At this moment, Elior's gaze accidentally landed on Kuma.
This was the real Kuma, not one of the mass-produced Pacifistas. He held a book in his hand—a clear sign that this was none other than the original himself.
"I almost forgot about him."
Elior quickly realized why Kuma was here. His purpose was undoubtedly to save the Straw Hat Pirates, who had caused a major disturbance. Whether this was because Dragon had ordered him to intervene or if Kuma had chosen to act on his own, the result was the same.
"I can't let you do that."
Elior thought about Boa Hancock. In the original timeline, Luffy had been sent flying by Kuma, landing on Amazon Lily.
If Luffy wasn't sent away, how would things unfold?
Elior wasn't some devoted follower of Luffy. In fact, since arriving in this world, he had steadily overshadowed the Straw Hat captain.
Meanwhile, Kizaru arrived!
With a deafening explosion, chaos erupted as countless pirates panicked and fled in all directions. At the same time, the Marines intensified their efforts to capture them.
"How terrifying~ All the Worst Generation are gathered here?"
Kizaru stroked his chin, feigning surprise.
"Kizaru is here!"
The first Supernova to encounter him was Hawkins. Unlike his terrified crewmates, Hawkins was calmly performing a divination.
"Boss! Kizaru's here!"
"It's Kizaru?! What do we do?!"
The crew was paralyzed with fear.
"According to my reading, my chances of winning are zero, my chances of being beaten are 100%, but my chances of dying or getting captured are also zero" Hawkins murmured.
"Yo yo, Hawkins~"
Kizaru had already arrived.
With casual ease, he raised his glowing right leg and swung it toward Hawkins. The fortune-teller made no attempt to dodge. A second later, his entire body twisted from the impact, and like a cannonball, he was blasted through the air, crashing into a massive tree.
Then, Kizaru vanished in a flash.
"Bonney~ long time no see."
"The World Government doesn't want to see you playing pirate."
Bonney's expression contorted in shock, but Kizaru didn't attack her. Instead, he reappeared before Apoo in an instant.
"Yo-ho-ho! Take this!"
Apoo didn't wait for Kizaru to strike—he launched an attack first. But the result was the same. A moment later, he was sent flying.
Next was Urouge. Then Drake, the undercover Marine.
For an Admiral, dealing with Supernovas who hadn't even mastered Haki yet was easier than an adult bullying children.
This was overwhelming power, a difference akin to separate dimensions.
"Next up… the Straw Hat boy"
"Vice Admiral Garp, forgive me~"
With a sigh, Kizaru disappeared once more.
...
On the other side, Luffy and his crew were still desperately fighting two Pacifistas.
But to them, these weren't just any Pacifistas — they were Kuma!
Their previous experience was still fresh in their minds, and they all knew just how terrifying the original Kuma had been.
Now, there were two!
They had no idea what was happening, but even dealing with one was impossible—let alone two!
"Everyone, retreat!"
Luffy shouted.
It was the first time he had ever given such an order to his crew. Kuma's overwhelming strength left them in despair. For the first time, Luffy was thinking rationally—he knew they had no chance.
Of course, he had no idea that these "Kumas" were just the latest mass-produced weapons of the World Government. If the real Kuma were here, a single slap would be enough to incapacitate them.
How weak were they in the face of true power?
As they tried to flee, another force of absolute despair arrived.
Kizaru was here!
"You've made the Celestial Dragons very upset~"
Kizaru looked down at the crew. Just like in the original timeline, he planted his foot on Zoro's back and raised his glowing leg, ready to strike a fatal blow.
Luffy and the others froze in horror.
Brook and Usopp fired attacks in a desperate attempt to stop him, but as a Logia user, Kizaru's body merely dissipated—their efforts were futile.
The Straw Hat Pirates had never felt such crushing despair before.
"Zoro!!"
Luffy screamed, his voice filled with fear, powerlessness, and desperation.
"Uncle!"
Just then, a bruised and battered Sentomaru arrived.
"Sentomaru?"
Kizaru raised an eyebrow.
Panting, Sentomaru blurted out, "Bullet, Shiryu and the others are here! The four escapees from Impel Down are in the Sabaody Archipelago! And they've captured the Celestial Dragons!"
"…What?"
For the first time, a genuine look of shock appeared on Kizaru's face.
But it wasn't because the Celestial Dragons had been captured.
It was because Elior and his crew were here.
"Well, that complicates things~"
For once, Kizaru's usual carelessness was gone.
At that moment, a figure moved at blinding speed.
BOOM!
Rayleigh had arrived — kicking away Kizaru's glowing leg!
"Take Zoro and run!"
Rayleigh commanded Usopp and the others while engaging Kizaru in a fierce clash of legs.
"So the rumors were true. Dark King Rayleigh, you really are here on Sabaody~"
"It wouldn't hurt to let the next generation have a fighting chance, Kizaru" Rayleigh said calmly.
Faced with an overwhelming crisis that Luffy and his crew had no hope of overcoming, Rayleigh had stepped in.