The arriving Kizaru first went to the place where Saint Charloss died. "So this is the corpse of a Celestial Dragon, truly terrifying," Kizaru remarked, then glanced at the killer's body without speaking.
The local CP0 quickly explained the situation to Kizaru. Hearing that they had all been distracted by the fight between Rayleigh and someone else and thus failed to notice the killer, Kizaru transformed into a beam of light and rushed to the location of the battle between Rayleigh and Issho.
Issho and Rayleigh were still clashing; since they were performing a complete act, the fight naturally couldn't end easily. The uninhabited island was being ravaged by the aftermath of their attacks, especially Issho's Gravity devil fruit, where the ground sank wherever his sword light reached.
The two fought with increasing enjoyment. Just as Issho was about to pull down a meteor, Kizaru arrived on the scene.
Kizaru unleashed his ultimate move, 'Yata no Kagami,' between the two of them. The balls of light blasted towards the center, and the violent explosion forced both men to stop fighting.
Seeing Kizaru arrive, Rayleigh said mockingly, "Oh, what is a dignified Admiral doing here? Are you perhaps here to team up with that swordsman opposite me?"
Kizaru immediately raised his hands: "The Pirate King's Right Hand? How terrifying! Even at this age, you're still as strong as a monster. I didn't mean to interrupt your fight. I just wanted to ask, do you know anything about the Celestial Dragon's death?"
Issho said, "Celestial Dragon? I know nothing of that. I only heard that a strong person was here, so I came to spar."
Hearing this, Rayleigh laughed at Kizaru: "You heard him, I'm the one being challenged. As for the Celestial Dragons, who cares about those pieces of trash?"
Kizaru heard the answer he wanted, and not wishing to conflict with the two of them over the Celestial Dragon, he vanished in a beam of light.
Rayleigh looked at Issho and beckoned, "Continue? You're quite strong. If I don't use some real skill, I really won't be able to handle you."
Issho shook his head and sheathed his sword. "Having been interrupted, my fighting spirit is gone. Let's leave it at that for today."
Hearing this, Rayleigh also sheathed his sword. "Since we aren't fighting, how about we grab a drink? A powerful person like you deserves my hospitality." Issho nodded, and the two walked toward a tavern.
Kizaru saw this scene and rubbed his head. "Sengoku is going to have trouble with this. I should go to the Marine Base first." After speaking, he turned into a stream of light and shot toward the Marine Base.
In the sky above Sabaody Archipelago, a News Coo was frantically filming these scenes and transmitting them back to the headquarters. In a place unknown to anyone, at the News Agency Headquarters, President Morgans was in a frenzy. The three-meter-tall albatross flapped its wings, excitedly urging his employees.
"Stop all your work! Focus entirely on reporting this incident! I want the whole world to know this news tomorrow—no, this very afternoon!"
At this moment, another employee nearby brought over a transponder snail. "President, the World Government is calling. They said they need you to take the call."
Morgans slapped the employee away. "No time for the World Government! Everyone must know about this! The great battle between the mysterious strongman and Rayleigh, the death of a Celestial Dragon—the World Government can't be allowed to suppress this!"
Kizaru arrived at the Marine Base and happened to see Vice Admiral Gion leading people out. He stopped her: "Vice Admiral Momousagi, where are you going? Do you have any leads?" His gaze fell on Hera, who was in Gion's hand.
Gion said, "The killer of the Celestial Dragon is reportedly a slave merchant. I plan to take Hera to investigate the slave traders' base to see if we can find any clues."
Hera looked at Kizaru with eyes full of longing, conveying the message, "Save me quickly, I want freedom." Kizaru pretended not to notice, leaving with the words, "Contact me if you encounter a strong enemy. I'm going to rest for a while," and departed.
For Kizaru, protecting the Celestial Dragons was already annoying, and dealing with CP0 was the most annoying thing of all. He decided to just slack off at the Marine Base for a bit.
Hera saw Kizaru leave in a beam of light and pouted. "Hmph, daring to ignore the plea for help from the future Fleet Admiral! I'll definitely dock your pay severely later."
Gion looked at Hera in her hand and said with a forced smile, "Oh, already trying to make trouble for Kizaru? Then will I, who is currently holding you, be fired later?"
Hera, whose fate was held by the scruff of her neck, repeatedly smiled apologetically. "How could that happen, Sister Gion? How could you be the same as Kizaru? Even if I become the Fleet Admiral, you'll still be my older sister."
Gion snorted, but still put Hera down. "Alright, alright. If you want to act on your own, go ahead. Remember, this is a tense period. Come back immediately when the transponder snail rings."
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