As Kizaru spoke, the atmosphere instantly grew tense.
As a veteran Admiral, Borsalino had no desire to fight Kizaru, his formidable enemy, at a time like this. But the situation had progressed to the point where it was no longer up to him.
Borsalino sighed. Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi appeared in his hand, and he prepared to keep Kizaru occupied with hit-and-run tactics, buying time for Akainu and the others to arrive.
"Senior Salino, leave this to me. Sorry for the trouble, but please stand by and back me up." Hashirama interrupted Salino's plan.
The light sword in Salino's hand vanished. He glanced in surprise at Hashirama, who was facing off against Kizaru beside him, and raised an eyebrow. "The young people these days really are something!"
Hashirama acted as if he hadn't caught the joke in Salino's words and replied seriously, "I'm the one who caused this. I'll deal with our enemy personally!"
Salino looked at him with new interest. He had high hopes for this young Marine Admiral, but precisely because he believed in Hashirama, he didn't want to see him utterly defeated—or killed—by Kizaru.
"The enemy standing before you is no ordinary foe, Hashirama." Salino dropped his usual flippant tone and gave him a serious warning.
"No matter how powerful an enemy is, I'll never allow him to undermine the justice I uphold. Lawbreakers must face punishment. No excuse or hardship gives them the right to escape it!"
As Hashirama spoke, he brought his hands together. Mysterious markings appeared on his face, and a powerful aura that resonated with nature erupted from his body.
Hashirama was like a stone cast into a pond, sending ripples through the world around him. Even Borsalino, a Marine Admiral with no knowledge of Senjutsu and no experience practicing it, could