Two Admirals

The Battlefield – Hiro vs. Kizaru & Fujitora

The ocean surged with violent waves, crashing against the sides of the ships that dotted the battlefield. The air was thick with pressure, as Admiral Fujitora's gravity continued to warp the environment. The ground under Hiro's feet cracked, and each step was more difficult than the last. But Hiro's resolve remained unbroken, his shadows swirling with more intensity.

Kizaru, still flickering around Hiro like a golden phantom, was beginning to show signs of frustration. Hiro's shadows, despite their limitations against the gravity manipulation, still made him unpredictable, making it difficult for Kizaru to land a solid blow.

"You've got some endurance, I'll give you that," Kizaru said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he appeared directly above Hiro in a flash of light. "But you're not getting away from me."

Hiro's response was immediate. With a flick of his wrist, the shadows stretched and lashed out at Kizaru's incoming strike, forcing him to vanish once more. But before Hiro could fully regain his footing, a crushing weight began to settle on his body.

Fujitora's gravity intensified, pushing Hiro down as if the very air had become a solid mass.

"Enough of this," Fujitora's voice boomed, his gaze fixed on Hiro, who was struggling to remain on his feet. "The world doesn't need any more chaos from you."

But Hiro wasn't backing down. His shadows pulsed and roiled around him, trying to fight against the increasing gravitational pressure. "You don't get to decide that," Hiro muttered, his eyes narrowed in focus.

The battle had dragged on long enough, and despite the immense power on both sides, Hiro began to feel the strain. His shadows, which had once been extensions of his will, now felt heavy and strained under the suffocating pressure of Fujitora's abilities.

Hiro's mind raced—his power was formidable, but even he couldn't keep up with two Admirals, especially not under such dire circumstances. It was clear that Fujitora's gravity manipulation was more than just an inconvenience—it was a direct threat to his survival.

---

Despite his pride and his ambitions, Hiro wasn't a fool. Survival had always been his first priority. As he fought, his mind weighed the costs of continuing this battle against the Night Guild Pirates' long-term goals.

The Marines' forces were only growing stronger, and the Admirals were relentless. Hiro could see it in their movements—they weren't going to stop until the Night Guild was completely crushed.

"There's no use," Hiro muttered under his breath, his eyes darting across the battlefield. Kizaru was already making moves to attack again, and Fujitora's gravity was only going to get worse. Even if he defeated them, there was no way to guarantee his crew's safety.

A voice broke through his thoughts.

"Captain, fall back!"

It was Hikari's voice, coming from the ship. Hiro's eyes snapped toward her, and he saw the Night Guild Pirates preparing for a retreat. They understood the situation was getting out of hand.

Hikari had never been one to suggest retreating—she was more about pushing forward with her typical unshakable resolve. But even she had to recognize when the tide of battle was too overwhelming.

Hiro's jaw clenched. He wasn't one to run from a fight, but he knew when it was too dangerous. The Night Guild couldn't afford to lose their captain—or any of their members—over a fight they couldn't win. Not yet, at least.

"Everyone, back to the ship," Hiro ordered through gritted teeth. "Now."

---

On the Night Guild ship, the crew was already making preparations. The tension was thick in the air, and they all knew what Hiro's order meant.

Soruto Feng, the sniper, stood at the ready, his rifle aimed in the direction of the Admirals. "I'll cover the retreat," he said, his voice steady despite the mounting pressure.

Musica, holding his guitar in one hand, nodded. "Let's not leave anyone behind."

Demetrius, always quick on his feet, was already moving toward the ship's helm, his hand on his blade. "Captain's orders are final. But I don't like running."

Hikari was the first to give the order for the ship to turn, her gaze unwavering. "We're not running, Demetrius. We're surviving."

The Night Guild Pirates quickly formed a tight defensive perimeter, moving swiftly toward the ship. The gravity around them, however, was still a formidable force, but they weren't going to let it keep them grounded.

Kizaru's golden form flickered as he considered making another move, but before he could, Hiro's shadows surged. "We leave now."

---

For one brief moment, Hiro stood alone on the battlefield, his shadows swirling in a protective barrier around him. The gravity was too much for even him to fight against, but his will was strong. His Night Night no Mi had awakened, but it hadn't fully been unleashed yet—he still had much to learn.

Kizaru flickered again, this time aiming directly for Hiro's exposed position, but before he could strike, Hiro's body melted into the darkness, disappearing in an instant. The shadows spread like wildfire, covering the battlefield in a sea of black.

"Go," Hiro muttered to himself. "Get out of here."

---

The Marine Forces – The Turning Tide

Fujitora watched as the Night Guild Pirates began their retreat. A part of him had expected it, but he wasn't one to let pirates escape easily. His hand raised again, his gravity powers pulsing, but before he could act, the sea began to boil.

"Don't even think about it, Fujitora," Kizaru said, his voice somewhat tired now. "We've done enough damage for today. The boss won't like us getting too reckless."

Fujitora let out a sigh, his gravity returning to normal. "You're right. They're leaving. Let them go… for now."

Kizaru smirked. "Besides, I'd rather not get caught in the middle of that storm. The kid's not going to be happy if we trash his new toys too much."

---

As the Night Guild Pirates made their way back to their ship, the distance between them and the Marine forces continued to grow. They had successfully retreated—but not without consequences. The battle had been close, and Hiro knew that the Marines wouldn't let them go easily.

The gravity was still pressing down on the battlefield, but Hiro and his crew had vanished into the distance, the fog of night providing them with the cover they needed.

"Where to, Captain?" Hikari asked, her eyes scanning the horizon as she steered the ship forward.

Hiro remained silent for a moment, staring out into the vast ocean. His crew had survived, and that was all that mattered. For now.

"We'll lay low," Hiro said at last, his voice low but firm. "We've made our mark today, but we can't afford to be reckless again."

The ship sailed onward, the Night Guild Pirates vanishing into the darkness, their battle with the Marines only the beginning of their journey.