"Your turn? Dark King—Rayleigh!"
Kizaru tugged at his sleeve, his calm, composed gaze fixed on the approaching elder.
"You won't crush these young ones in their cradle. Their era is only just beginning!"
Rayleigh smiled as he stepped in front of Mizuchi. Originally, his sole mission was to protect the Straw Hat Pirates. But now, there was one more person under his guard—Mizuchi himself.
"Uncle!"
Luffy dashed forward excitedly, overwhelmed by the sight of Rayleigh once again. The reunion clearly thrilled him.
"I'd heard about your deeds on this island… I never imagined they'd be true!"
"I didn't expect you to take the side of these kids. Even if you've fallen, are you still a pirate, Rayleigh?"
Kizaru's hands rested casually in his pockets as he looked at Rayleigh with an air of nonchalance.
"Looks like you're unwilling to let them go, huh?"
Rayleigh's voice dropped, carrying an unmistakable edge of warning.
"Let go?"
Kizaru let out a light laugh without answering, yet his expression alone revealed his stance. Luffy had struck a Celestial Dragon not long ago—there was no way Kizaru could simply let him walk free.
"Is that so? Well, then…"
"Uncle, leave this one to me!"
Just as Rayleigh prepared to face Kizaru himself, Mizuchi stepped forward with a smile, positioning himself between the two.
"You…"
Rayleigh paused, watching Mizuchi closely. He had witnessed the recent fight in full. He knew Kizaru had held back, but he couldn't reveal that to Mizuchi—it might shatter the young man's confidence.
"I know he's hiding his true strength, so I have no intention of throwing my life away. I act this way because I must, nothing more."
Mizuchi's voice was earnest, unwavering. He knew Kizaru was incredibly strong—far beyond his current ability.
But so what? Should fear keep him from fighting? Should he cower in the back, hiding from sacrifice? No! Mizuchi could never do that.
"Very well. Fight boldly. I'll handle the rear."
Rayleigh, moved by Mizuchi's determination, chose not to stop him. Instead, he stepped back, watching with admiration.
"You're making a grave mistake by acting on your own."
Kizaru's tone was sharp, his gaze flicking toward Rayleigh more than once. Clearly, in his mind, Rayleigh remained the true threat.
"Is that so?"
Mizuchi only smiled, noncommittal. He knew he wasn't yet a match for Kizaru—but strength alone doesn't dictate victory. Even a weaker opponent can still inflict meaningful damage.
"Kizaru! What is your justice?"
Mizuchi raised both hands slowly. Two yellow beams of light rapidly began to coalesce between them.
"Justice? Kid! You're not worthy of knowing!"
Kizaru, observing Mizuchi's move, crossed his own hands simultaneously, summoning a sword of light—the Tsumugumo Sword—preparing for battle.
"My justice is… protection and pursuit! Protecting everything I wish to protect, pursuing everything I wish to pursue!"
"That is my justice!"
With a fierce shout, Mizuchi's hands spun the energy, forming two tiny spinning spheres of light rather than releasing them outright.
When energy is compressed to its limit, it becomes a black hole.
Though Mizuchi's spheres weren't black holes, they were far more powerful than his previous laser blasts.
"Light may be the same, but its energy isn't equal!"
With a cold shout, Mizuchi released two invisible beams from his hands, charging directly at Kizaru.
"Fsssh! Fsssh!"
A faint piercing sound accompanied the beams. Kizaru's body was penetrated by the energy, and his face registered shock and disbelief. Though he wielded the Glint-Glint Fruit, he had never imagined it could be used this way.
"This… is the power of science!"
Mizuchi smiled faintly, feigning weakness as he faced Kizaru. He knew he had reached his limit. At most, he could teach Kizaru a lesson—defeating him outright was still far beyond his current ability.
"You little brat! You've truly angered me!"
Kizaru quickly healed and surged forward, Tsumugumo Sword in hand, aiming to strike Mizuchi down.
"That's enough! I'll take care of the rest!"
Rayleigh recognized Mizuchi's limits. As Kizaru attacked, he didn't hesitate—releasing his Haki to intercept the admiral.
"My body… too weak."
Mizuchi let out a wry smile and collapsed to the ground. He had pushed himself to his limits and did not resist Rayleigh taking over the battle.
After a brief rest, Mizuchi prepared to rejoin Luffy and the others—but a familiar figure suddenly appeared before Nami.
The giant, expressionless man removed his gloves and slapped Nami, sending her flying out of the Sabaody Archipelago entirely.
"Bartholomew Kuma!"
Mizuchi looked up at the hulking figure holding a book, a complex expression crossing his face.
"Nami! Where did he send Nami?"
Luffy ran forward, anger etched on his face.
"Anyone struck by his power will fly for three days and nights. Where they end up… probably only he knows."
Mizuchi's voice was calm as he watched Kuma.
"We're no match! We'd all be killed!"
Usopp's lips quivered as he stared at Kuma. He knew just how strong the giant was—and any hope of victory evaporated the moment Kuma appeared.
"I won't let this happen—"
Mizuchi tried to rise, determined to stop Kuma, but he was in the worst condition among everyone present. After fighting PX-4, Sentomaru, and Kizaru, his stamina was completely depleted. Even with his Devil Fruit power, he could no longer wield it effectively.
"Where do you wish to travel?"
Kuma's gentle voice resonated. His hand struck Mizuchi, sending him flying—vanishing from the Sabaody Archipelago entirely.
"Mizuchi!"
Luffy and the others' shouts echoed in his ears, but Mizuchi's body could not be controlled.
"Farewell."
Kuma's kind voice lingered in the empty sky, carrying an overwhelming weight of emotion.
"Farewell, Bartholomew Kuma! You are gentle yet overwhelmingly strong!"
Mizuchi's words carried sorrow. He knew things the Straw Hats did not. After today, he might never see Kuma like this again.
(End of Chapter)