Don's words reached Kizaru's ears. The Marine Admiral's serious expression shifted, and he finally sighed.
"You actually did it!"
No matter what Don had said before, as long as the Celestial Dragons hadn't been killed, there was still room for negotiation.
But now—they were dead. And not just one.
The massive swirling flames just now had consumed the CP agents who had tried to carry the Celestial Dragons away.
The temperature—so intense that even Kizaru, despite using Armament Haki, struggled to withstand it.
Kizaru looked back at Don, flames rising behind him, then turned to see the fire tornado he had just sliced apart.
Not a single corpse remained.
Flames of that intensity, anyone caught in them would vanish completely in a short time.
Nearby, Akainu's face was dark and grim.
He wasn't troubled by the death of the Celestial Dragons themselves—he cared that Don had done something the Marines strictly forbid.
To Akainu, there was a clear distinction between the two.
The broadcast feed was now filled with flames, rendering the news birds incapable of capturing what was happening inside.
While viewers fretted and Morgans seethed with anger, the spreading flames began to contract.
Hundreds of streams of fire converged toward Don.
Within moments, all the flames had been absorbed by him.
The first district, once engulfed in fire, was now charred black. Within the scorched ruins, hints of red shimmered faintly, reflecting the last vestiges of heat.
Except for the three confronting him, everyone else had disappeared.
"What happened to the Celestial Dragons?"
This was the simultaneous thought in the minds of everyone watching the broadcast.
Even if the battle was earth-shattering, the fate of the Celestial Dragons would command everyone's attention.
The last time Celestial Dragons were attacked, it was Fisher Tiger of the Sun Pirates—but even then, only affected the Dragons themselves.
Further back, those familiar with hidden intelligence recalled the Great War of God Valley.
The Rocks Pirates had assaulted God Valley—and now… the Celestial Dragons had vanished entirely.
A horrifying thought struck everyone watching.
Were the Celestial Dragons killed?
And not just one?
At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku watched the projected footage, closed his eyes briefly, then reopened them, filled with helplessness.
"Relay my orders. All senior officers at headquarters are to drop everything and await instructions."
As Sengoku's words fell, his Den Den Mushi rang.
He already had suspicions, and this time, the call was not from Steelbone Kong, but from one of the Five Elders.
"Sengoku, take that man down."
The Elder's voice revealed little emotion, but rage was unmistakable.
"I understand!"
Sengoku responded, then hung up. He turned to Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"Is there no other way?"
Tsuru's face mirrored his helplessness.
"No other developments have occurred."
Sengoku nodded.
He had warned Don before: the Celestial Dragons were the absolute line. As long as he didn't cross it, there was room for negotiation.
Now, not only had he crossed the line, the Dragons were dead—and more than one.
The Marines had no choice left.
"I misjudged him. I thought he'd be rational, that he could understand me. No… maybe he understood, but simply ignored me."
Sengoku adjusted his coat and stepped outside.
Tsuru rose and followed.
Meanwhile, countless CP agents advanced toward the first district.
The Marines had completely sealed off the Sabaody Archipelago.
Pirates witnessing the scene realized now was their only chance to leave.
Naval skirmishes erupted on the outskirts of Sabaody.
Crocodile, in his corner of no man's land, dropped his cigar without noticing.
Don… he actually did it.
The act achieved its goal, but it also painted a massive target on his back from the World Government.
"Big trouble!"
Crocodile's expression darkened.
"What's there to fear? If Don can do it, so can I!"
Enel, hearing Crocodile, scowled.
"Planning to retreat, Crocodile?"
Hawkeye's voice rang out. Crocodile's expression soured as he turned toward the approaching figure.
"Per Don's request, I've delivered the three Devil Fruits."
Hawkeye tossed the box containing the Devil Fruits to Crocodile.
"Crocodile, who once challenged Whitebeard, are you afraid of what's happening now?"
Hawkeye's words darkened Crocodile's expression, but he said nothing, merely watching Daz catch the box.
"Heh. I fear nothing."
Crocodile snorted coldly, saying no more.
Hawkeye, unconcerned with his attitude, turned and left.
"Prepare yourselves. We might be entering the battle next."
Crocodile looked to Enel.
"Perfectly fitting."
…
BOOM!
A wave of fiery shock erupted.
Akainu was hurled backward. A column of light descended from the sky, striking where Don had just stood.
A massive explosion followed.
Don, who had vanished moments ago, now appeared beside Kizaru. His long sword, inscribed with strange flame patterns, swept in a horizontal arc, sending black lightning scattering.
The golden light spread, converging near the airborne Akainu.
Kizaru glanced down at his chest. A clear slash had torn through his yellow suit, leaving a charred mark across his torso.
Akainu, meanwhile, looked even more disheveled.
In terms of raw offensive power, Akainu might surpass Kizaru, but in evasion, Kizaru held the edge.
Don hovered midair, looking down at the two Marine Admirals.
"Now there's nothing holding you back, so… shall we get serious?"
"Since you put it that way…"
Kizaru glanced at Akainu, who nodded slightly.
Without the Celestial Dragons present, they had no other concerns.
Kizaru drew his golden sword, transforming into a blur of golden light, closing the distance to Don faster than the eye could track. The sword reached Don in an instant.
Slash!
This time, Don didn't phase into an elemental state or dodge.
He tilted slightly, letting his shoulder, coated in Armament Haki, absorb the blow. Simultaneously, his left hand shot out, seizing Kizaru's wrist.
At the same time, Akainu lunged, his fist of molten magma crashing toward Don.
Don swung his left hand, spinning Kizaru twice like a weapon, and hurled him at the incoming Akainu.
BOOM!
Kizaru collided with Akainu, sending the magma Admiral crashing down. Kizaru's golden sword stabbed toward Don's eye.
Don closed his left eye just in time.
Clang!
The sword struck his eyelid, the clash ringing sharply.
END OF CHAPTER
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