Xiaobi did have a weakness.
Just like Susanoo, it had a core.
If that core was destroyed, then biological imperial arms like them would die.
Susanoo's core was the Yasakani Magatama on its chest.
Xiaobi's core was on the right side of its waist.
But the two were also different.
If Susanoo's core was broken, it could still absorb its master's life force to recover.
If Xiaobi's core was broken—then that was truly the end.
Facing Kizaru's wide-area attack Yasakani no Magatama, Malverick could no longer just stand and watch.
Otherwise, his pet might really be gone.
And he absolutely couldn't bear losing a pet like Xiaobi.
Seeing the sudden black vortex blocking his attack, Kizaru's expression grew more serious.
From the moment he saw Xiaobi, Kizaru had already begun suspecting something.
The one who kidnapped the Celestial Dragons might be the same person who destroyed the slave prison years ago.
"Marine Admiral—Kizaru!"
A voice came from above. Kizaru looked up, seeing a man in black staring down at him.
Under that deep, penetrating gaze, even Kizaru felt a strange sense of fear rise inside him.
"Dark King—Malverick…
To think it was you again."
Destroying the slave prison wasn't enough—now he even kidnapped Celestial Dragons.
Not something ordinary people could ever dare to do.
"You're quite the terrifying fellow.
Even old me feels a bit scared."
Malverick smiled lightly and descended to the ground.
Seeing his master arrive, Xiaobi instantly reverted from its fearsome form back into a cute puppy, rubbing affectionately against Malverick's leg.
The sight made Kizaru's expression become… complicated.
Was that huge monster really this little dog just now?
"Hey, where'd you find that kind of pet?
Old me wants one too."
A strong combatant when needed, an adorable pet when not… who wouldn't want that?
"Well, I must thank the Celestial Dragons' slave prison for that.
If not for it, how would I have Xiaobi?"
It wasn't even a lie—Xiaobi was a system reward after the mission.
No slave prison, no mission—no reward.
"Alright, Robin, you all go back and wait for me."
"I want to have a good talk with the Marine Admiral."
Robin and the others left, returning to the snail ship.
With Celestial Dragons in hand, the Marines didn't dare launch a reckless attack.
And even if they tried, Susanoo and Xiaobi would make sure they regretted it for their next life.
"Good. The ones I was worried about have left."
"Now we can chat properly."
Malverick rotated his neck. He was a bit excited.
Seeing his opponent acting like this, Kizaru was confused.
"What…
Do you think old me is as easy to deal with as a Celestial Dragon?"
Celestial Dragons had almost zero combat ability.
Kizaru, on the other hand, was overwhelmingly strong.
"If you listen to old me…
Release the Celestial Dragons, and we can call today's matter settled."
Honestly, Kizaru didn't want to fight Malverick.
He didn't know why, but he could sense a power inside Malverick that he instinctively feared.
And based on intelligence, a year ago Malverick was already comparable to Bogard.
Now… Kizaru wasn't confident.
"That won't do.
I caught the Celestial Dragons myself. Why would I just give them back?"
Boom!
Malverick unleashed his Conqueror's Haki.
The overwhelming force made even Kizaru raise an arm to shield his face.
"Kizaru, you know…
I've been waiting for someone like you!"
Malverick had always wanted a rival—
Someone on his level.
And someone who was a Devil Fruit user.
He'd met strong people like Rayleigh and Garp, but they weren't ability users.
Barrett was one, but Impel Down wasn't a place to fight seriously.
Magellan, Doflamingo—too weak.
But now he finally had one.
Kizaru was the Pika Pika no Mi user—light.
Malverick represented darkness.
A perfect match.
Only when fighting an ability user could the Yami Yami no Mi unleash its true power.
Thinking of this, the battle intent in Malverick's eyes almost took physical shape.
Feeling that intense killing intent, Kizaru knew—
There was no escaping this fight.
Fine then.
Fight it was.
Kizaru wouldn't back down.
The lazy air around him vanished completely.
A black whirlwind burst from Malverick's body and quickly engulfed the area, pulling Kizaru inside.
Kizaru glanced at his hand.
Something was wrong.
His powers… felt suppressed.
"Hey, hey—being distracted in the middle of a battle isn't a good habit."
A streak of black energy slashed past Kizaru's right side, only two meters away.
A black mark remained on the ground, darkness seeping out and devouring everything around it.
"Kizaru, if you get careless, I will kill you."
Hearing that, Kizaru stopped hesitating.
Light burst around him, shooting toward Malverick.
Malverick released waves of darkness in return.
In an instant, the battlefield split into two halves:
One half pure, suffocating darkness—
The other blinding with golden light.
The two forces clashed violently.
Meanwhile, the situation on the island reached Kong (Steel Bone Kong)!
Bang!
Another desk shattered.
"Him again!
That damned brat again!"
Just remembering Malverick's phrase "very moist" made Kong furious enough to explode.
The veins on his forehead bulged as he ground his teeth.
"Go! Contact Kuzan!
Tell him to get to Sabaody immediately and capture that bastard!"
"I want him dead!"
"Yes!"
But just as they were about to call Aokiji, a Gorosei spoke:
"Fleet Admiral Kong—the Celestial Dragons cannot die."
That one sentence calmed Kong—slightly.
He looked at the Gorosei.
"Right now the Celestial Dragons are in his hands.
We cannot guarantee their safety!"
"That is your Navy's problem.
I only want results."
Kong was now in a bind.
Meanwhile—
Gion (Momousagi), who had just returned to headquarters, also received the news.
She had been following Garp in the Grand Line, trying to intercept Malverick—
but he never appeared.
Instead, she heard he saved Barrett and Redfield.
And now he was on Sabaody!
"Gion, don't go!" Tsuru advised.
"I'll go with Kuzan.
With him and Borsalino, that's enough to capture him!"
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