High above the clouds.
Uchiha Itachi clutched a feather from the phoenix's back with one hand, while his other hand held tightly to the collar of Saint Charlos.
The bloated Celestial Dragon dangled in the sky like a pig awaiting slaughter, his snot and tears streaming into the wind in long, translucent trails.
"P-please... put me down! My father will pay you! One no, one hundred billion berries! Two hundred billion, if you want!"
His voice had become a pitiful wail. At first, once the pain had dulled, he'd still acted smug, assuming that no one, not even kidnappers, would dare touch a so-called descendant of the gods.
But after being flown through cold wind at high altitude for so long, he was convinced he was going to die.
The blue phoenix replied lazily, "Sorry. You're worth a bit more than that."
"Then then I'll give you this slave too! You can have her! And the ones back at my estate!"
Spittle sprayed from his mouth as he pointed at the mermaid girl clinging to Marco's neck.
The mermaid girl shuddered uncontrollably, a reflexive response to years of trauma.
The word carried the weight of genjutsu. Charlos's eyes rolled back, and he passed out immediately.
Marco gave a low whistle. "That illusion stuff again, huh? Sure is a convenient trick. Feels a bit like Conqueror's Haki... but more precise."
Curious about this world's power system, Itachi began asking detailed questions.
They had plenty of time to kill, so Marco gave him a crash course.
In this world, a person's power was shaped by a mix of Devil Fruits, Haki, and innate racial traits.
Marco offered an offhand assessment. "You're strong, Itachi. No doubt about that. But your physical condition's too weak. If you had a sturdier body, you'd be even more dangerous."
Itachi didn't deny it. He couldn't change his physical limits chronic illness had already taken too much from him.
Marco realized what he'd just said and caught himself. "Ah, sorry. I forgot about your condition."
"It's fine. Your flames have helped a lot during this time."
"If we find a Devil Fruit that suits you, it might change your constitution completely. I'll keep an eye out."
Just then, Marco noticed the mermaid girl still trembling in his arms. He softened his tone.
"Don't worry, little mermaid. We'll take you home safe. After all, your king sends us a good chunk of tribute every year... and Jinbei's a good friend of ours too. What's your name?"
"Mari," she answered, eyes wide. "My name is Mari. You... you know Lord Jinbei?"
Of course, Marco thought. Among the fishfolk, Jinbei's the real celebrity.
He chuckled, about to respond when
"They're here," Itachi said quietly.
Marco immediately accelerated.
At nearly the same moment, a beam of golden light pierced through the space they'd just left. The cloud layer evaporated, leaving a massive hole. In the distance, Borsalino Admiral Kizaru reformed from photons.
If Namikaze Minato was the fastest in the shinobi world, then in this world, it was Kizaru.
Late to act, yet already caught up.
"We've got a hostage, you know!" Marco yelled.
Kizaru raised a hand casually. "Oh dear... so scary. But I do have my orders."
No wasted words. Itachi went straight for the kill.
Blood-red tears streamed from his Mangekyō Sharingan.
Black, ominous flames erupted on Kizaru's body.
Sensing danger with his Observation Haki, Kizaru immediately transformed into light. Yet even in his photon state, the black fire clung to him.
The golden light was being devoured by shadow. A surreal and terrifying sight.
In the next instant, Kizaru reappeared a hundred meters away. The black fire was still burning on his "Justice" cloak. He quickly tore it off. It disintegrated into ash midair.
Now he was taking this seriously. Kizaru frowned.
"I thought you were the one with the mind powers. What's with this fire? That's way too dangerous."
If not for his Observation Haki, he might've been burned alive. The Navy's intel on this so-called shinobi was clearly outdated.
"Who knows. Maybe," Itachi replied indifferently.
A spark of blue healing fire flickered across his body, easing his fatigue. He took a slow breath and said, "If an attack like that hit the Celestial Dragon, he'd die instantly."
Marco's tone dropped. "Then I guess he's not worth as much as we thought."
Which meant... they probably couldn't use him to trade for Ace.
"No. If he weren't valuable, the Navy's top brass wouldn't be here."
Itachi's logic was cool and precise.
"Ooh, this kid's sharp," Kizaru muttered, adjusting his sunglasses.
The Celestial Dragons mattered but so did the plan for the upcoming war.
At this point, the Five Elders had quietly hinted at a fallback plan. If rescuing Charlos failed, then at the very least, they couldn't allow the Whitebeard Pirates to use him as leverage in front of the world.
Thus began what was known as a "Russian-style rescue."
But the ambush had failed. Their opponents weren't just strong they could hit back.
And since the hint from the top wasn't an official order, Kizaru knew no one would back him if he failed.
If the rescue failed, and Charlos died anyway...
Then someone would need to take the fall. And that someone might be him.
Ugh. Should've just faked being sick, Kizaru thought bitterly.
For now, he'd try diplomacy.
"Hey, you two. How about this hand over the Celestial Dragon, and I'll let you leave. You can take the mermaid girl with you."
He offered a compromise.
Meanwhile, Marco was already whispering with Itachi.
"This is bad," Marco muttered. "I can maybe hold off an admiral, but..."
"Not win," Itachi finished calmly. He glanced at the trembling mermaid and the unconscious Charlos. "Now we're not holding hostages... we're protecting them."
The irony of the situation made Marco twitch.
And of all opponents, it had to be Kizaru the most frustrating of the three admirals.
They now had two liabilities on their hands: Saint Charlos, and Mari the mermaid.
Itachi remained composed. "If we coordinate, we can fight. I still have one more ability."
Marco raised an eyebrow. "Alright."
At that moment, Itachi dispelled the genjutsu.
Charlos snapped awake, screaming, "Please don't kill me! I swear I'll behave from now on!"
Then he looked up and saw Admiral Kizaru.
His expression changed in an instant.
"Wahaha! You filthy lowlife pirates! You still have a chance to beg for mercy! I'll even make you Slave #300 and #301 if you kneel right now!"
Watching this sudden outburst, Itachi fell silent for a moment. In some twisted way... the Celestial Dragon was almost childishly naive.
Without a word, Itachi dragged a kunai across his face, leaving a deep, bloody gash.
"If the admiral makes a move, I'll kill you first."
The pain made Charlos bawl.
"Nooo! I'm too young to die! I don't wanna die!"
Then he turned on Kizaru, wailing, "Save me already! You're so useless! Kill them! Isn't that what the Navy is for?!"
Step one: Break the enemy's morale.
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