Chapter 164 – Kizaru Beaten Back Again
"Sabo, I'm here to save you!"
Ace, who had arrived with the Prison Alliance, shouted toward the execution platform.
"Ace…"
On the high platform, the weakened Sabo slowly raised his head at the sound of that familiar voice. His tired face brightened with a faint smile.
"Wait for me, Sabo!"
Ace clenched his fists, bones cracking audibly as heat surged from his body. "I'll rescue you right away!"
---
Fwoosh!
A blinding flash of light pierced through the air, striking Ace's chest. Behind him, Kizaru (Borsalino) strolled forward at a leisurely pace, his voice dripping with mockery.
"Don't pretend I don't exist, little brother Fire Fist."
Ace turned around. The wound on his chest instantly healed, closing under the brilliance of his white flames. He smirked.
"How could I forget you, Admiral Kizaru? I saw what you did to my friends."
Kizaru tilted his head with his usual wretched smile, though his tone carried a rare edge.
"Oooh… what a terrifying look. Planning to avenge them?"
Raising one glowing fingertip, he added coldly, "The execution was interrupted. I'm very angry."
Pew!
A laser beam shot from his fingertip, searing straight toward Ace.
---
"Oi!"
Ace tilted his head, dodging with ease. His body bent low, then suddenly propelled forward, flames erupting beneath his feet like rocket thrusters. The blast of white fire made his movement blur as though he had teleported.
His haki surged.
"Armament—Second Form: Kōmyō Hammer!"
BOOM!
The invisible weight of Armament Haki crashed down like a massive hammer, slamming into Kizaru's chest.
The blow was so fast that even Kizaru failed to react. His body hadn't even begun to turn into light before Ace's strike sent him flying like a cannonball.
The battlefield froze in shock.
"Admiral… Admiral Kizaru was blown away in one hit!"
The sight sent a wave of unease through the Marines. Their morale plummeted. Even Aokiji (Kuzan) and Akainu (Sakazuki) frowned in surprise.
"Marco kicked me away earlier… and now Ace has done this?" Kuzan muttered, narrowing his eyes.
On the platform, Sengoku's face was grim.
"Has this kid grown this powerful already? If he's given more time, he'll become a threat to the entire world. This war… was indeed necessary."
Clenching his fist, his voice was filled with resolve.
"Even if it costs us dearly, Portgas D. Ace must die here!"
---
Kuhh…!
From the rubble, Kizaru staggered to his feet, coughing. His usual lazy expression was gone—replaced by a murderous glare.
"Impressive… reminds me of when I fought that brother of yours. Such an unpleasant memory."
Ace pulled back his fist, gaze fixed again on the execution platform.
"I'd love to settle this with you, Admiral… but saving Sabo comes first!"
Without hesitation, he turned into flames and shot skyward toward the platform.
---
"Heh… Fire Fist kid, is it really okay to underestimate me like that?"
Kizaru raised his hands. A shimmering plane of light formed between them.
"Yata no Kagami!"
A beam of light refracted across the air, creating a shining path. Kizaru's body entered the path, bending at the speed of light to intercept Ace.
---
"Phoenix Seal!"
Before Kizaru could appear ahead of Ace, a blazing blue phoenix intercepted the beam. Marco, in his full phoenix form, kicked the mirrored path apart, shattering Kizaru's movement technique.
"I won't let you interfere with Ace anymore, Kizaru!" Marco declared.
"Thanks, Marco!" Ace called, still flying. Despite not being a Whitebeard Pirate, he had forged strong ties with Marco and the other commanders since forming their alliance.
"You're welcome. Hurry and save your brother!" Marco waved him on.
Kizaru's wretched grin faltered, his face darkening.
"Marco!!"
He drew a blade of light.
"Ama no Murakumo!"
The glowing sword swung down at Marco.
"Come on then!" Marco's flaming wings spread wide, clashing against the sword. The two collided midair, their battle sending shockwaves across Marineford.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
The exchange between Admiral and First Division Commander tore the skies apart. The battlefield trembled under their clash. Both fighters instinctively shifted their battle higher, away from the masses below.
---
Meanwhile, Ace's path was blocked once again.
"Ahhh la la… can't let you reach the platform that easily," drawled Aokiji, appearing before Ace with a raised palm. Frost surged from his hand.
"Ice Time Capsule!"
A shockwave of frozen air blasted forward, freezing the very sky in its path.
"Kagerō!"
Ace's arm flared white with flames, launching a fiery torrent head-on. Fire and ice collided in a roaring explosion before neutralizing each other.
Before Aokiji could attack again—
CRASH!
A massive shining figure barreled into him, knocking the Admiral to the ground.
"Diamond Jozu!"
Blood trailed from Aokiji's lip as he stood, brushing ice from his coat. His eyes sharpened.
"Jozu…"
"I won't let you lay a hand on Ace!" Jozu's body gleamed, covered entirely in diamond.
"Go, Ace! Rescue your brother!"
"Thanks, Jozu!" Ace shouted, wings of fire carrying him onward.
Aokiji sighed, rising to his feet as frost thickened around him.
"Ahh la la… I've lost all my face now. Can't let this slide."
Jozu only grinned, his diamond body sparkling under the sun.
"Bring it on, Admiral!"
---
High above, Ace blazed across the square, nearing the execution platform.
And there… the final obstacle awaited him.
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