Kizaru flew backward in a flash, a beam of light streaking across the sky before he slammed into a World Government warship, instantly reducing it to splinters.
"Adrian, you're as annoying as ever~~" Kizaru grumbled, getting to his feet and dusting off his suit. His haggard face was etched with deep resentment toward Adrian. This is already the second time. Do you guys think that I, the most handsome man, and an Admiral is so easy to bully? Why don't you go beat up that idiot Akainu? The old man also wants to save face, okay?
"Hey, Sakazuki, aren't you ready to make a move?" Kizaru, ever the schemer, pinned his hopes on the Marine's most fearsome figure. He believed it would take a villain to deal with a villain.
"Hmph, a dignified old Marine Admiral, reduced to helping pirates regain their territory… This is the biggest insult to the Marines!" Akainu's voice boomed. The more he spoke, the angrier he became, his expression growing more ferocious.
Even if Doflamingo was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and a Celestial Dragon, in Akainu's eyes, he was a pirate and should be executed. The World Government's order for him, the man who hated pirates the most, to assist one, was a beautiful, explosive contradiction. Though Akainu dared not defy the order, he would express his dissatisfaction in his own way.
"Meteor Volcano!" Akainu's arms instantly turned into lava, sending a torrent of hot magma surging into the sky. A few seconds later, countless giant lava fists rained down like a meteor shower.
"Hey, Sakazuki, your indiscriminate attack is going to hit me too~~" Kizaru said helplessly. The old man wanted him to deal with that kid, Adrian, not unleash a full-scale assault. You idiot, you're not right in mind.
"Hmph, that's all my ability is. If you're afraid of friendly fire, then I shouldn't make a move at all." With that, Akainu sat back down, his arms crossed, showing no intention of making another move.
Kizaru's mind reeled. Oh, this excuse is so far-fetched. When have you ever cared about friendly fire?! He's really a master of playing dumb. Even I was tricked by him. But you're so blatantly picky, really good!
Simultaneously, on the battlefield, the two warring sides on the ice were stunned by the apocalyptic scene before them.
"Ah, get out of the way! This is Admiral Sakazuki's indiscriminate attack!"
"Damn you, Marines! Can't you see our World Government army is fighting pirates?"
"Damn it, when I get back, I'm definitely suing the Five Elders..."
There was nowhere to hide from the giant lava fists that blotted out the sky.
"This scene is truly ironic. Admiral Akainu, who has always hated pirates the most, can only bow his head to the World Government and help another pirate..." Adrian's voice was filled with mockery. No matter how many iron-blooded guys like Akainu the Marines had, it wouldn't matter. As long as they were ruled by the World Government, they would never achieve true "justice."
"Don't be afraid! Keep charging!" Adrian's voice resonated across the battlefield, instantly dispelling the fear in everyone's hearts, just like the Betty's devil fruit. Ignoring the giant lava fists about to fall, his forces launched another charge toward the World Government coalition, believing their king would protect them.
At the same time, Adrian stretched his right arm back violently. His bulging, knotted muscles swelled, and a white halo of destructive power enveloped his fist. The surrounding space trembled slightly.
"Shock Wave Shattering Space!!"
Crack—!!
A crisp cracking sound echoed. Suddenly, the world seemed to dim for an instant. The giant magma fists, falling like a meteor shower, froze in mid-air. Where Adrian's fist struck, a network of cracks spread outward.
In an instant, a terrifying shock wave that could destroy space, erupted.
Boom—!!
The giant lava fists that had covered the sky like a curtain of rain were instantly shattered. The aftermath sent numerous spherical lava fragments exploding, all of them hurtling toward the World Government's fleet.
For a time, countless warships were engulfed in a sea of lava and fire. Wails and screams filled the air. The coalition soldiers suffered massive casualties.
Everyone was deeply shaken by the sight. Only then did people remember that the tall figure standing proudly on the shore had single-handedly defeated Whitebeard, the "World's Strongest Man," and captured the terrifying power of the Shock-Shock Fruit. Panic spread rapidly through the coalition forces. Even with an overwhelming numerical advantage, as long as that man was there, victory was never guaranteed.
"Oh, little friend, those wings behind you are so special. Are you a resident of Sky Island?" Kizaru's figure suddenly appeared behind Wyper, a dangerous, glowing radium light flickering on his fingertips. After that fool Akainu's indiscriminate attack, Kizaru had quickly withdrawn, fearing he'd be implicated. In line with the consistent principles and style of the "handsome" Admiral, he decided to attack the low-level soldier of Adrian's army first. It wouldn't earn him much glory, but every bit counts… and it was safe.
But... A burly figure stood directly in front of him.
"Jiehahaha, Kizaru, as an Admiral, you've come to bully these common soldiers. Don't you feel any shame?" Bullet grinned. "It seems my captain didn't hurt you enough just now, huh?!"
Kizaru's face fell. Bastard, this insult is going to be a hard one to shake. The sword, formed by condensed light particles, slashed down sharply. The Admiral decided it was time to redeem himself. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to hold his head high in front of the Adrian's crew in the future.
"Ice Ball!!"
As Kizaru and Bullet clashed, the battle between Aokiji and Death Song reached a fever pitch. Five icicles shot from Aokiji's palm, instantly freezing the charging Death Song into a massive ice ball.
Crack—
However, in the next second, fine cracks appeared on the surface of the ice. The move was clearly not enough to contain his opponent.
"It seems Mr. Garp's Armament Haki can't be frozen..." Aokiji said helplessly, watching Death Song burst free. While Death Song's strength wasn't on par with Garp's, his Armament Haki had fully "inherited" his will. Even though Aokiji's development of the Frozen Fruit had reached its ultimate form, he was still helpless against him. Mr. Garp, you really cause trouble for people.
"Bastard!" Doflamingo's face had turned ashen as he looked at the chaotic battle. His eyes were full of resentment toward the proud figure in the distance, but he dared not take a single step forward.
"Doflamingo, I remember I only promised to forgive you once. Since you like to die so much, I'll give you my blessing!" Adrian's voice was clear in Doflamingo's ears, despite the miles separating them.
Doflamingo's expression changed instantly. A chilling sense of crisis hit him, but there was no time to react. A giant lightning pillar, nearly ten meters wide, descended from the sky, engulfing him. The entire area was instantly transformed into a sea of thunder.