Chapter 128: Kitaro vs. The Three Admirals
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The tension among the Navy Vice-Admirals was palpable as they locked their eyes on Uchiha Kitaro.
The power he had demonstrated was utterly terrifying—his speed, strength, and versatility were unlike anything they could contend with. He wielded strange and devastating abilities: flight, lightning, fire, and most notably, those black flames that clung to their victims like a relentless curse, impossible to extinguish.
"So strong…"
"This is insane!"
Even the pirates watching from the sidelines felt a chill. If Kitaro had sided with the Navy instead of opposing them, the Whitebeard Pirates might have been wiped out entirely by him alone.
"Vice-Admirals, fall back and wait for orders! Prevent Kitaro from escaping! Admirals, move in!"
The three Admirals—Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji—closed in on Kitaro, surrounding him in a triangular formation.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself commanded the operation. This wasn't a war anymore; it was a battle to subdue a single man. For Sengoku, there was no greater threat on this battlefield than Kitaro.
If they couldn't eliminate him here, the Navy's reputation would suffer irreparable damage.
"The Navy's three Admirals are making their move!"
"They're teaming up against just one man?!"
"This has never happened before!"
"Do you think Kitaro can handle all three?"
"No way! Have you seen the Admirals' power?"
"Have you seen his power?!"
On a commandeered Navy warship, the Whitebeard Pirates had regrouped.
"You're Uchiha Shisui, right? Go help Kitaro. The Admirals are all focused on the square now—we don't need protection anymore," Marco urged.
Shisui smiled calmly. "There's no need. Three Admirals are nothing compared to my brother."
"What?!"
Shisui's bold words, carried through the broadcast Den Den Mushi, reached viewers worldwide.
"Did he just say the Admirals can't beat Kitaro?!"
"That's absurd! They're the World Government's strongest forces!"
"What arrogance!"
Even Marco and the others were taken aback. They thought Shisui was overconfident. No matter how strong Kitaro was, could he really face the combined might of the three Admirals?
Meanwhile, Doflamingo smirked, licking his lips in anticipation. "Fufufu! What an unexpected twist. The star of the show isn't who I thought it'd be. Now, let's see who emerges victorious."
Standing nearby, Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman, approached with a slightly disheveled appearance and a bleeding forehead—a remnant of his earlier clash with Kitaro.
"Oh? You're still alive? Planning to rejoin the fight?" Doflamingo teased.
"There's no need," Mihawk replied coolly. His piercing eyes gazed toward the battlefield. "This has become a fight between the Navy and Uchiha Security Company. No one else has a place in it now."
The broadcast carried their conversation to the world, adding fuel to the growing anticipation.
Elsewhere, Boa Hancock watched anxiously. Her worry was written all over her face—it was three Admirals against Kitaro. She wanted to rush in and help but was stopped by Mihawk.
"I'd advise against it," he said. "If you intervene, you'll only hinder him."
Hancock hesitated. She remembered Kitaro's earlier warning: no matter what happened, she was not to act rashly. If he truly faced danger, he could teleport away instantly. Her worry eased at this thought.
Back on the battlefield, Aokiji spoke first. "Ara, ara… Three Admirals teaming up against one person—this is unprecedented."
As the first to face Kitaro previously, Aokiji was well aware of how dangerous this young man was. But even then, he hadn't seen the full extent of Kitaro's power. Was it arrogance, or confidence? Perhaps both. But one thing was clear: Kitaro had the strength to back it up.
"Can't be helped," Kizaru interjected with his usual nonchalant tone. "Youngsters these days are so terrifyingly strong. Uchiha Kitaro-san, I'm just a salaryman, so please go easy on me."
Despite his relaxed demeanor, Kizaru's mind was fully focused—he had learned firsthand how dangerous Kitaro was. That earlier encounter had left him injured, and now it seemed Kitaro was even stronger than before.
"Tch! Begging a criminal for mercy?" Akainu barked, his voice laced with contempt. "You've disgraced the Navy, Borsalino! Against evil, there's no room for compromise—only complete annihilation!"
Kitaro stood calmly in the center of the battlefield, unfazed. "The three Admirals, huh? I'm honored. To think you'd need all three of you just to deal with me."
"Of course," Aokiji replied, his tone steady. "After all, it's Uchiha Kitaro we're up against. Anything less would be disrespectful."
A faint smirk appeared on Kitaro's lips. "Compared to Akainu's barking and Kizaru's false humility, your words are far more pleasant, Aokiji."
He raised his hand, beckoning them forward. "Well then, shall we? Come at me together."
"I want to see what three Admirals can do together."
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