Kizaru's gaze quickly locked onto Conrad, who was holding the projection Den Den Mushi. A flicker of surprise passed through his half-lidded eyes.
A Den Den Mushi that small shouldn't be capable of broadcasting to the entire world…
Is it related to that glowing box?
"Well then… this little farce should come to an end."
Kizaru spoke lazily, as if he had no intention of fighting.
"How about surrendering quietly?"
"Sorry about that."
Yuuki shrugged, smiling faintly.
"Even a Marine Admiral shouldn't stand in the way of people's dreams."
"Heh."
Kizaru let out a cold chuckle.
"That's quite a nice way of putting it… pirate."
The next instant—
Whoosh!
A golden beam shot from Kizaru's fingertip, crossing the distance in a blink as it blasted toward Conrad.
His intention was clear—
To cut off the world broadcast first.
Buzz—
A green spatial gate appeared out of nowhere in front of Conrad, swallowing the incoming beam instantly.
"Oho… so this is the Key Fruit ability Aokiji mentioned."
Kizaru's eyes flickered.
Even though he had read the report, witnessing it firsthand still surprised him.
But—
Flash!
The moment the spatial gate formed, Kizaru's figure vanished.
Like teleportation—
He reappeared directly behind Conrad.
"What a terrifying ability."
BOOM!!
A blinding explosion of golden light erupted.
Conrad was blasted away by an overwhelming force, crashing through multiple walls before disappearing from the auction house entirely.
As the light faded—
Kizaru stood where Conrad had been moments ago.
In his hands were the projection Den Den Mushi and the communication magic box.
He casually examined the glowing device.
"What is this?"
"Would you mind explaining it to me?"
Kizaru smiled faintly as he looked up at Yuuki—
Then clenched his other hand.
Crack!
The Den Den Mushi was crushed instantly.
The worldwide broadcast—
Was cut off.
"A Logia-type… the Glint-Glint Fruit."
Yuuki glanced at the shattered Den Den Mushi, completely unconcerned, and spoke calmly.
"Your speed is indeed much more troublesome than Admiral Aokiji's."
The objective had already been achieved.
Whether the broadcast continued or not no longer mattered.
Kizaru differed from Aokiji.
His extreme speed—granted by the Glint-Glint Fruit—was a direct counter to Conrad, who lacked independent thought, Observation Haki, and effective magical perception.
"Such praise… perhaps I should go a little easier on you."
Kizaru let out a low chuckle.
His gaze shifted to the thirty Magic Eye Crosses floating before Yuuki.
He had already received orders from the World Government:
All Magic Eye Crosses must be secured. None could fall into anyone else's hands.
Yuuki ignored the immense pressure radiating from Kizaru.
He turned slightly and glanced at Buggy and the others, who were frozen in place under the Admiral's overwhelming presence.
With a casual wave of his hand—
The thirty crosses scattered, flying into the hands of Buggy and the others.
Only then did the four snap back to their senses.
They looked toward Kizaru with fear and vigilance.
They knew Conrad's strength better than anyone.
Yet he had been blown away effortlessly.
So this… is the power of a Marine Admiral!
"What are you standing around for?"
Yuuki waved them off.
"Take the crosses and go."
Buggy, Mohji, Cabaji, and Marianne stared at the crosses in their hands.
Aside from Buggy—whose eyelids twitched wildly—the others wore grim expressions.
They all understood—
The value of the Magic Eye Crosses.
Something capable of reviving the dead had already surpassed even Devil Fruits in worth.
They didn't need to think twice to realize—
At this very moment, countless people across Sabaody wanted to seize the crosses from them.
Even if they didn't fully understand Yuuki's plan—
They were determined to protect them.
"Yes!!"
Mohji, Cabaji, and Marianne answered in unison.
Yuuki felt a hint of boredom.
Whether the crosses were protected or not didn't really matter.
After all—
He had created them specifically to spread them across the world.
Still…
Their determination did make things more convincing.
The next stage of Sabaody—
Would be extremely dangerous for them.
As the three turned to retreat—
They suddenly realized something.
Buggy was already gone.
He had bolted the moment he got the crosses.
"You idiots! Why are you still talking at a time like this?!"
Buggy yelled, sweat pouring down his face.
His body split apart—his upper half floating midair as he sped up.
At the same time, he frantically stuffed the crosses into his pockets.
While running—
He secretly made a ship-shaped hand signal behind his back.
It was a signal:
Regroup at the ship.
Only then did the others react, quickly fleeing as well.
They knew—
Against a Marine Admiral, staying behind would only drag Yuuki down.
Kizaru glanced at their retreating figures but made no move to pursue.
His primary objective was clear:
Capture Yuuki.
After all—
This was the man who had forced Aokiji back.
He couldn't afford to be careless.
As for those minor players—
Once Yuuki was dealt with, catching them would be effortless.
With Buggy and the others gone—
The stunned audience finally snapped back to reality.
Panic erupted.
Everyone rushed toward the exits.
And yet—
Despite the chaos—
An eerie phenomenon occurred.
The fleeing crowd instinctively avoided the space between Yuuki and Kizaru.
As if—
Two separate worlds existed within the same area.
"Young people these days are truly frightening."
Kizaru casually swung the communication magic box in his hand, glancing at Yuuki with mock concern.
"I don't see a hint of fear in you."
Yuuki spread his hands.
"You're a Marine Admiral—lying like that isn't very convincing."
"Also… could you return that to me?"
At this point—
The entire auction house was empty.
Only the two of them remained.
"Sure."
Kizaru adjusted his glasses, a faint smile on his lips.
Outside the auction house—
BOOM!!!
A massive explosion erupted.
The luxurious structure was instantly obliterated.
The shockwave sent nearby fleeing crowds flying.
Two streaks of golden light shot into the sky—
Hovering high above the ruins.
The battle—
Had begun.
Next Bonus Chapter at 5500 powerstones.