is worth an 800 million Beli bounty!"
Kizaru's eyes shone brightly. He was finally ready to take things seriously. He had held back before, but now he had been dominated by Mizuchi for half the battle, leaving the admiral utterly embarrassed. If he didn't show his power now, he'd likely never collect his future pay.
"Is that so? I think I'm only worth six hundred million!"
Mizuchi chuckled lightly. His abilities were entirely derived from Kizaru. So the higher his bounty, the stronger Kizaru must be. Taking a slight loss in value wasn't an issue.
"Is that so? Then let's see how strong a pirate worth six hundred million Beli really is."
A dazzling yellow light began to flash. Facing Mizuchi's Yata Jewel, Kizaru merely dodged with a flash step. Both wielded the powers of the Glint-Glint Fruit. To defeat one another, only close-range combat could settle the outcome.
Whoosh… whoosh…
Dense beams of light scattered in all directions, instantly shattering countless trees on impact.
Mizuchi and Kizaru moved like two speeding trains, weaving through the forests of Sabaody Archipelago's 12th island as they battled.
Kizaru's justice cloak fluttered in the wind, repeatedly pierced by narrow yellow beams, leaving holes the size of fingers.
Meanwhile, Mizuchi's clothing also began to tear under the intensity of battle.
As the fight escalated, the possibility of a bare-handed brawl between the two became real.
"Oh my! I didn't expect you to be so tough!"
Kizaru grinned, looking across at Mizuchi.
"You're no slouch yourself, Mr. Borsalino!"
Mizuchi stood aside, panting heavily. After all, his body was just an ordinary frame—no matter how handsome, it provided no advantage in high-intensity combat. In fact, his limited stamina slowly put him at a disadvantage against Kizaru.
"That's enough! Kizaru!"
Just as Mizuchi and Kizaru were preparing to resume the fight after a brief pause, an old man with white hair and a white beard, wearing a white cloak and sandals, slowly emerged from the nearby forest.
(End of Chapter)