Unleashing Full Power

Luffy's breaths came in ragged gasps as he glared at Admiral Kizaru, who stood lazily across from him, hands in his pockets, the usual bored expression on his face. Around them, the battlefield of Marineford was still in chaos, with clashing Marines and pirates, but for Luffy, everything else seemed to blur. Ace was all that mattered, and now, standing between him and his brother, was one of the most dangerous men in the world.

The chaotic energy of Gear 5 crackled around Luffy's body, his muscles twisting and expanding unpredictably. His white hair stood on end, and his body shimmered with the glow of his haki. Even in this state, he could feel the strain—his body was nearing its limit, but there was no time to slow down.

Kizaru's gaze lingered on Luffy's form, amusement dancing in his eyes. "You've grown quite a bit, Straw Hat. But," Kizaru said casually, "you're still not fast enough."

In a flash of blinding light, Kizaru vanished.

Luffy's advanced observation haki flared, his senses heightened to the extreme. He could see it—Kizaru's attack, the exact moment the Admiral would strike. Time seemed to slow as Luffy's body twisted in response, dodging the incoming blow just in time. Kizaru's light-speed kick passed over his head, but the sheer force of it sent a shockwave through the air, shattering the ground beneath them.

Before Luffy could react, Kizaru reappeared on the opposite side, his hands glowing with light as he prepared another strike. "Yasakani no Magatama!" Kizaru called out, firing a rapid volley of light beams toward Luffy.

Luffy's mind raced, his body already moving before the attack landed. His observation haki had predicted every trajectory of the beams, and his limbs stretched and twisted like a coiled spring, dodging each beam with fluid, almost cartoonish ease. His body bent backward, then snapped forward, his fist swelling in size as he counterattacked.

"Gomu Gomu no Kong Gun!" Luffy roared, his haki-infused fist launching toward Kizaru.

The air crackled with energy as Luffy's fist collided with Kizaru's body. For a moment, it seemed like Luffy had landed a hit, but then Kizaru's body flickered, and the Admiral reappeared a few feet away, unharmed.

Kizaru smiled faintly. "Hmm, close. But not quite."

Luffy gritted his teeth, frustration boiling inside him. Kizaru's speed was unreal. Even with advanced observation haki, the Admiral's ability to manipulate light made him incredibly hard to hit. But Luffy wasn't going to give up. Not now. Not with Ace so close.

Without warning, Kizaru vanished again, and this time, he reappeared above Luffy, his foot raised high. "Ama no Murakumo!" Kizaru's leg, glowing with light, descended toward Luffy with enough force to split the ground in two.

Luffy saw it coming. His observation haki painted the attack in his mind, and his body reacted instinctively. His legs twisted like rubber bands, coiling beneath him, and in an instant, he shot upward, narrowly dodging Kizaru's devastating kick. The Admiral's foot slammed into the ground, creating a massive crater where Luffy had just been standing.

Luffy twisted midair, his body bending in an impossible arc as he prepared to launch another attack. His arm stretched far behind him, expanding as his fist turned black with advanced armament haki.

"Gomu Gomu no Rhino Schneider!" Luffy bellowed as he rocketed toward Kizaru, his haki-infused fist leading the charge.

But Kizaru was ready. His body flickered with light, and he raised his arm to counter. The two attacks collided with a deafening explosion, sending a shockwave across the battlefield. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the view of the two combatants.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, out of the dust cloud, Luffy emerged, panting heavily, his body trembling from the strain of Gear 5. His fists were still clenched, but he could feel the weight of exhaustion bearing down on him. His vision blurred for a moment, but he forced himself to stay focused.

Kizaru stepped forward from the cloud of dust, seemingly unharmed. His expression was still calm, but there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes as he studied Luffy's form.

"You've become quite strong, Straw Hat Luffy," Kizaru said casually, his body shimmering with light. "But strength alone won't be enough to win this war."

Luffy's fists tightened. His body felt like it was on the verge of breaking down, but he refused to give up. He couldn't stop now. Not with Ace still on that execution platform, still waiting for him.

"I don't care what it takes," Luffy growled, his voice filled with defiance. "I'm going to save Ace!"

Without warning, Luffy launched himself forward again, his body twisting and bending as he closed the distance between him and Kizaru. His fists swelled to massive sizes, coated in armament haki, and he swung with everything he had.

Kizaru, however, was faster. His body flickered with light, and he vanished just as Luffy's fist came crashing down. The ground beneath them shattered, but Kizaru had already reappeared, his hand raised and glowing with energy.

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that," Kizaru said, his voice still calm.

Luffy spun around, his body contorting as he prepared to dodge another attack, but this time, something changed. His observation haki flared again, but it was different—stronger, sharper. He could see more than just Kizaru's movements. He could see intent. The Admiral's next move, the direction he would strike, it was all clear in his mind.

Luffy's eyes widened in realization. Advanced observation haki. He could now predict not only physical movements but also his opponent's will.

Kizaru moved, but Luffy was faster. His body twisted in midair, bending like a rubber spring, and his fist shot forward with blinding speed. This time, it wasn't just power—it was precision.

"Gomu Gomu no… Jet Culverin!" Luffy shouted, his haki-coated fist moving faster than before.

Kizaru's eyes widened as Luffy's attack curved mid-air, homing in on him like a missile. The Admiral flickered with light, trying to dodge, but Luffy's fist followed, twisting and bending until it connected with Kizaru's chest.

The impact sent Kizaru crashing into the ground, a shockwave rippling across the battlefield.

Luffy landed a few feet away, his chest heaving with exhaustion. His advanced observation haki had allowed him to land the hit, but his body was reaching its limit. Gear 5 had taken a toll on him, and he could feel his strength fading.

Kizaru slowly rose to his feet, dusting off his coat. There was a small crack in his usual calm expression—a flicker of surprise. He studied Luffy for a moment before speaking again. "Impressive," he admitted. "But this battle isn't over yet."

Luffy's vision blurred again, but he forced himself to stand tall. He couldn't give up. Not now.

With a final burst of energy, Luffy clenched his fists, his body crackling with the last remnants of Gear 5's power. "I'm not done yet!" he roared, his voice filled with defiance.

The battle against Kizaru raged on, but Luffy knew one thing for certain: Ace was close, and he wasn't going to stop until he freed his brother.