Ezra D. Vale gave a small nod.
That only left one target now.
Killer.
"Send another Pacifista," Ezra said. "Three Supernovas are already unconscious here."
"Yes, Admiral Blazefire," Sentomaru replied at once.
Ezra continued, "Any sign of Straw Hat and his crew?"
He had already scanned the entire island on his way here, yet Luffy's presence was nowhere to be found.
"They escaped from the port and are heading for Grove Thirteen."
Ezra raised an eyebrow.
"You did not try to stop them?"
"I am on my way with the Pacifistas right now."
"Good," Ezra replied. "Hold them there. I will be there shortly."
He ended the call and prepared to fly toward Grove Thirteen.
A massive mechanical arm suddenly slammed down toward him.
Ezra halted and clenched his fist.
One Bone.
The impact shattered the metal limb into fragments.
Ezra turned slowly, crimson eyes glowing.
"Eustass Kid. You really are looking to die."
Kid laughed wildly.
"Admiral Blazefire. I have heard your name everywhere. As the man with the highest bounty of this new era, how could I avoid a fight like this?"
"Mechanical Arm."
Metal parts flew together, forming two enormous fists that smashed toward Ezra.
Ezra tilted his head slightly.
"What made you think you were qualified to challenge me?"
White Lightning.
A bolt of violet energy obliterated both mechanical arms in an instant.
Kid's eyes widened.
Ezra vanished and reappeared right in front of him. His hand clamped onto Kid's face and slammed him into the ground.
Blood sprayed from Kid's mouth.
Ezra was not finished.
He tossed Kid upward and drove a brutal kick into his abdomen, launching him like a cannonball into a distant tree. The trunk split in half as Kid collapsed unconscious.
Ezra calmly called Sentomaru again.
"Send one more Pacifista. Kid is captured."
On Grove Thirteen, Sentomaru, who was fighting Straw Hat's crew, froze in disbelief.
That was terrifyingly fast.
"Yes, sir," he replied quickly. "We are engaged with Straw Hat right now. Bartholomew Kuma is also on the way."
Ezra frowned slightly.
If Kuma arrived, Luffy would escape again.
He needed to move.
"I am coming."
Ezra hung up and flew toward Grove Thirteen.
By the time he arrived, Luffy's crew had just managed to destroy one Pacifista. Bartholomew Kuma stood before them.
"Where would you like to go on your journey?" Kuma asked calmly.
He raised his hand toward Robin.
A sharp voice cut through the air.
Lightning Lance.
A streak of orange lightning slammed into Kuma, forcing him to block. His pawed hands absorbed the impact, though his expression tightened.
He deflected the blast but failed to send Robin away.
Sentomaru hurried to Ezra's side.
"You finally made it, Admiral Blazefire."
Ezra nodded.
"Why stop Kuma?" Sentomaru asked. "He is one of the Seven Warlords."
Ezra did not explain Kuma's true allegiance.
"I promised Straw Hat that if I met them again, I would capture them myself. No one else interferes."
Kuma frowned. This was not how he expected things to unfold.
He knew his body was almost fully converted into a weapon. He no longer feared death. What mattered was getting Luffy and his crew away safely.
Kuma swung his hand again.
Robin vanished.
"Robin!"
"Robin!"
Luffy and the others shouted in horror.
Ezra's eyes burned with rage.
"You are courting death."
He flashed in front of Kuma, his fist glowing with power.
One Bone.
Kuma tried to block with his paws, but the force was overwhelming. His body was hurled backward and embedded into a tree.
Ezra turned toward Luffy's crew.
"Sentomaru, withdraw the Pacifistas."
Sentomaru swallowed hard.
"PX units, retreat."
The machines obeyed and pulled back.
Sentomaru quickly left, unable to endure the killing intent rolling off Ezra.
Luffy clenched his fists.
"Old man."
Ezra cracked his neck, crimson eyes fixed on him.
"Last time, I let you go because of your grandfather. I also warned him. If I ever meet you again, I will show no mercy."
Ezra glanced over the crew. Carina was already gone, sent flying by Kuma earlier.
It did not matter.
He tightened his dark red gloves.
"Come, Luffy. Fight with the intent to kill me. Otherwise you can go reflect on your life in Impel Down."