After planning for so long, the Pluton Blueprints finally fell into Hyaku's hands!
"I shouldn't linger here." He silently reminded himself.
He found a random package, wrapped the blueprints in it, and tied it to his body. Then he left the shipyard, heading into the distance.
A short while later, just as Hyaku was about to return to the central district, his senses alerted him.
"Hmm?"
His constantly active Observation Haki detected a faint disturbance. Sensing something unusual, Hyaku instinctively touched the package at his waist.
His eyes darted around as he immediately changed direction.
When he had arrived, he had headed north. Now on his return, he suddenly changed course, heading southwest.
After rushing more than a thousand meters, he realized the presence he sensed was still following him unhurriedly.
Hyaku slightly furrowed his brows and accelerated again.
Finally, he stopped in an uninhabited area to the west — a higher elevation near the sea, not suitable for habitation.
Buzz!
Shortly after Hyaku stopped, a golden flash suddenly appeared from behind.
The golden light halted before him. Under the convergence of countless light particles, a figure formed.
Seeing who had arrived, Hyaku immediately tensed up.
Standing before him was none other than one of the three Admirals — the Marine Headquarters' ultimate force.
Borsalino "Kizaru", the Light Human who wielded the Logia-type Pika Pika no Mi (Glint-Glint Fruit)!
Hyaku had suspected that whoever could match his speed must be extraordinary, but he never imagined facing this particular opponent!
"Yo, yo, yo... Captain Hyaku, where are you rushing to so late at night?" Kizaru asked in his characteristic drawl.
That lazy demeanor might fool others into lowering their guard, but Hyaku knew how devastating this man could be when serious.
Kizaru had earned his Admiral position primarily through his incredible Devil Fruit ability. In the original story, he had effortlessly crushed the "Supernovas" with this same nonchalant attitude.
"Admiral Kizaru. I just couldn't sleep, so I came out for a walk around the area." Despite his internal turmoil, Hyaku maintained perfect composure, offering a calm smile.
"Oh? Is that so?" Kizaru scratched his head before his gaze shifted to the package at Hyaku's waist, "Captain Hyaku, what's inside that package? If you don't mind, open it and let me take a look."
Though phrased as a request, his tone left no room for refusal.
As expected!
Hyaku inwardly cursed his bad luck as the Admiral focused on his package.
His suspicions were confirmed. Kizaru wouldn't come to Water 7 and approach him without purpose. There could only be one explanation: Marine Headquarters had sent him to prevent the Pluton Blueprints from falling into anyone else's hands.
"There's nothing important in here, Admiral Kizaru. No need to be curious." Hyaku politely declined.
"That won't do." Kizaru lazily smiled.
Buzz!
In the next moment, his form transformed into countless particles of light.
Almost instantly, the light flashed to Hyaku's side and his form reappeared. Kizaru immediately reached out to grab the package at Hyaku's waist.
This series of actions happened in a flash — ordinary people couldn't possibly react in time.
Fortunately, Hyaku had kept his Observation Haki active. The moment Kizaru charged, his Haki detected it completely.
Whoosh!
As Kizaru reached out, Hyaku reacted in advance.
His body quickly moved sideways, his feet pushed against the ground, and he slid backward — barely avoiding that outstretched hand.
"Oh?" With his hand grasping at empty air, Kizaru let out a slightly surprised sound, then turned to look at Hyaku.
"Even if you're an Admiral, you don't have the right to search my personal belongings." Hyaku stated firmly.
"What if I insist on looking?" Kizaru raised his eyebrows.
"Then you'll have to excuse my rudeness."
With that, Hyaku drew Ryūka, gripping it with both hands. Facing an Admiral, he had no choice but to get serious.
"Today's rookies are truly frightening." Seeing the sword raised against him, Kizaru pretended to be scared.
The next moment, he raised his right hand and extended his index finger, pointing its tip at Hyaku.
Beep!
In an instant, dazzling golden light rapidly gathered at Kizaru's fingertip — the energy of his Glint-Glint Fruit.
✣ Pika Pika no Mi ⭄ Laser! ✣
Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh!
In a flash, the energy concentrated fully. Golden light beams shot from his fingertip toward Hyaku at blinding speed.
✣ Rokushiki: Soru ⭄ Shave! ✣
Hyaku charged forward with his sword drawn.
Facing the overwhelming barrage of light beams, he accelerated fearlessly.
✣ Kenbunshoku no Haki: Ito Kankaku ⭄ Observation Haki: Intent Sensing! ✣
With his Observation Haki activated to its fullest, he clearly perceived the trajectory of every incoming beam.
Utilizing the explosive speed of his mastered Rokushiki, he weaved nimbly through the barrage.
Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh!
As the beams crossed paths with his body, Hyaku constantly shifted positions, managing to dodge them all.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The missed beams struck the ground, their terrifying destructive power triggering a series of violent explosions.
Under Kizaru's surprised gaze, Hyaku charged fiercely toward him.
✣ Ken no Ito: Seiryū — Kesshō ⭄ Azure Dragon Sword Intent — Condense! ✣
Whoosh!
As he swung his sword horizontally, his mind focused. The Azure Dragon Sword Intent materialized as blue-green energy, igniting from the blade of the Ryūka.
✣ Busōshoku no Haki: Matou ⭄ Armament Haki: Imbuement! ✣
Buzz!
But Hyaku wasn't finished. His mind focused again as he instantly released Armament Haki. The powerful energy flowed from his palm, coating the Ryūka in his grip.
The blue-green blade was immediately covered with a layer of black luster. Within seconds, both Azure Dragon Sword Intent and Armament Haki were fully deployed.
With both energies ready, Hyaku gripped his sword tightly and pushed forward with both hands. The Ryūka accelerated in a powerful horizontal slash aimed at Kizaru's waist.
Sensing the blade's dangerous intensity, Kizaru's heart trembled.
Beep!
At the critical moment, he swiftly retreated several steps.
In one fluid motion, he clenched his right fist against his left palm. Both hands illuminated with dazzling golden light.
Kizaru then quickly pulled his right hand away, manifesting a brilliant golden energy sword.
✣ Pika Pika no Mi: Ame no Murakumo ⭄ Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds! ✣
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T/N: Favorite, comment and save to your library of best reads in the world, thank you for reading this far!
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