From a great distance, Lucien, nestled in Stussy's embrace, held a telescope in one hand, carefully observing Kizaru's ashen face. The Admiral's fury was evident.
It was beneficial that Kizaru was angry. If he severely injured Luffy and Emma, Lucien could unexpectedly gain an advantage, perhaps even eliminate a Child of Destiny, a Reincarnator, or several key supporting players today.
Lucien's amethyst eyes glimmered with greed as he observed Luffy, Emma, Nami, and the others. These were people he had once cared deeply about, now unaware of his presence as he watched from the shadows.
Kizaru finally unleashed his full power, overwhelming Luffy and Emma. Emma was forced to relinquish control over the other Marines, causing pressure to mount on Nami and the others. The Marines, led by Momousagi, Sentomaru, and the rest, steadily pushed Zoro and his companions backward.
If Luffy had not entered Gear Fourth earlier than in the original timeline, the Straw Hats would have likely been defeated by now.
Boom.
The Sky-Burning Explosion radiated outward. Emma was flung backward, her reddish-purple hair disheveled, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Her body glistened in the sunlight, her form painfully beautiful as she tried to maintain control.
Kizaru materialized from a golden beam of light above Luffy, landing a brutal bicycle kick to his back. Luffy plummeted like a meteor, the terrifying wind obliterating everything in its path.
Emma's expression remained cold as she reached toward Kizaru with both hands. A mental storm surged like a raging river into his mind, dispersing his light form and causing him to stumble.
"Luffy."
Emma's face was strained, her eyes bloodshot, veins popping in her temples. Blood trickled steadily from her nose and mouth. She could only maintain full control over an Admiral for two or three breaths at most.
"Gum-Gum Lion Bazooka."
Luffy shot up, positioning himself in front of Kizaru. Steam radiated off his body as he compressed his arms to their maximum.
Kizaru forced himself to regain composure. His pupils narrowed sharply at the sight of Luffy before him. Time was running out.
Pfft.
Hot blood sprayed from Kizaru's mouth as Luffy's attack landed directly. A cracking sound echoed as Kizaru crashed to the ground, golden light exploding around him. He slid across the terrain, tearing a deep gully all the way to Red Tree Area 10, colliding with a town and sending screams echoing into the sky.
"That… that's…"
Pirates and residents alike stared in disbelief at the bloodied figure at the end of the ruins.
"Admiral Kizaru Borsalino."
"How is that possible? He's the Marine's strongest combatant."
"Who could possibly defeat an Admiral like him?"
Those in the shadows familiar with Kizaru's identity were filled with terror.
Golden light particles coalesced around him, and Kizaru's eyes burned with lethal intent. Within moments, he vanished in a brilliant golden rainbow.
The Straw Hat Pirates must die today. Not even Garp could intervene.
Emma's voice rang in Luffy's ear.
"Watch out!"
A laser beam shot directly at her. Luffy roared in fury. Emma raised her right hand, transforming the diamondized ground into a shield. With a Sky-Burning Explosion, it soared into the sky as she moved backward.
Kizaru materialized behind her, the Ama no Murakumo flashing with lethal intent. Emma attempted another mental strike, but Kizaru had anticipated her move. Using both Observation Haki and Armament Haki, he shielded his mind and recovered after only two breaths. For masters like him, two breaths were more than enough to launch another attack or even determine life and death.
"Gum-Gum King Cobra."
Luffy dashed to the side, his right fist launching like a grenade. Kizaru's cloak of justice fluttered as he gripped his halberd with one hand, slashing at Emma's diamond shield while blocking Luffy's attack with the other.
For a brief moment, the three stalemated. Then, an explosion of air pressure sent them all flying backward, blood dripping from their mouths.
"Eight Shaku Jewel."
Kizaru ascended in his light form, transforming into a cross, unleashing a vast barrage of light bullets. Emma's feet transformed the ground beneath her into diamond, forming a protective barrier that rendered her and Luffy nearly invulnerable.
Boom… Rumble…
The entire Sabaody Archipelago shook violently. Mushroom clouds rose and merged into one, towering skyward as strong winds swept the surrounding area.
"This bastard."
Inside her diamond barrier, Emma's stamina was rapidly depleting. Each light bullet struck like a missile. She could withstand it for a short while, but over time, she would be overwhelmed.
"Emma, are you alright?"
Luffy was visibly exhausted, even returning to his normal form. His breathing was rapid, his face pale. Gear Fourth had drained both his Armament Haki and stamina, clearly bringing him to his limit.
If it weren't for the combination of his effort with Emma's, even Gear Fourth wouldn't have been enough against Kizaru. The gap in speed was still obvious.
Emma shook her head at Luffy's inquiry. Her hair was disheveled, diamond chest gleaming, and blood dripped from her lips.
"Eat this."
She produced a Restoration Pill. Without hesitation, Luffy swallowed it. Instantly, his stamina, strength, and recovery from injuries were restored by half.
Emma also consumed one, feeling lighter immediately.
"Do you have more? Give me a few more; I didn't even taste it." Luffy's eyes glimmered.
Emma only gave a blank stare.
"Luffy, when I tell you, strike. Hit his vital spot with your strongest power. We must leave Sabaody immediately; prolonging this battle is too dangerous."
A foreboding sense of disaster gnawed at her, growing stronger by the second.
"Okay."
Luffy's expression hardened. Armament Haki coated his hands as steam radiated from his body. He entered Gear Fourth: Snake-Man mode, exuding godlike power.
Emma's diamondized, wavy hair whipped around her face as her protective shields contracted, condensing into sharp spikes that surged through the barrage of light bullets toward Kizaru.
Kizaru revealed his true form. The bullets abruptly stopped.
"Luffy, now!"
Emma's face twisted in pain as she reached toward Kizaru.
The moment she spoke, Luffy launched himself upward, appearing beside Kizaru's left, feet compressed, eyes ablaze with fury.
Kizaru's face hardened. His luminous body began to disperse, but a sharp throb in his head left him vulnerable for two breaths.
"That damned woman."
Kizaru roared, clutching his head as blood seeped from Emma's mental assault.
"Gum-Gum Rhino Schneider."
Luffy's feet tore through the air like meteors, slamming into Kizaru's hands. Crack! The sound of breaking bones echoed as Kizaru's hands shattered. His head collided with Luffy's feet like a crushing blow.
Simultaneously, a figure a thousand meters away was struck by golden lightning. The ground beneath his feet exploded outward, sending tremors through the air.
From the near-destroyed Red Tree Area 13, another streak of fire in the New World, trailing like a meteor, hurtled toward Sabaody Archipelago.