Chapter 87

Kairos Flint and His Crew

Kairos Flint lounged in a chair, sipping on a drink, chatting and laughing with his crew. The mood was light, the conversation flowing effortlessly. The only one not smiling was Perona, who stood behind them with a tense expression.

But while they laughed and relaxed, dozens of eyes were watching.

Surrounding them, members of the Navy were gritting their teeth, their frustration mounting.

"Colonel Barlow, are we really just going to stand here and do nothing?" one of the younger soldiers asked, barely able to keep his voice down. "They're openly ignoring us. It's humiliating just standing around like this!"

Colonel Barlow's expression was grim. "Lieutenant General Matt isn't here. You think we can take down someone like that on our own? I've already dispatched a message to Major General Matt. He should be on his way now."

The naval base on the Sabaody Archipelago was not part of the elite G-series New World bases—it was just a garrison. Still, even garrisons on the archipelago had rear admirals stationed due to the island's importance.

Unfortunately, when the World Noble was killed, the stationed rear admiral was off responding to another pirate incident elsewhere on the island. Worse, he'd left without his transponder snail, so there was no way to contact him remotely. They had to send a soldier to find him physically.

"Damn it," the young marine muttered, clenching his fists. Despite his protests, even he knew the truth: they couldn't take Kairos Flint on by themselves. This was the Grand Line, and anyone who dared to attack a Celestial Dragon here… wasn't just some rookie pirate. They were someone terrifying.

It wasn't just the murder of the World Noble that unsettled them—it was the way Kairos and his crew acted like none of this even mattered. As if they didn't fear the consequences at all.

Everyone knew one thing clearly now: killing a Celestial Dragon was a capital offense. A world-shaking crime.

But there was a flip side.

If they captured Kairos, it would be the kind of achievement that could rocket them up the Navy's ranks.

That was the dilemma.

No one wanted to make the first move.

Because making the first move… might mean starting a war.

And deep down, none of them were confident they could win.

The Arrival of Major General Matt

Finally, after what felt like forever, Major General Matt arrived.

He already knew what had happened before setting foot on the scene. The news of a Celestial Dragon's death would reach even the highest ranks quickly. If Kairos Flint wasn't captured soon, there was a risk the World Government might order a Buster Call on the entire Sabaody Archipelago.

"Is that him?" Major General Matt asked, scanning the group as he arrived. His eyes narrowed on Kairos and the women seated around him.

To him, it looked more like a spoiled noble being pampered by rich heiresses than a fearsome pirate.

"That's him," Colonel Barlow confirmed. "He's the one who made the move. Don't let appearances fool you—he's got a bounty of 180 million Beli."

"I know," Matt said curtly.

Dark energy coated his fists as he activated Armament Haki and launched himself toward Kairos.

In the blink of an eye, he was in front of the pirate.

With a heavy punch, he struck.

Clang!

Kairos raised his hand, also covered in Armament Haki, and met the blow with ease. The clash sounded like steel colliding.

"Wouldn't it have been better to wait for the admirals?" Kairos said calmly, almost disappointed.

"You've caused enough chaos," Major General Matt growled. "There's no time to wait. I, Major General Matt, will personally capture you and drag you to Impel Down."

"Capture me? You're overestimating yourself," Kairos said, cracking his knuckles.

"If all three admirals showed up, then maybe there'd be a chance. But you? A major general?"

Kairos clenched his right fist, wrapping it in Conqueror's Haki and reinforcing it with advanced Armament Haki. Standing up, he swung with devastating force.

Boom!

His fist struck Matt square in the chest. Bones shattered, blood sprayed, and the man was sent flying.

Crash!

Matt hit the ground hard, unmoving.

One punch.

Instant knockout.

Everyone around was frozen in shock.

The major general had attacked—and been instantly defeated.

The speed of it all was dizzying.

Panic and Power

Colonel Barlow was stunned. Then he snapped back to reality and screamed, "Open fire! Shoot him! Now!"

But just as the marines raised their rifles and fingers hovered over triggers—

BOOM!

A shockwave exploded out from Kairos as his Conqueror's Haki surged forth.

The raw power of a king's will blanketed the area.

Dozens of marines collapsed on the spot, unconscious. Even Colonel Barlow was knocked out cold, unable to endure the sheer force of the aura.

Friend and foe alike were affected.

"Don't forget," Robin said gently, catching Perona as the girl's legs gave out under the pressure. "Not everyone here can handle that kind of Haki."

"I know," Kairos replied without turning.

He glanced down at Major General Matt, who was barely breathing.

If he didn't finish him off now, Matt might still pose a threat later.

But…

"It's just our paths that differ," Kairos thought.

It wasn't personal. Matt might have been a good man, a soldier of justice.

But justice was relative. In this world, there wasn't one absolute right or wrong—just people on opposite sides, with opposing ideologies. And sometimes that meant one had to kill the other.

Kairos understood that.

Once, as a bounty hunter, his goals hadn't conflicted with the Navy's.

But now… the World Government had branded him a criminal. A pirate.

He'd been given a 180 million Beli bounty.

He'd murdered a Celestial Dragon.

The Navy had every reason to hunt him down.

But that didn't mean he'd go quietly.

He had to fight back.

Boom!

His fist dropped again, this time finishing Major General Matt for good.

Kairos stood over the body, breathing steadily. He didn't strike down the unconscious marines around him. After all, not all of them were evil. Some were just doing their jobs.

And that made it harder to kill without hesitation.

"Guess I'm a bit of a hypocrite," he admitted to himself with a bitter smile.

He wasn't a saint. But he wasn't heartless either.

Just a man trying to survive in a world that forced him to fight.

Now, all they could do was wait.

The Navy would have reported his location by now.

Someone stronger would come.

Someone he couldn't afford to take lightly.

Kizaru Arrives

General Kizaru finally arrived on the island, riding a cannonball as leisurely as ever.

But…

He'd forgotten to ask where, exactly, the fight had taken place.

"What a pain... Since it involves a Celestial Dragon, he's probably in the lawless zone," he muttered to himself.

"These young folks… actually killing a Celestial Dragon? So scary."

He strolled toward the lawless zone.

Eventually, he found the scene of destruction.

"Oh my, even the major general didn't make it? You really are a dangerous man," Kizaru said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he looked down at Matt's lifeless body.

His sunglasses couldn't hide the sharp gleam in his eyes.

Kairos turned to face him.

"Kizaru, one of the Three Admirals," he said with mock respect. "Just seeing you here is enough to make my knees tremble."

"Yo, so you know me? That makes things easier," Kizaru replied lazily. "How about you surrender and come quietly? Save me the trouble."

Kairos smirked. "Tempting, but no thanks. If I'm going to Impel Down, I'd rather walk in myself."

"That won't do," Kizaru said with a sigh. "If you won't come willingly… I'll have to force you."

In a flash of golden light, he vanished—then reappeared in front of Kairos, leg raised, ready to strike with the speed of light.

CLANG!

Before the blow could land, Vivi stepped in, transforming into her Battle Greymon form.

The Shield of Courage snapped into place, intercepting Kizaru's kick.

A violent storm of energy exploded from the impact.

But the shield held firm.

Not a scratch.

Kizaru's light-speed assault had been completely neutralized.

"I'll be your opponent," Vivi said, eyes blazing with determination.

"I want to see just how strong an admiral really is."

She didn't yet understand the full extent of her power.

But now, she had a perfect test subject.

And she was more than ready to find out.