Chapter 122: Saint Kiringolm and the Starry Sky!
As 'Yuji' in the sky turned into shards of light and dissipated...
The blinding light illuminating the nearby sea extinguished instantly.
Akainu: "..."
Standing still, his expression was ugly as he realized what had happened.
After being injured for the first time in a long time, he had made a mistake for the first time in a long time.
Since seeing Yuji, the blinding light on him had left a deep impression.
So until just now, the 'Yuji' illuminating the sky made Akainu firmly believe it was the main body.
But clearly, that wasn't the case.
"Light clone... created during the gap of that last attack..."
As a classmate of 'Kizaru' Borsalino, Akainu knew Kizaru's ability—light clones created by the fruit were almost indistinguishable from the main body in aura.
But he didn't expect Yuji's Mythical Zoan to possess a similar ability.
Taking advantage of the intense light from that last strike, the enemy generated a light clone to replace the main body.
And now...
"Over there."
Observation Haki flared, and Akainu instantly locked onto the figure in the distance.
The massive Pteranodon was soaring into the sky from Grove 3!
The light and red mist on his body had dissipated, and his aura was slightly weak.
On his back, Alan, also wearing a mask, sat next to the metal box containing the Celestial Dragon.
"It's his accomplice from the intel."
Akainu realized immediately. "His goal from the start was to lure me further away..."
And it was true.
"Fighting Akainu to the death on Sabaody, knowing other Admirals are coming... only a fool would do that."
Soaring in the sky, Yuji thought.
He knew well that in 'Winged Dragon of Ra Mode', he was strong.
But solving Akainu in a few moves—impossible no matter how you thought about it.
Admirals stood at the pinnacle of the sea, the Marines' strongest force.
In the original Marineford War, Akainu tanked two enraged hits from Whitebeard and remained standing.
For reference, those two hits almost destroyed Marineford.
This showed the Admiral's physique and vitality—even without fruit abilities, he was a monster among monsters.
So from the start, Yuji's plan was simple.
This was never a 'death match', but a 'retreat'.
"With this distance, and Akainu's ability not being suited for pursuit... it's enough for me to retreat."
This was Yuji's plan.
Just then...
"Hm?"
In his peripheral vision, he saw Akainu's movement on the sea behind him.
"Planning to leave like this?"
The Marine Admiral clenched his fists, body trembling slightly.
Some power began to activate within him.
WOOO!
Something seemed to rise beneath the sea.
"That is..."
Yuji's pupils constricted. "This guy's ability is indeed Awakened."
He grew solemn, flapping his wings harder, preparing to face Akainu's next attack.
But at that moment...
"Lord Yuji, please keep going!"
He heard Alan's low shout from his back.
At the same time...
"Hm!?"
Akainu, on the sea, saw—from the nearest Grove 14 and Grove 12, several figures leaped toward him.
They wore different masks and clothes, even disguised their heights.
But the common point was—they all carried a metal box.
"There are more Zodiac members on this island!?"
Akainu judged their identities instantly.
"Weak. Not executives..."
His Observation Haki sensed they were weak.
So weak that even if he didn't resist, they couldn't threaten him, let alone interrupt his charging attack.
But the next moment...
"Hm!?"
The figures opened the metal boxes simultaneously.
Naturally, there wasn't a second Celestial Dragon inside.
Inside were bombs!
The countdown showed they were already activated and—about to explode!
BOOM!
Explosions rang out.
Akainu's expression finally changed.
True—explosions posed almost no threat to him as a Logia user.
But don't forget.
He was currently on the sea.
Explosions didn't threaten him, but they threatened the 'Floating Island' of cooled magma beneath his feet.
If the floating island was destroyed—no matter how strong Akainu was, he was still an ability user!
"These guys..."
Akainu gritted his teeth.
What resolve—they didn't plan to survive. They came with the intent to die.
And this was what angered him most.
Having such firm resolve but not walking the path of justice.
Being so weak yet persisting in opposing 'Justice'.
Like most who shouted about freedom and dreams to become pirates.
In Akainu's view, it was exactly these people...
"Who make this era run wild!"
He roared.
Magma erupted, forming a wall to block the explosions—the brave figures turned into fireworks in the night.
But the fireworks weren't meaningless.
Because in this instant, Akainu's impending 'Fruit Awakening' attack was interrupted.
And with Yuji's speed—this momentary gap was enough for him to cover a significant distance again.
Grind! Grind!
Akainu's teeth ground loudly.
Meanwhile...
Splurt!
Alan spat blood, collapsing weakly on Yuji's back.
"Haha..."
The feedback of almost all clones dying instantly stacked on him—undoubtedly unimaginable pain.
Enough to knock out most determined warriors instantly.
But...
"Lord Yuji..."
Alan didn't faint.
He was even smiling, revealing white teeth. "Even the weak can do something."
He did what he should do.
"..."
Witnessing this, Yuji fell silent.
He didn't know when Alan put bombs in those boxes—originally, the clones were just meant to cause chaos if needed.
"Reckless brat..."
Looking at the dying Alan, Yuji shook his head.
"But—you said one thing wrong."
"Wh-what?"
Alan was confused.
"You aren't weak."
Then, he heard Yuji's smiling voice. "In fact—you're stronger than I expected, intern brat."
"...Hehe."
"But with this, your ability is gone... is that okay?"
"It's okay."
Alan grinned. "You said it yourself, Lord Yuji. Ability is just part of strength... Following you, I'll become strong even without it."
With these words, everything seemed settled.
But...
Facts often don't shift according to human will.
In front of Yuji...
The sea began to churn.
BOOM!
A massive wave surged instantly.
The terrifying height formed a giant 'Water Cage', trapping Yuji within.
From within the sea...
Wooooo~
A cry echoed across the ocean.
Beneath the surface, a colossal creature beyond belief... slowly revealed itself.
It was a strange creature.
The massive waves and tsunamis were just aftershocks of its movement.
Its size was hard to estimate—at least a thousand meters long.
Almost the size of a 'Deep Sea King'.
But Yuji was certain it wasn't a Sea King.
Because he saw the monster breathing fire and smoke, with a body like a serpent but a head like a dragon.
It was 'Leviathan', a monster from legends.
It shouldn't exist in reality.
The next moment, Yuji heard a voice from above.
"Nightmare Cave · Nightmare Creature (MMA) · Leviathan!"
Appearing with the voice was a figure.
A tall, slender creature with horns like a goat or deer, covered in scales.
A 'Qilin' (Kirin).
But surrounded by white Flame Clouds, wearing a magnificent uniform, a Celestial Dragon-style resin bubble helmet, a breathing mask, and holding a trident.
Without a doubt, an ability user.
And Yuji knew who it was.
[Devil Fruit User 'Saint Limozif Kiringolm' discovered]
[Confirmed Devil Fruit: 'Zoan · Mythical · Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Model: Qilin', analyzing...]
[Fruit Ability: Can manipulate dreams, turning dreams into reality.]
[Effects by Level]
[LV3: Gain full fruit effect. Can hypnotize others into sleep. Gain three Zoan forms and 'Dream Manifestation' ability—bringing objects from dreams into reality. Can create 'Dream Products' like weapons, food (fills stomach but no calories), plants. Requires 2 Billion Berries for Unlock.]
[LV4: Deep-Dive Development. Can create and guide true 'Dream Creatures' (MMA) from dreams. Dream Creatures have intelligence and substance. Creation consumes dreamer's vitality and energy. Requires 4.5 Billion Berries for Unlock.]
[Dream Creatures/Products aren't real, so they don't die or get destroyed. Can be reborn if ability is used again. Strength varies by dreamer. Disappear when dreamer wakes.]
[LV5: Fruit Awakening · Dream Weaver. Gain Awakening transformation with Flame Clouds and stat boost. Can induce 'Lucid Dream' state on touched subjects. In this state, user can summon dream objects/creatures from subject's thoughts without them sleeping. Works on user too. 'Lucid Dream' creations don't vanish upon waking but dissipate after energy exhaustion. Requires 15 Billion Berries for Unlock.]
[Analysis Progress: 0%]
God's Knight, Mythical Zoan User—Saint Limozif Kiringolm!
"Yawn... only slept for thirty hours, and waking up to such absurdity."
Saint Kiringolm yawned.
"Marine Admirals too... useless bunch."
He looked down at Yuji, Alan, and the bleeding metal box.
"Daring to do this to my son, and killing my attendant..."
Cold light flashed in his sleepy eyes.
"Troublesome—in that case, the young one becomes my 'Dream Slave', and you..."
He looked at Yuji. "Seems like a decent 'transport', a good replacement for that attendant."
As his words fell.
Yuji narrowed his eyes.
The facts were clear.
Saint Kiringolm was Anbokamu's 'Father', and the God's Knight Enel served.
Of course, Enel didn't know.
He thought he was on the path to godhood, becoming a peer to Celestial Dragons.
But in reality—judging by Kiringolm's words, he was just seen as an attendant and useful transport.
"Lord... Yuji..."
Behind Yuji, Alan struggled to speak. "Leave me, take the box and run..."
Alan didn't know who Kiringolm was.
But seeing the terrifying monster below and Kiringolm above, he knew the new enemy was strong.
And in this surrounded state, Yuji, having fought two battles, couldn't escape if burdened by him.
"Throw me into the sea... Lord Yuji..."
Alan said.
But...
"You brat..."
He heard Yuji chuckle.
There was no tension in Yuji's voice—on the contrary, he seemed relaxed.
"It's okay."
"We—are already safe."
He announced.
"Safe?"
Hearing this, Saint Kiringolm chuckled. "Presumptuous insect, scared into delirium?"
Speaking, the massive 'Leviathan' opened its maw to attack.
But the next moment...
VMMM!
An aura descended.
"Hm!?"
Both Akainu, returning to his warship to pursue, and Kiringolm made surprised sounds.
Leviathan's attack froze instantly.
Birds fell from the sky.
Trees on Sabaody swayed, and clouds dispersed.
The next instant, Akainu saw from afar—behind Yuji, a spatial door opened.
Yuji and Alan fell into it instantly.
"Nezumi?"
Akainu judged immediately.
The Marines knew of Nezumi's elusive spatial ability.
But a moment later, Akainu froze.
Because although distant, he saw the figure emerging from the spatial door.
It wasn't wearing Nezumi's Rat Mask.
But a Sea Beast Mask never recorded in Marine intel.
The mask seemed to flow like liquid.
And carved upon it...
Was a Starry Sky.
☆☆☆
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