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The male giant Noir had addressed scratched his head and said in a honest voice, "Reporting to our Savior, we are warriors from Elbaf. My name is Nylph, and this is my sister, Manlyph."
Elbaf giant warriors?
Noir nodded with delight and greeted them.
Giants were a rare sight. The most famous community of giants was the Giant Warrior Pirates from Elbaf, renowned for producing powerful warriors.
Noir's gaze shifted to Nylph's sister. Manlyph quickly hid behind her brother, her face flushed with shyness.
A muscular female giant hiding behind an even more muscular giant... the scene was both intimidating and comical.
Noir scratched his head. If the giant sister is this shy, could she be weak?
Less than a minute later, Manlyph's actions proved Noir's doubts utterly wrong.
Noir witnessed her rip a guard tower out of the ground and swing it like a club, sending countless guards flying with cries of terror. Everyone gaped at Manlyph in astonishment.
Manlyph blushed even deeper and peeked out from behind her brother, cautiously eyeing the tiny humans at her feet.
Nylph said apologetically, "Don't let my sister's shyness fool you. She's one of the most talented warriors in Elbaf, far stronger than me."
Noir nodded. The internet was right. You can't judge a book by its cover, especially when it comes to giant warrior maidens.
With the two giants clearing the path, Noir's army surged forward, their momentum unstoppable until the Marines' reinforcements arrived in droves.
The freed slaves, despite their newfound freedom and burning determination, were weakened by years of enslavement. Injuries began to mount, and some even fell in battle.
Seeing the tide turning, Noir stepped forward and shouted, "Retreat! We can't keep pushing!"
A burly man protested, his voice filled with reluctance. "But Savior, there are still many of our people..."
Before Noir could respond, the authoritative old fish-man barked, "Silence! Are you questioning our Savior's judgment?"
The burly man quickly shook his head. "Of course not, it's just... we dont want to give up..."
Noir sighed. "We're in no condition to continue fighting. We'll only lose more lives if we stay. Retreat, now!"
"Yes!" The crowd responded in unison.
They formed a protective circle around the elderly, women, and children. The giants led the way, with Noir and Wyper at the front. The armed men formed the outer perimeter, shielding the others as they fought their way out.
Driven by their unwavering resolve, the rebellious army withstood the relentless pursuit of the Marines and Government guards, breaking through the encirclement layer by layer.
Gradually, they neared Noir's planned escape route. Just as hope flickered in their eyes, a blinding flash of light descended upon them.
BOOM!!
A laser beam slammed into the ground in front of the two giants, sending their massive bodies flying backward.
Everyone halted, their expressions grim. Noir stared at the newcomer, his face serious.
Within the crater created by the blast, golden light particles coalesced, forming a human figure.
Kizaru's repulsive face materialized, his voice dripping with mock concern. "Oh my, it's been a while, Devil Noir."
"It has been a 'while.' I've missed you, too," Noir replied, his tone deceptively light as he tightened his grip on his sword.
The freed slaves behind him, their eyes filled with fear, watched the Marine Admiral's arrival with trepidation.
The Marine Headquarters had sent their strongest fighter. Did they truly not care if these people lived or died?
Kizaru pointed his index finger, a swirling laser gathering power at its tip. "I'm afraid this will be our last encounter."
As if forgetting his role as the "lazy" Admiral, Kizaru unleashed the laser beam, sending it hurtling towards Noir and the others.
Just as despair settled over them, believing their end was near, Noir appeared in front of them.
With a flick of his wrist, he moved at lightning speed, intercepting the beam of light just in time. He swung his sword, meeting the blinding light head-on.
BOOM! BOOM!
Noir's Devil Blade held firm. The laser beam, upon impact, split in two, striking empty spaces on either side of the group.
The deafening explosions echoed through the air. The rescued slaves erupted in cheers, their hope rekindled. Kizaru stared at Noir in surprise.
"You used the power of lightning to accelerate and match my speed?"
Noir ignored Kizaru's self-addressed question and turned to Wyper. "Take them and go. I'll try to hold him off and meet up with you later."
Wyper and the freed slaves were worried, but they obeyed Noir's orders without question. "Yes!"
Wyper transformed into his full beast form and led the group, charging past Kizaru without looking back.
Kizaru's eyes narrowed. His leg shimmered, and he vanished, reappearing in front of the escaping slaves. He launched a lightning-fast kick.
Noir, his body transformed into a bolt of lightning, barely matched Kizaru's speed, raising his sword to block the kick.
Seizing the opportunity, Wyper and the others broke through the encirclement. Kizaru watched them go with an indifferent shrug. "Oh well."
"It won't be difficult to catch up with them once Devil Noir is dead."
Noir scoffed. "We'll see who ends up dead."
Kizaru fell silent. He brought his hands together, and with a blinding flash, his Ama no Murakumo sword materialized.
Devil Blade and the light sword clashed in a flurry of sparks, illuminating the battlefield.
Kizaru's form flickered, his sword striking at Noir's vital points from all angles.
Noir's lightning form allowed him to keep up with Kizaru's speed, but he couldn't maintain such high-speed movement for extended periods, not like Kizaru, who specialized in speed.
But Noir had more than one ability up his sleeve.
Kizaru struck Noir again, sending him hurtling towards the ground. Noir's body vanished into the earth.
Kizaru stopped, his eyebrows furrowed in surprise. What ability did he copy this time?
Unsure of Noir's capabilities, Kizaru stood cautiously, his Observation Haki scanning the surroundings for any changes.
Suddenly, the shadow beneath his feet rippled. A hand emerged from the darkness.
Kizaru leaped into the air, startled. The owner of the hand sprang out of the shadow.
A sly grin spread across Noir's face. Having failed to touch Kizaru, he unleashed a Flying Slash with Devil Blade.
Kizaru transformed into light and dodged just in time, but the sharp sword strike still managed to graze his yellow suit, severing a piece of the fabric.
Noir landed back on the ground. Kizaru's expression turned serious. "Did you copy Moria's Kage Kage no Mi (Shadow-Shadow Fruit)?"
Though phrased as a question, Kizaru's tone held a note of certainty.
Noir didn't answer. Instead, he smiled. "Where there is light, there is shadow. Wherever you are, your shadow will be there, too."
"No matter how fast you are, can you outrun your own shadow?"
Kizaru sighed, tapping his right foot lightly on the ground. His usually monotonous voice gained a hint of emotion as he grinned.
"Well… I can try."
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