"The old man didn't bring his Transponder Snail again."
In Marineford, Sengoku's call failed to reach Admiral Kizaru directly, only connecting to Sentomaru. This wasn't Kizaru's first time going uncontactable; the admiral often left his Transponder Snail behind or kept it off when on duty, his way of avoiding unexpected orders. Unlike Akainu and Aokiji, who took their roles seriously, Kizaru's lazy, go-with-the-flow nature made him inclined to dodge responsibilities when possible, using "missing the message" as an excuse.
"Find him, immediately," Sengoku ordered, tense at this rare lack of contact with Kizaru. Normally, he'd tolerate Kizaru's antics, but not today. He sent Sentomaru searching and then reconnected another call, hearing the harsh reprimands of the Five Elders immediately after.
The incident of the Celestial Dragons' deaths had spread to the world government the moment Sengoku learned of it. Their anger was predictable, and their demand was clear.
"No matter the cost, the perpetrators must face justice." Ending their tirade, the Elders hung up, leaving Sengoku seething.
---
"Admiral Kizaru!"
The Straw Hat Pirates ran toward Sabaody's Island 41 as a golden figure appeared before them, blocking their way. Nami's face paled as she recognized him.
"An Admiral, just like Aokiji!" Hearing Nami's words, Zoro and the others tensed, feeling the threat before them. Only Usopp and Chopper showed outright fear, while Zoro's eyes burned with determination. Seeing Kizaru only stirred his fighting spirit. Regardless of the level of power he faced, he always thought about surpassing it.
"Straw Hat Pirates, you sure do cause a lot of trouble." Kizaru's gaze swept over the crew members, noting each expression and mannerism.
"You know the consequences of killing a Celestial Dragon, don't you?"
"Nami, Usopp, you go ahead. We'll handle him," Luffy ordered, just as he had against Aokiji. As the crew's core fighters, only Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji remained, ready to engage Kizaru directly.
"Green-haired fool!" Sanji, calling out Zoro as he charged from the left, kicked toward Kizaru, while Zoro struck from the right. However, Kizaru simply stood still, as if he didn't see them at all. As their attacks connected, they phased through him entirely, missing their target.
"What's going on?" Both attacks went straight through, leaving Sanji and Zoro baffled. They tried again, and met with the same result.
Without Armament Haki, their attacks were ineffective against a Logia user like Kizaru. Unlike Aokiji's freezing abilities, Kizaru's light-based powers were on an entirely different level.
"Zoro, Sanji, move! Gum-Gum Gatling!" Luffy rushed forward, fists flying in a flurry of punches, but his attacks too passed harmlessly through Kizaru's body.
"What's happening? Why can't we hit him?" Exhausted after using every trick they could think of, the three Straw Hat fighters found themselves panting, confused, and frustrated.
"Seems like you're done now. My turn." Kizaru raised a glowing finger, and before the Straw Hats could react, beams of golden light pierced their shoulders. It was only when the pain hit that they realized they'd been struck.
"Taking reckless actions has its consequences, Straw Hat Luffy." Kizaru's calm voice carried a faint edge of disdain as he looked down at the wounded pirates.
In the distance, the cries of Nami, Usopp, and Chopper echoed as they fled, chased by a series of explosions.
"Nami!" Hearing her voice, Luffy and the others forced themselves to rise despite their injuries. Kizaru's shots had been precise, deliberately avoiding lethal areas to incapacitate without killing.
"Nami, what are you doing back here?" Seeing them run back, Zoro shouted, frustrated.
"I didn't want to, but we had to! There was a—" Nami started to say before a metallic figure stepped into view, its appearance sending a chill through the crew.
"A Warlord," Nami finished, recognizing the form of the Pacifista Kuma clone that had been chasing them.
"Old man, you didn't bring your Transponder Snail. Fleet Admiral Sengoku is looking for you," Sentomaru arrived alongside the Pacifista.
"Got it." Kizaru paused, taking the Transponder Snail and waiting for Sengoku to connect.
"What's the status? Have you captured Straw Hat's crew?" Sengoku's voice crackled over the line.
"Yes, we've got them."
"Damn, did this go too far?" Nearby, Daniel watched Kizaru's call, scratching his head as he watched. "Blackbeard's gone, so Ace is safe for now. That means the Summit War would happen too early if it's because of Luffy… no, it can't go this way yet."
A Summit War started by Luffy would indeed be larger in scale, but Daniel wasn't ready for that yet. His plans still needed time to develop fully.
"Fortunately, Rayleigh's here in place of Kuma," Daniel murmured as he observed the events. If things continued as they were, he might need to intervene.
"Good. Take them back to Marineford." Sengoku's response followed a pained glance at Garp. "Bring Straw Hat Luffy and his crew in."
But before Kizaru could acknowledge, his tone shifted slightly.
"Hold on a second, Fleet Admiral. There's a… a minor complication."
"What's the problem, Borsalino?" Sengoku's voice was laced with tension.
"Well, imagine my surprise seeing a big name here—Dark King Rayleigh himself."
"No use playing games; I'm not letting you take them," Rayleigh, clad in sandals and wielding a long sword, walked calmly from the shadows, fixing his eyes on Kizaru. He had arrived after securing Camie and Hachi back in the ocean, advising them to avoid Sabaody for the time being.
"Rayleigh, do you intend to go against the World Government?" Sengoku's voice crackled with frustration over the line. The World Government and Navy were aware of Rayleigh's whereabouts, but his retirement hadn't warranted immediate action. Capturing or killing Rayleigh would require at least two Admirals, a risky endeavor with no guaranteed results. They preferred to leave him be.
"Sengoku, that doesn't sound like you. Rough day? The Elders giving you a hard time again?" Rayleigh's taunt struck a nerve.
"You—!"
"Enough talk. I'm not letting you take Luffy or his friends. Better give up, Sengoku," Rayleigh interrupted firmly.
"Well, this place sure is lively!" A new voice echoed from above, and a masked figure with a spiraling design on his face suddenly appeared in the air, warping in and out as he approached the group.
"The Akatsuki…" Kizaru's brow furrowed as he saw the newcomer, but he also felt a sense of relief. Now, with two figures in their way, capturing Luffy's group was out of the question. His subtle delay tactic in waiting for Rayleigh had paid off. Even the Five Elders couldn't accuse him of negligence now.
"What's the Akatsuki's goal?" Sengoku demanded over the line. The name alone was enough to aggravate him.
In response, Daniel moved without a word, appearing behind the nearest Pacifista and binding it with a Wood Dragon before pulling it into his Kamui dimension.
"Stop!" Seeing Daniel's actions, Sentomaru rushed forward, swinging his massive double-headed ax at him. But Daniel blocked the blow with his fist, shattering the weapon with a single, powerful strike, forcing Sentomaru to stagger backward.
"Sentomaru, hold back," Kizaru ordered as Sentomaru prepared to strike again.
"What's your purpose here, Admiral Sengoku's lackey?" Daniel taunted, laughing. "Isn't it time you considered new work opportunities?"
"You—!"
"Now, now, Sengoku. There's an amazing placement agency right here, and as a lackey for the Celestial Dragons, doesn't that fit you perfectly?" Daniel's tone was darkly sarcastic.
A loud bang echoed over the line as Sengoku's outburst came through, the sound of something being smashed in anger.
"Come on, Fleet Admiral. I'm just looking out for you. Isn't serving the Celestial Dragons the closest you'll ever get to them?"
Click.
The Transponder Snail cut off abruptly—undoubtedly, Sengoku had broken it in rage.
"Don't you think you went too far there?" Kizaru asked, his usual expression oddly serious. Even Rayleigh glanced at Daniel with a bemused expression.
Sengoku's reputation was generally well-regarded, even among pirates, making Daniel's provocation unusual.
"Too far? Not at all. Our purpose is to overthrow the World Government, after all. To show mercy to enemies isn't our style."
"I thought your targets were the Celestial Dragons themselves."
"Celestial Dragons? They're just puppets and clowns. The world government can just replace them with some other line—Celestial Dragons, Demonic Dragons, whatever. As long as the system remains, they'll find a way. Only by taking down the entire government can the rot be cut out."
"And you're extending a job offer to me?"
"Well, your organization could collapse any day now, Admiral. If that happens, who knows?" Daniel shrugged, a playful glint in his eye.
"And if it does, we'll see." Kizaru replied in kind, his mood lighter, knowing his hands were now tied with Rayleigh and Daniel blocking the way.
"Let's call it even then." Daniel suggested, his tone firm. "There's no point in unnecessary battles today. Not when Rayleigh and I are here."
"Considering everything, this isn't the time for a fight." Kizaru looked between Rayleigh and Daniel, knowing full well he had no reason to press further, even if Sengoku's directives might have said otherwise.
The plan seemed obvious now: allow the Marines to detain the numerous pirates they'd rounded up as a scapegoat, while the Straw Hat crew and others made their escape. Daniel watched as Rayleigh guided the Straw Hat Pirates, Camie, and Hachi toward the edge of Sabaody, preparing them to escape.
"They're setting sail for Amazon Lily." Daniel noticed with a knowing smile. Without Kuma, Luffy's path to Boa Hancock's heart would likely change, and Zoro's chance to train under Mihawk might also vanish.
With the events on Sabaody wrapping up, Daniel had his own plans to prepare for next.
"With the Pacifista dealt with, there's just one last matter. Kaido awaits… And the stage? Let's set it there."
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