"Yasakani no Magatama!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A rapid barrage of dazzling light bullets tore through the air and slammed into the sea, erupting into violent explosions.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
A reddish-yellow blur weaved erratically, narrowly avoiding the deadly barrage. Moments later, the flicker of light landed on a small island, solidifying into human form.
It was none other than Admiral Kizaru.
Kizaru turned, spotting the figure emerging from another beam of light chasing him. With his usual languid drawl, he remarked,
"Oh my, what a headache… Seems my Glint-Glint Fruit really is terrifying when used by someone else."
The pursuing light landed, condensing into Shirogai Yamikuro. He brushed a hand through his hair, a sly smile tugging at his lips.
"The Yasakani no Magatama… not bad. No wonder you use it so often."
He tilted his head with a teasing grin.
"Kizaru, doesn't it feel strange being chased by your own attack?"
Kizaru's weathered face twitched into an amused smile.
"Oh my, you really startled me. To so casually use Yasakani no Magatama… truly terrifying~~"
"Terrifying?" Shirogai's gaze sharpened. "I think those twin laser beams of yours were more frightening just now."
He glanced at the shattered shoreline around them before speaking softly,
"You're a Marine Admiral, yet you rely on sneak attacks. Doesn't that tarnish the dignity of your rank?"
Kizaru adjusted his sunglasses slightly.
"Hey, hey, Shirogai San, don't go making it sound like we're family. I don't have a pirate younger brother, you know."
Shirogai chuckled. "What a pity, then."
A blinding glow began to gather around his hand. Photons condensed, forming a slender sword of light.
With a sharp swish, the blade leveled at Kizaru.
Kizaru's eyes narrowed behind his shades. "Oh my, now this is troublesome. Even my Totsuka-no-Tsurugi, used against me… The Talent Fruit truly is God level~~"
"An Admiral afraid? Who are you trying to fool? Take this — forty-meter light sword!"
Shirogai swung.
The beam sliced through the air like judgment from the heavens.
"Oh my, oh my, what destructive power~~" Kizaru sidestepped, the ground splitting where the sword struck. A charred scar ripped through the island, splitting it in half.
Kizaru peered down at the burning fissure beneath his feet. "The island was cut in half? How terrifying~~"
Still, beneath the lazy tone, his mind raced.
The Gorosei's warnings now made perfect sense.
The Plunderer — Shirogai Yamikuro. A pirate with a 200 million Berries bounty after only a few months at sea. Reports from Smoker to Aokiji described him as a monster with limitless growth potential. Someone who should either be recruited or eliminated immediately, never left unchecked.
Kizaru had dismissed it at first — just another rookie with a flashy reputation. But seeing Shirogai in action…
This wasn't hype.
In minutes, Shirogai had perfectly replicated the Glint-Glint Fruit's ability. His earlier flame attack likely came from another Devil Fruit — meaning he didn't even need the original user alive to wield their power. If left to grow and collect more abilities…
Kizaru imagined the nightmare: multiple world-destroying powers in the hands of one man.
And that man standing before him, calm and smiling.
"Shirogai San," Kizaru began, his tone shifting slightly, "don't you think it's a waste for someone like you to be a pirate?"
He smiled faintly. "Why not come with me to Marine Headquarters? Perhaps you'll find the Marines… more suitable."
Kizaru wasn't lying. In his mind, recruiting Shirogai was the best option. Imprisonment was second best. The worst outcome was fighting and failing to capture him, turning such talent into a sworn enemy of the Marines.
But Kizaru knew the truth: even if he won, catching Shirogai would be nearly impossible. His speed matched Kizaru's own. If Shirogai decided to flee, he could vanish into a crowd before an Admiral could react.
Shirogai met his gaze evenly. "More suitable? I'm a pirate. And a pirate's crimes aren't so easily erased."
He heard the sincerity in Kizaru's words, the weight of the offer. But joining the Marines? That was not in his plans.
Kizaru tilted his head, hiding his eyes behind brown lenses. "Oh my, your thinking isn't so far from mine. While crimes can't be erased, they can be outweighed by justice. If you joined the Marines, rose to Admiral or even Fleet Admiral, who would dare question your past?"
The sunlight glinted off the two as they stood on opposite sides of the fractured island, tension rising.
This was no ordinary clash — it was a collision of power, ideals, and the future itself.
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