"How frightening… Silvers Rayleigh," Kizaru said lazily. "Come to think of it, I've never had the chance to kick a pirate of your caliber."
As he spoke, his right leg turned into blinding golden light, launching a high-speed kick straight at Rayleigh.
Rayleigh met the attack with his sword, slicing through the light and scattering Kizaru like stardust.
"Kizaru, your speed's disappointing," Rayleigh taunted, having easily deflected the blow.
"Rayleigh, watch out! That guy loves to play tricks!" Sambel shouted.
"Yeah, I know," Rayleigh replied, narrowing his eyes at Kizaru. Anyone who could stand beside Sengoku couldn't be underestimated.
Kizaru raised both hands in mock surrender, his voice oily and sarcastic. "Ah~ As expected from the legendary Silvers Rayleigh. So terrifying~"
Sambel turned his focus back to Sengoku.
"Warring States! I'm going to smash you into the ground and fling you like a frisbee! Hahaha—Fish-Beast Impact!"
With a sudden stomp from all four limbs, the ground cracked beneath Sambel. He shot forward like a cannonball, kicking up a storm with sheer velocity as he barreled toward Sengoku.
"You lowly pirate! How dare you show off in front of me?" Sengoku roared.
He transformed into his golden Buddha form, arms outstretched, catching Sambel's attack with glowing hands bathed in radiant Buddha light.
Sambel's spinning form collided hard with Sengoku's massive golden palms, sparks flying as golden light flashed.
What the—? Sengoku was stunned. Wasn't Sambel seriously injured before? If he had this kind of power earlier, he and Akainu would've crushed him… So why now?
"Hahaha! I heard the Celestial Dragons hold you in high regard, Sengoku. Let me show you what a real Navy admiral should look like!" Sambel's body suddenly mutated—spines extended from his back, his head grew a long horn, and his tail thickened with sharp, tooth-like barbs.
He looked downright monstrous now.
"Hehehehehe…" Sambel's laughter was eerie, deranged, almost gleeful.
"Wait—this is a second transformation?!" Sengoku's eyes widened in disbelief. Why hadn't he used this before, when he and Akainu had him cornered?
Could this be linked to Reid? Sambel wondered to himself. Did that guy somehow trigger my bloodline awakening?
"No matter what you become, Sambel, you're still no match for me," Sengoku declared.
"Then let's test that theory! Armament Haki—full hardening!"
Sambel coated his body in black Haki and shouted, "This move's called… Death Coil!"
The spines on his back suddenly extended like living tendrils, writhing toward Sengoku like dark serpents. At the same time, Sambel maintained his spinning assault, pinning Sengoku in place.
The spikes coiled tightly around Sengoku and then began to constrict—and just as suddenly, they expanded, attempting to pierce him.
"Heh! Doesn't feel great, huh?" Sambel taunted. "But I'm not done yet—Death Spray!"
The tips of the spikes opened like nozzles, releasing streams of black, viscous fluid.
"Ugh!" Sengoku recoiled. "What is this? It's… corrosive?!"
The liquid clung to his skin, sizzling on contact, and emitted a rancid stench.
"Hahahaha! Having fun yet, Sengoku? If this keeps up, even your defenses will give way."
Sengoku didn't respond.
"What's the matter, Warring States? Speechless? Feeling helpless? If I keep spinning, this horn is going straight through your gut!" Sambel laughed wildly, pushing his attack harder.
Why isn't he saying anything? Has he given up? Sambel wondered uneasily.
At last, Sengoku looked up—his eyes cold and furious.
"It seems I've stayed at Marine HQ too long. Even a pirate crew member dares mock me like this now. And I hate disgusting filth like this."
With that, his body erupted in radiant golden light, as if a divine being had descended.
"Secret Technique of Buddha—Radiant World Illumination!" Sengoku roared.
Golden light burst from his form, creating layers of shimmering barriers. His entire body was enveloped in divine energy.
"AHHH! HOT! TOO HOT!!"
Sambel cried out, instantly retracting his spikes. He stumbled back, hopping in pain, the ground quaking under his four legs.
Nearby, Rayleigh noticed the disturbance.
"Hey, Old Sambel! You alright?!"
"I'm about to be grilled! Why does Sengoku have fire powers now?!" Sambel screamed, spinning in pain.
"Strong light can carry heat, Sambel. Hang in there—I'm busy over here!"
"Eight-foot Magatama"
Kizaru raised both hands and released a barrage of glowing energy bullets toward Rayleigh.
"Hmph." Rayleigh dodged deftly, deflecting several with quick slashes.
"Silvers Rayleigh, you're not paying attention. I'm hurt. You're underestimating me," Kizaru mocked.
"Porusalino, you're stronger than your rank suggests," Rayleigh admitted. "You're only a vice admiral in name, aren't you?"
Kizaru gave a devilish grin.
"Oh~? Are you saying I'm not worthy of fighting you?"
"On the contrary. I'm surprised you haven't been promoted already," Rayleigh said calmly.
Kizaru arched a brow, feigning confusion.
"Zefa was a bit weaker but still became an admiral. I guess that's because the Celestial Dragons valued his talent for training future elites. After all, he produced you, Sakazuki, and Kuzan—all three with admiral-level strength."
Rayleigh couldn't help but sigh. The Navy truly had its share of monsters. Garp, with his unmatched fist, had more influence than most admirals, and even the Commander-in-Chief Kong respected him. Now they had three more vice admirals with admiral-level power. It was no small thing.
"Oh my~ Such high praise from the great Rayleigh~ I'm honored~" Kizaru drawled mockingly.
Rayleigh shook his head with a smirk.
"You're quite the character, Porusalino. Most pirates wouldn't stand a chance against someone like you."
"I'm flattered~" Kizaru grinned devilishly. "But today, Rayleigh, I'll have to defeat you—just barely, of course."
With a flash, Kizaru vanished into light and reappeared behind Rayleigh, his lightsaber slashing downward.
But Rayleigh was already gone—he had foreseen the attack with Observation Haki, leaving behind only an afterimage.