One week later, Marine G-10 Base.
After several days of emergency repairs, the devastating scars left behind by the battle against the Whitebeard Pirates had been roughly cleaned up.
Still, shattered walls, collapsed structures, and those bottomless chasms carved into the ground remained everywhere—silent witnesses to the sheer madness and terror of that clash.
The Marines stationed within the base were exhausted, yet their morale was unusually high.
After all, they had successfully repelled the "World's Strongest" pirate crew and protected the forward outpost island—
—even if the island itself was now half-destroyed.
At that moment, at the far edge of the sky, a dazzling golden streak tore through the heavens at a speed far beyond what human vision could track.
The light crossed the outpost island in an instant, heading straight for the central plaza of G-10 Base.
Golden radiance flickered. Particles converged.
A tall, slender figure clad in a yellow-and-white striped suit began to materialize, a lazy, amused expression hanging loosely on his face.
One of Marine Headquarters' highest combat forces—
Admiral "Kizaru" Borsalino.
"Yo~ how scary~ Looks like you guys really got wrecked~"
His teasing drawl hadn't even fully landed—
—and his body had not yet completely solidified from its light-particle state—
When suddenly!
"BOOOOM—KRAAAACK!!!"
A massive lightning pillar crashed down without warning, its precision bordering on outright prediction.
Its speed surpassed even sound itself.
The target wasn't the plaza—
—but the exact patch of space where Kizaru was about to fully materialize.
"Hm?!"
Kizaru's perpetually half-lidded eyes snapped open just a fraction, genuine surprise flashing through them.
His Logia transformation speed was among the fastest in the world. Very few could even perceive his light-speed movement—
—let alone intercept it with such pinpoint accuracy.
At the very last instant, Kizaru's body fully dispersed into light once more, flashing sharply sideways.
"BOOOOM!!!"
The lightning pillar slammed violently into the spot where he had been about to stand.
Rubble exploded outward. Electric serpents danced wildly.
The blinding flash left nearby Marines momentarily blind.
Several meters away, Kizaru stumbled as he re-formed his body, glancing down at the crater he had just narrowly avoided.
He raised a hand to scratch his curly hair, lips puckering into a strange shape.
"So scary~That was this close, you know~That kind of greeting… is really enthusiastic~"
Then he lifted his head, gaze drifting toward the source of the lightning, curiosity creeping in.
"But still…""Someone who can stop light itself—"
Before he could finish, the air ahead crackled violently.
Zzz—!
Countless arcs of deep blue lightning burst into existence, converging rapidly, sketching the outline of a human form.
Enel appeared amid the blinding electric glow, floating half a foot above the ground.
Arms crossed over his chest, a golden staff resting diagonally across his shoulder, his face filled with undisguised arrogance and irritation.
"Tch." Enel spoke first, his impatience unmistakable."Without permission, who allowed you to land so arrogantly in God's domain?"
Kizaru looked at the man before him—the crackling electricity, the self-proclaimed "god"—
—and especially at the pure, overwhelming lightning power radiating from his body.
The playful expression on Kizaru's face froze for a moment.
Then, as if something clicked, he slowly nodded in realization, that familiar sleazy grin creeping back onto his lips.
"Ohhh~ so it's you~"He dragged out the words, tone light and teasing."No wonder… I was wondering who could pull off something like that—even stopping light."
He looked Enel up and down, his gaze lingering briefly on the drums at Enel's back and the golden staff.
"You came down from that Sky Island, right?'God' Enel?" Kizaru tilted his head. "If I remember right, you were brought back to the Marines by Gern?"
"The hell do you mean 'brought back'?!"
Enel exploded.
"I descended, got it?!You damn shiny bastard—want to be judged by God?!"
Lightning flared violently around him as he thrust the golden staff toward Kizaru.
"…Shiny bastard…"
That particular phrase made Kizaru pause for a split second.
"Enel."A slightly weary voice cut in."Didn't I tell you not to discharge electricity in front of the base buildings?"
At that moment, Gern Reginald Sigmar emerged from the headquarters building, bandages still wrapped around parts of his body.
Lipo and Tesoro followed behind him.
"Oh~ long time no see, Gern." Kizaru greeted lazily.
Gern frowned slightly at the unexpected visit.
"Senior Borsalino…?"
...
Inside the G-10 office.
Gern walked behind the desk and sat down, gesturing for Kizaru to take a seat.
Kizaru, naturally, didn't bother with formalities.
He sprawled lazily across the sofa opposite, legs crossed, posture so relaxed it was as if this were his own office.
"So…"Gern broke the brief silence, leaning forward slightly, fingers interlaced atop the desk.
"Our ever-busy Admiral Borsalino comes all the way from Headquarters to my freshly demolished G-10 base.I doubt you're here just to mock my subordinates, are you?"
"How straightforward, Gern~"Kizaru puckered his lips, tilting his head as he spoke in that signature unhurried drawl.
"Well, it's nothing major. Mostly, Fleet Admiral Sengoku heard you got into another scuffle with that monster Whitebeard."
"From what he heard, the fight was earth-shattering—nearly sank the island and all that."
"He was worried you might be short on manpower, so he sent me over to see if I could offer a bit of… 'support.'"
When he said support, his tone floated casually, thick with amusement.
Gern smiled wryly and shook his head.
"Senior Borsalino," he said lightly, "do I look like an idiot to you?"
If this were really support, showing up days after the battle ended was a little too "timely."
Besides, given Kizaru's famously vague brand of justice—and his legendary habit of doing the bare minimum whenever possible—
—the idea of him voluntarily rushing to the front lines was laughable.
"Mm~"Instead of being embarrassed, Kizaru let out a soft chuckle.
"Caught me, huh~ How cruel~"
He shifted into an even more comfortable lounging position. His tone remained relaxed, but finally grew a touch more serious.
"Alright, fine. The truth is…"
"There's a very important shipment of Heavenly Tribute about to return to Mary Geoise from the New World."
"According to the designated route, it'll pass through waters under G-10's jurisdiction for resupply."
Kizaru spread his hands, giving Gern a you know how it is look.
"Sengoku probably thinks things have been a little unstable in the New World lately."
"Especially since you just finished throwing down with Whitebeard."
"He's worried some lawless pirates might set their sights on that Heavenly Tribute."
"So~ he sent this overworked soul to come 'escort' it."
Gern listened, understanding dawning on his face.
The wry smile on his lips deepened, now tinged with faint mockery.
"Escort?"He repeated softly, fingers tapping the desk absentmindedly.
"I think… Fleet Admiral Sengoku is more worried that I just fought Whitebeard, might still be a little hot-headed…"
"Or that I'm short on funds to rebuild the base…"
"And might impulsively decide to confiscate—or even outright seize—that Heavenly Tribute."
"So he sent you, Admiral Borsalino, to keep an eye on me. Am I wrong?"
After all—
His reputation as 'Heaven-Shaker' Gern was very much on record with the World Government.
"There's no need to exaggerate like that~"
Kizaru waved a hand lazily, lips still curved in that unreadable smile.
—but the glint in his eyes said nothing had been denied.