"oh?"
Kizaru let out a soft exclamation, his figure constantly shifting amidst the flashes of Gin light, but Luffy's attacks clung to him like a persistent leech.
One punch even forced him to raise his leg, which was covering Armament Haki, to block!
Bang!
The fists and legs collided, unleashing a dull thud and a shockwave of energy spreading outwards!
Kizaru used the recoil to float backward a short distance, hovering in mid-air.
The languor and mockery on his face subsided slightly, and for the first time, his eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, cast a scrutinizing gaze at Luffy with a hint of seriousness.
"Wow~ That's amazing, Straw Hat..."
He spoke slowly, but the casualness in his tone lessened somewhat, "This speed, this attack method is interesting. Your growth rate is indeed monstrous, just like that brat Sabo."
He admitted that the kid in front of him wearing a straw hat had earned him, the Admiral, the right to take him a little more seriously.
"but..."
Kizaru's fingertips began to gather a dazzling gin- colored light, more concentrated and dangerous than when clearing out the grunts. "The speed of light isn't so easy to catch up to~"
" Yasakani no Magatama!"
Instead of a barrage of bullets, dozens of more solid, faster, and more treacherous laser beams shot out like a rain of light with tracking capabilities, precisely blocking all of Luffy's possible dodge routes!
"Good timing!"
Luffy showed no fear; the extreme flexibility and speed granted by his snake-man form allowed him to perform actions that no ordinary person, Benn, could even imagine.
His body twisted, folded, and bounced through the air as if it had no bones, narrowly avoiding deadly laser beams while searching for an opening to counterattack!
The two figures clashed and crossed paths at high speed in the air!
Gin -colored lasers intertwine with red serpentine trails to create a dazzling spectacle!
The roaring sounds and sonic booms were incessant!
Just as Luffy and Kizaru transformed into two streaks of light, one red and one black, engaging in a breathtaking high-speed battle in the air,
Zoro, Sanji, and the others below also temporarily put aside their tension and focused on watching the battle.
Watching Luffy's unpredictable snake-man form, it was surprising that he could actually hold his own against Kizaru, who was known for his speed, and even occasionally force Kizaru to block.
Sanji lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled a smoke ring, his tone tinged with a hint of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing emotion, reflection, and pride):
"It seems our idiot Little Captain... has improved his strength quite quickly. Although he is still very inexperienced, he can already exchange a few blows with Admiral."
Zoro, clutching three swords, watched intently as they crisscrossed in the air. Far from showing worry, his face betrayed excitement and a burning desire for battle.
"Hmph, at least you're starting to look decent. But opponents of this caliber... are more worthy of sharpening one's blade!"
Law, who had been calmly observing the battle, heard their conversation. A slight smile played on his lips, his gaze still fixed on the fierce fight in the air, but his tone carried a hint of guidance and indulgence as he spoke softly:
"It's alright. Anyone who wants to go up and exchange a few blows with Kizaru is welcome. Opponents like him are not common."
These words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake!
Zoro's eyes flashed with a terrifying light, and he almost immediately took a step forward, his hand already on the hilt of Wado Ichimonji's sword. His body emanated an incomparably sharp sword intent, like a peerless treasure sword about to be unsheathed!
"Really?! Then I won't hold back!" His voice trembled slightly with excitement. Being able to spar with the world's top experts was exactly the kind of training he had been dreaming of!
Sanji raised an eyebrow, elegantly straightened his tie, and his eyes burned with the same fighting spirit: "Although I don't want to compete with Mosshead, it seems like a good opportunity to spar with Admiral in terms of leg techniques."
Even Usopp, who had just recovered somewhat, couldn't help but feel eager to try after hearing Law's words, despite still being afraid.
After all, with Captain backing her up, Ann felt completely at ease!
Law's words instantly turned this crisis into a rare "top-level practical training course" in the eyes of everyone at Straw Hat Pirates!
The atmosphere on the field suddenly became somewhat... subtle.
Kizaru, suspended in the air, seemed unaware that she had been used as a renewable "experience pack".
soon,
While Luffy's snake-man form is unpredictable and incredibly fast, Kizaru is, after all, a top-tier powerhouse who has stood at the pinnacle of this sea for decades.
His combat experience, ability application, and control over the speed of light are far superior to Luffy's, who has just awakened Gear Fourth.
"It's time to stop fooling around."
Kizaru accurately predicted a tiny flaw in Luffy's serpentine trajectory!
The ama no murakumo in his hand, formed from pure photons, suddenly burst forth with an even more dazzling light, and its speed instantly broke through its previous limit!
"Speed is weight... Straw Hat, have you ever been cut by the speed of light?"
The gin- colored sword light, like lightning tearing through the night sky, struck Luffy and Benn's crossed arms with such precision that Luffy couldn't completely dodge it!
Clang—!!!
The ear-piercing metallic clang of the Gin exploded!
The hard Armament Haki scales on Luffy's arms were actually cleaved open by this sword, sending out dazzling sparks!
An irresistible force surged through the sword. Luffy groaned as he was sent flying backward as if he had been hit head-on by a high-speed train, crashing into the wall of a building below and kicking up a cloud of dust.
Kizaru did not pursue, and ama no murakumo vanished as specks of Gin light.
He hovered in mid-air, gazing at the smoke-filled hole, adjusted his sunglasses, and spoke with a barely perceptible hint of astonishment:
"Wow~ What a rapidly improving newcomer..."
"It's amazing that it has managed to hold out against me for so long... It seems that this sea is about to be stirred up with new waves."
Kizaru's words were undoubtedly a high recognition of Luffy's strength.
Being personally acknowledged by Admiral as having made "rapid progress" and receiving such praise is enough to make Luffy's name even more renowned.
However,
Just when Kizaru thought the farce was about to end with Straw Hat's defeat,
Below,
An even sharper, more battle-ready aura, like a drawn sword, locked onto him!
Zoro slowly drew his wado ichimonji, the blade pointing directly at Kizaru in mid-air, a blazing flame burning in his single eye:
"Hey, dazzling Admiral... your opponent has changed."
....
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