Chapter 26: Kizaru's Shock — The Flying Ice Pheasant!
Kizaru stared at Rok, his usual mocking smirk tinged with genuine surprise.
He never thought he'd run into Zephyr's prized disciple here of all places.
According to ironclad intel from both the World Government and Marine Headquarters, former Marine Captain Rok—after defecting—was struck by Vice Admiral Stainless's Weapon X poison, a toxin designed to permanently cripple or kill even the strongest criminals.
The top brass had written him off as dead or useless.
Yet here he stood. No trace of poison. Casually blocking a light-speed kick that most Vice Admirals couldn't dream of stopping.
And if that masked man with the Straw Hats earlier was Rok… then the real mastermind behind this world-shaking atrocity wasn't Straw Hat Luffy.
It was him.
"Rok… come quietly to Marineford and await execution."
Kizaru's playful tone vanished. For once, he was serious.
He flashed backward, hands forming an oval frame.
Yata no Kagami!
Countless beams of light erupted, bending and refracting mid-air, attacking from every angle.
Rok didn't dare slack.
Perfect mastery of Rokushiki: Soru exploded beneath his feet, Undead dancing in his hands as he weaved through the deadly web of light.
Unlike with Aokiji, Rok and Kizaru had never been close.
Years ago, Kizaru and Zephyr already hated each other. And Kizaru was the king of slacking off—barely showing up.
So there was zero personal bond.
No reason for Kizaru to hold back— unless he really felt like coasting today.
But with the entire archipelago watching, he couldn't just let everything slide.
"Oh? That Soru… terrifying~ As expected of Zephyr-sensei's chosen genius!"
A few seconds later, Kizaru's eyes widened—not just acting this time.
Rok had taken a full barrage of Yata no Kagami and emerged unscathed.
When Rok first arrived, Kizaru hadn't paid attention to his speed.
Now?
It was insane.
That was definitely Soru— but no Soru in history had ever been this fast.
Even Kizaru, without his Pika Pika no Mi, couldn't match it.
No one in the entire Marines could push Soru to this level.
Rok's version was practically perfect.
What a waste.
If he hadn't left the Marines, Zephyr's dream of him becoming the pillar of true justice might've come true.
"Hey! Rayleigh-senpai! Aren't you going to show up already?!"
Mid-battle, Rok ignored Kizaru's praise.
He was listening.
Just now— Shichibukai Bartholomew Kuma had begun his mission.
Chopper, Usopp, Franky, and Brook— all four had been pawed away.
Kuma even shook his head at Rok from a distance: No sign of Robin or Nami.
Rok's worry spiked.
He couldn't keep playing with Kizaru.
One—he couldn't win yet. Two—he had to find the girls.
And he knew Silvers Rayleigh was watching.
If Rok hadn't blocked that finishing kick on Zoro, the Dark King would've stepped in.
"Hahaha! Kid, I told you—I don't want the spotlight! Then I'll never get peace!"
A hearty, aged laugh rang out.
An old man with white hair and a bare chest flashed in front of Rok— blocking Kizaru's next attack with a single palm.
BAM!
"Pluton Silvers Rayleigh?!"
Kizaru's jaw actually dropped.
Finally!
A legendary pirate!
Now he had the perfect excuse to slack off!
Straw Hat? Whatever. Let someone else chase the kid.
As for Rok… well, letting him go might haunt the Marines later.
But hey—not his problem. He wasn't aiming for Fleet Admiral.
"Rok—go! Don't worry about us!"
Zoro, standing protectively in front of the barely-conscious Luffy, shouted.
They were done.
The real Kuma was right in front of them.
Everyone else had already been sent flying.
He and Luffy were next.
If Rok could escape, their sacrifice would mean something.
Was this it?
Pirate King… World's Greatest Swordsman… All Blue…
Everything ending here?
PAW!
Kuma's palm slammed down.
Zoro vanished instantly.
Luffy woke up just in time to see it.
"ZORO!!!!"
He screamed, voice breaking.
"Calm down, Luffy. They're all safe."
Rok appeared beside him in a flash, voice steady.
Then he turned to Kuma.
"Bear-san… please."
They had a deal.
Rok would owe Kuma a future favor. In exchange— Kuma would send both Rok and Luffy to Amazon Lily.
But right now, Rok wasn't smiling.
"Robin-nee… Nami… Wait for me. I swear I'll save you."
He looked up at the sky, eyes burning with resolve.
Then— just before Kuma's paw touched them—
A massive Ice Pheasant soared overhead.
It passed in a split second.
But carved into the ice, in Aokiji's handwriting:
[Nico Robin — CP0 — Marineford!]
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