Beneath the ruined dome of the Egghead Island Laboratory, the sea wind howled through the gaps.
Shattered metal and black scorch marks littered the floor.
Kizaru braced his hands on his knees, panting heavily.
Cold sweat soaked through the yellow-and-white striped suit beneath his coat.
The fabric clinging to his back felt icy.
He stared at the scarlet eyes deep within the portal, his legs growing weak.
The sensation of being locked onto at a microscopic level made every hair on his body stand on end.
If he so much as moved again, that red light would cross space and pierce his heart.
Against such overwhelming power, an Admiral's dignity was worthless.
He still vividly remembered having his breastbone shattered in Mary Geoise three years ago.
He had spent three whole months bedridden. Even a sip of soup had made his chest ache.
The Kahn of today was clearly far more terrifying than he had been three years ago.
If he stubbornly charged in, he really would die on this deserted island today.
Working for the World Government was one thing. Throwing his life away to clean up its mess was out of the question.
Kizaru's eyes darted behind his sunglasses.
Once he confirmed that there was no sign of another attack from beyond the portal, he quickly raised both hands.
He struck an outrageously exaggerated pose of surrender and backed away three steps.
"A misunderstanding. This is all a misunderstanding."
Kizaru muttered the words, changing his expression faster than anyone could blink.
He held his hands high, afraid the big shot beyond the portal might get the wrong idea.
Then he pulled a golden communication Den Den Mushi from inside his coat.
The instant the call connected, Kizaru raised his voice in a piercing wail.
"Hello? Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"