BOOM!!!
Just as Doberman and Stainless were about to dispatch soone to call Kuzan for support, the island itself shook again.
From the far side ca another massive burst of Haoshoku Haki followed by a suffocating chill of ice.
"That presence…" Stainless' face stiffened. "Kuzan's aura...he's already engaged with soone?"
"This intensity…!" Doberman clenched his teeth. "With Haoshoku like that, even Kuzan may not be able to break away quickly."
For both n, the realization landed heavy. Could they really count on Kuzan's support now?
Their confidence wavered.
"Accomplices?"
Sakazuki's molten glare fixed on Rain. He didn't need to be told...he knew. That overwhelming presence wasn't Rain's doing. Soone else was here.
"Kuzan's been intercepted," a blood-soaked Onigumo rasped, stepping back onto the field after a hasty bandage.
"By a woman—Mirajane Strauss. She's stronger than expected. He won't be free any ti soon."
The words were a gut punch.
"…Tch. That's bad." Stainless' expression sank. Doberman's scowl grew even darker.
With Onigumo back they were four again but not one of them felt assured.
"Don't panic."
Onigumo's sharp eyes flicked toward his fellow Vice Admirals. A subtle gesture.
I contacted Fleet Admiral Sengoku before we sailed. Reinforcents are already on their way.
He didn't say it aloud...no need to bruise Sakazuki's pride.
Stainless and Doberman both caught the signal. A spark of relief lit their eyes.
"Hmph. Then we simply hold until support arrives."
The three of them straightened, turning back toward Rain with renewed resolve, their gazes hard and unflinching.
Rain tilted his head, reading their intent as easily as turning a page. He could feel Onigumo's thoughts as though spoken aloud.
"So… you've called for backup?" His voice was calm, but his grip on Ace tightened.
"Even if it's Borsalino himself… he'll need an hour to reach here from Headquarters."
His gaze narrowed slightly, the weight of his Haki rolling across the battlefield.
"Half an hour. That's all I'll need to finish this."
"Don't you dare underestimate us!"
Sakazuki's rage boiled over. His fist morphed into molten fury, magma erupting in waves.
"Hellhound!"
Rain didn't bother dodging the terrifying magma. His blade glead as Armant hardened along its edge, black luster surging.
In the sa instant, a violent storm of Haoshoku Haki wrapped around it...conqueror's will made manifest.
"What's this terrifying feeling…" Stainless breath caught. Doberman and Onigumo both felt the cold sweat on their skin.
If we take that head-on… we won't survive it.
Their eyes reflected the sa bitter thought.
"…Where did this monster even co from?" Doberman whispered, voice low.
Compared to him, their own youth felt like child's play.
"Hellhound!!!"
Sakazuki ignored everything else, charging Rain like an erupting volcano.
Rain shook his head as the magma roared toward him.
"Aren't you still learning? It seems holding back has made you misunderstand sothing… Did you really think you could beat like this?"
His eyes sharpened. "It's useless to rely only on Devil Fruits. Body and Haki those are the most important."
Without caring about Sakazuki's reaction, Rain stepped in faster than the magma itself, Ace in his hand glowing with a dark-red aura... Armant Haki fused with Conqueror's.
"Divine Departure!!!"
BOOM!
Sakazuki's magma fist shattered instantly. The overwhelming surge of Haki ripped through his guard and stord straight into his body, tearing apart his insides like a raging tempest.
"Pfft!!!"
Even a monster like Sakazuki couldn't endure—blood burst from his mouth. But gritting his teeth, he forced himself to stand.
"Volcanic Eruption!!!"
He exploded with fury, his whole body transforming into a living volcano. Magma burst outward in a flood, drowning Rain beneath a tidal wave of molten destruction.
"Die!!!"
The entire coast turned into a hellscape of burning stone and searing rivers.
On the warships, the Vice Admirals' eyes widened.
"Did… did that kill him?" Onigumo muttered, almost unwilling to hope.
"Even if it didn't kill him, he has to be badly wounded," Stainless said, though his voice wavered.
Doberman's eyes narrowed, unease flickering in his gaze. "…Don't count on it. That boy… he's terrifying."
Inside the volcano, a voice cut coldly through the inferno.
"Too shallow."
SHRRRK!!!
The eruption split apart as Ace, coated in flowing Armant, pierced straight through Sakazuki's abdon.
Blood gushed out. Sakazuki froze, staring at the blade impaling him.
A sword nad Ace… piercing him…
The irony was fascinating.
Rain stood unscathed, his whole body wreathed in Haki. Not a single burn marked his skin.
"You tried to kill with magma…" Rain's eyes bored into Sakazuki's. "But here I stand, untouched. This is the gap between us."
"Im…possible…" Sakazuki coughed, blood staining his lips. He had unleashed everything, yet the enemy before him remained unhurt.
"The power of Haki is more important than Devil Fruit abilities, Sakazuki."
Rain stood calmly before him, blade steady in his hand. "For example… with your current mastery, you can't even break through my defense."
"The gap… how could it be this big?"
Sakazuki's eyes were wide, disbelief etched into his bloodied face.
"Sorry," Rain replied evenly, pulling Ace free from his abdon. "The gap really is that big."
With a single slash, the volcano Sakazuki had created collapsed in on itself.
The magma tides that had been raging monts before were cut apart as though they were nothing but mist.
When the smoke cleared, Rain stood tall, dragging the battered body of Sakazuki like a discarded dog.
"Sakazuki?!"
Onigumo, Stainless, and Doberman all froze at once. Their expressions twisted in shock as they saw their fellow Vice Admiral limp in Rain's grasp.
If not for the faint trace of aura still clinging to him, they would have thought Sakazuki already dead.
"Sorry… but I'll have to borrow him for a mont."
A cold voice swept across the battlefield.
In an instant, ice spread like a tidal wave. Frost raced up Rain's arm, freezing Sakazuki's bleeding body solid to slow the damage.
"Kuzan?"
Rain turned, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes. Behind him stood the tall, laid-back figure of the admiral candidate.
Cold mist rolled off Kuzan's body as he stepped forward, hands buried in his pockets.
Rain's gaze darted briefly to the treeline, confirming Mira's presence. Feeling no danger to her, he exhaled softly, expression relaxing ever so slightly.
Otherwise… he didn't mind making another "donut."
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