Kizaru was the first to react, his palms glowing brightly as he unfolded a radiant yellow barrier, attempting to envelop the ice coffin.
He had experience—even the Yasakani no Magatama couldn't kill that guy. Right now, Griffin's method seemed most suitable for dealing with Kari.
Bang—
The ice coffin was blasted open by an invisible shockwave, flames piercing through the sky full of ice shards.
The cluster of flames bypassed the light barrier, coalescing into human form mid-air.
A cold gaze looked down upon everyone.
...
...
A drop of cold sweat slid down Kizaru's temple.
"You... are you really some kind of monster..."
Not a Devil Fruit user yet possessing Logia-like abilities, no lasting physical wounds, able to regenerate even after being shattered...
This definitely wasn't human!!
Kizaru had a little-known weakness.
Due to experiences in his childhood, he despised darkness and avoided speaking of supernatural entities.
Perhaps this was why the Glint-Glint Fruit had chosen him in their mutual selection.
...
Kari looked down at Griffin in Doll's arms, a faint smile curling at the corners of his thin lips.
"You've won this time, Uchiha Griffin."
"Our battle is far from over."
"Your old tricks won't work on me next time."
"On the path toward our ultimate goals, I'll enjoy fighting you, just like our ancestors did."
As soon as he finished speaking, Kari transformed into a streak of fire charging toward King.
...
King's face lit up with joy: "Great! I'll take you away immediately!"
Placing a hand on King's chest, Kari shook his head.
"We can't escape through normal means."
"Since you've put in some effort, I'll give you a send-off."
...
"What... do you mean?"
——
"Hey! That's really rude, kid!"
Brilliant light enveloped the sky as Kizaru thrust his palms forward, as if nurturing a sun within them, terrifying pressure blanketing the entire island.
...
Just as everyone's attention turned skyward, Kizaru's body transformed into particles of light, instantly appearing beside Kari.
"Have you ever been kicked at the speed of light?"
...
Kari turned his head with a faint smile.
"Kizaru, have you ever witnessed a self-destruction?"
Whoosh—
Invisible flames ignited across Kari's body, the intense heat distorting the air around him.
A point of firelight expanded outward from his center, triggering countless sparks and electric arcs.
Kizaru's pupils contracted slightly, realizing what was about to happen. He hastily retreated, placing himself between the heavily injured Griffin and the Marines.
...
——
Kari's body cracked, his skin turning dark as inkstone, with molten magma visibly surging within the fissures.
His muscles swelled, veins bulged, and Chakra erupted outward like scorching steam, his snow-white hair staining crimson.
"What are you... going to do..."
King asked again.
"I told you, I'm giving you a send-off."
Kari gently pushed against King's chest, sending him flying backward.
Instantly, flames engulfed Kari's body.
——
Fire Release Secret Technique - End of the World Great Explosion.
...
Legend says this technique was created during the distant era of Ninshu by a Fire Release master to combat demons plaguing the ninja world.
Burning the user's soul and Chakra as sacrifice, it instantly unleashes power exceeding the user's current limits—the ultimate mutually assured destruction technique.
The caster inevitably dies, their soul completely annihilated and unable to enter the Pure Land. Due to the excessive cost, it was permanently sealed away, eventually lost to time.
However, later generations obtained some fragmented texts and, through research and refinement, developed a technique with lower costs, better effects, and greater durability.
It was called—the Eight Gates Formation.
——
——
Light flooded the sky.
The explosion arrived belatedly.
BOOM!!!!!!!
A massive fireball rose from the flashpoint, its terrifying high temperatures soaring into the air.
Followed by the shockwave—
Like an invisible giant hand, it instantly crushed and pulverized all the debris of the buildings!!
——
——
——
Tap… tap…
As the explosion subsided, sparse raindrops fell from the sky, landing in the massive crater that had been melted into a glass-like substance.
The roots of the red trees blazed fiercely, growing even more intense in the rain.
Whoosh————
As the dust settled, Kizaru slowly lowered his raised palms. It was he who had used Armament Haki to block the aftermath of the explosion and protect everyone.
Staring at the vast, empty crater, Kizaru's expression darkened.
If it were any other opponent displaying such resolute self-destruction, he might have sincerely praised them.
But…
Everyone knew that Kari had escaped by feigning death!
Truly an undying monster…
This was a desecration of precious life!!
Does he not consider the fundamental laws of the world at all!!
...
...
"He got away again…"
Kizaru shook his head helplessly, then turned to look at Griffin, who was barely breathing, and suppressed his frustration, chuckling lightly, "No matter what, no one sacrificed their life this time."
"You successfully upheld the justice of the Marines, Colonel Griffin!"
Griffin had no strength to respond. Overwhelmed by immense exhaustion, he closed his heavy eyelids and fell into a deep sleep.
——
——
——
With the war over, rescue teams and reconstruction units moved in to clean up the aftermath.
...
Mary Geoise – The Room of Power.
The Five Elders, who had watched the entire event, fell into silence.
...
"He's more troublesome than anticipated."
"The analysis report is out. In terms of combat power alone, one Marine Vice Admiral is enough to contend with him. The problem lies in his endless stream of bizarre abilities."
"An undying Vice Admiral… Isn't that just like the power of the Go—"
"Don't joke around. His immortality can't possibly be the same as the abilities granted by that esteemed figure. There must be a weakness!"
"That Marine… Griffin, wasn't it? He successfully froze Kari for a period of time."
"If the stronger Kuzan were to take action, he could definitely resolve this completely!"
...
...
"Continue investigating Kari's whereabouts, and at the same time, intensify our infiltration into Wano Country… Kaido has gone too far this time!"
"Wano Country's geographical location makes it difficult for the CP Department to act. Kaido has grown into a monster of that caliber… We'll discuss it later."
"What about Boa Hancock? How should we handle her?"
...
...
Saint Saturn said coldly, "She openly aided the murderer of a Celestial Dragon. I propose immediately stripping her of her position as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and reissuing a bounty!"
After a pause, Saint Warcury, who originally proposed the Seven Warlords system, said gravely, "Her stance is still debatable. It might be due to some personal grudge between her and Colonel Griffin."
"I will send someone to investigate. If it's confirmed that she acted because of Kari, I agree with Saint Saturn's proposal."
...
"Very well, investigate this matter. The Seven Warlords plan is not yet fully established, and the Snake Princess is a valuable asset."
"Then… what should we do about Colonel Griffin?"
...
"Without a doubt, he is the hero of this battle—the first Marine to protect a Celestial Dragon since that individual appeared. He deserves substantial commendation."
"I believe... he could be assigned to the CP Department."
Saint Saturn frowned slightly: "He lacks respect even for Sengoku, and he's a man who awakened Conqueror's Haki... Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"
The bald Saint Nusjuro shook his head gently: "Awakening Conqueror's Haki isn't that special. Didn't Sengoku and Garp do the same?"
"Compared to them, this young man understands things better and has a high degree of recognition toward the World Government."
"I even think that, given time, he would qualify to enter that place."
"Saint Nusjuro thinks so highly of him..."
"Let me discuss this matter with Sengoku. We also need to consider Griffin's own wishes."
...
"A mere Marine Colonel—do we really need to care about his personal wishes?"
Saint Saturn looked at the Five Elder who spoke and smiled mysteriously: "Of course we must consider his wishes. After all, if he strongly resists, some experiments cannot proceed."
"Haven't you noticed..."
"What does Kari's desperate urgency to kill him signify?"
"I suspect that in the ancient war Kari mentioned, the Lunarian Tribe was actually at a disadvantage, which is why they fear the Uchiha clan so much!"
"Those eyes might hold the secret to breaking Kari's immortality!"
...
"In that case... they truly are a powerful clan."
Even they had expended considerable effort back then to drive out the Lunarian Tribe and seize the Red Line.
To be the natural enemy of the Lunarian Tribe, one could imagine their strength.
"Vegapunk's research has made some progress, and Borsalino has agreed to cooperate with the study."
"Let's carefully discuss Griffin's placement. In any case, we cannot allow this guy to return to the Four Seas Branch."
"I second that."
"Connect me with Sengoku."