CHAPTER 20
"Swoooosh!!"
A searing streak of yellow light cut through the dimness of Level 6, heading straight for Ren.
Kizaru's foot appeared first—fast, casual, merciless.
BOOOOMMMMM!!!
The kick connected with Ren's ribs, hurling him across the stone floor like a cannonball. Dust exploded outward, cracks spreading in a spiderweb pattern beneath him.
But before Ren could even steady himself—
Swoosh!
Another beam of light appeared above him.
BANG!
A second kick smashed him deeper into the ground.
Then another blur.
Then another.
Ren felt bones scream, his spine twist, the world flash white.
But he refused to stay down.
---
Kizaru reappeared mid-air, hands in his pockets, watching Ren stand through the smoke.
"Ooohh… You're still moving? That's troublesome," he said in his lazy drawl.
Ren spat blood and wiped his mouth.
"…bring it on."
Kizaru vanished.
"Swoosh!"
A whisper behind Ren—
"Found you."
BOOOOOMMMM!!!
Ren slammed into the far wall, coughing violently as he rolled across the floor. Pain ricocheted through every part of his body. But something deeper… something sharper… was awakening in his senses.
He was beginning to follow the rhythm of the admiral's movements.
Not fully.
But enough.
---
Kizaru flickered behind him again. Ren turned instantly—too slow to dodge, but fast enough to react.
His arm coated in Armament Haki snapped upward—
CLANG!
He blocked the kick.
Kizaru lifted an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Ren's smile widened just slightly.
"I'm getting used to it."
He pushed the admiral back and lunged. His fist was wrapped in a faint, unstable red aura that vibrated with some strange force.
Kizaru slid aside, avoiding the direct hit, but the air around Ren's fist warped—
And the ground where the punch struck turned to powder.
Kizaru's eyes narrowed.
---
Ren didn't hesitate. He charged again.
Kizaru moved first.
Light bent—
He was behind Ren—
But Ren's elbow swung back instantly, almost instinctively.
Kizaru blocked with his forearm, forced a full step back.
"Oh my… so you really are adapting," the admiral muttered.
Ren's breathing was ragged, his body trembling, but his eyes were razor sharp.
"You're fast. But not unbeatable."
Kizaru raised his foot, light gathering—
"Yasakani—"
Ren appeared in front of him in a burst of speed.
"Not this time!"
BOOM!!!
Their clash shook the entire corridor. Ren blocked Kizaru's kick with a single arm—holding it completely. Not sliding. Not falling.
Holding it.
That was when Kizaru felt it.
Ren's other hand, wrapped in that ominous red aura, clamped down on his shin.
"Creeeeaaaaaakkk—!!"
Kizaru's eyes widened as fractures spread across his limb, the light particles of his logia body distorting violently.
He immediately yanked himself away.
Swooooosh!!
He retreated several meters, landing with unexpected urgency.
His leg—
The skin beneath the suit was nearly crumbled to the bone, saved only by last-second Armament Haki.
"What… was that?" Kizaru said, expression tightening.
Ren chuckled breathlessly.
"You expect me to explain my ability to my enemy in the middle of a fight?"
He shook his head with a small, wild grin.
"You must be joking."
---
( Pulverize-Pulverize Fruit)
Ren exhaled deeply as the aura around his hand faded.
So this is the true potential…
{The Pulverize-Pulverize Fruit.
A devil fruit that allowed its user to disintegrate, crumble, or pulverize living and non-living matter—and manipulate any non-living debris afterward.
A fruit meant for destruction.
A fruit his father once wielded.
A fruit Ren was only beginning to master.}
---
Kizaru tore a strip of fabric from his coat and tied it around his damaged leg. His brows lowered slightly—not in fear, but in irritation.
"I don't know what trick you're using…" he said, voice stable but firm, "…but you will still be defeated."
Ren rolled his neck, wings twitching slightly.
"You've beaten me into the ground over and over… yet here I am."
He lifted his fist, aura flickering once more.
"Let's continue."
Kizaru frowned.
This boy… he's been smashed into the floor dozens of times, yet his spirit hasn't dropped even once. Worse… he's learning my speed. That devil fruit—whether rust, destruction, or pulverization—it's dangerous.
---
Meanwhile…
"I'll be back. I need to meet with the captain," Kris said, stepping into his portal gate.
"Ohhh? Remind him to be fast! Rahahahahaha!" Brocky boomed.
"Right…" Kris muttered.
Umi stared at the giant, baffled.
"What do you mean he should be fast? He's fighting an admiral. That isn't something anyone can rush."
Brocky simply laughed.
"You underestimate your captain. There are times when even an admiral should worry."