Hina stared after the fading streak of light that had been Admiral Kizaru. Her voice trembled softly: "Was that… Rolan? I never imagined he'd be that strong."
She shook her head, realizing it wasn't a fight she could have joined. Quietly, she bent down and began to rouse the Marine soldiers who lay unconscious all around.
---
A golden flash blazed before Rolan's eyes, so intense that he had to squint. He recognized it immediately — Kizaru's power.
"Wow, that's too damn bright," Rolan muttered under his breath.
He understood clearly: that was no ordinary strike. The Admiral of Light was not someone to be dismissed lightly.
Rolan drew in a long breath, steadying himself. He clenched his fist, infusing it with a lethal combination of his own electromagnetic energy, Armament Haki, and Haoshoku Haki, and charged forward.
Kizaru, sensing danger, hardened his fist with high-tier Armament Haki. In a clean, decisive clash, they collided.
Boom.
Rolan held his ground as Kizaru stumbled back nearly ten paces. The Admiral blinked, adjusting his yellow sunglasses, his gaze settling on Rolan's face with a mix of shock and wariness.
Last time, he had nearly captured Rolan and dragged him to prison. But now… this young man posed a real threat.
Pain lanced through Kizaru's arm, the bone clearly fractured. His heart beat darkly: This mission is far from easy.
Rolan let loose his electromagnetic power in one explosive burst. The shockwave struck Kizaru like a violent storm, forcing him to retreat again.
Then, in the blink of an eye, Rolan reappeared before him, delivering a savage side kick to Kizaru's temple.
Kizaru raised his leg to counter the kick, but he could feel the strike like steel against steel. Rolan's physique was already top-tier, and now augmented with his haki and energy, he was no ordinary opponent — especially for someone whose body was made of light.
Boom.
The impact echoed. Kizaru transformed into a stream of light, rocketing toward a nearby mountain. The collision shattered the peak; a cloud of dust billowed into the sky.
When the dust settled, Kizaru's figure slowly re-formed. He coughed out blood, but as soon as he steadied himself, Rolan stood before him again.
Without pause, Rolan threw a punch directly into Kizaru's chest, empowered by his electromagnetic charge and Haoshoku Haki — so forceful that Kizaru couldn't evade.
Boom.
Kizaru slammed into the ground, dirt flying at the impact.
Rolan stared at him coldly. "Admiral Kizaru," he said, his voice even, "tell me this — do you serve the Celestial Dragons, or do you serve the Marines? Are you their Admiral, or someone else's?"
Kizaru coughed, steadying his breath.
"Also, I have a lot to tell you. I can't tell you more now. Maybe sometime later, when you come to my domain — then we'll talk."
Rolan's expression didn't soften. "I'm leaving. Until next time."
Without waiting for a reply, he vanished from sight and reappeared on his ship.
A mechanical chime rang silently inside his mind:
Ding. Congratulations to the host for completing the choice. Rewards: Top-tier Armament Haki, top-tier physique, 1,000 Senzu Beans.
---
Back aboard the ship, Nami rushed to him. Her face was pale, worry etched all over. "Rolan!" she cried.
That had been an Admiral. She could hardly hide how terrified she'd been.
Rolan caught her by the shoulders and popped a Senzu Bean into his own mouth, then turned to her. He brushed a strand of hair from Nami's face.
"I'm fine," he said quietly, "just… a little tired."
His tone was calm, but inside, something soft stirred: during his previous life, He'd liked the character Nami, But now, here she was, flesh and blood, standing before him — alive and real.
He ran his hand through her hair.
Crocodile, watching, frowned slightly. He actually did it… he beat Kizaru.
Enel clenched his fist, anger flashing in his eyes. "Hmph. When I master my Haki, I'll beat that yellow monkey myself."
---
Marineford, Marine Headquarters.
In the war room, Sengoku glared at Hina. "Is what you said true? Do you mean to say Kizaru was defeated by Rolan?" His voice boomed, confusion and incredulity mixed.
Garp, standing nearby, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If that's so, Rolan is far more dangerous than I expected. He's grown a lot since the last time" His eyes were serious — this was no joke.
Sengoku nodded. "He's strong enough that he can't just be negotiated with."
Akainu, sitting across the table, slammed his fist down. "I've said it before — someone like Rolan should have been eliminated the moment he showed up! He cannot be allowed to roam freely."
Tsuru, ever composed, spoke up, "First, we must find Admiral Borsalino. Then, we prepare a full strategy to contain Rolan. He cannot be allowed to continue growing unchecked."
Akainu's arm crackled, magma glowing beneath his sleeve as he leaned forward. "That yellow monkey would probably spare him. If it were me, I'd burn him to dust."
On the ground nearby, a tall figure stirred. His voice was soft, sleepy. "Sakazuki, Borsalino will be faster than you. By the time you arrive… Rolan might be long gone."
Akainu growled, "Kuzan, shut up, you sleepyhead."
Kuzan rolled over, unconcerned, and went back to sleep.
Sengoku rubbed his temples. "Enough. Wait for Borsalino. Then we make the plan."
Evening came before the report arrived. A soldier entered and announced that Admiral Kizaru had returned.
They turned to see him, seated in a wheelchair, his body wrapped in bandages like a mummy. Sengoku's eyes were hard with frustration. "Borsalino, you… you came back looking like that?"
Kizaru gave a weak smile. "I know how serious this is."
Akainu glared. "Borsalino, don't act innocent — you wrapped yourself up again so you don't have to face me."
Kizaru shrugged. "I lost fair and square this time. Rolan awakened something advanced: high-level Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and… Haoshoku infusion."
Akainu didn't look convinced. "Still, you're powerful, and you didn't get obliterated."
Kizaru's eyes darkened. "He has a special ability. It interferes with my Pika Pika no Mi. That's why I couldn't fight at full power."
Kuzan stirred, finally looking at Kizaru. "A special Devil Fruit ability?"
Kizaru shook his head. "I don't know exactly. But it's not Logia. It's likely a unique Paramecia ability."
Sengoku frowned more deeply. "Any other intelligence?"
Kizaru nodded. "Crocodile has joined Rolan's crew. And they also have a Logia Devil Fruit user — Goro Goro no Mi."
Sengoku slammed his hand on the table. "What?! Crocodile? And a top-tier Logia? This… this is very bad."
Tsuru looked grave. "Yes. This situation is far more dangerous than we anticipated."
_____
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