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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.
Kizaru's form flickered in and out of existence as Noir relentlessly pursued him, clinging to his shadow, his blade a blur of motion.
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.
His shadow remained on the ground, leaving Noir unable to follow him into the sky.
Kizaru gathered golden light, radiating like a miniature sun, unleashing a barrage of laser beams that rained down like a meteor shower.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
Noir's heart pounded. He dove into the shadows to escape.
Jokes aside, Kizaru's power as an Admiral was undeniable.
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.
Compared to Luffy, I'm definitely more like a distant nephew in terms of connections...
Noir emerged from the shadows, his body encased in a black, box-like structure formed from shadow, shielding him from the laser fire.
Multiple black spears shot out from the surrounding shadows, aimed at the airborne Kizaru.
Kizaru twisted and dodged the shadow spears. The light from his Ama no Murakumo intensified, the blade extending into a massive greatsword.
The colossal blade of light, carrying enough force to cleave the sky, sliced through the shadow box.
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.
Kizaru feigned an opening, enticing Noir to strike. Then, in a flash, his light-speed kick connected with Noir's head.
"Hmm?"
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.
At the same time, Noir's hand plunged into the ground, precisely where Kizaru's shadow lay.
Noir's body began to melt, turning into a purple liquid that flowed into the ground, merging with Kizaru's shadow.
At the other end of this shadowy connection stood the real Noir, emerging from the shattered remains of the shadow box.
"Since my Shadow Clone is essentially another me, it can also use my mimicry ability. This is quite a useful technique for combat."
Noir pondered the practicality of the move as he charged towards Kizaru once more.
He knew that restraining the light-man through his shadow would only be a temporary measure.
Seeing Noir's relentless assault, Kizaru transformed his entire body into light, escaping the shadow's grasp.
Just as Kizaru was about to vanish, Noir's fingers reached out, barely grazing the Admiral.
Kizaru reappeared a short distance away, his expression darkening.
The worst-case scenario had come to pass.
Noir, his hand now on Kizaru, quickly opened his System and copied the golden-quality Pika Pika no Mi.
Noir straightened up, his gaze fixed on Kizaru. He couldn't contain his triumphant grin any longer.
I'm laughing victoriously, oh so victoriously~
Kizaru had been toying with him, relying on his superior speed.
Now, Noir would show him what it felt like to be outmaneuvered by his own power.
Kizaru's flamboyant features hardened. He and Noir simultaneously activated their Logia intangibility.
The already devastated battlefield became even more chaotic.
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.
Their speed escalated beyond the limits of normal vision. Only their Observation Haki, sensing each other's intent, guided their attacks.
Radiant light rippled through the air. Noir pressed his hand to the ground, and the shadows of nearby buildings began to flow towards him.
Amplified by his newfound light powers, these shadows, manipulated by Noir, swelled into massive waves, crashing down on Kizaru.
Kizaru, caught off guard by this sudden shift in tactics, was momentarily trapped by the surging shadow tide.
Noir's eyes narrowed, his killing intent flaring. He used the shadows as cover, teleporting closer to Kizaru.
If I can kill him, the complete Pika Pika no Mi will be mine!
Earth tremors and lightning strikes erupted as the shadow wave engulfed a large portion of the battlefield.
Kizaru, growing increasingly frustrated by Noir's constantly shifting abilities, felt a chill as he sensed the killing intent directed at him.
My power has been copied. My advantage in a one-on-one fight is gone. I have to retreat!
His light form rapidly navigated through the onslaught of elements, his laser beams twisting and turning as he escaped in a specific direction.
Seeing Kizaru fleeing, Noir, his body shimmering with light, was about to give chase, but he suddenly stopped.
He lightly touched his face, and his height and appearance shifted, transforming into a tall, lanky man with a creepy grin.
Noir mimicked Kizaru's habit of stroking his chin, a mischievous glint in his eye, before launching himself forward in a flash of light.
Meanwhile, Aokiji, the other Admiral tasked with rescuing the Celestial Dragons, encountered resistance.
Lucci, Enel, and the others had commandeered a Marine ship, taking dozens of Celestial Dragons hostage.
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.
But when Lucci saw the army of slaves Wyper had brought back, he was dumbfounded.
What is the Captain doing?!
Rescuing this many slaves... was that the "small matter" he had mentioned?
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.
But to Lucci's dismay, Admiral Aokiji and his forces were closing in.
Aokiji unleashed a wave of icy air. In an instant, the hulls of the ships carrying the slaves were frozen solid.
The bone-chilling cold mirrored the despair that threatened to engulf the slaves.
But they had come so far, freedom was within reach. There was no turning back now!
Just as everyone stood frozen, unsure of what to do, a massive figure leaped from the Red Line without hesitation.
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!"
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.
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.
Lucci, witnessing these frail slaves carving a path to freedom with their own flesh and blood, was deeply moved.
So faith truly is a powerful force…
Blood stained the icy surface, but the slaves, as if possessed, continued their desperate efforts, their bodies bruised and bloodied.
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.
"Break the ice! We're leaving this place!"
"You Marine dogs can't stop us!"
"We promised our Savior!!"
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.
The slaves poured out years of pent-up resentment, their voices rising in a unified cry for freedom.
As their passionate chants continued, their minds grew hazy, but their voices merged into a single, powerful declaration:
"We! We want to go home! Back to the sea, to live as free people!"
The surrounding Marines, witnessing this display of raw determination, couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. Some even lowered their weapons.
Finally, Aokiji, the highest-ranking officer present, let out a long sigh. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "But I have a duty to fulfill..."
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