Chapter 25: Kizaru: "Ever Been Kicked at the Speed of Light?"
Sabaody Archipelago, central groves
After the Straw Hats scattered, Kizaru caught up to Zoro's group in seconds.
One lazy finger laser— Zoro was blasted off his feet before he could even draw Wado Ichimonji.
"Run, Luffy! Don't worry about me! We can't beat someone on this level right now!"
Flat on the ground, Zoro roared at Luffy, who was already turning back to help.
As a swordsman aiming for the title of World's Greatest, Zoro had his pride.
He once swore, the day he met Luffy, that until he defeated Mihawk, he would never lose again.
But facing Admiral Kizaru… he knew, deep in his bones, they didn't stand a chance.
Not him. Not Luffy. Not Sanji. Anyone who faced Kizaru right now would end up exactly like him— defeated in an instant.
"ZORO!!!"
Luffy ignored him completely.
He would never abandon a crewmate— even if the enemy was an Admiral.
Pew—
Another laser streaked out.
Luffy staggered, blood pouring from his shoulder, but kept charging.
Gear Second — JET Gatling!!
In the blink of an eye he closed to within ten meters, steam exploding off his body as his speed doubled.
"Ooooh Straw Hat Luffy, the super rookie who keeps causing massive incidents! How scary"
Kizaru didn't even move.
To a man who could become light itself, no speed in the world was anything but a snail's pace.
Flash—
Luffy's furious punch passed straight through Kizaru's elementalized torso.
He hit nothing but photons— and left his entire back wide open.
"Turning your back on an enemy mid-fight? Bad manners~"
Kizaru smirked, spun instantly, and unleashed a golden kick straight into Luffy's spine.
BOOM—
"LUFFY!!!!"
The impact launched Luffy nearly a hundred meters, knocking him out cold on impact.
Hum—
Kizaru tilted his head, considering whether to finish the boy off.
Then— a freezing killing intent prickled the back of his neck.
"Oh?"
His smirk widened, creepy and amused.
These Straw Hats really were monsters, one and all.
"Admiral… I'm gonna cut you down!!"
Seeing Luffy unconscious, Zoro's rage detonated.
He ripped all three swords free— ready to gamble everything on his strongest technique.
But the next instant— a flash of light.
A terrifying presence appeared behind him.
For the first time, Zoro felt true despair.
Against absolute power, even he was helpless.
BOOM!
Another light-speed kick sent him crashing again. Kizaru toyed with him, stomping and blasting— never lethal, just cruel.
Then the Admiral grew bored.
He pinned Zoro down, raised his glowing leg high, and began charging a point-blank beam straight at Zoro's head.
"Damn it!!!"
Zoro's heart stopped.
In his current state, a direct headshot from Kizaru's light kick? Forget becoming the World's Greatest Swordsman— the grass on his grave would be three meters tall by next year.
But something was weird.
Kizaru was… taking forever to fire.
Ten seconds. Fifteen. Twenty.
Was he charging some ultimate move?
Zoro's panic turned to confusion— then pure dread.
"Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro… The World Government wants you all publicly executed at Marineford. But I've decided to give you a dignified death."
Kizaru looked down, leg still raised, light particles swirling.
"Tell me…"
"Have you ever been kicked at the speed of light?"
The charge stretched on— twenty-five seconds… thirty…
Then— a sonic boom from the distance.
Kizaru's eyes flicked toward the sound.
He shrugged, lifted his foot a little higher— and stomped down with murderous force.
BAM!!
A dull explosion.
But the light kick never connected.
Someone blocked it with their own leg.
"?? Who the hell are you?"
Kizaru's smug mask cracked for the first time.
This wasn't part of the script.
And why was Rok here— on Sabaody— blocking his attack?!
"Kizaru. No time for games."
Rok stood over the fallen Zoro, voice ice-cold.
"Did the Marines capture Nico Robin and Nami? Answer me."
He had been searching frantically ever since realizing they were in danger.
On the way here, he had run into the real Bartholomew Kuma.
After exposing Kuma's true allegiance and earning a sliver of trust, he learned the truth:
Kuma was indeed scattering the Straw Hats one by one— but he had never even seen Robin or Nami.
That could only mean one thing.
They had been taken.
"Nico Robin, the Demon Child? No idea what you're talking about~"
Kizaru's smirk returned, but his eyes were wary.
"Didn't expect to see you here, Rok. Not only are you not poisoned… you've gotten stronger."
"What a terrifying monster you've become~"
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