Chapter 80: Battle Against Akainu

"You let Rayleigh escape. How noble," Akainu sneered, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"Now you realize you shouldn't drag others into this. If you had known it would end like this, you must regret it now, don't you?"

Kuke laughed. "Regret? You think you can make me regret anything?"

Akainu scoffed, unimpressed by Kuke's confidence. He believed it was just the bravado of a man facing his inevitable death.

"Is he really going to take all three of us on by himself?" Kizaru asked, his tone unusually surprised as he looked at Kuke.

This was his first time meeting the young pirate in person, though he'd heard plenty of stories about him.

Kuke had caused Sengoku so much frustration, even turning the Fleet Admiral's hair white with stress. Now that Kizaru saw him for the first time, he couldn't help but remark, "Scary."

For once, Kizaru didn't sound sarcastic.

Kuzan, though quieter, was just as intrigued. His half-lidded eyes, always looking tired, now studied Kuke with genuine interest.

He wasn't disappointed. This young man had certainly lived up to the rumors.

But it was still a shame.

"Kuzan, Borsalino, just watch from the side. Leave this to me unless he tries to run. Only then should you step in," Akainu commanded as he cracked his knuckles, his body radiating heat. The magma inside him churned like a molten furnace, causing the air around him to shimmer as if engulfed in invisible flames.

Akainu was the only one among them who had fought Kuke before.

His assessment? Kuke was strong and had strange abilities, but he was certainly no match for an admiral of Akainu's caliber.

Even if Kuke had grown stronger over the past year, Akainu refused to believe that the young pirate could reach his level.

"Understood," Kizaru said, happy to find a reason to take things easy. He wanted to make sure: "So, we only step in if he tries to run, right? Any other situation, we don't interfere?"

"Right."

Kizaru smiled, taking that as a green light to relax. He had no plans to work any harder than necessary.

Kuzan nodded in agreement with Akainu's plan.

"A one-on-one fight, huh?" Kuke mused, his eyes lighting up with interest as he looked at Akainu.

A three-on-one fight would've been difficult—impossible, even, to inflict serious damage. But a one-on-one? That was much more manageable.

...

Akainu stomped his foot, and magma began to surge and roll like waves at his feet. Each step he took left a trail of molten rock, spreading across the island like a fiery tide.

The small Island 13 quickly became engulfed in scorching magma, the sky above tinted red from the heat.

"This will be your grave!" Akainu roared, sending a massive magma-infused fist crashing toward Kuke.

Kuke raised his sword, a calm smile on his face. "Nice view here. I'll make sure to find you a scenic grave as well."

With a single slash, Kuke unleashed a giant wave of sword energy, clashing against Akainu's magma punch. The island shook violently from the impact, and the ground beneath them began to crack and crumble, spreading fractures to the frozen sea beyond.

"He... blocked it?"

Both Kizaru and Kuzan's eyes widened in shock.

They watched in disbelief as Kuke effortlessly countered Akainu's attack. The young pirate had easily met Akainu's strike head-on.

"Kuke's strength... it's far more terrifying than the intelligence reports suggested," Kizaru said, awestruck. "Thank goodness we're ending this today. If we let him keep growing, in a few years, he might be competing with Whitebeard for the title of the world's strongest man."

The battlefield rumbled as the two opponents clashed, their power surging and colliding in waves that pulled and pushed against each other. Neither side was able to gain a clear advantage.

"You've gotten this strong?" Akainu muttered in disbelief as he stared at Kuke.

Just a year ago, he had been able to suppress Kuke with ease.

"People grow. Haven't you?" Kuke replied calmly, completely at ease as he chatted with Akainu.

There was no rush. Kuke knew how this would end—he was just enjoying the moment.

Akainu's face twitched in frustration.

Growth? He had never heard of someone growing this fast.

"Good thing you walked right into our trap. I can't imagine the damage you'd cause if you made it to the New World," Akainu said, feeling grateful that they had managed to corner Kuke before he could wreak more havoc.

"Walked into your trap? Not exactly. Before heading to the New World, I was planning on paying Marineford a visit. But you all saved me the trip by waiting here. Thanks for that," Kuke smirked.

Akainu's face darkened with anger. He felt insulted, as if Kuke had been playing him for a fool.

"Laugh all you want. You won't have many chances left," Akainu growled, throwing another punch with his magma-covered fist.

This time, both of Akainu's fists glowed as he launched a double-fisted strike at Kuke.

Kuke gripped his sword with both hands, bracing himself.

The force of their clash sent shockwaves through the sky, cutting through the clouds and sending them scattering. The sky itself seemed to split open as a massive red tornado of heat and force spiraled upward from their collision.

Thunderous booms echoed across the island.

...

"This is unreal," Doflamingo muttered to himself, watching the fight from a distance with wide eyes.

The sheer power of the battle had already affected the entire Sabaody Archipelago. Monsters—both of them.

Standing far off, Doflamingo could see the fierce exchange between Akainu and Kuke. He had witnessed their previous fight but nothing on this scale.

"It's Kuke. The admirals are here because of him. What a terrifying man... and the Navy really does respect him."

Watching Kuke fight, Doflamingo couldn't help but admit—Kuke deserved the attention he was getting.

"With that kind of growth rate, not even the Sea Emperors could keep up."

For once, Doflamingo felt humbled.

"Too bad... he's as good as dead," Doflamingo added, glancing at the two admiral-level threats, Kizaru and Kuzan, who had yet to make a move.

It didn't matter who you were—today, Kuke was doomed.

"But what about the rest of the Sun and Moon Pirates?" Doflamingo wondered, scanning the area.

Gion's Phoenix form, a mythical Zoan that Kaido desperately wanted, was in their crew, as was the coveted Op-Op Fruit.

"This is the perfect opportunity. Maybe the Op-Op Fruit hasn't been eaten yet. Even if it has, I could still kidnap the user. Kuke is finished; I just need to deal with Gion."

Doflamingo's eyes locked onto the icy river path on the sea.

Using his powers, he began gliding along the frozen surface, following the trail in pursuit of his prize.

Every now and then, he glanced back at the battlefield, where Kuke and Akainu's battle was shaking the very sky.

Fights of this magnitude didn't happen often. He couldn't help but sneak a few more glances.

"When Kuke's dead, I'll inherit all the wealth of the Sun and Moon Pirates," Doflamingo thought, grinning greedily.

...

"Meteor Volcano!"

Akainu's molten claws shot toward Kuke, burning everything in their path.

"Golden Crow Ascends!" Kuke's sword crackled with golden lightning as he slashed through the air.

Boom!

Akainu's clawed magma attack slammed into Kuke's chest, sending him flying.

Akainu's eyes widened in shock.

Kuke hadn't defended against it. He hadn't blocked.

Instead, Kuke's blade, still sparking with gold lightning, sliced deep into Akainu's chest.

Both fighters flew backward from the impact—Kuke's chest blackened and scorched by the molten rock, while Akainu's chest was slashed open, a deep wound stretching from his shoulder down to his abdomen.

Blood sprayed from the gash as they both crashed to the opposite edges of the island.

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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 95+ at patreon.com/Emik01.