On a distant rooftop,
Rayleigh and Mihawk stood side by side, sensing the overwhelming Conqueror's Haki radiating from Don.
"This guy…" Rayleigh shook his head in disbelief as he felt the sheer force of Don's Haki, then glanced at Mihawk beside him.
"I thought you might go help. With your strength, stopping a Marine Admiral for even a short while shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"No problem for a while," Mihawk said solemnly.
"But he's treating this as his own fight, no matter how many opponents show up."
At that, Rayleigh's eyelids twitched uncontrollably.
"So that's why I'm just observing," Mihawk added, his eyes fixed firmly on the distance.
"Fine, it's not like it concerns me," Rayleigh muttered, crouching down.
"By the way, his Conqueror's Haki is way stronger than when I faced him."
Carefully feeling the Haki Don was releasing, Rayleigh marveled. The Conqueror's Haki he had displayed back then was nothing compared to this.
"He's been hiding his strength!"
Mihawk lowered his gaze to Rayleigh.
"He's always held back. Or rather, when he fought you, he didn't need to go all out."
Rayleigh blinked, astonished.
"How much has he been hiding?"
"Ninety percent," Mihawk replied bluntly.
"Well, maybe even more than ninety percent."
Rayleigh froze, staring at Mihawk. Was he lying? But after all this time, Mihawk wasn't the type to lie. So… it's true? But that can't be… What's going on?
He had known Don was a monster, but not to this extent. Hiding at least ninety percent of his power during their fight… Was he joking?
Shaking off his thoughts, Rayleigh turned to watch Don.
The Conqueror's Haki continued to radiate freely. Normally invisible, it now pressed down on everything nearby.
Buildings around him cracked under the pressure, and fissures spread across the streets beneath Don's steps. Black sparks of Haki arced through the air.
Kizaru's expression was grave as he watched. This aura was far stronger than when they had clashed in the North Blue. What was going on with this guy?
Jinbe also caught sight of Don.
Enduring the overwhelming Conqueror's Haki, he stared wide-eyed at Don walking down the street.
"Ah, you came too? But today's my turf, so you'd better leave… with these people," Don said, glancing at Jinbe and the others hidden behind a nearby building with a faint smile.
Before Jinbe could react, Don turned and continued forward.
Jinbe exhaled and surveyed the unconscious fishmen and merfolk strewn before the auction house, then glanced back at his companions.
Don… what exactly is he planning?
But there was no time to dwell on it.
"Lava Fist!"
Just as Jinbe was about to act, a roar rang out. The surrounding air temperature shot up sharply.
From high above, a figure with fists of molten rock descended toward Don.
Bang!
Don looked up as black sparks of Haki erupted violently, and a shockwave radiated from beneath his feet.
The next instant, his Haki-wreathed figure surged upward, intercepting the descending Sakazuki.
A sword, entwined with both Armament and Conqueror's Haki, slashed through the molten lava aimed at Sakazuki.
Boom!
The lava exploded midair. Sakazuki was struck down by Don's blade, hurtling toward the ground. The shattered lava rained onto the streets below, scattering the crowd.
Even among the strong, many struggled under the impact. Those who could act despite Conqueror's Haki quickly dispersed after witnessing Don and Sakazuki's probe clash.
Golden beams shot up from the ground, not targeting Don, but countering the falling lava.
Sakazuki slammed into the street, creating a shockwave that rippled like water, instantly destroying nearby buildings.
Don didn't advance further, aware that Kizaru was just ahead. Yet he was satisfied with the results.
The Haki-wrapped strike significantly enhanced his usual attacks. Not only did the power increase dramatically, but the attacks also carried additional effects. Even those less affected by Conqueror's Haki felt the damage, and repeated strikes left lasting consequences.
Molten footprints burned into the ground as Sakazuki emerged from the crater.
"You really have guts," Kizaru said, his expression grave.
During that probing clash, Sakazuki had taken the disadvantage. He knew his colleague well: if he struck, he wouldn't hold back.
"Guts for what?" Don asked, one hand gripping his sword, black sparks dancing along the blade.
"Attacking the Celestial Dragons, Don! I really didn't expect you to do this," Borsalino said, paying close attention to Don.
Yet even he hadn't anticipated that Don would advance directly, using Conqueror's Haki to intimidate the Celestial Dragons.
This already counted as an attack. Borsalino had no choice but to act.
"I'm just here for three Devil Fruits. As for the Celestial Dragons… well, attacking is attacking. You remember what I said before, right?" Don replied.
"Remember. I thought you were joking," Borsalino said, then glanced at Sakazuki.
"You stop him; I'll escort these guys away."
He meant the unconscious Celestial Dragons. Attacking was one thing, but killing them was another matter entirely.
Swish!
"That won't do!"
Don appeared suddenly before Kizaru.
Though slightly shorter than the Admiral at just over two meters, his presence was no less imposing.
"You're not taking a single one of them. If you want to protect them, let's see if you can manage it."
"How terrifying!"
Kizaru's body dissolved into golden light, reforming a short distance away.
Don sheathed his sword and looked at the reconstituted Kizaru.
"You go!"
Sakazuki understood immediately. Any Celestial Dragon here wouldn't survive even the residual effects of this battle.
"Finger…"
A black-suited figure appeared behind Don, his fingertips wrapped in Armament Haki.
Boom!
Without looking back, Don swung his sword. The blade hadn't even touched the man before he was cleaved in two, flying into the nearby buildings and vanishing into the distance.
END OF CHAPTER
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