The moment their fists collided, time itself seemed to freeze for an instant.
Then—
BOOM!!!!
A massive black-and-red hemispherical shockwave erupted from the point of impact!
The thick ice field shattered like fragile glass, and under the extreme pressure, the seawater formed a vacuum vortex several kilometers wide, surging violently into the sky!
"Gah—!"
Kizaru, being the closest, was the first to bear the brunt. The shockwave sent him flying over a kilometer before he crashed heavily into a distant warship!
The massive rocks and city walls of Dressrosa trembled violently, countless debris crumbling down, forcing King Riku and the others who had been watching from above to retreat in panic.
Xiano and Garp were also forced back by the shockwave, stabilizing themselves on the broken ice using Moon Walk.
Both raised their heads at the same time, locking eyes across the shattered battlefield. The remnants of terrifying black-and-red lightning still crackled wildly between them.
"What the hell is this, brat?!" Garp roared in frustration. "Why do you know this move too—and so well at that?! Even that idiot Kuzan couldn't grasp the essence of this technique!!!"
"That's called talent, old man! Talent, got it?!" Xiano laughed heartily.
This Skill Stealing Technique was truly amazing. First, it was Divine Departure, and now Galaxy Impact—both signature moves, not a single dud among them.
He was more than satisfied.
His luck had always been pretty damn good, after all!
Whoosh—!
A golden streak of light flashed through the night sky as Kizaru, now in laser form, returned and landed between the two. He turned to Garp with a frown.
"What took you so long?" Kizaru sighed. "From G-1 to here… it shouldn't have taken this much time, right? For someone of your speed, Mr. Garp, this is way too slow, don't you think?"
"Ah, my bad!" Garp scratched his head.
"I was a bit late, but there was no helping it. You see, on the way here—"
His gaze dropped mid-sentence, finally noticing Kizaru's empty sleeve. His eyes bulged in shock.
"Oi, Borsalino, you… what the hell happened to your—?"
"This much is nothing," Kizaru said dryly. "If you, the Hero of the Marines, had arrived any later, I might not even be alive to greet you."
Naturally, this was an exaggerated, self-deprecating remark.
In this battle, his defeat had come swiftly—largely due to being dragged into the deep sea by a careless mistake. But regardless, a loss was a loss.
And an embarrassing one at that.
Still, the idea that anyone could actually kill him was pure delusion.
Kizaru was certain—no one in this world could achieve that.
"...To defeat Borsalino and even sever his arm," Garp muttered, turning to Xiano with awe. "Now I understand why Tsuru and the others insisted on giving you the title of World's Greatest Swordsman."
"Hawkeye Mihawk could never pull off something like this. That title of his really should be yours now."
"..."
Kizaru opened his mouth, wanting to clarify that his arm hadn't actually been cut off by a sword.
But recalling the terrifyingly powerful "Divine Departure" that Xiano had unleashed, he felt there was no need to clarify and promptly shut his mouth.
"Thanks for the compliment, Old Man."
Xiano twisted his slightly sore wrist and grinned. "But you didn't come here just to say that, did you? If you want to keep fighting, I'm happy to oblige."
"Puhahaha! Still got some fight left in you, huh? You're full of energy!"
Garp bared his teeth in a grin, his hands clasped behind his back as his Justice cloak fluttered dramatically in the wind. Though he maintained the demeanor of a powerhouse, he was secretly massaging his own wrist.
Damn brat…
His strength is no joke!
"You don't seem to grasp the situation, Xiano," Kizaru interjected coldly from the side. "This isn't the time for a one-on-one spar. I can't just stand by and watch. In other words, you'll be facing a two-on-one scenario. Still so confident?"
"Oh, so now you find the energy to talk?"
Xiano sneered at him. "Seems like cutting off just one arm wasn't enough. Besides, the one who doesn't understand the situation here is clearly you! If you dare interfere… who told you it'd be two-on-one?!"
BOOM!
A translucent Pressure Cannon shaped like a Bear Paw suddenly shot through the air!
Kizaru's eyes flashed red as he hastily dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. He looked up toward its origin, and his expression darkened slightly when he saw what awaited him.
Behind Xiano—
Kuma and Jack, two towering figures as massive as mountains, descended using Moon Walk, landing on either side of Xiano with perfect synchronization. Their cold gazes locked onto Kizaru.
"Tch, two troublesome guys…"
Kizaru rubbed his temples in frustration. In his current state, breaking through their combined assault in a short time would be nearly impossible.
That Rampaging Elephant Jack was one thing—just a tough brute—but that guy called Kuma?
His strength wasn't just in his physique. He also had the speed to keep up with Kizaru's attacks.
Among the Curtain Closers, the troublesome ones were far from just Xiano alone…
"Alright, alright. I didn't come here to fight you," Garp said, picking his nose. "I just wanted to make sure these Marines get back safely. Ran into some brat on the way who had the nerve to warn me on behalf of his old man. Annoying as hell, but with the forces we've got here… yeah, we can't stick around for long!"
"Warned you?" Kizaru frowned. "Who?"
"Marco, right?"
Xiano guessed immediately, raising an eyebrow as he scanned the surrounding sea. "Haven't seen that guy in a while. He's around here too?"
"That's the one."
Garp rolled a booger into a ball. "But don't bother looking. The way that kid talked was as punchable as Borsalino's face. Couldn't help myself—I knocked him flying. Gonna take him a while to get back."
Kizaru shot Garp a glance.
"Anyway, Whitebeard caught wind of my movements. He's letting me take the men back, but he won't let me interfere directly in this fight."
Garp flicked the booger away and laughed heartily.
"Puhahaha! Completely unreasonable, isn't he? What era does he think this is, still acting like the patriarch of the Four Emperors? That damn geezer treats the New World like it's his personal backyard!"
Despite setting off quietly from G-1 Branch, they were still detected immediately by the Whitebeard Pirates' informants, huh?
Kizaru frowned slightly upon hearing this.
It seems even G-1, long hailed as the strongest and most reliable branch, needs an internal investigation...
"Whitebeard, Garp... things are getting livelier by the minute."
Xiano shook his head. "I still hold respect for you, old man Garp, but... your reputation and these diplomatic words alone won't make me abandon my hard-won victory..."
Now is the time to press the advantage!
Surveying the shattered ice field, among the Marine top brass, only Gion remained locked in fierce combat with Kuina—the rest had all been taken down by his subordinates.
Kuma and Jack, now freed up, were more than enough to keep Kizaru occupied.
As for himself, while his remaining Haki reserves were running low, his stamina was still ample. Continuing an intense battle with Garp wouldn't be an issue.
Under these circumstances, without sufficient benefits, how could he simply let Garp take the Marines back?
Of course.
There were distinctions to be made. The ordinary Marine soldiers could flee if they wished—he wouldn't trouble them regardless of Garp's intervention.
But those defeated Vice Admirals from Headquarters? They wouldn't be let off so easily!
"Well then..."
Garp scratched his head and turned toward his dog-head warship.
Lieutenant Bogart, who had been waiting on deck, immediately understood. Using Moon Walk, he arrived and produced a peculiar-looking Den Den Mushi from his coat.
"Here, Borsalino."
Garp didn't even want to touch the Den Den Mushi, disdainfully letting Bogart toss it to Kizaru:
"Your personal Den Den Mushi was destroyed in battle, right? Those higher-ups couldn't reach you, so they called me instead... Tch. They always claim only Admirals are their direct subordinates, yet keep making exceptions. What a hassle..."
Higher-ups?
The moment Kizaru took the Den Den Mushi and heard the first words, he instantly realized Garp wasn't referring to Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
But rather...
The Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
Kizaru accepted the Den Den Mushi with his remaining hand. As the connection established, the previously drowsy snail suddenly straightened up, its demeanor turning stern and imposing:
"Borsalino."
A low, aged male voice spoke through the Den Den Mushi, its tone brooking no argument:
"We're aware of the battle situation. Now, I shall personally convey the World Government's highest directive to you."
"Understood."
Kizaru nodded. "Aside from myself and Garp, there are no bystanders nearby. Please proceed."
"First, the Marines are to immediately withdraw from Dressrosa's waters and cease all military intervention in the country."
Kizaru frowned but refrained from objecting, listening silently.
The Den Den Mushi continued coldly:
"Second, as long as Dressrosa continues paying the Celestial Tribute, its affiliated nation status may remain. However, its eligibility for the Reverie is hereby revoked permanently. Don't expect the Marines to assist with any future crises the country faces."
Assist?
Kuma couldn't help but step forward, clenching his right fist tightly, flames of anger burning in his eyes.
Having witnessed the suffering of the Toy Country firsthand, whoever this mysterious caller was—how dare they utter such shameless words with such audacity...
The sheer hypocrisy!
"Third."
The aged, authoritative voice simulated by the Den Den Mushi paused before continuing:
"The failure of this operation was entirely due to the Marine Headquarters' misinterpretation of the Holy Land's strategic plans, launching an attack without prior authorization."
"Punishments for you and Fleet Admiral Sengoku will be issued in due time. In any case, remember that the Holy Land's current strategy regarding the Curtain Closer and Xiano is primarily focused on recruitment, not annihilation."
"What?!"
Kizaru finally lost his composure, narrowing his eyes as he asked, "Why?"
Were the Holy Land and Marine Headquarters' strategies completely opposite?
Recruitment as the primary goal?
What kind of logic was this!
They had already missed many opportunities. Shouldn't they crush a rising Emperor's crew before it fully matured?
This was something he simply couldn't comprehend.
"That is not something you need to know, Borsalino. Mind your tongue and don't ask questions you shouldn't."
The Den Den Mushi responded coldly:
"Now, dismiss everyone around you—everyone, including yourself. I wish to speak with Xiano alone."
The night sea breeze blew past, carrying an inexplicable, bone-chilling coldness.
"…"
Kizaru stared at the Den Den Mushi, silent for a moment.
In the end, he handed it to Xiano and retreated into the distance with Garp.
Jack, burning with curiosity, was reluctant to leave but was grabbed by the shoulder by Kuma and dragged away without ceremony.
...
In the vast expanse of the icy plain, only Xiano remained.
Xiano raised the Den Den Mushi, examining it with interest as the authoritative face it simulated stared intently back at him.
"Xiano."
The Den Den Mushi spoke, its voice low yet dripping with condescension:
"Though this is our first conversation… I have heard of your name for some time now. As a mere mortal, you should consider it an immense honor to hear my voice directly."
"What kind of nonsense is that? An honor… If I tossed this Den Den Mushi into the sea right now, who do you think would panic first?"
Xiano scoffed, glancing sidelong at the Den Den Mushi.
"Save the posturing. By the way, that voice… You're the Science Defense War God, Saturn, right? Somehow, you strike me as the lowest-ranked among the Five Elders. Why are you always stuck handling these trivial matters? Can't they send someone else?"
"…"
The Den Den Mushi's expression first registered shock, then darkened. For a long moment, no sound came through.
...
At that very moment.
Mary Geoise, the Chamber of Authority.
Saturn, the flat-capped Elder, muted the microphone and looked up at the others, his face grim.
"Fellow Elders, this boy… His origins are undoubtedly unusual."
The kimono-clad Elder holding the Demon Blade Ghost Cutter narrowed his eyes and said coldly:
"Despite being a mortal with no prior contact with the Holy Land, he possesses unexpected knowledge about us—even accurately naming Saturn and his specific role."
"Only to that extent," Saturn replied with a forced smile. "The rest of his assumptions are hardly accurate."
"Regardless, his attitude speaks volumes."
The golden-haired Elder of the Five Elders crossed his arms and said solemnly, "Such a reckless individual, who shows no reverence for the World Government or the Holy Land, is entirely unfit to be recruited into the God Knights."
"That's Shamrock's concern, not ours. It seems he hasn't given up on that idea yet. Let him run into a wall if he insists."
The long-bearded Elder spoke slowly:
"Fellow Elders, our duty is to carry out Imu-sama's will and ensure both Marine Headquarters and this Xiano understand the stance of our Holy Land."
At that moment.
An impatient voice suddenly came through the Den Den Mushi:
"Hey, old geezers, have you finished your little chat? All this muttering is getting tiresome. If you don't speak up soon, I'm hanging up!"
Saturn's eyes turned cold.
He took a deep breath and reopened the receiver:
"Xiano, you must have overheard our earlier conversation with Borsalino. Beyond that, to end this war and demonstrate our sincerity, we're willing to offer you three conditions—terms we believe will satisfy you."
Hmm?
Actual benefits?
Xiano raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Those lofty old men were actually speaking to him in this manner...
Had the sun risen from the west?
(End of Chapter)