"Lightning Style: Chidori Meow!"
(=`ω=)
Facing Kizaru attack, Shermie Meow unhurriedly raised a paw, gathering dazzling lightning to meet the blow. Beneath the layer of thunderous light, her small paw was also coated in a layer of black.
Bang—!
The attacks of both sides clashed, scattering a massive amount of electric arcs and light particles.
Shermie Meow firmly blocked Kizaru shin with her paw, then triumphantly tilted her chin up: "It just Armament Haki, I know it too, meow~"
(=`=)
Don't let Shermie Meow usual lazy cat appearance fool you her original form was a character from King of Fighters, and she herself is a strike-type combat cat.
Her innate talent for fighting was naturally top-tier. She had mastered Armament Haki long ago, but just like Kizaru, her fruit ability was so convenient that she usually didn't need to use it.
"As expected, it not that simple, is it?"
Kizaru retracted his leg and rubbed his head with a look of feigned distress, though his tone remained relaxed.
"Yata no Kagami!"
He held his hands in front of his chest, firing a beam of light that reflected in multiple directions before his figure vanished once again.
"Heehee~ After Armament, are we comparing Observation Haki? I'm even less afraid of you then, meow~"
(=)
Shermie Meow leisurely licked her paw, and then her body suddenly exploded into scattered lightning, disappearing from sight.
Kizaru, who was moving rapidly through the Yata no Kagami, suddenly froze because, within the perception of his Observation Haki, Shermie Meow presence had also vanished.
"Observation Killing?"
Kizaru was naturally no stranger to this technique, which was passed down through the Roger Pirate lineage, but he never expected a "mink" like Shermie Meow would also know it.
Just as Kizaru was momentarily stunned, Shermie Meow, who had hidden her presence, suddenly appeared at his side.
"Speed is power~ Uncle Kizaru, have you ever been kicked by lightning, meow?! Take my Dancing Sunset, meow!"
(=＞＜=)
Shermie Meow small cat paw kicked hard against Kizaru surprised face, directly knocking him out of the Yata no Kagami light path.
"Meowhahahaha! Uncle Kizaru, you don't seem as powerful as you say. Compared to me, you seem to rely much more on your fruit ability, meow~"
(=`=)
Having landed a successful strike, Shermie Meow did not continue the pursuit. Instead, she stood with her paws on her hips, mocking him triumphantly.
"This really has become quite a bother..."
Shermie Meow kick wasn't particularly heavy, but it caused Kizaru to lose that ever-present, easygoing expression. In its place was a look of gravity and distress.
There was also a hint of shame and regret...
He was so much older than Shermie Meow, yet in the cultivation of Haki, he not only held no advantage but was actually being suppressed.
No wonder old man Zephyr nagged me day and night about neglecting my Haki training.
Kizaru couldn't help but give a bitter smile, finally starting to face the question of whether he truly relied too much on his fruit ability, just as Zephyr had said.
However, now was not the time for self-reflection.
It wasn't just because the CP agents and slaves below were retreating in defeat, but also because Sherwin, after finding himself a bit idle, decided to stay true to his original intentions. He turned around and charged toward the Celestial Dragons who were still evacuating.
While doing this basically meant an endless vendetta against the World Government...
Even if I didn't do this, would the World Government just let me go?
Sherwin had always followed the creed: "Either don't offend them at all, or if you do, offend them to the very end."
Moreover, Sherwin did not believe that the defensive power of Mary Geoise was limited to only this level. Since they had already become enemies and he currently had no way to crush them all at once, it was naturally more worthwhile to collect as much intelligence as possible.
Otherwise, wouldn't his rebellion have been in vain?
Killing the Celestial Dragons was a means, not the end his true goal was to force out more from the World Government.
It was unlikely he would see the Ancient Weapon Uranus, but at the very least, he wanted to witness the Holy Knights, right?
Additionally, he wanted to see if he could force the Five Elders to take action, and then figure out exactly what those monster silhouettes they transformed into in the manga were, satisfying his own curiosity.
Because he couldn't see the subsequent content of the manga, Sherwin actually had a bit of an obsession with this little secret.
Although one could speculate based on those shadows that the Five Elders had most likely eaten Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits, it was impossible to guess exactly what they were.
As for why he wasn't worried about being unable to escape once the Five Elders joined the battle, besides having confidence in his own Dodo Advance, it was also because the Five Elders in the manga were truly somewhat underwhelming...
How strong could someone be if they could be stalled by King Cobra, who was already terminally ill and seriously injured?
Even Sabo was wounded by Imu it had nothing to do with the Five Elders.
The issue of Imu was likewise nothing to worry about. That fellow had been hiding for eight hundred years Sherwin didn't believe he would come out just for a few Celestial Dragons.
"Stop! Brat Sherwin!"
Sensing Sherwin movements, Kizaru quickly activated the Yata no Kagami, turning into a beam of light and rushing toward him.
However...
"You can't be allowed to disturb Sherwin-meow~"
Shermie Meow, her entire body flickering with lightning, blocked his path and intercepted him.
Now Kizaru was truly starting to panic...
The death of one or two Celestial Dragons wasn't a massive issue, but if they died right under his nose, that was a major problem! At the thought of potentially being held accountable by the World Government, the usually lazy Kizaru grew increasingly frantic.
He even began recklessly unleashing large-scale Yasakani no Magatama attacks toward the people of the Ryugu Kingdom, attempting to force a rescue by threatening others.
Unfortunately for him, Shermie Meow possessed an extremely unique Observation Haki, and the thing she feared least was this type of chaotic, multi-hit technique.
"Yata no Nagi no Muchi-meow!"
(=`Д=)
Shermie Meow rapidly swung her little paws, flinging out crescent-shaped lightning waves that intercepted every single one of Kizaru light beads.
The reason Sherwin said Kizaru was the most suitable opponent for Shermie Meow—aside from the fact that only the Rumble-Rumble Fruit could keep up with the Glint-Glint Fruit speed—was also because Shermie Meow original techniques included moves named after the Three Sacred Treasures.
The gamble between these two Logia users didn't affect Sherwin movements below at all. Stepping through the air with his dance-like leaps, he easily caught up with the Celestial Dragons who were frantically evacuating.
Even while fleeing for their lives, these fellows still insisted on riding on the backs of slaves, and they wouldn't even permit them to stand up and run, forcing them to crawl on all fours along the ground.
This was truly...
"Preposterous!"
Monster Hunter Style: Sky and Moon !
An overwhelming barrage of flying slashes swept toward the group of Celestial Dragons.
As before, the CP agents and slaves escorting the Celestial Dragons all turned themselves into human shields, blocking the very front.
Just as Sherwin was preparing to launch another round, his heart suddenly skipped a beat. Under the influence of his Observation Haki warning, he instinctively looked up at the sky...
A colossal lava fist was flying toward him, trailing a long plume of black smoke.
Akainu arrival was within Sherwin expectations, though in his predictions, the probability of the person coming being Aokiji was actually a bit higher.
Even though Aokiji was now the Fleet Admiral, his abilities were better suited for protecting the Celestial Dragons, whereas Akainu powers were a bit too destructive.
So... these Celestial Dragons really aren't that highly valued after all, are they?
While Sherwin was busy complaining internally, a brilliant idea came to mind.
"Baby-5, Shield!"
"Weapon Transformation: Shield Girl!"
The Maid Longsword in his hand instantly transformed into a Maid Shield, and the handle of the shield was, in fact, Baby-5 leg...
Suppressing the urge to roll his eyes, Sherwin drove a massive amount of Armament Haki to cover Baby-5 body.
He then raised the Maid Shield, settling into a standard guarding stance to meet the giant lava fist flying toward him.
The moment the lava fist made contact with the shield surface, Sherwin swung his arm violently, instantly altering the lava fist flight path and parrying it back toward the direction of the Celestial Dragons.
Monster Hunter Style: Secret Technique: Perfect Guard Point!