Lafitte drew his sword first, and with a swift movement, he thrust at Kizaru from the side.
His swordsmanship was much better than it had been two years ago; his speed was faster, his angles more tricky, and every strike was aimed at Kizaru's vital points.
However, Kizaru's Observation Haki was far superior to that of these people, allowing him to anticipate their moves and easily dodge them each time.
"Too slow," Kizaru commented.
Lafitte gritted his teeth and increased the speed of his sword strikes.
Still can't hit it.
Jesus Burgess was the most direct, unleashing the full power of his Strong-Strong Fruit and punching Kizaru.
The power of that punch was enough to shatter a small mountain.
Feeling the oppressive force coming from Jesus Burgess's fist, Kizaru dared not take it head-on and dodged, causing Jesus Burgess's fist to slam into the ground.
"Click click click..."
The ground within a radius of a hundred meters shattered inch by inch, and the bottomless cracks made even Kizaru shudder.
"That's some real strength." Kizaru frowned.
Van Augur stood at a distance, his sniper rifle aimed at Kizaru's head.
But he dared not fire.
Because Kizaru is too fast, he simply can't aim accurately.
Moreover, even if it hits, it wouldn't cause much damage given Kizaru's Armament Haki and Elementalization abilities.
Charon was the most agile, circling around Kizaru and occasionally launching a sneak attack, but it was easily blocked.
Ten people ganged up on Kizaru, but they couldn't gain the slightest advantage.
Despite being surrounded, Kizaru was able to handle the situation with ease.
He dodged and countered simultaneously, using his Light Speed Kick, Ama no Murakumo Sword, Yasakani no Magatama in turn, leaving the ten men in a sorry state.
"Oh dear, is that all you've got?" Kizaru tilted his head. "Then this Admiral will have to get serious."
As soon as he finished speaking, his speed suddenly increased.
With three consecutive Light Speed Kick, Yamato, Savi, and Bar were all sent flying simultaneously.
The Yasakani no Magatama covered the entire area, shattering the Pea vines. Enel was hit by a light blast and fell from the sky, while Lafitte and Charon were forced to flee in all directions.
Kazami attempted a sneak attack but was struck in the abdomen by Kizaru's Light Speed Kick, sending him flying backward and crashing to the ground, unable to get up for a long time.
Jesus Burgess withstood two blasts, but the third one blasted him away.
Van Augur finally fired a shot, the bullet striking Kizaru precisely between the eyebrows.
Kizaru tilted his head, and a bullet grazed his temple.
"That was close." He muttered, then blasted a light-up bullet at Van Augur.
Van Augur activated his Warp-Warp Fruit, instantly appearing dozens of meters away and narrowly avoiding the attack.
"Teleportation?" Kizaru narrowed his eyes. "Interesting."
Within a few short breaths, all ten people collapsed to the ground.
Yamato crawled out of the ruins, covered in wounds, but his eyes shone brighter.
"So strong... Again!"
She was about to rush forward again when Roy stopped her.
That's enough.
Yamato and turned back, unwilling to give up.
Roy looked at her and shook his head.
"Return."
Yamato pursed his lips, put away his spiked club, and walked back.
The others also scrambled to their feet, dejected, and walked back to Roy's side.
Yamato muttered, "We can't beat them... the gap is too big..."
Savi rubbed his shoulder. "That guy was too fast, we couldn't hit him at all."
Enel, his body charred black—from the backlash of his own lightning—looked grim. "His Observation Haki is too strong; he can predict every attack I make."
The Pea vines were blasted down to just a few strands, and the little pea looked pitiful. "My vines couldn't hold him..."
Kazami clutched his abdomen, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, but his back remained ramrod straight. "I can't break through his Armament Haki."
Hehehe--!
Baal was the worst, with injuries all over his body, but he smiled innocently:
"At least I withstood three of his kicks without falling!"
Lafitte wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, shook his head with a wry smile.
Jesus Burgess rubbed his chest, grimacing.
Charon squatted on the ground, panting heavily.
Van Augur teleported back from a distance, his face calm, but his hand holding the gun was trembling slightly.
Roy looked at them and said calmly, "Now you know the difference?"
Ten people nodded.
Roy continued, " The Marine Admiral are among the world's top combat forces."
"It's already quite impressive that you've managed to hold out under him for so long."
Yamato looked up at Roy: " Roy, if you fight Kizaru, can you win?"
Roy smiled. "He has no chance of beating me."
Everyone's eyes lit up.
Tesoro jumped up and down, yelling, "Boss! He beat me up last time too! I was just careless! He ambushed me that time!"
Roy glanced at him. "So, are you going to go fight him now?"
Tesoro glanced at Kizaru, who was panting in the distance, and said, "... Never mind."
"If I were to join the fight, it would be two speed-type users battling each other."
Besides, given his current state, he definitely won't fight me!
Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere lightened considerably.
Roy looked at the crew members and said seriously:
You are still young and have a lot of room to grow.
Two years from now, five years from now, you may not be weaker than him.
Yamato gripped his spiked club tightly, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit. "I will become stronger!"
Savi nodded. "Go back and double the training!"
Enel's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "I'm going to master Observation Haki!"
The Pea clenched its little fist. "I want to make the vines faster and stronger!"
Kazami his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Your swordsmanship isn't fast enough."
Bar grinned, "I'll take ten kicks!"
Lafitte, Jesus Burgess, Van Augur, Charon exchanged glances, each seeing unwavering resolve in the other's eyes.
Kizaru stood at a distance, watching the group of people, his lips twitching.
"Hey, are you guys done talking? Can I leave now?"
Roy looked at Kizaru and nodded.
"Let's go. Thank you for today."
Kizaru paused for a moment, then laughed.
"Oh my god, Captain Roy actually thanked the Navy? The sun must have risen in the west!"
He transformed into a golden ray of light and disappeared into the horizon.
The warship had long since disappeared from sight; he had to hurry and catch up.
Roy stared in the direction where the golden light had disappeared, remained silent for a few seconds, and then turned around.
"Let's go find that child."
The group followed Roy deeper into the dense forest.
Yamato asked curiously, " Roy, what child?"
"The child who ate the Op-Op Fruit."
"Ah?!"
Yamato was taken aback. "Wasn't he rescued by the Navy?"
Roy shook his head. "That's another child."
The real Devil Fruit User is still on this island.
Yamato was even more confused. "Another child? How come there are so many children on this island?"
Roy didn't explain.
He couldn't very well say that the boy rescued by the Navy was named X Drake, the son of a Navy spy, and that he would one day become one of the Supernovas.
This is too complicated; they wouldn't understand even if I explained it to them.
The forest grew deeper and deeper, the trees became denser, the moonlight was blocked by the leaves, and it was so dark that you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.
But Roy's Telekinesis had already locked onto that faint aura; he could find it even with his eyes closed.
After walking for about ten minutes, an abandoned stone house appeared ahead.
The door was ajar, and it was pitch black inside.
Roy pushed open the door and was immediately hit by a strong smell of blood.