One Piece: Ulquiorra Template

Chapter 150: Not a Trace Left

~ Support & Read 15 Advanced Chapters on My Patreon!

<><><><>

Not far from the island, a Marine warship lay anchored. Marines lined the shore and crowded the ship's deck, all eyes fixed on the distant battlefield. As the roaring and explosions subsided, they swallowed hard and exchanged uneasy glances.

"Is it finally over?"

"If that had gone on much longer, the whole of Sabaody Archipelago would have been shattered!"

Even the Marine Rear Admiral on the warship wore an expression of awe. As expected of a Marine Admiral, one of the strongest fighters in the world.

They assumed that the Supernovas, having provoked Admiral Kizaru into personally taking action, were likely either dead or severely injured. Regardless, it was their duty to retrieve them; they couldn't expect an Admiral to carry them back.

"Quickly, let's head over there!"

The Rear Admiral barked orders, and a squad of Marines prepared to rush towards the battlefield. However, before they could move, a flash of light stopped them in their tracks.

After several rapid blinks, Kizaru, accompanied by Sentomaru, appeared before them.

"Admiral Borsalino!"

The Rear Admiral and the other Marines showed no surprise. Or rather, they dismissed the last vestiges of doubt in their hearts, thinking to themselves, as expected of rookies who haven't even entered the New World.

They had been dealt with so quickly!

"You're back, Admiral. How are the criminals? Are they dead? We'll go and clean up the mess." The Rear Admiral saluted Kizaru respectfully. At this question, a strange expression flickered across Kizaru's face.

"There's no need to go," Kizaru said, suppressing his frustration, offering a helpless shake of his head.

"I see... You were quite thorough, Admiral. Even using Yasakani no Magatama. Not even a trace left, huh?" The Rear Admiral's voice was filled with awe.

Kizaru almost choked on his own saliva.

'Not a trace left, my ass!' He thought, feeling a surge of irritation.

He couldn't exactly explain the truth. Could he admit that he not only failed to defeat Ian, but had actually been on the losing end, with no hope of victory?

If he uttered such words, he would lose all face. Meanwhile, the Rear Admiral, misinterpreting Kizaru's expression, assumed he had obliterated the Supernovas so completely that nothing remained. With a sincere tone, he said,

"While you may have gone a bit overboard, they were vile pirates. Executing them on the spot is justifiable. Besides, you've saved us a lot of work.!"

With that, the Rear Admiral signaled to the other Marines, preparing to return to the ship.

When facing Ian, Kizaru had indeed been cautious. Even Akainu, Aokiji, Sengoku, Whitebeard, Garp, or Shanks posed little threat to him.

However, Ian was an enigma, his allegiances unknown. This uncertainty unnerved Kizaru. He had no idea if Ian's attacks were imbued with Haki. There was no telling if this unpredictable, violence-prone individual would suddenly unleash another devastating attack, sending him to an early grave.

He wasn't ready to die yet.

Faced with someone who could threaten his life, a dangerous and unpredictable opponent, Kizaru was naturally cautious. However, his perpetually lecherous expression and ingrained mannerisms betrayed none of his inner turmoil.