<div>
<div>
The Holy Land Mary Geoise, the sacred ground of the Celestial Dragons, its magnificent jade-tiled floor, was now blackened by fire, scarred by lightning strikes and laser blasts.
<div>
<div>
Kizaru''s form flickered in and out of existence as Noir relentlessly pursued him, clinging to his shadow, his blade a blur of motion.
<div>
<div>
After narrowly dodging Noir''s hand yet again, the usually laid-back Kizaru finally lost his patience. His body blazed with light as he levitated into the air.
<div>
<div>
His shadow remained on the ground, leaving Noir unable to follow him into the sky.
<div>
<div>
Kizaru gathered golden light, radiating like a miniature sun, unleashing a barrage of laser beams that rained down like a meteor shower.
<div>
<div>
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
<div>
<div>
Noir''s heart pounded. He dove into the shadows to escape.
<div>
<div>
Jokes aside, Kizaru''s power as an Admiral was undeniable.
<div>
<div>
The laser beams from Yasakani no Magatama were growing increasingly ferocious. If Noir hadn''t been so quick, he would have been riddled with holes.
<div>
<div>
Compared to Luffy, I''m definitely more like a distant nephew in terms of connections...
<div>
<div>
Noir emerged from the shadows, his body encased in a black, box-like structure formed from shadow, shielding him from the laser fire.
<div>
<div>
Multiple black spears shot out from the surrounding shadows, aimed at the airborne Kizaru.
<div>
<div>
Kizaru twisted and dodged the shadow spears. The light from his Ama no Murakumo intensified, the blade extending into a massive greatsword.
<div>
<div>
The colossal blade of light, carrying enough force to cleave the sky, sliced through the shadow box.
<div>
<div>
The dark purple box split in two. A figure, enveloped in a black, shadowy stream, charged forward. Noir''s eyes turned completely black, his speed surpassing anything he''d shown before.
<div>
<div>
Kizaru feigned an opening, enticing Noir to strike. Then, in a flash, his light-speed kick connected with Noir''s head.
<div>
<div>
"Hmm?"
<div>
<div>
The sensation beneath his foot was wrong. Kizaru looked up in surprise to see that the "Noir" he had kicked had transformed into an intangible shadow.
<div>
<div>
At the same time, Noir''s hand plunged into the ground, precisely where Kizaru''s shadow lay.
<div>
<div>
Noir''s body began to melt, turning into a purple liquid that flowed into the ground, merging with Kizaru''s shadow.
<div>
<div>
At the other end of this shadowy connection stood the real Noir, emerging from the shattered remains of the shadow box.
<div>
<div>
"Since my Shadow Clone is essentially another me, it can also use my mimicry ability. This is quite a useful technique for combat."
<div>
<div>
Noir pondered the practicality of the move as he charged towards Kizaru once more.
<div>
<div>
He knew that restraining the light-man through his shadow would only be a temporary measure.
<div>
<div>
Seeing Noir''s relentless assault, Kizaru transformed his entire body into light, escaping the shadow''s grasp.
<div>
<div>
Just as Kizaru was about to vanish, Noir''s fingers reached out, barely grazing the Admiral.
<div>
<div>
Kizaru reappeared a short distance away, his expression darkening.
<div>
<div>
The worst-case scenario had come to pass.
<div>
<div>
Noir, his hand now on Kizaru, quickly opened his System and copied the golden-quality Pika Pika no Mi.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
<div>
<div>
Noir straightened up, his gaze fixed on Kizaru. He couldn''t contain his triumphant grin any longer.
<div>
<div>
I''m laughing victoriously, oh so victoriously~
<div>
<div>
Kizaru had been toying with him, relying on his superior speed.
<div>
<div>
Now, Noir would show him what it felt like to be outmaneuvered by his own power.
<div>
<div>
Kizaru''s flamboyant features hardened. He and Noir simultaneously activated their Logia intangibility.
<div>
<div>
The already devastated battlefield became even more chaotic.
<div>
<div>
Two golden streaks of light clashed repeatedly - punches, kicks, and sword strikes colliding with explosive force. Speed truly was power, and the earth-shattering booms echoed throughout Mary Geoise.
<div>
<div>
Their speed escalated beyond the limits of normal vision. Only their Observation Haki, sensing each other''s intent, guided their attacks.
<div>
<div>
Radiant light rippled through the air. Noir pressed his hand to the ground, and the shadows of nearby buildings began to flow towards him.
<div>
<div>
Amplified by his newfound light powers, these shadows, manipulated by Noir, swelled into massive waves, crashing down on Kizaru.
<div>
<div>
Kizaru, caught off guard by this sudden shift in tactics, was momentarily trapped by the surging shadow tide.
<div>
<div>
Noir''s eyes narrowed, his killing intent flaring. He used the shadows as cover, teleporting closer to Kizaru.
<div>
<div>
If I can kill him, the complete Pika Pika no Mi will be mine!
<div>
<div>
Earth tremors and lightning strikes erupted as the shadow wave engulfed a large portion of the battlefield.
<div>
<div>
Kizaru, growing increasingly frustrated by Noir''s constantly shifting abilities, felt a chill as he sensed the killing intent directed at him.
<div>
<div>
My power has been copied. My advantage in a one-on-one fight is gone. I have to retreat!
<div>
<div>
His light form rapidly navigated through the onslaught of elements, his laser beams twisting and turning as he escaped in a specific direction.
<div>
<div>
Seeing Kizaru fleeing, Noir, his body shimmering with light, was about to give chase, but he suddenly stopped.
<div>
<div>
He lightly touched his face, and his height and appearance shifted, transforming into a tall, lanky man with a creepy grin.
<div>
<div>
Noir mimicked Kizaru''s habit of stroking his chin, a mischievous glint in his eye, before launching himself forward in a flash of light.
<div>
<div>
Meanwhile, Aokiji, the other Admiral tasked with rescuing the Celestial Dragons, encountered resistance.
<div>
<div>
Lucci, Enel, and the others had commandeered a Marine ship, taking dozens of Celestial Dragons hostage.
<div>
<div>
Though they were atop the Red Line, Wyper, with his Ancient Zoan flying ability, along with the flight-capable Noir and Enel, could easily transport several ships.
<div>
<div>
But when Lucci saw the army of slaves Wyper had brought back, he was dumbfounded.
<div>
<div>
What is the Captain doing?!
<div>
<div>
Rescuing this many slaves... was that the "small matter" he had mentioned?
<div>
<div>
Nearly two thousand freed slaves were now gathered at the edge of the Holy Land. They had managed to hijack a few more Marine ships to serve as their escape vessels.
<div>
<div>
But to Lucci''s dismay, Admiral Aokiji and his forces were closing in.
<div>
<div>
Aokiji unleashed a wave of icy air. In an instant, the hulls of the ships carrying the slaves were frozen solid.
<div>
<div>
The bone-chilling cold mirrored the despair that threatened to engulf the slaves.
<div>
<div>
But they had come so far, freedom was within reach. There was no turning back now!
<div>
<div>
Just as everyone stood frozen, unsure of what to do, a massive figure leaped from the Red Line without hesitation.
<div>
<div>
The giant, Nylph, his fists the size of boulders, roared with tears in his eyes, "Break the ice! Follow our Savior back to the sea!"
<div>
<div>
Inspired by the giant''s unwavering determination, the slaves, even the weak and injured, found a renewed surge of strength. They followed Nylph, leaping from the Red Line one after another.
<div>
<div>
With freedom so close, their resolve hardened. Ignoring the biting cold and sharp ice, they used their bare hands and bodies to smash and chip away at the frozen hulls.
<div>
<div>
Lucci, witnessing these frail slaves carving a path to freedom with their own flesh and blood, was deeply moved.
<div>
<div>
So faith truly is a powerful force…
<div>
<div>
Blood stained the icy surface, but the slaves, as if possessed, continued their desperate efforts, their bodies bruised and bloodied.
<div>
<div>
They rammed the ice with their shoulders, gnawed at it with their teeth, even slammed their heads against it. They encouraged each other, their defiant roars echoing through the air.
<div>
<div>
"Break the ice! We''re leaving this place!"
<div>
<div>
"You Marine dogs can''t stop us!"
<div>
<div>
"We promised our Savior!!"
<div>
<div>
Aokiji watched silently, his hand raised, cold air swirling around him. But he hesitated to unleash his freezing power, the power that could end their lives.
<div>
<div>
The slaves poured out years of pent-up resentment, their voices rising in a unified cry for freedom.
<div>
<div>
As their passionate chants continued, their minds grew hazy, but their voices merged into a single, powerful declaration:
<div>
<div>
"We! We want to go home! Back to the sea, to live as free people!"
<div>
<div>
The surrounding Marines, witnessing this display of raw determination, couldn''t help but feel a pang of sympathy. Some even lowered their weapons.
<div>
<div>
Finally, Aokiji, the highest-ranking officer present, let out a long sigh. "I''m sorry," he murmured. "But I have a duty to fulfill..."