"How scary! What a monster!"
Kizaru's body shattered into beams of yellow light before quickly reforming. He stared at Vane with clear surprise. His expression was puzzled:
"Your ability… is it the Tremor-Tremor Fruit?"
"It's the Explosion Fruit. Paramecia-type."
There was no way he could admit to using the Tremor-Tremor Fruit—that would only invite unnecessary trouble. Who really knows the Explosion Fruit? How many have actually read the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia? Even if they have, would they remember it?
Even with Observation Haki capable of sensing intentions, Vane remained cautious.
At that moment, both of Vane's hands were enveloped in spheres of light. His fists clenched, his Observation Haki sharpened, ready to fight Kizaru at any second. Kizaru was dangerously fast—one slip-up and you'd be struck. With the power of the Glint-Glint Fruit, even a single strike from him could cause a massive explosion. Even the giant trees of Sabaody Archipelago couldn't withstand that level of power.
"Explosion Fruit? Paramecia-type? Still, it really resembles the Tremor-Tremor Fruit… You're quite powerful!"
"The terrifying part is your strength at such a young age."
Kizaru's tone was slow and lazy, even as yellow light gathered at his fingertip—then he fired a laser at Vane.
"Thanks for the compliment," Vane replied calmly.
He was about fifteen meters away, and dodged the laser effortlessly.
"Your Observation Haki's not bad at all," Kizaru praised.
Vane remained silent.
Kizaru asked, "Did you kill a Celestial Dragon? And massacre civilians?"
"That's right."
"Why? You've got power and potential… yet you've crossed a line."
"Because crimes protected by law shouldn't exist. The Celestial Dragons don't deserve to live."
Kizaru sighed. "I hate doing this kind of cleanup… but now that you've caused this much trouble, I don't really have a choice."
And then he moved.
Kizaru's body blurred like a flash of sunlight—so fast that even within the scope of Vane's Observation Haki, he was difficult to track. Advanced Observation could predict the future, but only for actions driven by intention. Actions without thought… were almost impossible to read.
Kizaru's attacks had no intention behind them—they were pure reflex and speed.
"Speed is power!"
Kizaru's leg swept through the air like a meteor. Vane reacted, punching forward. Their attacks clashed midair—air cracked, and Vane's arm went numb from the impact.
"Damn… this old man's just toying with me!"
Kizaru's body split, reformed. As a Logia-type, he was immune to most physical attacks.
"What a monster. If the Marines had found you earlier, you'd be a top-priority recruit by now."
Suddenly, Kizaru shifted again, now perched atop a shattered boulder. Light condensed around his leg, and he launched a glowing projectile.
"Too close!"
Vane narrowly dodged. He retreated, ramping his Haki up to the max.
"If I can get in close, I can land a blow. My Armament Haki is strong enough—but I can't keep up with his speed. Right now… I'm not his match."
His face grew grim.
"Impressive, kid," Kizaru muttered. "But I've got other things to do."
Kizaru appeared again—suddenly above him.
Boom!
His leg came crashing down. He was easily three meters tall, towering over Vane. The impact launched Vane through the air, smashing through a giant tree. The explosion shook the entire area, cracking the thick trunk like it was nothing. Vane crashed through several trees before one finally stopped him.
"So damn strong…"
He groaned, leaning against the base of a massive tree. Pain flared through his body. But Kizaru was an admiral—of course he wasn't going all out. Unless Vane truly threatened his life, Kizaru wouldn't take him seriously. And clearly, he didn't… not yet.
"Good thing I've got Whitebeard's physique."
"But I can't fight him head-on."
Vane understood the gap between them. He couldn't even follow Kizaru's movements, let alone land a decisive hit. But he didn't come here to fight the admiral.
He'd made up his mind already: head to Water 7, then Sabaody Archipelago. He'd come back stronger.
"You've got impressive physical strength for your age."
Kizaru's glowing silhouette appeared again—taller than ever.
He launched another kick.
Vane met it with a punch, his fist cloaked in Armament Haki. Their blows collided again.
"Armament Haki too? At your age? Not bad… You're really something, little brother."
Kizaru stroked his chin, staring down at him.
"In that case… I can't let you go."
"My name is Vane. Remember it, Kizaru."
"Vane, huh? I'll remember. But you're still a murderer… And now I've got to get serious. If you can't handle this, you'll end up in Impel Down—or worse. The Celestial Dragons might demand your execution."
Kizaru didn't say it like a threat. More like a warning.
Just as he was preparing another devastating blow, a swift figure darted in from the side—launching a spinning kick toward Kizaru's waist.
"Oh?"
Kizaru was caught off guard. The blow sent him flying, crashing into a distant tree.
Silvers Rayleigh had arrived.
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