[OP Marine Officer Luffy] Chapter 506- 510

Chapter 506: Speed is Power. Have You Ever Been Kicked by Lightning?

Violet gazed up through the dissipating clouds of smoke and debris, her keen observation haki allowing her to see what others could not. She soon discovered Luffy's figure suspended high above. He was floating effortlessly in the air, a transparent magnetic field surrounding him like a protective bubble, completely unaffected by the smoke and dust that obscured the battlefield below.

His posture was unusual—head bowed, arms extended as though grasping something invisible. His lips moved slightly, muttering words she couldn't hear from this distance. There was something different about him now, an aura of controlled power unlike anything she'd witnessed before.

Following his line of sight, Violet looked down and immediately discovered what had captured his attention.

Below, on what remained of the island after the massive explosion, stood Kaido in his human form. The Emperor was perched atop a cloud of flames, struggling desperately against an invisible force that controlled his own weapon. His legendary kanabo, the Eight Trigrams Mace, swung wildly through the air as though wielded by an unseen hand.

Truly worthy of the title "World's Strongest Creature," Violet thought. Even after weathering such a devastating explosion, Kaido remained standing, his massive frame still radiating terrifying power. Yet despite his legendary endurance, even Kaido showed signs of serious injury.

One of the two massive dragon horns that crowned his head had been completely shattered, leaving only a jagged stump. His ornate clothes hung in tatters, revealing skin covered in burns and cracks from the explosion's intense heat. With each movement, fresh blood trickled from his mouth and nostrils, staining his wild blue beard.

Luffy's newfound mastery of his Devil Fruit allowed him to manipulate the battlefield in ways that defied imagination. Within the range of his magnetic field, he could control objects with the same precision as his own limbs—including Kaido's treasured weapon.

"Heh, what's wrong, Kaido?" Luffy called down, his voice carrying a confidence that would have been unthinkable when he first challenged the Emperor. "Did the explosion I caused destroy your brain? It's really embarrassing that your proud arrogance has no effect anymore."

As he spoke, Luffy continued manipulating his hands in subtle, precise movements. Each gesture corresponded with the motion of the kanabo below, as though the massive iron club were an extension of his own body. Though separated by hundreds of meters, Luffy somehow imbued the weapon with the black sheen of advanced Armament Haki.

This was something unprecedented—the ability to project Haki at such distance, attaching it not just to the kanabo, but to stones, sand, seawater, and even the air itself.

With the combined might of Armament and Conqueror's Haki infused into the mace, Luffy directed it in a relentless pursuit of its owner. Each swing carried devastating force, giving Kaido no opportunity to counterattack.

The Beast Emperor could only desperately parry the blows while commanding his flame clouds to lift him higher, attempting to create distance between himself and his tormentor.

"Hmm? You don't want to run away, do you?" Luffy's voice carried a playful, almost sing-song quality that belied the deadly serious nature of their battle.

Seeing his intentions exposed, Kaido abandoned all pretense. He spun around and leapt away, bounding rapidly in the direction he had come from. With each powerful step, flame clouds materialized beneath his feet, providing platforms to push off from.

Relying on his immense physical strength, after dozens of consecutive leaps, he managed to create considerable distance between himself and Luffy.

But against an opponent who had mastered lightning itself, what good was mere distance?

In a blinding flash of blue-white electricity, Luffy transformed into pure lightning and reappeared directly in Kaido's path, his arms crossed and a knowing smirk on his face.

Seeing this, Kaido decisively changed direction, attempting to retreat in another direction.

But no matter which way he turned, Luffy would materialize before him, blocking every possible escape route. The Yonko's frustration grew with each thwarted attempt.

"Save your energy," Luffy said after intercepting Kaido yet again. "There are only a few Devil Fruits in this world that can outpace me—Uncle Kizaru's Glint-Glint Fruit, maybe some rare space-type Paramecia... but it's impossible for anyone else to escape from me."

The words sent a chill through Kaido's battle-hardened heart. Throughout his long, violent life, he had learned to be pragmatic. When victory was impossible, he wouldn't stubbornly fight to the death but would instead make a tactical retreat. And when escape proved impossible, he would strike back with everything he had to create that one slim chance of survival.

In a flash of blue light, Kaido completed his transformation into his hybrid Dragon-Human form. He'd realized that his full Azure Dragon form, while impressive, was simply too large and unwieldy against an opponent of Luffy's speed and precision—nothing more than an oversized target.

Even this counterattack was ultimately aimed at creating an opportunity to escape. Facing Luffy, he opened his massive jaws and unleashed hundreds of wind blades in a technique reminiscent of his "Boro Breath" but refined into countless cutting projectiles.

Then, without waiting to see if his attack connected, he pivoted and bounded away again, occasionally turning to fire more wind blades to keep Luffy at bay.

But against absolute speed, such tactics were meaningless.

"Magnetically Enhanced!" Luffy shouted, activating another aspect of his awakened powers.

In that moment, the world around Luffy seemed to slow dramatically. Under the enhancement of his magnetic field, his strength, endurance, and reaction speed were instantly multiplied several times over.

Facing the oncoming barrage of wind blades, he became like a character from a story a silver-quick hero who could move between moments of time. Everything around him slowed to a crawl, and among the countless deadly wind blades, he could clearly perceive a safe path forward.

In less than a heartbeat, Luffy transformed into a lightning bolt and weaved effortlessly between the wind blades. His movements were so precise, so perfectly calculated, that not a single blade touched him as he slipped through their midst.

Breaking through the deadly barrage, he shot directly toward Kaido, who was still in the middle of turning his head—the movement appearing glacially slow from Luffy's perspective.

"Speed is power, Kaido," Luffy's voice came as a teasing whisper next to the Emperor's ear. "Have you ever been kicked by lightning?"

Kaido's pupils contracted in shock and fear. He hadn't even registered Luffy's disappearance from his field of vision before the young captain had closed the distance between them.

Before he could turn to face this new threat, an enormous force slammed into the right side of his waist and abdomen. The impact was unlike anything he had experienced before—even his legendary durability couldn't withstand it. A spray of blood erupted from his mouth as his massive body was sent hurtling backward like a meteor.

The Emperor who had survived a fall from a Sky Island, who had endured execution attempts by blade, fire, and cannon, who had challenged the Marines and his fellow Emperors countless times without fear, now found himself helpless against the raw speed and power of the man who would become the Pirate King.

As Kaido's body disappeared into the distance, Luffy remained hovering in place, lightning still crackling around his form. His face showed no celebration, only grim determination. This fight was far from over—Kaido had survived worse.

Chapter 507: The End of the Beast

The impact of Luffy's kick carried not just his incredible base strength, but also the tremendous inertia of his lightning-fast movement, all enhanced by his magnetic powers. Each layer of force multiplied upon the next—the kick itself further amplified by the crushing pressure of his Conqueror's Haki and the internal destruction capabilities of his advanced Armament Haki.

The blow landed with such devastating precision that Kaido's right kidney ruptured on impact, the surrounding organs and ureter suffering severe trauma. Even if the Emperor somehow survived this encounter, he would be left with permanent damage—a humiliating reminder of his defeat every time he needed to relieve himself.

But Luffy wasn't finished. Not by far.

Before Kaido's massive body could plummet into the sea below, Luffy vanished in a flash of electric blue, reappearing behind the Emperor's falling form. With perfect timing, he delivered another devastating kick that sent Kaido hurtling in an entirely different direction.

Like a master playing with a ball, Luffy kicked Kaido back and forth through the sky. Each impact more devastating than the last, each trajectory carefully calculated to keep the Emperor airborne. After dozens of such kicks, Luffy finally paused, his lower body transforming into elemental lightning as he drifted alongside Kaido's battered form.

"Hey, Mr. Kaido, are you still conscious?" Luffy asked, his voice casual despite the gravity of the moment. He didn't actually care whether the Emperor could hear him or not—this was as much for himself as for his defeated opponent.

"You said you were looking for worthy opponents, for a death that would cement your legend," Luffy continued, his eyes sharp beneath the brim of his straw hat. "But you had to come to Wano, to terrorize those people, imprison your own daughter..."

Luffy's expression hardened as he watched Kaido's bloody face for any reaction.

"Originally, for Yamato's sake, I was planning to let you live a few more years if you behaved yourself and stopped causing trouble. But after everything you've done..."

He shook his head, no trace of his usual smile visible on his face.

"I'm sorry, even if you were my father-in-law, I would have no choice but to send you to meet your end. Do you have anything you want to say to Yamato before leaving this world? I can pass on your message."

After delivering these words, Luffy waited silently for any response from the Emperor.

Kaido's condition was dire—his cheekbones shattered, his face so swollen and bloodied that it barely resembled a human countenance. Speaking seemed almost impossible given the extent of his injuries, yet somehow, the Beast Emperor managed to move his broken jaw.

"Little... little devil," Kaido growled through shattered teeth, blood bubbling between his lips with each syllable. "Your mouth... really makes me... angry."

After these few words, he fell silent again, either from exhaustion or because he had nothing more to say.

Luffy waited a moment longer before nodding solemnly. "Is that all? Are those your last words? Sorry, but I have to finish this now."

With a subtle gesture, Luffy brought their backward momentum to a complete halt. Both figures now hung suspended in the air, as if gravity itself had lost its hold on them.

Using his magnetic powers, Luffy spread Kaido's limbs wide, restraining him in a cruciform position—a fitting end for the self-proclaimed god of Wano. The Beast Emperor hung helpless in the air, unable to move, unable to escape his fate.

Luffy shaped his right hand into a blade-like formation, focusing all his power into the strike as he prepared to deliver the killing blow. His fingers crackled with concentrated electric energy as he positioned them directly over Kaido's heart.

As if sensing death's approach, Kaido slowly forced his swollen eyelids open, looking at the blurry figure before him. His mind drifted in these final moments, thoughts scattered like leaves in a storm.

How embarrassing, to be defeated like this, he thought bitterly. If that old hag Big Mom saw me now, she'd laugh herself silly.

A twisted smile formed on his broken lips.

Speaking of which, that old woman's luck has run out too. Once I'm gone, she'll probably be next. Sorry, Linlin... I'll go ahead and scout the path to hell for you.

With that final thought, Kaido closed his eyes, ready to accept his fate.

Seeing that his opponent had made peace with his impending death, Luffy gathered lightning in his hand, the blue-white energy forming a spear-like concentration at his fingertips.

Just as he was about to strike, a desperate cry echoed across the battlefield.

"KAIDO!!!"

Luffy's head snapped toward the sound. Through the smoke and chaos, he spotted Yamato racing toward them, leaping through the air with Moon Step techniques, her face a mask of conflicting emotions.

Without a word, Luffy extended his magnetic field, gently catching Yamato in mid-leap and bringing her to his side.

Kaido recognized his daughter's voice instantly. His eyelids twitched, but he did not open them, perhaps unwilling or unable to face her in his final moments.

Panting from exertion, Yamato stared at her father's battered form. The sight of the once-invincible Emperor, now defeated and helpless, sparked a hurricane of emotions within her. Hatred burned in her eyes—hatred for the years of abuse, for the suffering he had caused—but there was also unmistakable hesitation, perhaps even a flicker of reluctance.

She gritted her teeth, hands clenching and unclenching repeatedly as she struggled with the tumult of feelings.

Luffy observed her internal conflict silently, giving her the space to process what was happening. This was her moment as much as his—perhaps more so.

After several long minutes of tense silence, it was Kaido who finally broke it, apparently irritated by the delay.

"DAMN IT ALL!" he roared with unexpected strength, making both Luffy and Yamato flinch. "If you have something to say, say it now! I can't wait to go to the next world and reminisce with my old friends!"

His voice was still powerful, his attitude defiant even in defeat—still completely dismissive of his own daughter.

Hearing that familiar tone—the same tone that had accompanied every painful memory of her childhood—Yamato bit her lip until it bled, her entire body trembling with emotion. For a brief moment, it seemed she might try to reach him, to find some closure with the father who had imprisoned and tortured her.

But after drawing several deep breaths, she abandoned the hope of any meaningful exchange with this man who had never truly been a father to her.

"You bull-headed idiot," she said, her voice steadier than her hands. "Go down and atone for your sins. I'll live well enough for both of us—I'll live the life you tried to deny me."

Having said her piece, Yamato stepped back, meeting Luffy's questioning gaze with a firm nod.

Understanding her silent permission, Luffy gently positioned her behind him and raised his hand once more, electricity gathering around his fingertips.

At that moment, Koala and the rest of their allies arrived on flame clouds, having followed the path of destruction through the sky. Seeing Kaido subdued and bloodied, with Luffy clearly preparing for the final strike, Violet quickly pulled out a Den Den Mushi and began recording. History was about to be made—the fall of an Emperor at the hands of the future Pirate King.

In the next breath, Luffy acted.

"Raiki!" he called out, naming his technique as his lightning-wrapped palm pierced through Kaido's massive chest, driving straight into his heart with surgical precision.

Kaido's mouth opened wide, expelling a torrent of blood. Yet, remarkably, an unnatural smile spread across his battered face.

"WORORORORO~!" His laugh, somehow still powerful despite the fatal wound, echoed across the battlefield. "What a perfect ending! To die at the hands of the king of the next era... that's worthy of Kaido, the King of Beasts!"

A wave of Conqueror's Haki—his final show of defiance—spread outward from his dying body, making even the strongest among Luffy's allies stagger.

Luffy withdrew his bloodied hand without expression, stepping back to witness the final moments of one of the world's most feared pirates.

Even with his heart destroyed, Kaido's voice remained strong—perhaps even stronger than before, as if his very life force was being channeled into these final words.

After a few more triumphant laughs, the Beast Emperor suddenly opened his eyes fully, their clarity returning for one final moment. He fixed his gaze not on Luffy, but on Yamato, who stood with her head slightly bowed beside the man who had defeated him.

And then, surprisingly, a look of satisfaction—perhaps even pride—crossed his features.

"Yamato... my idiot daughter..."

Chapter 508: Four Emperors - Kaido Falls

When Kaido suddenly called her name, Yamato subconsciously raised her head. What she saw stunned her—there was a genuine smile on her father's face, something she had never witnessed in all her years.

"You found me a good son-in-law," Kaido said, his voice growing weaker but his eyes focused on her with unexpected clarity. "From now on, you should stay with this brat."

For as long as Yamato could remember, she had never seen such an expression from the man who had imprisoned and tormented her. Not once in her childhood had he looked at her with anything resembling the pride or satisfaction he showed now.

"Idiot," she whispered, her voice catching in her throat. "Do you think I will forgive you just because you make this expression now?" Despite her words, tears began to form at the corners of her eyes. "Damn old man..."

She watched as Kaido's eyes gradually closed, the satisfied smile never leaving his face as his immense life force finally ebbed away. The Emperor of Beasts, the man who could not be killed by blade or cannon, by drowning or falling, had at last met his end.

Yamato couldn't hold back any longer. Her nose reddened, and two streams of tears flowed freely down her cheeks—tears for the father she never truly had, tears for the relationship that could never be repaired, tears for what might have been in another life.

Luffy said nothing. Words seemed inadequate in this moment. Instead, he simply placed a comforting hand on her back, then gently pulled her into an embrace, allowing her to grieve in whatever way she needed.

At that moment, the five women—Vice Admiral Gion, Boa Hancock, Viola, Princess Mansherry, and Koala—approached cautiously, having witnessed the final confrontation from a respectful distance.

Their eyes widened as they gazed upon Kaido's body, an unspeakable shock etched across their faces. Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, the Beast Pirate who had ruled the New World with an iron fist for decades—dead. Just like that.

When they had set out on this mission, none of them had truly believed they could kill Kaido. Their most optimistic hope had been that their combined forces might repel him, forcing the Emperor to retreat and buying Wano precious time.

But to their astonishment, Luffy's current strength proved so terrifying that he had defeated Kaido single-handedly, without requiring their assistance. More impressively, he had achieved this victory while dominating the battle from start to finish, emerging without any serious injuries himself.

This level of combat prowess exceeded even what the World Government acknowledged as its highest fighting force—the three Marine Admirals.

The women stood in stunned silence for several moments before Vice Admiral Gion finally broke the spell. She glanced from Yamato, who was still quietly crying against Luffy's shoulder, to Kaido's lifeless form suspended in Luffy's magnetic field.

With visible discomfort, she turned to Luffy and asked hesitantly:

"What should we do with Kaido's body? If we could bring him back to headquarters..."

Before Gion could finish her suggestion, Luffy gently interrupted her.

"Let's not," he said firmly but kindly. "After all, he's Yamato's father." He shifted his gaze to meet Yamato's tearful eyes, seeking her silent approval before continuing. "I'll speak with Fleet Admiral later. The man is already dead—whether we have his body or not makes little difference now."

As he spoke these words, Luffy released the magnetic field that had been holding Kaido's massive form in its cruciform position. The Emperor's body began to fall freely, descending toward the sea below.

"Kaido was a remarkable figure," Luffy continued, his voice carrying a solemn respect despite everything the Beast Emperor had done. "And since he lived as a pirate, let him return to the sea as one."

They watched in silence as Kaido's body plummeted toward the ocean. With a subtle gesture, Luffy summoned the Eight Trigrams Mace—Kaido's legendary weapon—and magnetically guided it to follow its former master. The massive kanabo settled at Kaido's waist, accompanying him on his final journey to the ocean floor.

The assembled group observed this scene in respectful silence, bearing witness to the end of one of the sea's greatest and most terrible overlords. Not until Kaido's massive form had completely disappeared beneath the waves did anyone move or speak.

Yamato took a deep breath, seemingly drawing strength from the ocean air. She wiped away her tears and visibly rallied her spirits.

"Let's go," she said with forced brightness. "Let's return and tell Ain and the others the news. They're probably still worried about us."

Looking at Yamato's apparent recovery, Koala asked with gentle concern:

"Yamato, are you really okay? Kaido was still your..."

Yamato cut her off with a dismissive wave of her hand, her expression hardening.

"Oh, did that bastard think I would forgive him just because he said something halfway decent at the end?" Her voice took on an edge of bitterness. "How he treated me when I was a child, how he killed so many of my friends—I haven't forgotten any of it."

"Um... I understand," Koala replied with an awkward smile, unsure how to respond.

As a Revolutionary Army officer, Koala recognized she was an outsider to this complex family dynamic. It wasn't her place to judge the relationship between father and daughter, or to determine whether Kaido's final words were an attempt at redemption or merely another manipulation.

But one thing she knew with certainty: Kaido had been a pirate who committed countless atrocities, while Yamato had proven herself kind-hearted and honorable. No matter what, Koala would stand firmly by Yamato's side.

"Alright," Luffy said, sensing the need to move forward. "If there's nothing else, let's head back. I'm concerned about what's happening on the other battlefield."

He gestured for the women to gather closer as he prepared to transport them all back to Wano Country.

"I have no idea how they're faring against Charlotte Linlin," he added, referring to the other Emperor—Big Mom—who had arrived in Wano alongside Kaido.

"Don't worry," Viola reassured him. "After all, two Admirals are working together there, and Vice Admiral Garp is present as well. Charlotte Linlin shouldn't be able to escape."

Viola believed Luffy's concerns were unnecessary. The Marines had prepared extensively for this operation. On paper at least, the probability of defeating Big Mom seemed extremely high.

But only Viola, Mansherry, and Yamato, who weren't familiar with the inner workings of the Marine, would think so optimistically. The others—Koala, Gion, and Hancock—all responded with skeptical snorts.

Luffy himself was mentally cursing a certain lazy admiral, knowing all too well what to expect.

As a Vice Admiral and Admiral candidate, Gion understood the Marine's situation best. She provided an analysis for the others:

"First of all, the key figures in this operation are Admiral Akainu, Admiral Kizaru, and Vice Admiral 'Fist' Garp. Among them, Vice Admiral Garp's fleet was positioned furthest from the battlefield. Even traveling at maximum speed on one of our newest warships, it would take him nearly a day to reach the combat zone."

She continued with a frown, "Between the two admirals already on-site, Akainu is definitely the aggressive one. He would never miss this opportunity to eliminate an Emperor."

"And then there's Admiral Kizaru..."

At the mention of this particular officer, even Gion couldn't suppress a weary sigh.

There was no mystery about it—Kizaru was notorious for his lackadaisical attitude and tendency to put in minimal effort. Anyone who knew him, particularly those who had fought alongside him like Hancock, harbored serious doubts about how much this man would actually contribute to the battle.

Luffy was even more certain the outcome would disappoint. He'd had enough encounters with the light-man to know exactly what to expect.

"Kizaru? Actually fighting seriously against an Emperor?" Luffy scoffed. "Come on—as he always says, it's just a modest government salary. Why would he risk his life?"

The others nodded in reluctant agreement. For all his incredible power, Admiral Kizaru was perhaps the most frustrating Marine officer in history—a man who could potentially be the strongest in the world if he ever bothered to try.

"Well," Luffy said with a determined expression, "we've done our part here. One Emperor down—and that's something the world hasn't seen in decades."

Chapter 509: Pitfalls - Kizaru

"Ah~Ah~ACHOO!"

On the distant battlefield, Admiral Kizaru suddenly threw his head back with an explosive sneeze. The laser beam he had been forming in his hand distorted wildly, shooting past Admiral Akainu's ear by mere inches before plunging into the sea with a spectacular explosion.

Akainu's face contorted with rage as he whirled around to face his fellow Admiral.

"BORSALINO!" he roared, magma bubbling around his clenched fists. "People are dying right now! BE SERIOUS FOR ONCE!!"

Kizaru spread his hands with that perpetually innocent expression of his, yellow light shimmering around his lanky frame.

"I'm not kidding, Sakazuki," he drawled in his signature slow cadence. "My nose just suddenly itched. I feel like someone was talking about me somewhere."

Akainu's face turned an even deeper shade of red, approaching the color of the magma that composed his Logia form. "Not only are people talking about you, but I'm also seriously considering punching you right now!"

He was about to unleash another tirade when he noticed Kizaru's normally half-lidded eyes suddenly widen in alarm. In an instant, the Light-Man dissolved into golden particles, retreating violently from his position.

Akainu's instincts screamed danger. Without conscious thought, his Observation Haki guided his movements as he pivoted and threw a massive punch backward.

"GREAT ERUPTION!"

The colossal magma fist collided with an equally massive greatsword wreathed in flames and crackling lightning. The impact sent shockwaves across the battlefield, causing the Marine warship beneath Akainu's feet to tilt dangerously. One end of the vessel sank beneath the waves while the other rose high into the air.

Fortunately, most of the Marines who would normally be stationed on deck had already boarded enemy pirate ships. Otherwise, scores would have been thrown into the sea by the violent movement.

Through the settling smoke, the imposing figure of Charlotte Linlin—Big Mom—emerged, her massive Napoleon sword gripped firmly in one hand. She fixed Akainu with a bone-chilling smile.

"Mamamama~" her distinctive laugh echoed across the water. "What's wrong, little lava boy? You look absolutely exhausted."

To everyone's surprise, a thin smile spread across Akainu's perpetually serious face.

"It's more than enough to deal with a fat old woman like you."

The smile vanished from Big Mom's face as if it had been wiped away. Her expression darkened dangerously, her eyes narrowing with unbridled fury.

Even a woman of Big Mom's stature and power had certain sensitivities. Age and appearance were matters that most women took seriously—and Akainu had just stepped on both landmines with a single sentence.

"You foul-mouthed brat!" she roared, her voice causing the very air to vibrate. "You'll pay dearly for not understanding the situation!"

As she spoke, lightning gathered around Napoleon, coalescing into a blinding concentration of electrical power. With a swift motion, she directed a massive lightning bolt straight at Akainu.

"HEAVENLY FEUER!"

Akainu refused to back down. His other fist transformed into molten magma as he swung it forward with devastating force.

"It's YOU who can't read the situation, old hag!"

"HELLHOUND!"

Thunder and magma collided in midair, creating a cataclysmic explosion that consumed everything in its vicinity. The warship beneath Akainu disintegrated instantly, its bow completely vaporized by the destructive forces unleashed.

The two powerhouses separated in the aftermath of the explosion, with Akainu landing gracefully atop the mast of the slowly sinking warship. Meanwhile, flames burst from Napoleon's blade, catching Big Mom and supporting her massive frame before she could plummet into the sea.

Just as the Emperor regained her footing, a beam of golden light materialized behind her.

"Hmm~" came Kizaru's languid voice. "That lightning of yours reminds me of a rather annoying young devil. You should really meet him sometime—you could learn from each other."

He paused, his expression impossible to read behind his tinted glasses.

"But I suppose there's no chance of that now. He's probably being pulverized by Kaido as we speak."

Kizaru's words brought a twisted smile to Big Mom's face.

"Oh? Is that what you think?" she replied, her tone dripping with malice. "Did the little devil ask for your help? Shouldn't you be rushing back right now? If you hurry, you might still be able to collect his body."

As she spoke, the Emperor spun around with surprising agility for someone her size, swinging Napoleon in a devastating arc aimed directly at Kizaru's midsection.

The Admiral, however, had anticipated this. His body dissolved into light particles a split second before the blade would have connected, allowing him to reappear behind her. With methodical precision, he raised his right leg.

"That's not something you need to worry about," Kizaru said, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather. "That guy is fully committed to taking down Kaido."

"LIGHT SPEED KICK!"

His leg, glowing with concentrated light energy, shot forward with incredible force. Yet Big Mom blocked it effortlessly with one massive arm, showing no sign of injury or discomfort from the impact.

Observing the complete lack of damage to her arm, Kizaru couldn't help but narrow his eyes behind his sunglasses. This was going to be troublesome.

"You can't be harmed by this? You really are worthy of your title as one of the Four Emperors. How frightening~"

Big Mom's grin widened, revealing her unnaturally white teeth. Napoleon, clutched in her left hand, became enveloped in a menacing combination of crimson and black lightning—the telltale sign of her advanced Haki.

"So, whether it's you or that Marine brat, you're both much too young to challenge me! IKOKU SOVEREIGNTY!"

The terrifying sword energy she released wasn't aimed at Kizaru, who stood within arm's reach. Instead, it targeted Akainu, who had been approaching stealthily via Moon Walk technique, hoping to launch a surprise attack.

Seeing the attack redirected toward him, Akainu's eyes widened in shock. He hastily fired a massive lava projectile to intercept it.

"METEOR VOLCANO!"

But against the overwhelming destructive power of Big Mom's Ikoku Sovereignty, the magma bomb proved utterly ineffective. It dispersed instantly, the sword energy continuing unimpeded toward its target.

With no time to dodge and no solid ground beneath him, Akainu could only cross his arms and infuse them with Armament Haki in a desperate attempt to block the attack.

The sword energy struck him with catastrophic force, sending him flying backward. He rocketed away from the battlefield, his body creating a dark silhouette against the bright sky as he hurtled toward the distant horizon.

"Oh my~" Kizaru remarked with a malicious smirk. "Sakazuki actually flew so far. What a perfect attack indeed."

Without waiting for Big Mom's response, Kizaru transformed into golden light, evading her follow-up strike and pursuing Akainu, who was rapidly approaching the sea.

The Admiral had nearly managed to stabilize himself when Kizaru appeared beside him, grabbing the collar of his coat with surprising urgency.

Akainu initially assumed Kizaru was simply preventing him from falling into the sea—a fatal situation for any Devil Fruit user. He opened his mouth to insist he was fine, but the words died in his throat when he noticed Kizaru's grip on his collar never loosened.

Something about his fellow Admiral's behavior felt deeply wrong, sending a chill of unease down Akainu's spine that had nothing to do with their current predicament.

Chapter 510: Kizaru VS Big Mom

"Hey, Borsalino, you—"

Before Akainu could finish his sentence, Kizaru flashed him a lazy smile. The next instant, Akainu felt a rush of wind flooding his mouth as his body was suddenly propelled through space.

When his senses returned, he found himself directly in front of Big Mom.

To make matters worse, the Emperor had already raised her massive sword Napoleon, flames dancing along its edge as she brought it down in a vicious chopping motion.

"EMPEROR SWORD... COGNAC!"

Faced with the gigantic flaming blade descending upon him, Akainu froze in disbelief for a split second.

"BORSALINO! I'LL KILL YOU FOR THIS!"

Even someone as composed as Akainu completely lost his cool in that moment. The realization hit him like a Sea King attack—Kizaru, that scoundrel, had actually transported him right to Big Mom while in elemental form!

What could I possibly have done to offend him so badly that he would sacrifice me like this?!

Akainu couldn't fathom it, and there was no time to puzzle it out. Facing Big Mom's devastating strike, he could only grit his teeth and hastily raise his arms in a desperate defensive stance.

Meanwhile, Kizaru materialized beside Big Mom, watching as Sakazuki braced for impact. For once, the laid-back Admiral showed a flicker of genuine embarrassment.

He honestly hadn't meant to transport Akainu quite so close to danger—it was a miscalculation. He definitely hadn't intended to deliberately throw his colleague to the wolves. At least, that's what he told himself.

To dispel any misunderstandings Akainu might harbor, Kizaru decided he should probably make an actual effort in this battle for once.

"KSHHH!"

The sound of metal striking magma-hardened flesh echoed across the water. Poor Admiral Akainu, having just recovered from being blown away moments earlier, was now sent flying backward again by Big Mom's powerful sword strike, his body carving a smoking arc through the sky.

Big Mom turned her attention to Kizaru, a look of mild surprise crossing her features. In all their years of occasional clashes, this was the first time she'd seen the notoriously lazy Admiral preparing to actually exert himself.

Silently apologizing to his colleague, Kizaru narrowed his eyes behind his tinted glasses. He brought his hands together in front of him, yellow light coalescing between his palms, gradually taking the shape of a gleaming sword of pure energy.

"Well," he muttered, "to prevent Sakazuki from branding me a traitor, I suppose I'll have to be serious for once."

He met Big Mom's gaze as she turned toward him, and without hesitation, raised his light sword and stepped forward to confront her directly.

Seeing Kizaru actually form a blade, Big Mom's eyes widened momentarily before her expression shifted to taunting amusement.

"Well, well, well," she mocked, twirling Napoleon with surprising dexterity for someone her size. "You actually know swordsmanship, little brat? Don't tell me you picked up these tricks just to impress the rookies back at Marine Headquarters?"

Oddly enough, Big Mom had faced the Marines countless times over the decades. In a way, she had watched admirals like Kizaru rise through the ranks, observing their growth from a distance.

While Charlotte Linlin primarily relied on the versatile powers granted by her Soul-Soul Fruit, she was also a formidable swordswoman in her own right. When presented with Kizaru's "invitation" to a sword duel, she accepted without hesitation, immediately launching a flying slash attack to test his skill.

Kizaru's expression remained inscrutable behind his sunglasses. He appeared calm and composed, perhaps even bored, as the crescent of energy raced toward him.

With a precise flick of his wrist, he deflected the sword energy, dispersing it harmlessly into the air. Without pausing, he closed the distance between them with astonishing speed, raising his light sword in both hands before bringing it down in a powerful overhead strike.

Big Mom's momentary surprise at seeing her attack so easily neutralized quickly gave way to a bloodthirsty grin. She swung Napoleon upward without hesitation to meet Kizaru's blade.

CLANG!

The two swords collided with tremendous force, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. Big Mom used her height advantage to bear down on Kizaru, attempting to overpower him through sheer strength.

The Admiral's hands trembled slightly under the pressure. It was clear he couldn't match the Emperor in raw power—but then again, brute force had never been his specialty.

With a calculated movement, Kizaru redirected the force of Big Mom's press, sliding his blade away before launching another precisely aimed strike. This time, he targeted her side with a textbook perfect cutting motion.

Big Mom refused to be outdone. Napoleon moved with surprising agility in her hands as she parried Kizaru's attack. Within seconds, they had exchanged several lightning-fast blows, metal and light clashing with each thunderous impact.

For a time, the only sound that could be heard across the battlefield was the constant ringing of their blades—a symphony of destruction as two of the world's most powerful figures tested each other's mettle.

Though Kizaru's movements appeared almost languid to observers, he was employing only a handful of basic swordsmanship techniques. Yet what he lacked in variety, he compensated for with precision and increasing speed. His light sword fell again and again, each strike flowing seamlessly into the next.

Big Mom's expression gradually transformed—from initial amusement to growing concentration, and finally to grim determination as she found herself genuinely challenged. The Emperor was now fighting with her full attention, no longer treating this as a casual skirmish.

The staccato rhythm of their clashing blades accelerated as Kizaru pressed his advantage. In a matter of seconds, he had delivered hundreds of strikes, each one executed with perfect form and devastating power.

Even the mighty Charlotte Linlin found herself struggling to keep pace.

"Damn," she thought, gritting her teeth. "He's mastered basic swordsmanship to this level? Perhaps not all these admirals are as useless as they seem."

As the duel intensified, Big Mom soon realized she couldn't match Kizaru's speed. But she hadn't survived decades as an Emperor by being predictable. Recognizing her disadvantage, she decisively changed tactics, opting to overwhelm finesse with raw power.

With a sudden pivot, she brought Napoleon across her body in a horizontal guard position, gathering her tremendous strength for a devastating counterattack.

Kizaru, ever the opportunist, immediately capitalized on the apparent opening. In the blink of an eye, he delivered dozens of precise strikes targeting her arms, chest, and abdomen—any vulnerable point he could identify.

To his dismay, however, his flurry of attacks failed to penetrate Big Mom's defenses. The legendary durability that had made her nearly invincible throughout her long, violent career now proved its worth once again.

Facing Kizaru's relentless assault, Big Mom stood her ground without dodging or evading, letting the strikes land harmlessly against her iron-like skin.

The stark difference in their defensive capabilities became clear: against her tremendous sword, would Kizaru dare to stand still and take a hit as she had done?