BOOM!!!
Just as Doberman and Stainless were about to dispatch someone to call Kuzan for support, the island itself shook again.
From the far side came 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 someone?"
"This intensity…!" Doberman clenched his teeth. "With Haoshoku like that, even Kuzan may not be able to break away quickly."
For both men, 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. Someone 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 time 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. Reinforcements 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 gleamed as Armament hardened along its edge, black luster surging.
In the same 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 same bitter thought.
"…Where did this monster even come 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 me holding back has made you misunderstand something… Did you really think you could beat me 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... Armament Haki fused with Conqueror's.
"Divine Departure!!!"
BOOM!
Sakazuki's magma fist shattered instantly. The overwhelming surge of Haki ripped through his guard and stormed 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 Armament, pierced straight through Sakazuki's abdomen.
Blood gushed out. Sakazuki froze, staring at the blade impaling him.
A sword named 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 me 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 abdomen. "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 moments 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 moment."
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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