HTP: Ch. 38

Even in his sobbing, Charlos didn't forget to insult the Kizaru. "I'm telling my father on you! You won't be an Admiral anymore!"

Kizaru was growing irritated. Sure enough, rather than being rescued, this Celestial Dragon was more suited to dying at the hands of robbers.

In an instant, three golden lasers simultaneously shot through the air, targeting Charlos, Itachi, and Marco.

In truth, the attacks on Itachi and Marco were just feints, the one aimed at Charlos was the real killing blow.

A crimson giant skeletal arm appeared and blocked the way. The laser exploded on the bones in a shower of sparks.

"Marco, fly home at full speed!"

Itachi stood atop the blue phoenix, his Mangekyō Sharingan locked onto Kizaru. His red-cloud black robe flapped wildly in the fierce wind. Behind him were a crying, whining Celestial Dragon and the rescued young mermaid.

Marco gave it his all, the blue tail flame stretching several times longer, speed skyrocketing!

Kizaru turned into photons, forming again just behind them, and swung down with a sword of light imbued with Haki, aiming at the one bird and three passengers.

The distance was close enough.

In a flash, Marco's entire body burst into healing flames, wrapping around them.

The three-leaf pinwheel of the Mangekyō Sharingan spun wildly in Itachi's eyes.

Kizaru's attack motion instantly halted. In the blink of an eye, he swiftly turned into photons and retreated at full speed.

A hundred meters away, he reformed into human shape.

Maintaining a matching flight speed at a safe distance behind them, Kizaru was sweating coldly, patting his chest.

That moment had truly frightened him.

"Hey hey, that was seriously dangerous."

As soon as he got close, his Observation Haki went berserk with warnings.

It failed.

Itachi felt a bit regretful.

His plan had been to use Tsukuyomi at close range to paralyze Kizaru and hit him with a one-shot kill, then follow up with the Totsuka Sword to seal him before he could break free.

With Marco's healing flames supporting him, he wouldn't have been in too bad of shape.

But in this world, Observation Haki was just too much of a nuisance.

While flying, Marco laughed heartily. "Looks like you really scared Kizaru!"

At that moment, Itachi's vision blurred slightly, but the healing flames quickly restored him. He spoke regretfully, "Kizaru, If you keep just following us like this, we'll soon reach Whitebeard's territory."

Still maintaining his half-light form and keeping a safe distance, Kizaru was starting to get annoyed. "So you're not a Mind Fruit user, must be some unknown Mythical Zoan, huh?"

There was no need to explain his powers to the enemy.

Itachi continued to press on his nerves, "Also, your attack on the Celestial Dragon... dumb as he may be, must've realized it by now."

Charlos was still sobbing for his daddy to save him, but didn't say another harsh word to Kizaru, who clicked his tongue. This was exactly what he was afraid of.

"Tomorrow's headlines will probably read: 'Marine Admiral Attacks Celestial Dragon, Whitebeard Pirates Risk Lives to Save Him'."

Kizaru's frowned, and spoke in a low voice, "No newspaper would dare run that."

But internally, he was fuming. Morgans really would publish anything.

"So what's your plan now?"

Itachi calmly replied, Mangekyō Sharingan locked onto Kizaru, who didn't come closer. The blue healing flames continued to repair his body.

Although his opponent was extremely powerful, he was by no means a man of firm resolve.

Kizaru fell silent. Was he really going to let them go just like this? Or should he take the risk and fight to the end?

He had a high chance of winning if he went all out.

But… was it worth the risk?

Forget it. I've done my best, even the Five Elders couldn't fault me now. With that thought, his will to fight faded.

This opponent wasn't some rookie who could be easily dealt with. In fact, under his protection, Kizaru hadn't even been able to kill that fat pig quickly.

Finally, he came to a full stop. He adjusted his sunglasses and, in his usual lazy tone, said, "Fighting you is really dangerous. If you ever consider joining the Marines, it'd be better than staying with the Whitebeard Pirates. I could recommend you as a candidate for Admiral. Marco, if you're interested, the same offer applies."

Sitting cross-legged, Itachi smiled calmly. "If you still feel that way after reading the newspapers in a few days… we can talk then."

Flying at full speed, Marco heard this and laughed heartily.

Kizaru clicked his tongue.

There was no fight left to be had. He remained in place, watching the trail of blue fire grow smaller and smaller, until it became a tiny dot on the horizon, where sea and sky met.

---

The trio landed aboard the Moby Dick. In Itachi's left hand was Charlos, unconscious after being unable to handle the harsh truth of reality, he landed on the deck with a dull thud like a dead person. In his right hand was Jasmine, still shaken but full of gratitude in her eyes.

Whitebeard sat in the captain's seat, his Murakumogiri stuck into the deck beside him. His gaze was complicated as he looked at Marco and Itachi.

Clearly, everyone had been waiting for them.

Cheers erupted from the surrounding commanders and crew.

"Marco, you guys were amazing! Why didn't you bring me along?!"

"Man, why didn't I think of something this good? You totally stole the spotlight!"

"Itachi, was that your idea? Bold move! Hahaha!"

"She's from Fish-Man Island, right? We'll get some people to take her home soon."

"Hahaha!"

Whitebeard was a man who had taken responsibility for Ace's reckless pursuit of Blackbeard. Naturally, he would also take responsibility for Marco's attack on the Celestial Dragons. Now that things had come to this, he wouldn't ruin the mood by criticizing them.

Raising his enormous sake bowl, he took a big gulp with a booming laugh and exclaimed, "Gurararara! Marco, you really pulled off something big!"

Marco walked up beside Whitebeard, sounding slightly apologetic. "Sorry, Pops. I acted on my own."

But Whitebeard wasn't the type to blame him. Though he was secretly worried about the fate of the Whitebeard Pirates after his death, right now he just laughed heartily,"Gurararara! This was a brilliant move! We'll use this Celestial Dragon as a bargaining chip!"

He then glanced at Itachi, his demeanor and aura clearly different from everyone else, and said with a grin, "Ace really found himself a solid guy."

He raised his massive bowl again. "Let's have a feast!"

A thunderous cheer erupted across the entire sea.