Chapter 187: Admiral Kizaru
"Haha, Admiral Kizaru, your life seems pretty comfortable, huh? Clock in and out of work, and even take breaks on the job," Rodney said with a smirk.
"How can you say that? I take my job very seriously, you know? Don't just casually tarnish my reputation," Borsalino replied, his mouth crooked.
He looked at Hawkins, who emerged unscathed, and said in surprise, "Is everything okay? That's strange! I'm pretty sure my attacks should have hit, right?"
Hawkins extended his arm, and two small straw men crawled out of his arm, both bearing injuries. He said, "Truly, the Admiral has terrifying power."
Hawkins possessed the Straw-Straw Fruit ability, allowing him to transfer damage to his "voodoo" straw men. He had shifted all the damage he had taken to his subordinates, so being on Hawkins' crew, even as a logistics officer, could be hazardous.
"Ugh!"
A burly man with wings on his back and a massive iron club fell to the ground.
"Oh, that looks quite painful!" Rodney remarked.
"Indeed."
"Failed, huh? They're really strong! No wonder he's part of the Shichibukai!"
The monk-like burly man, bloodied and panting heavily, commented.
"There are even stronger ones," Hawkins pointed at Borsalino and Rodney.
"Is that Admiral Kizaru and the magician Rodney?" "Strange Monk" Urouge exclaimed, his face filled with shock. "Is this the end for us?"
"No, I don't see the look of impending death on your faces yet, so you won't die," Hawkins, always the strange one, said thoughtfully. "Though it's still possible you might die. Your fortunes are rather peculiar."
He took out a mirror from who knows where and examined his own face. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Mine is peculiar too."
Urouge leaped down, sat up, and said, "Really? You're Admiral Kizaru, right? Even though I'm not sure if you're joking or not, I appreciate your words."
Rodney noticed a shadow approaching. Without a word, he unleashed a flying kick followed by a punch, but the newcomer deftly caught the attack.
"Oh my, impressive skills!" Rodney complimented.
With a strong punch, he forced the newcomer to kneel on the ground!
The newcomer grunted, struggling visibly. Borsalino then identified him, saying, "Oh, isn't this Vice Admiral X Drake?"
In an instant, Drake's body expanded, and scales emerged on his skin. A steel whip-like tail sprouted from his back, swaying in the air, and he opened a massive mouth, ready to bite Rodney.
Rodney effortlessly caught Drake's mouth with both hands and grinned, "Is this the Ancient Zoan-type Devil Fruit, the Ryu Ryu no Mi: Model Allosaurus? Quite interesting."
X Drake, also known as "Red Flag" Drake, was once a Marine Vice Admiral who later betrayed the Marines and formed the Drake Pirates. He was one of the Eleven Supernovas.
"You're quite strong," Rodney complimented.
He lifted Drake's body and tossed him aside. Drake, in his Ancient Zoan form, managed to roll back onto his feet, leaving deep marks on the ground with his powerful legs.
"Rodney, are you interested in these pirates?" Borsalino asked.
"You know you can't interfere. This is my mission, and I won't receive bonuses or vacations if you take over."
"I'm not interested in them," Rodney shook his head. Drake was an undercover agent, and Rodney didn't want to cause any trouble for Borsalino. That actor was unpredictable and might just stir up more chaos.
"Oh? Then what are you here for?"
"I'm here for a pirate, but not this group. You can handle them on your own."
"Ahh!"
Suddenly, Urouge cried out. His body expanded, becoming several times larger and towering over the battlefield.
"Looks like you got quite a beating. But I'll repay every strike!"
Urouge could convert the damage he received into his own strength. The more damage he took, the larger his body and the greater his strength became. This ability seemed oddly familiar. Did it mean the more it hurt, the more he enjoyed it? Was he an S&M enthusiast?
Urouge's target was the pacifistic Marine who had been beaten up badly. Drake and Hawkins focused on Borsalino and Rodney.
Drake charged at Rodney without hesitation, while Hawkins transformed into a massive straw man with five long nails replacing his fingers.
"These Supernovas are terrifying, like monsters."
Borsalino remarked, watching the Supernovas in awe.
Borsalino fired laser beams continuously, piercing Hawkins' body. Seven or eight straw men emerged from Hawkins' body, and with the ninth laser beam, it finally took effect, piercing through Hawkins' body. He was then kicked away.
…
"I already said I'm not targeting you guys! Can't you listen?"
Rodney dodged the attack, landed on a high-rise building, and spotted a Longarm Tribe member wearing traditional Chinese clothing. This man had two elbow joints on each arm, sported braids, and had teeth resembling piano keys.
The Longarm Tribe member was observing the commotion from above.
"Sea King's Howl!"
"I've found you!"
"Oh no, I've been discovered!"
With hands in his pockets, Rodney gracefully moved through the buildings, preventing Apoo from escaping.
"Wanna run? Continuous Vacuum Slash!"
Rapid slashes continued unabated, blocking Apoo's escape route.
Instantly, Rodney used his Shave technique.
Whoosh!
He appeared right in front of Apoo, grabbing him by the throat.
"Look into my eyes!" he commanded.
Apoo subconsciously obeyed, locking eyes with Rodney's demon-like gaze, completely immobilized.
Apoo passed out and fell to the ground. Rodney caught him before he hit the floor.
He asked, "Admiral Kizaru, I captured this one myself. Are you going to report this to the Marines and reward me?"
Borsalino looked somewhat troubled and said, "Won't this reduce my bonus?"
"Aren't you an Admiral? Why do you care about money so much?"
"Like you Shichibukai don't you care about it?"
"They don't deduct it from your bonus, so it doesn't matter."
"You make a point."
"Buru-buru-buru-buru!"
"It seems I have another thing to do," Borsalino responded. He contacted his subordinate, Sentomaru, who had also discovered the Straw Hat crew.
Surveying the chaotic scene, Borsalino had already dealt with several Supernovas, and there was no need for him to stay any longer.
His body turned into light, and he disappeared. He was likely heading toward Luffy and the others. Rodney knew that even without his presence, Borsalino would likely let them go.
With Rodney still around, Borsalino would probably stir up trouble.
Dismissing this thought from his mind, Rodney leisurely headed over to ensure that Borsalino didn't kick Luffy and his crew to death. Although he had a feeling that Borsalino would spare them even without his interference.
"It looks like I'll have to make another trip. Rayleigh-sensei may not be coming after all."
This time, Rayleigh hadn't sold him out, so Rodney needed to go and ensure that Borsalino didn't kick Luffy and the others to death. Though he had a feeling that even without him, Borsalino might still let them go. That actor could be unpredictable and might just stir up more chaos.