Kizaru had never encountered an enemy as troublesome as Maud.
Not even twenty years old, yet he had mastered Conqueror's Haki Coating?
Who would believe such a thing without seeing it with their own eyes?
Conqueror's Haki was an innate quality, as well as a manifestation of one's spirit. It could not be strengthened through training.
Yet Maud was not even twenty years old, and the spirit he possessed had already strengthened his Conqueror's Haki to such a degree. He had even mastered Conqueror's Haki Coating, something only a tiny number of people in the world could use.
Moreover, as the battle continued, Kizaru could clearly sense that Maud's proficiency with Conqueror's Haki Coating was rapidly increasing.
If that were all...
Kizaru felt he could endure it.
But Maud not only possessed a spirit completely mismatched with his age—his stamina seemed bottomless as well.
Kizaru frowned as he watched Maud.
He knew Momonga was beyond saving after Maud had cut away his shadow.
After all, even the Celestial Dragon whose shadow had been taken had ultimately been unable to escape death. A Marine Vice Admiral was even less likely to survive.
At that thought, an image flashed through Kizaru's mind: the scene of him receiving orders to go to Thunder God Island and rescue the Celestial Dragon.
Back then—
Maud had merely snapped his fingers and killed the Celestial Dragon from a distance.
In other words, if Maud wanted to kill Momonga, all he had to do was think about it.
That meant the odds of helping Momonga escape were essentially zero.
In other words, there was no saving him.
While keeping his eyes fixed on Maud, Kizaru raised his index finger.
Beep, beep—
Starlike light condensed at his fingertip.
Maud watched Kizaru's movements, narrowing his eyes slightly.
Their many