Don glanced back toward the direction where he had sent the last figure flying.
For someone to move and attack under his Conqueror's Haki—this CP had some skill. At the very least, their mastery of Armament Haki was solid.
But someone of this level would have no place in the upcoming battle.
Meanwhile, Jinbe knew that what was coming would likely be a full-scale clash.
If their strength wasn't enough, they'd be wiped out by collateral damage.
The fishmen behind him braced themselves and began moving.
Don, however, paid no mind to them, keeping his eyes fixed on Kizaru and Sakazuki.
As previously predicted by Sengoku, these were indeed the two who had come. Within the scope of Observation Haki, aside from a few Marine officers, the rest were Celestial Dragon guards.
Swish!
Kizaru transformed into golden light, putting distance between himself and Don, intending to push the Celestial Dragons farther away.
"Dog of the Underworld!"
At nearly the same moment, Sakazuki's arm stretched into molten lava, striking Don's head instantly.
Boom!
Half of Don's head seemed to explode from the impact, flames scattering outward. Yet even with half his head ablaze, his eye fixed on Sakazuki, and a grin spread across his face.
Sakazuki, taken aback by this sudden display, felt his heart skip a beat.
Then he saw Don seemingly dissolve into flames…
A fierce gust of wind suddenly rushed from behind him.
Sakazuki spun around to see a white cloak of justice right in front of him.
Two massive figures collided. Kizaru, sent flying by Don's previous kick, transformed back into golden light, neutralizing the force of that kick, and reformed beside Don.
His entire leg became golden light, descending to deliver a crushing kick on Don.
Don raised his left arm, wrapped in Armament Haki, blocking the strike.
The immense force transmitted through Don to the ground.
The earth cracked violently, tossing the unconscious Celestial Dragons and their guards into the air along with chunks of shattered terrain.
Even before the kick's full force had released, Kizaru transformed again, moving to catch those flying Celestial Dragons.
Leaning back slightly, Don narrowly avoided a sweeping molten arm aimed at his face. After the fiery explosion, his body coalesced at the side.
"Don't bother," he said calmly, small flames flickering across his low-floating form.
"Can't you feel it?"
Don lifted his left hand. Though it appeared empty, the air in his palm twisted and distorted.
"My flames already cover the surroundings."
Knowing he couldn't keep this from the two Admirals, Don spoke openly to warn them.
These Celestial Dragons could not be allowed to escape.
Defiance was for unknown enemies.
Facing two Admirals in his current state, Don did not believe he could defeat them directly. But with the Celestial Dragons as shields, the outcome changed.
The shimmering golden light ceased, taking the form of Kizaru.
The Celestial Dragons brought along had been stacked to the side, piled together.
"Don, leave now and end this. Take your Devil Fruits if you want, but leave it at that," Kizaru said solemnly, standing before the pile. His lecherous expression was gone, replaced by full combat readiness.
Sakazuki stepped forward. Wherever he walked, the ground melted into molten rock.
Standing beside Kizaru, he turned his gaze toward Don.
One on the left, one on the right, behind them a group of Celestial Dragons with white-rolled eyes, bubbles covering their necks.
Floating slightly above, Don held his long sword over his right shoulder, flames flickering from his body.
The air grew heavy and oppressive.
Earlier, weaker onlookers on the street stared dumbfounded at the confrontation.
Jinbe, seeing this, hurried his subordinates. Carriages of fishmen were quickly escorted away along the street.
Above, Newsbirds circled, their necks fitted with photo-phone bugs and recording devices.
The footage was being sent to the World Economic News headquarters.
Morgans trembled with excitement at the sight.
"Broadcast it! Broadcast it worldwide! I want everyone to see what's about to happen!"
His voice had grown shrill with excitement.
Not just him—the newsroom staff were flushed with excitement too.
An attack on Celestial Dragons, facing two Marine Admirals directly—it would shock the entire world.
Meanwhile, in the Number One District of the Sabaody Archipelago, the three figures' presences suppressed the entire area into near silence.
Only a few remained unaffected; the rest could not focus under such overwhelming pressure.
Swish!
A slash of converging flames flew toward Kizaru, and Don, following through, suddenly arrived before him.
"Tensaigumo Sword!"
Golden light extended, forming a long golden blade that intercepted the descending strike.
Gold and flame-clad steel clashed. Black sparks leapt from the flaming blade.
The golden sword held only briefly.
Swish!
Don's flaming greatsword cut through the golden blade, descending toward Kizaru.
Bang!
Kizaru's expression tightened as he raised his right leg, delivering a sweep imbued with Armament Haki against Don.
"Dog Bite Crimson Lotus!"
The top of the molten arm shaped into a dog's head, lunging at Don.
Don redirected his flaming sword, slicing through Kizaru's body and meeting the oncoming molten dog-head.
Bang!
Molten fragments scattered as Don backed off, evading the split-leg strike and blocking Sakazuki's attack.
Kizaru and Sakazuki forced Don back, showing no hesitation.
They knew Don treated the Celestial Dragons as shields. In this fight, they had to be careful not to harm them—while Don had no such concern.
The two experienced Admirals understood: push Don back, keep him as far as possible.
With that in mind, the pair launched their next assault after Don retreated.
All three possessed top-tier Observation Haki.
Kizaru and Sakazuki were at their peaks, and Don constantly utilized his Haki to anticipate their moves.
Don stepped back, feet landing firmly.
The two approaching Admirals drew close. Don gripped his sword with both hands, drawing Armament and Conqueror's Haki into the blade, dark red and black sparks flickering along its length.
The two Admirals' hearts skipped a beat.
"Hey! Divine Evasion!"
Don's dark red Haki-infused sword made a wide horizontal slash, engulfing the two advancing Admirals in a single strike.
END OF CHAPTER
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