Chapter 31: "You’re Cheating!"

A sudden thunderous roar shattered the silence.

Crack... BOOM!

Under the impact of that overwhelming force, the seemingly indestructible ice instantly fractured, exploding into countless shards that scattered in every direction.

A terrifying aura filled the air—an energy capable of tearing everything apart and shaking the soul itself.

Just as that power was about to reach Admiral Kizaru, his heart tightened instinctively, as though sensing impending danger.

Then came a heavy thud.

Bang!

Kizaru’s body crashed from the sky and slammed onto the ground. A mouthful of blood burst from his lips, staining the air red.

When he rose to his feet again, he looked noticeably battered.

Blood still hung from the corner of his mouth, and his chest heaved violently. Every breath seemed to require tremendous effort.

Anyone could see that he was in a difficult situation.

Yet behind those narrow eyes, his mind was still working at incredible speed.

"What a terrifying group..."

Suddenly, Kizaru’s body began to emit a dazzling radiance.

He resembled a star on the verge of exploding, releasing endless light and energy.

The next instant, he vanished.

Only a streak of golden light flashed across the sky.

His speed was so fast that the naked eye couldn’t track his movement at all.

Just when everyone thought he had disappeared entirely, Kizaru suddenly reappeared high in the air, both palms facing downward.

Countless spheres of light gathered before his hands.

Each one radiated destructive energy, as if it could explode at any moment.

The sheer number of them was unbelievable.

They densely packed the sky, forming an enormous array of light.

Every single orb contained devastating power. If one struck its target, it would erupt instantly and obliterate everything in its path.

Yet Kizaru continued gathering more.

And more.

Preparing an even more ferocious attack.

"Yasakani no Magatama!"

This time, Kizaru was genuinely angry.

Ron could clearly tell that this version of Yasakani no Magatama was far more terrifying than the one he’d seen during the Summit War of Marineford.

An endless rain of light descended from the heavens.

The attack swept across the battlefield indiscriminately.

Not only were the light bullets countless in number, but each one carried tremendous destructive power.

Brilliant streaks of light tore through the sky, seemingly intent on ripping the very space apart.

Whether it was the ground or nearby structures, everything appeared fragile before such overwhelming force.

The air twisted from the projectiles’ incredible speed.

Massive craters exploded across the battlefield.

Dust filled the sky.

Every explosion sounded like thunder itself, shaking the earth beneath everyone’s feet.

Ron felt a pressure unlike anything he had ever experienced.

So this is the power of an Admiral...

"Tsk, tsk, tsk... We can finally make our move? I’ve been waiting so long the flowers have already withered."

"Kizaru’s little drizzle isn’t even enough to scratch an itch."

"An Admiral... is only this much."

Three figures slowly stepped forward from the rear of the crowd.

Their movements were leisurely and relaxed, as if the chaos surrounding them had nothing to do with them.

They calmly looked up at the incoming rain of light.

"Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Phoenix!"

"Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Phoenix!"

"Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Phoenix!"

Three enormous phoenixes soared into the sky.

Their massive bodies were awe-inspiring.

Flames of different colors blazed across their forms.

These weren’t ordinary flames.

They carried the miraculous regenerative power unique to the phoenix, making the three birds appear even more majestic and imposing.

Their wings connected to one another, forming a giant triangular structure.

Flames intertwined between them, creating an overwhelming spectacle.

Even more astonishing, the three phoenixes’ wings merged into a massive defensive barrier above everyone’s heads.

This shield formed from phoenix wings wasn’t merely magnificent in appearance—it possessed incredible defensive power, capable of resisting attacks from all directions.

At that moment, the rain of light descended.

The countless light bullets smashed into the phoenix barrier.

Each collision triggered violent explosions and dazzling flashes that illuminated the entire battlefield.

Yet despite the terrifying destructive force, the phoenixes displayed unbelievable regenerative abilities.

Whenever a section of wing was blasted apart, the damaged area instantly regenerated.

Again and again, the barrier restored itself and continued blocking Kizaru’s assault.

The battle dragged on.

The phoenixes showed no signs of weakening.

If anything, they seemed to grow stronger as the fight continued.

"..."

Kizaru’s expression became extremely ugly.

He never expected these people to be this shameless.

His attacks couldn’t inflict any meaningful damage at all.

"You’re cheating!" Kizaru shouted angrily.

"Hahaha! Kizaru, you’re not leaving today!"

Jozu laughed from below, his voice filled with mockery and provocation.

However, Kizaru wasn’t angered.

Instead, he remained remarkably calm.

Ignoring Jozu completely, he replied flatly,

"Jozu, that kind of taunt won’t work on me."

Although Kizaru appeared composed, more than half of his attention was actually focused on Ron.

Secretly, he redirected a large portion of the light bullets toward Ron’s position.

Even if some were intercepted, others slipped through the brief openings created whenever the phoenix wings were damaged and regenerated.

Through those tiny gaps, they continued rushing toward their target.

Kizaru had never forgotten his true objective.

Ron.

"Danger!"

Jozu’s furious roar echoed across the battlefield.

He immediately charged toward Ron while transforming into his indestructible diamond form.

But it was already too late.

The sudden change caught Ron completely off guard.

Every hair on his body stood on end as an intense sense of mortal danger surged through him.

There was no time to think.

Almost entirely on instinct, he unleashed the sword technique he had honed for so long.

"Heaven-Sundering Sword Draw!!"

Using two fingers as a sword, Ron slashed forward.

In an instant, seven or eight razor-sharp sword energies erupted around him like bolts of lightning, cutting toward the incoming light bullets.

The projectiles were split in two immediately.

The severed halves flew past him and exploded upon striking the ground.

Booms echoed in all directions.

But there were simply too many light bullets.

Even though Ron desperately cut down one after another, several still slipped through.

Tiny points of light struck his body.

Then—

A chain of explosions erupted.

BOOM!

A deafening blast engulfed the area.

Massive clouds of dust rose into the air, swallowing Ron’s location completely.

Visibility vanished.

His condition became unknown.

For a brief moment, the entire battlefield fell silent.

" Ron!"

"Vice Captain!"

"Ron!"

...

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