"Senior Borsalino," Gern said, his voice sinking, "are you going to stop me?"
Kizaru adjusted his sunglasses, the laboratory's chaotic lights flickering across the lenses. "How scary, looking so murderous like that~"
"But, well, to protect important assets, I suppose I'll have to..." Before he finished, Kizaru suddenly transformed into a streak of golden light.
He appeared beside Gern at almost teleportation speed, sweeping a vicious light-speed side kick toward Gern's waist!
"Speed is weight... How long has it been since you were kicked at the speed of light?"
Gern reacted astonishingly fast, changing his move the instant Kizaru sprang into action.
He pulled back Eight Desolations and pressed it downward, bending his left arm and driving his Armament Haki-coated elbow straight into the gleaming golden kick!
Bam!!! A heavy, muffled boom erupted!
This time, it was a pure clash of Haki and martial prowess!
A shockwave spread outward in a ring, making several nearby floating holographic screens flicker wildly as streams of data scrolled like corrupted code.
Gern swayed slightly, and the floor beneath his feet cracked again.
Kizaru used the recoil to flip lightly backward, landing gracefully with a faint tap of his shoe.
"Tch." Gern shook out his slightly numb left arm, his sharp gaze fixed on Kizaru. "Looks like you're determined to interfere."
"Can't be helped." Kizaru spread his hands, sounding relaxed, but more and more golden photons began to fill the air around him.
His presence became elusive, as though he might dissolve into particles of light at any moment or attack from any angle.
"After all, protecting Dr. Vegapunk and this island was one of the 'assignments' you gave me yourself."
"So, Gern, why not do me a favor and stop here?"
"A favor?" Gern snorted, deliberately looking toward Vegapunk. "What if I refuse?