Pirate: I have a Hollow living inside me

At this moment, wisps of white smoke rose from Lockes' body; this was the smoke from being burned after entering this high-heat light field.

He felt as if he were in an oven, the intense heat enveloping his entire body, as if trying to roast him alive...

Only his domineering aura could counteract this heat wave; otherwise, even with Rocks's physique, it would have been difficult to resist.

However, even with his powerful aura resisting the intense heat, he still felt a burning pain...

"Isn't that what battle is all about? Play to your strengths and then find an opportunity to attack the enemy!"

Rocks laughed loudly.

Ignoring the depletion of his domineering aura and the pain caused by the burning sensation in his body.

It moved at an extremely high speed, approaching Kizaru in the light field.

Rocks, empowered by Haki and Cero, unleashed a punch with penetrating force:

"A serious punch!"

"Kuzan is right, you're a madman!"

Kizaru, who was releasing golden light to block the spiral shockwave, was unable to dodge the incoming punch.

He felt he had acted rashly.

The attack just now has backfired and put me in this situation.

He truly hadn't expected the other party to be so crazy!

Fortunately, the other party wasn't using a sword. Were they not planning to kill him?

Even if the opponent used a sword, he didn't think he couldn't block it...

Without time to think, Kizaru responded to the powerful punch.

Just resist it!

'Boom!!'

Rocks' fist slammed into Kizaru's crossed, black arm, and a blinding golden light shone upon impact.

This is a double defense of dominance and capability.

Although it neutralized most of the force of the punch, Kizaru was still sent flying by it.

The penetrating force of the punch struck his internal organs, causing him to groan and blood to trickle from the corner of his mouth...

'Boom!!'

Without Kizaru's support.

The golden sphere of light dissipated into light particles.

Even without the golden sphere's protection, the weakened spiral shockwave continued its charge forward.

The target was Kizaru, who was flying backwards...

"Encountering such a monster..."

Kizaru stopped flying backward, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and still cursed under his breath: "What utterly unlucky!"

I shouldn't have made excuses to be lazy; as a result, I ran into this trouble.

However troublesome it is.

He could only do his best to solve it.

He couldn't possibly allow something to happen to his subordinates, could he?

This is something a general like him would not allow!

"Light Burst Kick!"

As the spiral shockwave continued to hurtle towards him, Kizaru's expression changed, becoming more serious and earnest.

Kizaru raised his right leg.

The lower leg area radiated light like the sun.

As he kicked out, a burst of light, like a sunburst, shot out and flew past.

It was just a ball of light the size of a fist, yet it contained the explosive power of a nuclear bomb!

'Boom!'

The bursting golden light and the devastating spiral shockwave collided in mid-air.

Like the release of power from a nuclear explosion.

Shockwaves radiated in concentric circles.

As the light flashed, a mushroom cloud rose slowly from that spot.

Fine crackles of lightning crackled all around, while the center still held an intense heat...

……

"What... what's going on with this ocean...?"

New member Wapa stared blankly at the mushroom cloud that had formed, swallowing hard.

The shock in his eyes was impossible to conceal: "How can someone I just randomly meet possess such terrifying power..."

Laki was also stunned: "Compared to this golden figure, Enel is nothing at all..."

They had just come down from the sky island.

Then, you just randomly meet someone who possesses such terrifying strength?

Is this ocean really that dangerous?

They really have a limited perspective...

Nami was also surprised by Kizaru's strength: "This old guy is so strong! Even Rocks couldn't suppress him?"

Issho's Observation Haki remained locked on that spot as he slowly said, "A Marine Headquarters Admiral is not so easy to deal with."

Kuina spoke coolly: "Neither of them has really taken it seriously yet; they're still testing each other."

"But Rocks won't lose; he still has trump cards up his sleeve."

"He's truly on par with a Navy Admiral now, that's so fast..."

Robin couldn't help but recall the brief encounter between Rocks and Aokiji.

Back then, Rox wasn't as composed as she is now, and she couldn't help but say, "It's so reassuring."

Little Yi waved her little fists, silently cheering for Rocks: "Go, Captain!"

None of them thought Rocks would lose.

Even if the opponent is Admiral Kizaru of the Navy Headquarters.

Because Lox hadn't gone all out yet.

He still has a trump card up his sleeve.

Rocks' strongest form is when he grows long horns, wings, and a tail, and his body undergoes some "mutation".

Even when facing Rocks in that state, Yixiao admitted that he lost more than he won...

……

The naval personnel on the warship also witnessed the battle between the two, and their eyes revealed shock and horror.

Many people only know about "Black-haired Swordsman" Rocks from informational reports.

I didn't actually see it with my own eyes...

Now that I look at it...

The opponent was actually able to fight Admiral Kizaru to this extent.

This also surprised many naval personnel...

"Is this the strength of the black-haired swordsman? It's terrifying. Faced with a criminal like this, we... are simply powerless to intervene..."

"Admiral Kizaru will not be defeated; he is a Marine Headquarters Admiral!"

"But the black-haired swordsman is terrifying. Has his strength increased in just a few months? He can hold his own against Admiral Kizaru without being at a disadvantage..."

"..."

Listening to the whispers of her colleagues, Isca took a deep breath.

Looking at the figure standing in mid-air, his eyes were full of solemnity: "It really is beyond the scope of a newcomer."

"Compared to Ace, this guy is simply inhumanly strong..."

Remembering what Ace had once told her, Iska murmured, "If you want to compete with someone like that, you'll have to become stronger, Ace..."

Ace once said that.

One of his targets was "Black-haired Swordsman" Rocks.

They want to fight the opponent and win.

Now she feels...

For Ace to achieve this goal, it's not just a slim chance, it's incredibly difficult.

Because now the black-haired swordsman truly possesses the terrifying strength to fight a Marine Admiral.

Ace could never do that right now...

……

"Are we finally getting serious? I knew it, the Admiral isn't so easy to deal with..."

Rocks stomped on the air and floated in mid-air.

Seeing the change in Kizaru's gaze and aura, Rocks' eyes also revealed an excited fighting spirit:

"If I can't even beat someone in this condition, I don't deserve the title of Admiral of the Navy Headquarters!"

Due to his personality, Kizaru rarely takes things seriously.

They've always been perfunctory in their work.

In the original story, during the battle between Luffy and Egerhard, Luffy might not have been truly serious.

He had no choice but to act under orders...

It's hard to say who is the strongest among the admirals, but Kizaru is definitely the most mysterious and the most difficult to deal with.

Moreover, mystery also implies that it could be the strongest...

"Well, for the sake of my subordinates' lives, I have no choice but to take it seriously."

Kizaru pouted, somewhat reluctantly saying, "From now on, I'm going to start attacking with the intention of defeating you..."

The probing is almost complete.

Although I was startled by the other party's madness and suffered some injuries.

However, it's still within his tolerance level...

For the sake of his subordinates' lives, he had no choice but to take it seriously.

Let's defeat this guy!

I hope the other party keeps their word.

Otherwise, the only option is for the other side to demand a hostage exchange...

Upon hearing this, Lox revealed a flamboyant and unrestrained smile: "Hey, you don't think you can defeat me when you get serious, do you?"

"A few months ago, I might not have been a match for you, but now... I don't think I'll lose!"

"I don't think I can easily defeat you. I'll just have to give it my all. I hope you keep your word, or I'll be in trouble..."

Kizaru slightly twisted his neck.

The absurdity and boredom I had seen have disappeared.

Instead, it is characterized by seriousness and sharpness.

"Light is both speed and heat. Have you ever been exposed to sunlight?"