Chapter 12

As the saying goes, pick the soft persimmons to squeeze; if you want to show off but also slack off, go after Kizaru.

But that was fake.

The clash of light abilities did not last long.

After all, Su Lin’s ability was not yet refined, and he could not compare with Kizaru.

Kizaru appeared lazy, but he had long ago mastered his ability to a high degree.

In just a few moves, Kizaru found an opening and kicked Su Lin away.

He even used Armament Haki.

Fortunately, an automatic defense artifact absorbed most of the force, yet Su Lin still felt some discomfort.

Han Li had only recently achieved Golden Core, and could not provide him with a superior artifact, let alone one usable by ordinary mortals.

Ye Fan was the same—there were powerful artifacts, but for mortals to use them, they had to be specially forged.

If only engaging in close combat with Kizaru, the combined effect of all current equipment was barely sufficient.

“I’m a newbie,” Su Lin sighed, pulling back just in time to dodge a light-speed kick.

“How terrifying~ these newbies these days,” Kizaru said calmly, casually firing off several beams of light: “You possess an ability remarkably similar to mine. Why is that?”

“That’s hard to explain.”

Su Lin occasionally launched counterattacks, but Kizaru easily blocked them all.

The current situation was this: Su Lin used his light ability’s speed to harass Kizaru; though his poor technique caused no damage, Kizaru could not land any substantial blows on him either.

Occasionally, when Kizaru seized an opportunity, some strange object would intervene to block the attack.

“By the way, about ability usage—I’d really like you to teach me. Your ability is quite useful,” Su Lin wiped his mouth, swallowed the medicinal liquid Ye Fan had given him, and slashed the air with several light blades.

“Oh? You want to learn?” Kizaru stood still, casually blocking another strike, stroking his chin thoughtfully: “I don’t recall you at all—you must not be any important pirate.”

“Why not join the Marines? I’ve always wanted to take on a disciple.”

“Heh, you’re a wicked old man,” Su Lin didn’t believe him for a second.

Streams of light arced from all directions toward Su Lin, while Su Lin occasionally threw talismans and hidden weapons at Kizaru.

Thunderfire Pills, Ice Spike Talismans, Obscuring Powder...

These underhanded items caused Kizaru some trouble—he had never seen such things before.

“You’ve got some strange things.”

Kizaru became more interested in Su Lin: “Still not considering joining the Marines?”

“The salary’s too low,” Su Lin ducked low, evading Kizaru’s light-teleported kick ahead of him.

“I agree—they should raise salaries. Otherwise, I’m losing motivation.”

After this battle, his bounty won’t be low.

Of course, that’s none of his concern.

In truth, while their mouths chattered nonsense, neither side slackened their techniques for a moment.

Kizaru noticed Su Lin’s movements and reactions had quickened slightly—was it related to the potion he just drank?

Earlier, he had been slacking off against the Straw Hat kid; now, facing Su Lin, he was working seriously.

This young man has secrets. It would be better to capture him.

But he hadn’t expected an ability identical to his own would be this troublesome.

Kizaru glanced behind him.

Luffy’s battle was nearing its end—he had been launched a distance by Akainu’s punch.

After reuniting with the rescued Ace, the group did not pause—they began retreating.

Continuing to tangle with this guy was pointless now; he clearly had no intention of a real fight, only to distract him.

If Fire Fist Ace escaped, the Marines’ face would be lost.

Kizaru abandoned further pursuit, muttered a careless remark, and chose to retreat and reinforce.

“Young man~ come report to Marine Headquarters when you have time.”

Seeing this, Su Lin also chose to withdraw first.

“Old veteran.”

The commotion from his chase with Kizaru had been considerable on this battlefield.

Marine Admiral Kizaru did not pursue; instead, he instantly blocked the path before Ace, Luffy, and the others, while Akainu and Aokiji closed in from both sides.

At this moment, Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru all turned their gazes simultaneously toward Luffy and the others.

Even if they had been holding back before, they now understood they must unleash their full power.

The Straw Hat kid may leave—but Fire Fist Ace cannot.

It concerns the Marines’ honor.

Akainu’s eyes turned icy, and countless streams of magma rained from the sky.

His target was not the pirates on the battlefield.

“Our ship!”

“That ship has carried us for decades!”

“Damn Akainu!”

This scene unfolded exactly as history had recorded—Akainu chose to cut off the pirates’ escape route, determined today to wipe them all out, no matter what variables arose!

Aside from a few vessels, most ships were destroyed.

Though the plan had minor flaws—failing to inflict early damage on Whitebeard—you pirates have no escape route left!

“All of you pirates will perish!” Akainu declared harshly.

“Damn magma brat.”

Even Whitebeard’s calm face showed a flicker of pressure.

Akainu’s long-hidden large-scale attack forced Whitebeard to consider how to retreat.

It wasn’t that he feared these Marines—if he feared them, he wouldn’t be called Whitebeard.

The key was how his sons could escape this battlefield.

Whitebeard had already resolved to die on this battlefield—he would carve a path to a new era for his sons, not just Ace.

Though he did not believe in old or new eras, the emergence of the Straw Hat crew had given him some hope for the new era Red Hair spoke of.

At this moment, the man hailed as the strongest on the sea.

Gripping Zoro’s sword, he began walking toward the three Admirals.

Now, his only choice was to buy the pirates a chance to escape.

Meanwhile, the Marines had begun adjusting their strategy.

The escaped Ace was no longer a priority among their ordinary combatants.

That situation would be handled by the Admirals.

All Vice Admirals, Rear Admirals, and elite Marines turned their attention to Whitebeard and the other captains.

Their mission now was to block the Whitebeard Pirates.

Moonlight Moria now cuts a pile of shadows and stuffs them into her body to enhance her physical attributes.

Hawk-Eye Mihawk, after defeating Flower Sword, turned his gaze toward the Whitebeard Pirates.

He did not value the Seven Warlords title given by the Marines—it was merely to avoid their harassment.

Though he had no intention of fighting for the Marines, he looked forward to this chance to face Whitebeard.

Everyone on the battlefield had different goals, each arriving with resolve for their own interests and purposes.

The Marines fought for the order and justice they upheld; the Whitebeard Pirates for the bonds of sons and brothers; the escaped convicts from Impel Down sought chaos or pirate righteousness; each Warlord had their own unique reason for being here.

Su Lin was no different—he only wanted to grind points and recover his investment, plus profit.