Marines aboard the warship were startled when a streak of black flames tore across the sky, halting just short of their vessel.
[Host observed: User of the Glint-Glint Fruit. Ability: Transform into light and move at light speed.]
[Host observed: Master-level Armament Haki. Peak control detected.]
[Host observed: Perfect-level Light Sword Mastery. Mastery confirmed.]
Shirogai Yamikuro, cloaked in pitch-black Eternal Flames, descended with the brilliance of a star about to crash into the world.
High above, a swirling mass of searing black fire formed in his palm, drawing every eye on the deck.
"Enemy sighted! All hands, battle stations!"
Cannons swung toward him, the entire Marine crew locking onto the lone figure suspended in midair. Even in the presence of an Admiral, Shirogai's aura was overwhelming—commanding the scene with an ease that made the Marines grit their teeth.
He stepped forward in the air, the Eternal Flames writhing around him, condensing into a massive fireball. His gaze fell on the man in the striped yellow suit and justice cloak—Admiral Kizaru.
A grin spread across Shirogai's face.
"Hahaha! Kizaru… it's rude not to return a favor! Let's see how you handle this!"
With a flick of his arm, the black fireball shot toward the warship.
"Eternal Flame—Dark Prison Emperor!"
The fireball descended slowly but with unstoppable force, igniting the sea wherever its shadow fell.
Kizaru's sunglasses caught the reflection of the monstrous blaze. "Troublesome…"
Light bullets rained from his hands, striking the fireball and scattering it into burning fragments. Yet the black flames clung to everything they touched, burning Marines alive as they rolled in agony, unable to extinguish the cursed fire—even when they plunged into the ocean.
Within moments, the deck became a hell of charred screams.
Knowing the flames' inextinguishable nature, Kizaru's usual lazy tone hardened. He transformed into pure light, flashing in front of the fireball, and with a devastating kick, launched it skyward.
The Dark Prison Emperor swelled, absorbing air, but was quickly riddled with golden light bullets.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
The attack shredded the sphere until it burst in a violent explosion, scattering Eternal Burning Flames far across the sea.
Kizaru, hovering midair, brushed stray black embers from his body with a grimace. "Oh dear… what a pain."
---
Back on the warship, Shirogai stood where Kizaru had been moments earlier, eyes closed, looking utterly unconcerned about the Marines scrambling behind him.
A golden beam shot down as Kizaru reappeared, hands in pockets.
"Careful, all of you," he warned the crew, voice drawn out in that trademark lazy tone. "If these flames touch anything… you won't be putting them out."
Relief spread through the ranks at their Admiral's return.
Through his sunglasses, Kizaru eyed Shirogai. "How terrifying~~ The Plunderer, huh? Smoker was right… someone like you could become another monster on the level of the Four Emperors."
Shirogai didn't respond. He simply stood, resting as if he hadn't heard.
"Arrogant pirate!" a tall Marine growled. With twin cleavers the size of doors, he leapt into the air and brought them down in a mighty swing.
CLANG!
Gasps echoed around the deck. The blades had passed cleanly through Shirogai—his torso dissolving into reddish-yellow light before reforming.
"He… he turned into light?! That's Admiral Kizaru's ability!" a Marine stammered.
Kizaru's usual grin flattened into a thin line. "Oh my, oh my… how terrifying~~ You even copied my Glint-Glint Fruit. Guess your reputation is well-earned."
In truth, he already knew from the Gorosei that Shirogai possessed a mysterious Talent Fruit capable of learning other Devil Fruit abilities. But he hadn't expected him to master his power in under five minutes.
That was enough to put even a Marine Admiral on edge.
Shirogai opened his eyes, smirking. "Tell me, Kizaru… why would one of the Navy's strongest bother with the shallow waters of the first half of the Grand Line? Let me guess—the Gorosei sent you to take me in?"
The tall Marine from before snarled, refusing to be ignored. "Damn pirate! Justice Judgment!"
He lunged again—but Shirogai blurred, reappearing at his side with a mocking grin.
"Marine… speed is weight. Have you ever been kicked at light speed?"
---