News of Noyer's group attempting to kill a World Noble spread at an alarming rate. Nearly all the Marines on Sabaody rushed toward the location.
The Marines swarmed in like a tide, blocking off the restaurant street.
Saint Rosward fumed with rage, "You bastard Marines! Why are you so slow! Kill them! Kill them all!"
However, while the Marines had the advantage in numbers, combat strength was a different story.
Low-level soldiers were only cannon fodder no matter how many came. Enel and Wyper were both powerful Devil Fruit users, cutting through them invincibly.
Even Kalifa handled them easily, holding Conis's hand and strolling leisurely through the chaos, casually repelling enemies with a few Finger Pistols here and there.
Before long, two Marine officers wearing cloaks of justice blocked Enel and Wyper's path with their swords.
The anxious Marines, seeing the two officers appear, were instantly energized as if given a shot of adrenaline. They raised their arms and cheered.
"It's Vice Admiral Doberman and Vice Admiral Onigumo!"
"Excellent! Pirates, prepare to die!"
"Vice Admirals! Defeat them!"
Doberman's face and neck were covered with X-shaped scars. He drew his katana and said solemnly, "Pirates all deserve to die."
Onigumo used his unnamed Zoan-type Devil Fruit to transform the hair on his back into eight hands. He charged forward without a word, wielding multiple weapons and looking like a fierce demon baring its fangs and claws.
Enel mocked, "What? Are you the pet dogs of that dead god?"
Doberman said nothing. His black blade slashed down heavily. Enel's eyelid twitched as he hastily transformed into lightning to dodge.
Damn it, Armament Haki again!
Nearby, Wyper transformed into his human-beast form and became locked in combat with Onigumo. Their immense destructive power caused the area around them to crack and sink.
Although their combat skills and Haki were still inferior to the Vice Admirals, Enel and Wyper could still gain the upper hand in certain aspects with their Devil Fruit abilities.
Under the brilliance of the Admirals, people sometimes forgot how terrifying the Vice Admirals were.
In truth, the gap between Vice Admirals and Admirals wasn't that wide — sometimes it came down to a single Devil Fruit.
Vice Admirals and Admirals often matched each other in Haki and combat skills. The difference was that Admirals also had the talent to master a powerful Devil Fruit, and that's what set them apart.
This differed from the old generation of Marine Admirals, who focused primarily on Haki and martial arts. Today's Marine officers weren't against eating Devil Fruits — they simply hadn't found suitable ones.
Even seasoned Vice Admirals struggled against the strongest Logia-type user and an exceptionally rare Ancient Zoan-type user.
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In the restaurant, Ace — who'd been dragged into this mess — felt his companions tugging at him, "Boss Ace! While no one's watching, let's get out of here!"
"Yeah, they hit a Celestial Dragon. An Admiral's coming."
Ace crossed his arms, hesitating, "What a shame. It's rare to find someone who can keep up with my appetite."
His crewmates were speechless. Ace called to his men, preparing to leave.
After all, these weren't his friends. No matter how much he liked to help others, he couldn't fight a Marine Admiral for strangers. He was a pirate with a bounty over 100 million himself…
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Lightning and a pterosaor covered the sky. Using their Haki advantage, Doberman and Onigumo forcibly held the two in place.
Unable to break through, the group grew anxious.
These Vice Admirals are really troublesome!
On the Marines' side, the soldiers were also worried — if reinforcements didn't come soon…
Enel wielded his golden trident, barely parrying the blade, when his heart suddenly trembled. His Mantra frantically warned him — something had flashed by!
Bang!
Before he could react, tremendous force struck his chest. The pain nearly made Enel pass out.
He flew backward like a meteor, crashing through several buildings and kicking up massive clouds of dust.
Wyper looked at the newcomer with uncertainty. A tall man in a yellow pinstriped suit slowly lowered his leg and yawned.
Ugh — this guy looks so sleazy!
Even tough guy Wyper couldn't help but shudder when he saw Kizaru's face.
Amid the Marines' deafening cheers, Kizaru picked his ear and looked at the half-dinosaur guy. He thought for a moment before saying, "'Berserker' Wyper, suspected flying-type Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit user, but no bounty, no battle record, hmmmm…"
Wyper's face reddened. Since coming down to the Blue Sea, aside from working for Noyer, he really hadn't done much fighting.
Fighting Sea Kings, cage matches with CP9, capturing the zombie Ryuma. These were either inconspicuous or completely unknown to anyone.
"Well… never mind." Kizaru smacked his lips, and parts of his body began turning into photons.
Golden light shone forth. Wyper's eyes were blinded for an instant. A powerful impact struck his head, smashing him down.
The pterosaur's massive body fell from the sky, nearly causing collateral damage to surrounding Marines and civilians.
Wyper coughed up blood, glaring fiercely at Kizaru.
That kick packed a real punch. His head buzzed, feeling like it might split open.
Kizaru touched his wrinkled face and said with a crooked mouth, puzzled, "What a terrifying physique — I even used my full strength…"
As he spoke, he condensed brilliant golden light in his hand, slowly drawing it out before his chest. A sword made of lasers appeared in his grip.
Kizaru raised his Ama no Murakumo sword, preparing to strike down at Wyper's head.
Just as Wyper was about to speak, a blue light flashed from the distance.
"You bastard!" Enel roared, wrapped in lightning, charging forward like a meteor falling from the sky.
The godspeed blue lightning — yet Kizaru's eyes narrowed easily. The Ama no Murakumo sword reversed in his grip, thrusting directly toward his side.
Who was faster between lightning and light might be hard to distinguish, but comparing the two men? The result was crystal clear.
Enel was pierced through the chest by the Ama no Murakumo sword, scarlet gradually staining his blurring vision. His golden staff struck a body turned to photons, swinging through empty air. The weapon slipped from his hand.
Damn it. If only I'd mastered Armament Haki back then…
Seeing Enel gravely wounded, adrenaline surging, Wyper still didn't forget to shout toward Kalifa and Conis, "Run! Go find the captain!"
Kizaru raised his index finger toward the two women and said slowly, watching their terrified faces, "I'm sorry, but Noyer can't save you right now."
The flickering golden light grew more intense. Accompanied by a clear ringing sound, an immensely powerful laser beam shot forth.
In Wyper's despairing gaze, a massive explosion thundered across the entire island.
A huge Yarukiman tree toppled with a crash, but someone pressed the two women to the ground, helping them dodge the laser.
Kizaru scratched his head as he looked at the orange hat. He found this rather troublesome and murmured, "How scary, here comes trouble…"
Ace held his hat in place, high temperature surging in his hand, saying word by word:
"What did you just say — that Noyer can't save who?"
Kizaru nodded in realization, muttering to himself, "Portgas D. Ace, that's right. Noyer sailed with you before. So you're going to help him?"
Ace flexed his arms, laughing fearlessly, "Since they're Noyer's companions, I have to help them. After all, I've been waiting here so long just for them."
Behind him, Kalifa raised her head and asked in surprise, "You're the captain's friend?"
Conis looked at his face in sudden realization, "I remember now, Ace! The captain mentions you often."
Ace's eyes lit up. He scratched his head bashfully with a laugh, "Hahaha, really… What does he say about me?"
Conis tilted her head thoughtfully, "I can't quite remember, but he often stares at your bounty and drools!"
Ace said proudly, "He must be jealous of my bounty. Who told that guy not to become a pirate with me back then, hmph!"
He struck up casual conversation, and the Admiral and Marines were suddenly ignored.
The Marines cried out indignantly. The two Vice Admirals were about to lose their temper and teach the pirate a lesson when they saw their superior officer.
Kizaru poked his head out, hand cupped to his ear, listening with a smile like an old man at the village entrance gossiping.
Under the Vice Admirals' burning gazes, the old man finally became a bit more serious. He raised his finger and fired another laser at Ace.
After rescuing the others, Ace let loose and fought against Kizaru. Nearly a year after they parted ways, he had gone through battles large and small. With his natural talent, the Mera Mera Fruit had clearly been developed to perfection.
Initially, his direction for developing the Mera Mera Fruit focused primarily on "force". Ace concentrated on training the flame's area and coverage range. Combined with impact force, this became his favorite flame momentum.
But Noyer shook his head and suggested he focus on temperature instead.
Ace took that advice to heart. Now, battling Kizaru, his flames burned far hotter than ordinary fire. White flames flickered at their core, as if undergoing a slow evolution.
Noyer had also taught him about Haki. Ace's 〔Most Evil Bloodline〕 talent was extraordinary — after his adventures on the route, he could now use it freely.
Kizaru and Ace exchanged blows. Though Ace remained at a disadvantage, he managed to strike back occasionally.
Wyper seized the opportunity to carry the unconscious Enel on his back, standing aside as he watched Ace fight.
The captain's friend is this strong too…
Wyper felt bitter. Things had been smooth sailing lately. He and Enel had underestimated the Blue Sea's battles. That sleazy old man had taught them a harsh lesson.
A door opened in the air. The protagonist Noyer, absent for another chapter, finally returned.
Lucci and Blueno followed behind him. Robin saw that Conis and the others were injured and quickly ran over.
Sharp-eyed Doberman immediately noticed the suddenly appearing Noyer and his group. But his focus was on Rob Lucci.
Lucci, who upheld Dark Justice — the government's weapon — had become a pirate's lackey?!
Doberman could bear it no longer. He charged at them with Marine soldiers.
Lucci frowned and plunged into the Marine troops with Blueno. Noyer took the opportunity to run toward Ace and Kizaru's battlefield.
When he saw Ace, he was pleasantly surprised. But when he saw Kizaru, Noyer happily tossed Ace to the back of his mind.
Monkey-chan came to Sabaody!
This is great! The Pika Pika no Mi's quality might be higher than any fruit he currently had!
Noyer drew Rasetsuō and rushed toward the battlefield in high spirits.
Ace saw someone running over, looked closely, and laughed, "Noyer! Long time no see!"
Noyer bumped fists with him in perfect sync, smiling, "I heard you saved my people — thanks!"
Ace shook his head, pointing at Kizaru, "No problem. Dealing with the Admiral is more important right now."
Kizaru looked at the arriving Noyer, and his lazy face finally showed a hint of seriousness.
This fellow had been the subject of discussion among Marine leadership in recent days. Today he was sent to deal with Noyer — not only because that scoundrel Fleet Admiral forced him, but also due to Sengoku's considerations.
Noyer dove into the shadows while Ace exhaled two pillars of fire from both arms, confronting Kizaru head-on.
Taking advantage of the Admiral dealing with his friend, Noyer emerged from the shadows and slashed horizontally, but was blocked by a light sword that appeared from nowhere.
With the attack failing, he pulled out a card and reached toward Kizaru.
Kizaru, who wasn't fazed by punches or sword strikes, saw Noyer's hand as if encountering a virus. He transformed into light and fled the attack range in a rolling scramble.
Noyer and Ace were instantly dumbfounded.
Kizaru secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This was the result of Marine high command's discussion about Noyer's abilities.
According to their analysis, the Copy Fruit — which had never appeared in history — should be a special type of Paramecia ability. Like most Paramecia users, it should require physical contact to activate.
A broken ability like the Copy Fruit should be no different, and might have even more limitations.
That old fox Sengoku analyzed Noyer's past battle data and calculated his copy storage capacity was probably around five. The counter-strategy was simple.
Don't let that kid touch you — or just chop off his hands!
This was why the high command unanimously agreed Kizaru was the best person to deal with Noyer.
Because the opponent couldn't catch him…
The two fought desperately against Kizaru, but after a while, Noyer felt something was off.
Fight much longer and his face would turn green with anger!
He'd figured it out — Kizaru was definitely guarding against him. Several times, even when his attacks were about to land, the moment Noyer reached out his sinful little hand, the sleazy man would immediately jump away.
Even when Kizaru got wounded, he risked his old life to prevent Noyer from touching him.
After this fight, he actually felt like he was harassing a respectable housewife. He even wondered with some horror whether the Marines had discovered he had a system.
They hadn't — they'd analyzed it according to their old way of thinking and had accidentally gotten it right, causing Noyer quite a bit of trouble.
After the battle, Kizaru had some wounds, and the two of them weren't without losses either.
Noyer was still alright, but Ace was miserable, with numerous injuries covering his body. After all, what Kizaru didn't like was Noyer's hands — he was quite fond of Ace's flesh.
Thousands of Marines surrounded them layer by layer. Noyer, who still hadn't succeeded, was starting to get anxious.
Forget it. I'll wait until later to disguise myself and catch Kizaru when his guard is down…
Noyer shouted to Blueno, "Open the door! Time to escape!"
Blueno kicked away the Marine in front of him, "Where are we going?"
Noyer gathered his people and the Spade Pirates together, "The eastern shore of Sabaody. Prepare to bolt."
The unconscious Enel on Wyper's shoulder twitched. He raised his head with difficulty, "Our golden ship and the money on board…"
Noyer said exasperatedly, "It's arranged. Someone will meet us. Let's go."
Blueno, dripping with sweat, took advantage of Kizaru being held back and opened a large door in the air. Everyone hurried through.
Ace dove through excitedly, sending Kizaru a Fire Fist as a parting gift.
The Marines were forced back. Kizaru's eyebrows twisted. His palms formed circles at his chest, and a circular flash shot out as his body flew forward at light speed.
Noyer arrived at the shore and looked back to see a flash of light arriving in an instant.
No way… aren't you supposed to be slacking off?
Why are you trying so hard?!
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T/N: Comment, give me Power Stones, like and favorite, it all supports me and makes me go foward with this. Appreciate my other stories as well, I guarantee the good work!
If you want 20 chapters ahead of this novel for just $5 or enjoy a large catalog of good novels with excellent translations (free or starting at $1.5): MrBlackWing (you know where to search)
Take a look at the new books I'm translating on my profile, Cyberpunk 2077: A God-Level Skill Every Day and Infinite Worlds: Building the Strongest Harem!
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)