Chapter 24: 24. One Supernova At A Time
"I've been telling you, old man, that black den-den mushi is a wiretapping bug, and the voice you're hearing is from another device," Sentomaru exclaimed, exasperated.
"But it doesn't matter now. Please, old man, apprehend all the pirates here."
"Supernovas? What a hassle," Kizaru muttered, scratching his head in frustration.
"The main concern is the Straw Hat Crew. If they slip away, it'll be difficult to justify," Sentomaru reminded.
He knows Kizaru's demeanour well; if he doesn't mention it, the other party might not exert full effort.
"I see," Kizaru responded, wearing a troubled expression as he pocketed the den-den mushi. He glanced at the opposing supernovas and began to approach slowly.
His leisurely strides seemed casual, yet with each step, a palpable aura of dread weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.
"Now that's an Admiral for you; that courage is unmatched," Zoro remarked, a grin of excitement spreading across his face as he adjusted the green bandana on his head and rested his hands on the trio of famous swords at his waist.
Sanji's feet emitted a faint glow resembling molten iron, streaming from toes to ankles.
"Zoro, Sanji, hold back," Luffy ordered.
"Let me handle this," Luffy declared, clenching his fists with excitement.
The lingering despair from his encounter with Aokiji hadn't completely faded. He wasn't the same person as before, but now he possessed enough strength to protect his crewmates.
Facing an Admiral was his chance to prove his strength.
Compared to Luffy's determination, the other supernovas seemed somewhat resigned.
They were all inherently rebellious and fearless individuals.
If they had faced an Admiral before encountering the Pacifistas, they might have tried their luck directly. But the humanoid weapons shattered their pride, not to mention the appearance of an even more monstrous Admiral.
"I'll take the lead," Apoo announced, being the least injured among the supernovas. He cast a glance towards the rear, preparing to flee.
His speed was impressive; in the blink of an eye, he had already covered a considerable distance.
But Kizaru didn't seem to notice. Casually slipping his hands into his pockets, he quipped, "Have you ever been kicked by light speed?"
Before anyone could react, he transformed into photons and vanished on the spot.
In an instant, he moved countless times faster than any form of high-speed movement.
A brilliant light erupted, and time seemed to slow to a crawl in an instant.
Apu tilted his head slightly, struggling to keep his eyes open against the blinding radiance. Then, in a transition from slow to incredibly fast, a flash of light pierced through the air.
In a heartbeat, a dark red shockwave expanded in a hemispherical pattern. Kizaru's form descended leisurely, his Admiral's cloak billowing around him.
Within the crimson surge, Apu's body was hurled into the air and then crashed back down, his eyes rolling back as blood spurted from his mouth, rendering him unconscious.
Kizaru's descent was deliberate and languid, a stark contrast to the lightning-fast kick he had just executed, imparting an eerie sense of unreality.
All eyes of the supernovas remained fixed on Kizaru.
Yet, without a blink, Kizaru's figure flickered in their vision, disappearing in an instant.
"What are you all staring at?" A lascivious and nonchalant voice echoed from behind.
Kizaru scratched his chin, sporting a perplexed expression, as a streak of light flashed from his heel, nearing Drake's waist.
Drake had no time to react. Before he could turn his gaze, the tremendous force at his waist sent him hurtling like a cannonball.
After careening through the wreckage for nearly a hundred meters, he lay motionless, consciousness completely lost.
"You."
In a matter of seconds, Apoo was swiftly dispatched, and before anyone could react, Drake met a similar fate.
Kid and Law quickly assumed defensive stances. Kid generated a current-like magnetic force in his hand while Law's palm faced downward, creating a small hemispherical space.
This was the Admiral, the true monster. Only witnessing it firsthand revealed its terrifying nature. Dispatching them in mere moments was as effortless as breathing.
"You supernovas are like formidable monsters, one after another, terrifying," Kizaru remarked with a hint of distress.
In an instant, his body transformed into a streak of light. Within the blink of an eye, all the standing supernovas, save for Luffy and his crew, were sent flying.
In the presence of an Admiral, supernovas appeared as feeble as infants taking their first steps. This held true even for the supernovas in their prime, let alone those who had been significantly weakened by encounters with Pacifistas.
"It's frightening. These supernovas possess incredible power. I can't afford to let them run amok," Kizaru commented, tilting his head slightly, his hands still in his pockets.
There was something about his demeanour that exuded provocation yet seemed oddly nonchalant, perhaps owing to his unique temperament.
"He truly is a formidable man. His strength surpasses mine at present," Luffy observed, impressed by Kizaru's prowess.
The intensity in Zoro's gaze waned slightly as his vigilance heightened. It wasn't out of fear but because he had a partner standing behind him.
After just a brief skirmish, Zoro knew all too well that he was no match for Admiral Kizaru.
"Green seaweed head, it's a shame our judgments rarely align," Sanji remarked, his gaze fixed on Kizaru with utmost seriousness.
No matter how strong their Haki or skills, if their physical prowess and speed fell short, it amounted to nothing. They were only now realizing the vast gulf that separated them from fighters like Aokiji and Garp.
"This is the Admiral. What an intriguing ability," Luffy remarked, clenching his fist tightly and grinning. Even if the supernovas were dispatched in seconds, it didn't faze him.
Meanwhile, Nami, Chopper, and the others in the distance were on edge. The presence of an Admiral instilled a sense of hopelessness in all weaker individuals.
With unparalleled speed and strength, Kizaru seemed invincible.
"Luffy, can they really take on an Admiral?" Nami asked nervously.
"Is there such a monstrous being in the sea? My nonexistent heart is about to leap out of my chest," Brook quipped nervously, attempting to lighten the mood.
"Now, we can only trust in Luffy and the others," Robin stated calmly, despite being the Straw Hat crew's most wanted member after Enies Lobby. However, her faith in her comrades, especially the captain, was unwavering.
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