"You idiot, why are you spacing out?!"
Jin dashed forward, scooping up Charlotte Galette and retreating at full speed.
"Don't you know how to dodge a laser attack?!"
If he had been even a fraction slower, her body would've been pierced clean through.
Kizaru's lasers were no joke.
"…I'm not that fast," Galette replied calmly.
"…And I knew you'd save me."
A faint smile appeared on her face—no regret, not even a trace.
"…Why go this far…"
"Don't underestimate a woman's resolve, Jin."
She slipped out of his arms, stepping forward again.
"Come on. Let's fight him together."
Whether they survived—
Or died here—
Together.
Jin sighed.
There was no changing her mind now.
Which meant escaping cleanly just became much harder.
Even if Merry summoned him away—
He couldn't just abandon her.
…Not someone who stood against a Marine Admiral for him.
"…Fine."
"Let's try it."
Galette's lips curled upward. Butter gathered in her hands, solidifying around her fists.
Even if this was their first time fighting together—
She would give everything.
"You two… finished talking~?"
Kizaru tilted his head.
"If so… I'll begin~"
He didn't wait.
"WHOOSH—!"
A flash of light—
He appeared before Jin—
Leg already swinging.
"BANG!!"
The kick slammed into Jin's guard.
Even through Haki—
The force was terrifying.
"WHOOSH—!"
"BOOM!!"
Jin was launched like a cannonball—
Crashing into a distant slope and carving a crater.
"Jin!!"
"…You have time to worry about others?"
Kizaru turned—
And kicked at Galette.
"Butter: Flowing Wall!"
"—!"
Her defense—
Shattered instantly.
"…What?!"
No resistance at all.
She barely had time to coat her arms in Haki—
"BANG!"
The impact sent her flying—
"BOOM!!"
She crashed near Jin, coughing blood.
"…Damn…"
Her arm trembled violently.
Without Haki—
It would've snapped.
Or worse—
Her organs might've been crushed.
"…This is a Marine Admiral…"
"WHOOSH—!"
Kizaru appeared in front of her—
Hand raised—
Laser charging.
But—
"CRACK!"
A massive stone hand burst from underground—
Grabbing Galette—
And dragging her down.
"WHOOSH—!"
"BOOM!!"
The laser obliterated the empty ground instead.
"Oh~"
"Fast reaction~"
Kizaru glanced toward Jin.
"Earth Style… troublesome indeed~"
Jin only smirked—
Then threw a smoke bomb.
The battlefield vanished in haze.
"Smoke… doesn't work on me~"
Kizaru stepped in—
Leg sweeping—
But—
Jin had already sunk underground.
"…Hmm."
"Planning to stall me below?"
Kizaru tapped his chin.
Then sighed.
"…Let's just blow you out."
He rose into the air.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
"DADADADADA—!"
"BOOM!!"
"BOOM!!"
"BOOM!!"
Explosions tore through the ground—
Advancing steadily toward their position.
With his Observation Haki—
Tracking them was trivial.
"…His destructive power is insane," Jin muttered underground.
At this rate—
They'd be exposed soon.
He moved again, shifting their position.
"…Where's your brother?" he asked.
"…Right!"
Galette's eyes lit up—
Then—
"…Wait."
"…I don't know if he's still there."
"…What?"
"You came alone?!"
"…I was worried about you…"
"…So I came."
Jin pressed his hand to his forehead.
He could already imagine Katakuri's reaction.
This is going to be a problem…
"…Maybe he'll come looking for me," Galette added.
"…Where were you before?"
"Where you fought that Kid guy."
"…That far?"
She ran all the way here?
Jin sighed quietly.
…He couldn't let her die here.
I need to get her to Katakuri.
Then—
He could escape.
"…Can you take us there underground?" she asked.
"…No."
He shook his head.
"Sabaody is separated by roots."
"We'd have to surface—and Kizaru would strike instantly."
"…Right…"
"…I'll get you out."
That made her pause.
"…So I'm a burden…?"
"…No."
Jin cut her off.
"I'm not blaming you."
"…I'm glad you came."
"…Really?"
"…Yeah."
Her expression softened.
"…Then I'll listen to you."
"I won't let you die here."
"…Okay."
Then—
Jin frowned.
"…Something's off."
"…The attacks stopped."
"…What?"
Above—
Silence.
"…That's not good…"
Galette's expression hardened.
"He's planning something."
"…Yeah."
"I'll send a clone up."
She grabbed him instantly.
"No. What if he's waiting?"
"…I'm not stupid."
"Clone."
"POOF—!"
A shadow clone appeared—
And vanished upward.
Galette blinked.
"…You can do that too?"
"…Your intel isn't great."
"…We don't care much about Paradise," she shrugged.
"…I just guessed your abilities."
"…At least you're honest."
"…I don't want to lie to you."
Then—
Jin's expression changed.
"…I see."
"…What?"
"…He's been stopped."
"…By someone."
"…What?!"
"…Not your brother."
"…Come."
He grabbed her—
And surfaced.
Above—
Kizaru stood still.
Facing—
A man.
"…Oh~"
"Well, well…"
"The Dark King himself."
Standing there—
Calm.
Relaxed.
Sword in hand.
Silvers Rayleigh.
"…Didn't expect the Pirate King's right-hand man to show up for the Straw Hats~"
"…I'm too old for the sea," Rayleigh smiled.
"…Then why interfere?"
"…I just don't like watching adults bully kids."
"CLANG!"
Their blades clashed instantly.
"…Impressive~"
Kizaru smirked.
No fear.
Only curiosity.
Jin and Galette emerged—
Drawing both their gazes.
"…So you came out."
Kizaru narrowed his eyes.
"…He gave you confidence, huh?"
"…Of course."
Jin smiled.
"…That's the Dark King—Rayleigh."
Galette stared.
Her emotions—
Complicated.
She had planned to fight this man before.
Now—
He saved them.
"…Is she your girlfriend?" Rayleigh asked casually.
"…Yes."
"…I'm his fiancée," Galette declared immediately.
Rayleigh laughed.
"Good taste."
"…Hey—"
"…Are you ignoring me?" Kizaru frowned.
"…Talking like I'm not here?"
Light gathered around him again—
But—
"CLANG!"
Rayleigh's blade cut him down mid-movement.
"…Tch."
Kizaru clicked his tongue.
"…As expected."
Elemental movement—
Too risky against Rayleigh.
"Bullying the young… isn't a good look."
"…Marines arrest pirates. That's normal."
Kizaru dusted himself off.
"…Better to crush threats early."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
Jin—
Had to be taken.
But—
With Rayleigh here—
That wouldn't be easy.
"…What a pain."
Kizaru sighed.
Of all people—
The Dark King.
…This just got complicated.
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