In the sky directly above Marine Headquarters.
Golden Lion and Kizaru were locked in a running aerial battle.
"This isn't good... things just got even more troublesome."
With a flash of golden light, Kizaru appeared.
But a Flying Slash came chasing right after him.
Kizaru deliberately "separated" his upper and lower body, letting the "Slash Wave" cut through empty air.
His "upper body" casually raised a hand, golden light blazing at his fingertip.
"Jahahahaha! You flashy brat! Looks like things aren't going well for your side!"
Golden Lion had noticed what was happening on the ground, too. The Alliance Leader had arrived.
As Kizaru gathered his Laser, Golden Lion twisted through the air. While speaking, he swung out two "Slash Waves."
The Slash Waves crossed paths with the golden Laser, failing to intercept it.
At the speed of a Laser, interception and evasion both required prediction. It was practically a lottery.
Golden Lion failed to dodge this time and took the hit with Armament Haki. But his Slash Waves also went straight for Kizaru.
"Indeed... how frightening."
Kizaru dodged one Slash Wave, spun halfway around, and kicked the second away.
He still had enough breathing room to watch the situation below.
After driving back the Empress, Bondrewd was moving toward Whitebeard.
Akainu tried to intercept him but failed, turning it into a chase.
"Oh..."
Just as Kizaru tried to disengage and support the forces below, his Observation Haki sounded a warning.
"Lion: Thousand-Cut Valley!"
Golden Lion tumbled through the air, unleashing a dizzying succession of slashes with his wild "dance."
A barrage of Flying Slashes hurtled toward Kizaru, faster and slightly weaker, but more than making up for it in sheer quantity.
"...Hey, hey-"
Kizaru dissolved into motes of light, and the barrage swept through the space where he had