Kaizen's firm gaze said it all.
"Surrender? Keep dreaming!"
"It seems kindness is not an option here," Borsalino scratched his head with a helpless expression.
"As a Marine emissary, you're quite the incompetent one," Kaizen said sarcastically.
"Actually, I'm not here as an emissary! My orders are to bring all of Roger's crew to justice."
Borsalino's playful, cynical look faded, replaced by a serious, expressionless face.
After all, he was a Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters. Taking this kind of mockery lying down would be unthinkable.
With that, Borsalino suddenly turned and, in a flash, launched a kick toward Kaizen.
Kaizen instinctively raised his arms to block, and the powerful force dragged him back several meters along the ground.
"You're the first person who's been able to block my Light Speed Kick at this close range," Borsalino said, half in admiration, but inwardly he was troubled, thinking it would be more hassle than it was worth to engage with such a strong opponent.
Kaizen lowered his arm and replied calmly, "Not bad."
Seeing Kaizen's composed face, Borsalino cursed inwardly, thinking, Damn, he doesn't take my power seriously at all.
As a Vice Admiral with power rivaling a full-fledged admiral, Borsalino owed his rank to the extraordinary abilities of his Glint-Glint Fruit. Thanks to this Devil Fruit, he was often lazy and rarely took the initiative, but he'd quickly climbed the ranks and was even a candidate for admiral.
But here, his greatest strength was dismissed by Kaizen with a lukewarm comment.
Anyone else would've been enraged by such disrespect. Yet for Borsalino, it was oddly comforting. He was here to observe, not to fight, and a brawl wasn't what he had in mind.
"Take a good look. We have hundreds of warships, and you're all alone. Why choose to make an enemy of us? Unless… you have allies hiding here."
Borsalino let his words trail off deliberately, studying Kaizen's expression as if to press his advantage.
"It seems I was right. Where are your allies? Let them come out and surrender! If everyone gives up together, you won't be considered a traitor."
Borsalino finished with a satisfied smile, confident he'd gotten the upper hand and swayed Kaizen.
However, Kaizen's face showed only a strange smile. "Sorry, but you're wrong. There are no pirates hiding here—only ordinary people, living peacefully."
For the Marines, who claimed to uphold justice, to come and bully the residents of a small island was truly shameful and despicable, and Kaizen's tone reflected that sentiment.
"Oh! You're determined, I see. What a headache."
Borsalino pouted, clearly displaying his usual indifference.
The conversation had gone as far as it could; there was no point in continuing.
Borsalino placed his hands in his pockets, turned, and walked away with his typical nonchalance, leaving Kaizen standing alone.
This whole scene was typical Borsalino—he'd come, exchanged a few blows, said a bunch of pointless things, and walked off. Truly an unusual style.
Kaizen shook his head, speechless.
As Borsalino returned to the warship, all eyes turned to him.
"That's a strange one," he said to the others.
"Borsalino, is that all you found out?" Sakazuki asked with a sarcastic edge.
"Still a powerful one," Borsalino replied seriously.
"So you just backed off?" Zephyr-sensei remarked in a tone filled with disapproval.
"Sensei, it's called a 'tactical retreat,'" Borsalino protested.
"So where are that man's allies? Are they lurking in every corner of the island? Give me their locations!"
Zephyr asked, his tone commanding.
With Borsalino's abilities, such a task should have been easy, but he hesitated before speaking.
"The only strong man on the island is him; the rest are all civilians."
Borsalino's words were a huge embarrassment to the Marines, practically casting a shadow over their reputation.
"Borsalino, what do you mean? Are you questioning Marine justice?" Sakazuki's gaze turned sharp and intense.
"No, I'm just stating the truth," Borsalino answered, matching Sakazuki's sharp gaze with calm resolve.
"Enough. Just give me a clear report. This is no time to quarrel," Zephyr said impatiently, stubbing out his cigarette.
"Sensei, let me go! I'll capture that member of Roger's crew," Sakazuki said, clenching his fists, focusing his anger on Kaizen.
"Please hold on. Let me face the man below."
Just as Zephyr was about to give Sakazuki permission, Vice Admiral Kuzan, who had been silent, spoke up and then leaped from the warship without waiting for a response.
"Why's Kuzan so eager all of a sudden?" Sakazuki grumbled.
The moment Kuzan landed on the sea, the water froze beneath his feet, creating a path of ice as he calmly walked toward Kaizen.
"At first glance, it's as if winter has arrived! Kuzan's Ice-Ice Fruit powers are truly something to behold, even at this age," Kaizen muttered to himself.
"If you care for the lives of this island's people, the wisest choice would be to surrender peacefully. That way, you can protect those you care about," Kuzan said as he approached Kaizen, his tone sincere.
With his youthful appearance, he still lacked the world-weariness he would gain in later years, and his fresh face held an almost naive charm.
"That's not how I see it. If I defeat all of you, I can still protect the civilians here," Kaizen said, his face calm as he made his bold declaration.
Hearing this, Kuzan chuckled, and the icy aura around him intensified.
"A man has to stand by his words."
As he spoke, a cold mist escaped Kuzan's mouth, adding to the pressure in the air.
"I keep my word," Kaizen replied fearlessly, enunciating each word.
With that, Kuzan raised his hand, which had transformed into an ice blade, and swung it down at Kaizen.
Kaizen raised his arm, using Haki to deflect the attack.
The moment the ice blade met his Haki, it shattered into pieces. But the broken shards still maintained their momentum, piercing toward Kaizen's chest in the next instant.
Kaizen staggered back, but thanks to his Haki defense, he emerged unscathed.
"I'm not like Borsalino—I don't take things lightly."
Kuzan continued his attack, and with a flick of his fingers, two ice spears formed in midair, launching toward Kaizen's body.
Kaizen's eyes widened. "Not good!"