After Kizaru decided to stop running, he immediately launched a full-scale attack on Marco. Normally, his personality would have led him to go through the motions, testing the pirate cautiously, but Marco had given him no time for that. Constantly attacking the warships and taunting him, Marco forced Kizaru to take the battle seriously. As an Admiral, Kizaru's pride could not allow him to back down.
Even knowing the danger of Marco's Black Flame, he had no choice but to engage.
Despite Marco's intention to trade blows, Kizaru's cunning and extreme speed made it difficult. Marco's current Speed had reached 14,900, yet he could barely keep pace. Each time Kizaru struck and then retreated, Marco had no effective opening to counterattack. Kizaru's Observation Haki, capable of anticipating moves before they happened, made him incredibly difficult to catch.
Kizaru's attacks were evasive by design. Though he initiated combat, he continuously retreated, ensuring Marco was forced to chase rather than control the flow of the fight. The Phoenix Pirate captain had plenty of power but was constantly being kited.
Determined, Marco focused his remaining 10,000 attribute points entirely into Speed. His original 14,900 surged to 24,900, an almost unbelievable velocity.
Kizaru launched another attack. This time, as he tried to retreat, Marco accelerated suddenly, closing the distance in a blink and grabbing Kizaru's wrist.
Kizaru froze in shock. He had already calculated Marco's capabilities and could not understand how his speed had skyrocketed. Panic flickered in his eyes. But before he could react further, Marco's limbs wrapped around him like an octopus, releasing a combined onslaught of Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki, locking Kizaru in place and preventing him from activating his elemental powers.
"I've got you, Kizaru…" Marco smiled confidently.
Panic glimmered in Kizaru's eyes, though he tried to maintain his composure. "Whoa, whoa, this isn't good!"
"Next, I won't let go. Until I defeat you, I won't release my grip…" Marco's body blazed with Black Flame, the inferno crawling up to his forehead, which was also wrapped in Armament and Conqueror's Haki. He growled, "Destruction Black Flame: Headbutt!"
With a violent 'bang', Marco slammed his head into Kizaru. Even with his Armament Haki, Kizaru's forehead bled, and his sunglasses cracked under the force.
"This… ruthless!" Kizaru's eyes flashed with a mix of panic and fury, and beams of laser light shot from his fingers.
Marco flinched briefly but his regenerative Black Flame quickly healed him. He grinned. "I told you, I won't let go until you're defeated. Let's see who breaks first!"
"Phoenix Headbutt!"
Another devastating collision. Kizaru's sunglasses shattered completely, and the Admiral struggled to break free, but Marco's arms and legs locked him tightly, while Armament and Conqueror's Haki radiated from his body. Lasers continued to rain down, but Marco endured, refusing to release his grip and delivering relentless headbutts.
"Admiral Kizaru…" The Phoenix Pirates shouted from below, witnessing their captain's brilliance. Marco's mastery of the Phoenix Fruit gave him unmatched resilience in trading blows.
Smoker, observing the battle, shouted in disbelief, "An Admiral won't be defeated by a mere pirate!"
The Phoenix Pirates cheered defiantly. "Arrogant Marines! Once Captain Marco has a hold of you, Kizaru can't escape! He absolutely cannot win!"
Even against Marco's rogue tactics, Kizaru's pride held him for several minutes, but the relentless Black Flame and overwhelming Haki made it impossible to endure. His Armament Haki was formidable, but Marco's exceeded it in raw strength. Finally, gasping in defeat, Kizaru cried out, "Marco… do you only fight like this?"
"Rogue tactics? You ran when you couldn't fight them. Now that I have you, I won't let you escape." Marco slammed another headbutt, splitting Kizaru's forehead further.
Over half an hour of this relentless assault finally broke Kizaru. His body went limp, eyes rolling back as he fainted.
Marco, however, remained vigilant. He lifted Kizaru with massive Black Flame wings, carrying him toward the Moby Dick. "Quick, bring the Sea Stone!"
The Marines watching were thrown into panic. An Admiral—the highest symbol of Marine power—had been captured by a pirate using tactics deemed unorthodox, yet devastatingly effective.
The Phoenix Pirates bound Kizaru in Sea Stone chains. Only after confirming he was secure did Marco release him.
Ace, eyes wide, exclaimed, "Incredible, Marco! You actually defeated an Admiral!"
A proud smile formed on Marco's lips. The AI voice in his mind chimed in: 'Mission complete: avenge, defeat Admiral Kizaru. Reward: 10,000 attribute points.'
Seeing the points credited, Marco turned to Jozu. "Take Kizaru down and lock him up properly. You lead the guards. No one is to have the chance to rescue him."
Jozu nodded firmly. "Understood!"
With Kizaru defeated, the Phoenix Pirates' morale soared. Marco stood at the bow, wings ablaze, and shouted to his crew: "Brothers, attack! Now is the time to avenge the blood feud of the Marineford War! Follow me!"
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Just finished a Presentation, and I low-keyinely think I flopped it 😭