On the Phoenix Pirates' side, Marco and Kizaru clashed continuously in mid-air, their movents blurring across the sky.
After so ti, Marco noticed sothing unusual: Kizaru and the Marines aboard the ten warships were fighting in brief bursts, retreating at intervals, and showing no intention of engaging the Phoenix Pirates directly.
It quickly beca clear to Marco that Kizaru was stalling, buying ti for his forces rather than facing them head-on.
Kizaru's Speed was extraordinary. Even with Marco's speed now exceeding ten thousand, it still fell far short of the natural swiftness granted by the Glint-Glint Fruit.
"Damn it! Why are you running, Kizaru? If you refuse to face , then I'll sink your warships first!" Marco shouted, turning sharply and launching toward the Marine fleet.
"Destruction Black Fla…" With a powerful flap of his wings, spirals of intense black flas surged toward the warships, licking the hulls with relentless heat.
"Quick! Extinguish it!" Marines shouted frantically, trying to control the spreading inferno.
At that mont, Kizaru appeared, moving at light speed to deliver a precise kick aid at Marco.
Marco's Observation Haki detected the attack instantly. With his foot reinforced in both Armant and Conqueror's Haki, he countered Kizaru's strike, sparks flying upon impact.
Both recoiled slightly, but Marco's Black Fla left a scorching mark on Kizaru's right foot.
A flicker of alarm passed over Kizaru's face, his sly expression fading. "How terrifying… Marco, how could you grow so strong in just half a year?"
Marco ignored the complint, his gaze cold. "If you keep running, I'll deal with your subordinates first."
Kizaru's eyes grew serious. Releasing Armant Haki from his body, he shook off the lingering Black Fla, sparks falling into the water below.
"This power… your Devil Fruit Awakening, your Haki… everything about you has changed since Marineford. You're completely different. Your Black Fla… it's unique. And now I understand… you truly have the power to challenge Big Mom."
Originally, Kizaru had believed intercepting the Phoenix Pirates would be simple. He hadn't expected Marco to grow so drastically in strength, speed, and Haki control in just six months.
Close combat with Marco was no longer an option; even a single exchange could have catastrophic consequences. The initial surprise attack had already forced Kizaru onto the defensive. Without his imnse speed, he might have already suffered a serious defeat.
Marco's eyes narrowed as he surveyed Kizaru. "You can run, but the other Marines can't. If you don't want them wiped out, then face —fair and square."
With that, Marco dove toward another warship, determined to sink all ten. Kizaru had no airborne ability beyond his Glint-Glint Fruit powers; his aerial movent relied on alternating Moonwalk steps. If Marco destroyed the ships, Kizaru would lose all potential landing zones.
"Hey, hey, hey! The opponent is , old man!" Kizaru's golden light flared, and beams of energy shot toward Marco.
Marco didn't dodge, letting the lasers strike him. Kizaru's expression hardened as he watched Marco completely disregard his attacks.
Black Fla engulfed another warship, sticking to the hull and igniting explosives. The resulting explosions sent Marines plunging into the sea, screams filling the air.
"This Black Fla… it won't go out!" "Even Admiral Kizaru can't stop Phoenix Marco?!" Marines shouted in disbelief.
"During Marineford, Marco was no match for Kizaru… how could he beco this strong?"
Marco soared back into the air, eyes fixed on Kizaru, and taunted, "If you want to stop , fight directly. Stop dodging like a coward."
Kizaru's face paled. As a proud Marine Admiral, he had never been humiliated like this. But Marco's awakening had changed everything—the Black Fla burned with extre heat, and his overall power, speed, and Haki far surpassed Kizaru's mory of him.
If the ten warships were lost, Kizaru risked severe consequences for failing his mission. He found himself in a rare dilemma.
Just as Marco approached the next ship, a golden light flashed before him. Kizaru, holding the Ama no Murakumo sword, slashed downward.
Marco's arm, reinforced with Armant Haki, t the blade with a resounding clang. He did not flinch.
Kizaru's sly expression vanished, replaced with a seriousness rarely seen. "Being called a coward by you wounds my pride! If you want to fight , Marco, then this old man will grant your wish. We will fight… fair and square."
A smile tugged at Marco's lips. This was what he had been waiting for: Kizaru abandoning stalling tactics and engaging him directly. One clear opening might be all Marco needed to turn the tide.
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