MTLNOVEL Chapter 167: 167: The Admiral Falls.
"Admiral? A star of the seas! Even in my time, admirals were legendary!"
Brook's exaggerated voice rang out as he stared at the opposing warship, where Admiral Kizaru stood tall and calm.
"The moment I leave the Devil's Triangle, I'm immediately ambushed by an admiral! My heart almost jumped out of my chest!"
He paused.
"Ah—right, I don't have a heart anymore! Yohohoho!"
Brook's bony laughter echoed, while Robin stood beside him, clearly unimpressed.
Suddenly, Kizaru's form shimmered with golden light.
"Yasakani no Magatama."
His body dispersed into brilliant particles, reappearing mid-air, floating high above with light shimmering in his hands. The next moment, golden light bullets rained down like a meteor storm.
"A familiar move," Zenkichi muttered, unmoved.
His eyes flared red—scarlet Mangekyō Sharingan spinning—and a rib-like frame of glowing chakra enveloped him.
(Madara's template remember?)
Susanoo.
The spectral ribcage of light-blue chakra formed instantly, shielding him from the downpour. Golden projectiles clashed against the Susanoo barrier, echoing thunderous roars—but failed to break through.
"What the...?"
Kizaru narrowed his eyes at the structure around Zenkichi.
"Susanoo," Zenkichi said cooly.
Kizaru floated above with a frown. "You're full of surprises. You've got my Pika Pika no Mi ability, Whitebeard's Gura Gura no Mi too, right?"
As he spoke, golden energy gathered once again in his hands—dozens more beams of light launched downward.
Zenkichi remained unfazed. "So what?"
He shot upward, coated in Armament Haki, fist pulled back.
"Admiral Kizaru... do you want to dance?"
With one clean motion, he drove his Haki-infused punch into Kizaru.
"Robin-san... do you think Zenkichi-sama can really defeat an admiral?"
Brook turned toward Robin, visibly uneasy. The thought of losing his newfound freedom gnawed at him.
He had only just escaped the Devil's Triangle. Regaining his shadow, tasting the wind of freedom—and now this?
Robin smiled lightly. "Even if Zenkichi-sama can't win outright, Kizaru can't easily defeat him either."
While they spoke, a massive crash echoed above.
Kizaru's body was hurled across the sky and slammed into the ocean, disappearing beneath the waves.
Everyone fell silent.
The admiral—defeated so swiftly—left them stunned.
No drawn-out battle, no hundreds of exchanged blows. Just one hit.
Several Marines reacted quickly, diving into the sea to retrieve Kizaru before he sank. If they hadn't moved fast, he might have become the first admiral in history to drown.
"So strong…" Kizaru groaned, coughing up seawater. "I didn't even hold back…"
He looked up, dazed. Zenkichi had moved so fast, hit so hard—he hadn't even had time to react.
Zenkichi hovered above, watching coldly.
"Still want to continue?"
Kizaru didn't hesitate. "Retreat."
There was no shame in escaping now—only survival.
But Zenkichi's smile turned sharp.
"Trying to leave now?"
"You came here to fight me. You think you can just walk away?"
With a blur, Zenkichi moved again, appearing above the retreating warship.
"Katon – Gōka Mekkyaku!"
Zenkichi formed the hand seals swiftly and unleashed a torrent of flame. A sea of fire surged from his mouth, descending toward the warship like an inferno.
"Defend! Now!" Kizaru shouted.
He cursed under his breath. His own light-speed ability wasn't suited for countering large-scale attacks like this.
If Akainu were here, his magma could meet it head-on. If Aokiji had arrived, he could've frozen the flames mid-air.
But Kizaru? He could dodge—but he couldn't shield the fleet.
Flames crashed down, engulfing the ship. Panic spread as Marines rushed to douse fires and stabilize the vessel.
Boom!
Zenkichi's voice rang out, clear and mocking.
"You provoke me over and over. Did you think I'd take it kindly?"
He looked down lazily, amusement in his tone.
"I'll give you a choice."
"One more strike. Whether you survive it... is up to fate."
He began weaving hand signs once more—this time, Water Style.
"Suiton – daibakufu no Jutsu!"
The sea below churned, massive waves rising and coiling like serpents.
With a deafening crash, the wave struck the naval ship, slamming into the hull and breaking through its structure. Seawater poured into the deck as Marines scrambled to seal the breach.
"Looks like you're lucky this time," Zenkichi said casually.
With a flicker, he vanished and reappeared aboard his own ship.
"You're incredible!" Brook exclaimed. "Zenkichi-san, how are you this strong?!"
"That was really an admiral? He looked so weak compared to you!"
"Zenkichi-san, with that kind of power… what is your place in this world?"
Brook's eyes gleamed with admiration—and curiosity.
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One is based on One Piece and the other on Naruto.
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