"Mmm—"
Kizaru frowned and said, "This is trouble."
There's no way through.
Below, the giants had already returned to the Golden Dragon ship.
"Prepare to set sail!"
Jack called out loudly while gazing up at the battle in the sky.
The massive ship slowly started moving, heading away from Enies Lobby.
If they could just stall for a bit longer, it should be about time.
That's what Ian thought.
In the next moment, he shot forward like a meteor, flames bursting behind him to accelerate his speed.
A rare opportunity. It was time to play with Kizaru.
"How troublesome."
Kizaru sighed, but there was no time to think further. If the opponent was Ian, he couldn't afford to slack off.
He pulled his hands apart, and a laser sword materialized in his grip. "Ama no Murakumo!"
Boom!!
Seeing Kizaru draw his sword, Ian also drew his flame sword in a swift motion. The two blades collided in the next moment.
Pitch-black lightning scattered in all directions! Accompanied by leaping flames and flashing sparks.
Such overwhelming Haki!
Ian's first reaction was this.
The strength of Kizaru's Armament Haki is incredible!
It's even stronger than mine by a notch.
It's almost on the level of being comparable to Admiral King.
Speaking of which, while the three Admirals are known for their Devil Fruit powers, each of them is actually a master of Haki.
Though their abilities aren't the ultimate answer, they are actively pursuing that version, so let's acknowledge their ability to foresee the future.
"Oh, wow! Such incredible power!"
Kizaru's body turned into light and shot backward.
He was also shaken inside.
Ian's Haki was already impressive, especially for someone who's only 15 years old.
But what's even more impressive is his physical strength!
It's overwhelmingly powerful!
Ian flapped his wings and pursued, and in the next moment, they clashed again.
The two of them, one wielding a flaming sword, the other wielding a sword of light, engaged in an intense battle in the sky.
The Haki lightning kept flashing, and gusts of wind swept through the sky in waves.
"It's completely at a standstill!"
Below, on the main island of Enies Lobby, a few CP9 agents who had just left the battlefield were watching the fight in the sky, their voices filled with awe.
"Even Vice Admiral Borsalino can't handle Ian the Skyfire?"
As they continued to fight, a strange feeling began to stir in Ian's heart.
Kizaru must not be holding back, or Ian wouldn't be feeling such immense pressure.
But it seems like Kizaru has completely abandoned the idea of chasing after the Golden Dragon ship.
He's just stalling time with Ian here.
He's fighting fiercely, but it's a straightforward face-off, with no desire to use any tricks or alternative strategies.
At this rate, there will be no result from this battle.
Does he think his combat power is enough to crush me and defeat me in a short time?
This guy—
Ian narrowed his eyes.
"Oh, wow, it's almost fading out of sight."
Kizaru glanced at the sea, dramatically sighing.
During their short exchange, the Golden Dragon had already drifted far away, almost disappearing beyond the horizon.
"Are you trying to remind me?"
A small smirk tugged at Ian's lips.
Kizaru swung his sword with force, the powerful strike sending Ian flying. "I don't understand a word you're saying, Ian-kun."
"Yata no Kagami!"
Kizaru unleashed a beam of light, extending toward the distant Golden Dragon.
At the same time, his body transformed into light, rushing along the beam.
Ian's eye twitched.
To transform in front of me... you really don't see me as a person, do you?
The sword of flame in Ian's hand extended before crashing down.
Boom!
The path of light was instantly severed.
Along with it, Kizaru, who had been mixed in with the light, was struck.
"Oh!"
He let out a strange cry as his body turned into light and fell toward Enies Lobby.
Boom!!
As the light hit the ground, a massive explosion erupted.
Ian sighed.
Ah, the seasoned veteran.
I get your point, Vice Admiral Borsalino.
The pirate way, where less is more.
Without hesitation, Ian turned and spread his wings, soaring through the sky like a shooting star, chasing after the Golden Dragon.
Below, on Enies Lobby.
On the edge of the giant crater created by the explosion.
Kizaru, his clothes spotless, took out a Den Den Mushi and dialed slowly.
"Borsalino, how's it going on your end?"
The voice of the Marine Fleet Admiral urgently came through the receiver.
"I'm really sorry, Mr. Kong," Kizaru spoke apologetically.
"That guy Ian is as strong as a monster; I couldn't do anything about him."
"Now that the Golden Dragon has left, should I pursue them?"
"Pursue?"
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Kong responded,
"No need. Besides Ian, there are several other powerful officers on the Golden Dragon. What can you do on your own if you catch up?"
"Stay at Enies Lobby and organize the rescue efforts."
"Understood."
Kizaru hung up the phone.
He sighed deeply.
After all, continuing to chase wouldn't lead to any results, so why risk his life, right?
Isn't it better to just go back to work in peace?
Golden Dragon.
Ian descended from the sky.
"Ga ba ba ba ba! Welcome back, Ian!"
The giant was the first to greet Ian.
"How was it, Ian!"
Yamato followed, full of curiosity,
"How was the battle with that guy?"
Ian's expression was a bit odd.
After a long pause, he said, "Well... it was quite a fulfilling experience."
"Fulfilling?"
Yamato tilted their head.
"After all," Ian sighed, "I witnessed the birth of a true actor."
His companions were all confused by Ian's words, unsure of what he was talking about.
"Anyway, really thanks this time, Ian!"
Dorry shouted.
"Without you, we don't know what might've happened!"
He knew very well that the Flash Man who arrived later was not someone they could handle.
"Thank you! Boss Ian!"
Kashii and Oimo, the two giants, also respectfully bowed to Ian.
Ian smiled and waved his hand.
"It's nothing. I've told you, it's just a favor between friends."
"Gaba gaba gaba gaba! That's right!"
Brogy shouted loudly. "Ian, you're our friend, a friend of the Giant Warrior Pirate Crew, a friend of our Giant Race!"
Ian's lips curled into a smile.
"By the way," He suddenly remembered something. "About the outcome between the two of you."
"Oh?"
Dorry and Brogy instantly lowered their heads, their eyes shining with the same intense light. "Who won, who lost?"
Ian calculated for a moment in his mind. "Brogy took down—"
"Bru bru bru bru."
Suddenly, the snail phone rang.
"Huh?"
Ian was a little surprised and said to the two giants, "Wait a moment."
He took out the snail phone.
Before he even answered, his brow furrowed.
He pulled the snail phone away from his ear and then answered.
"Ian! What the hell are you doing!!"
The angry shout of an old acquaintance came through the other side of the phone. "Do you want to go to war with the World government?!"
Ian chuckled lightly. "No need to get so angry—"
"Five Elders."
**********
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