He was the Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Army — a man who openly defied the World Government across every sea. His threat surpassed even that of the Four Emperors.

Known as the most dangerous man in the world — Monkey D. Dragon.

The moment the realization hit, Momousagi's expression hardened. Her jaw clenched tightly as she muttered under her breath, "I didn't expect even him to appear… what terrible luck."

Kaito smirked faintly, his tone calm but edged with amusement. "Looks like you've already figured out who it is. So tell me, with him here, do you still think you can take Luffy and his crew?"

Momousagi took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing. "All Marines! Form up!" she commanded sharply. "Target Kaito! Capture him immediately! Everything else can wait!"

Smoker, who had been seconds away from catching Luffy, froze mid-action. His face twisted in irritation. "Tch, lucky brat! Next time, Straw Hat, you won't get away so easily!"

With that, his body dissolved into a swirl of white smoke, rushing toward Momousagi's position.

"Eh? Did Kaito just save us?" Luffy blinked in confusion as he watched the Marines suddenly redirect their attention.

Usopp's eyes widened, and he tugged at Luffy's arm. "Don't stand there gawking! Let's move while we can!"

The crew didn't hesitate. Only Nami lingered for a moment, glancing back toward Kaito with worry in her eyes before following the others toward the Going Merry.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Smoker landed heavily beside Momousagi, ten-hand weapon in hand. A wave of Marines formed up behind him, weapons raised and tense.

"Vice Admiral Momousagi!" Smoker snapped. "Do you even realize what you've done? I had Straw Hat right where I wanted him!"

"I know," Momousagi replied evenly. "But before I left Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sengoku gave me direct orders — dealing with Kaito takes priority over everything else."

Smoker scowled. "Tch. Typical."

Before either could continue, Tashigi ran up, breathing hard and saluting quickly. "Vice Admiral Momousagi! Colonel Smoker!"

Kaito stood calmly across from them, eyes scanning the gathered Marines with quiet amusement. "So what now?" he asked coldly. "You planning to use me as a scapegoat? Or maybe take me down with this crowd of small fry?"

His voice was calm, but it carried effortlessly through the air, dripping with quiet confidence.

Clang!

Momousagi drew her sword, her expression unreadable. "Of course they won't be your opponents. Your only opponent here… is me."

As her blade left its sheath, a powerful aura burst from her body — sharp and cutting, like the ocean wind before a storm.

The air trembled.

This was Sword Aura — the power of one who had truly mastered the blade.

Her sword pressure dwarfed even that of Rear Admiral Katakombo. His might had been a gentle stream; hers was an endless sea. The difference was staggering.

The Marines behind her flinched instinctively, retreating several steps. Even standing nearby made their skin prickle — the invisible edge of her aura slicing lightly against their cheeks.

Smoker grimaced, his coat rippling in the pressure. So this is the true strength of Momousagi Vice Admiral…

Beside him, Tashigi trembled slightly, gripping her sword tightly to steady herself. "That power…" she whispered.

"Get back, Tashigi," Smoker ordered firmly. "This isn't a battle you can handle."

"But—"

"No buts!" he barked. "Go!"

Tashigi bit her lip, nodded reluctantly, and retreated with the others. She could feel it — the sheer gap between her and Momousagi was like that between an ant and an elephant.

Within moments, only three figures remained in the clearing: Momousagi, Smoker, and Kaito. The surrounding Marines held their distance, too afraid to interfere.

The tension was suffocating.

In the nearby crowd, whispers rippled through the onlookers.

"Who is that guy?"

"Why is Vice Admiral Momousagi taking him so seriously?"

"Wait… Kaito… could it be that Kaito?"

Eyes widened in realization as rumors spread like wildfire.

Smoker was the first to move. Knowing he couldn't withstand Momousagi's sword aura for long, he chose to strike before the pressure crushed him completely.

His body turned to smoke as he launched forward, his fist materializing in a swirl of white vapor.

"White Blow!"

A massive fist of condensed smoke shot toward Kaito, tearing through the air.

The impact pressure was intense — but Kaito didn't even flinch.

At the last instant, his figure blurred and vanished.

Whoosh!

Before Smoker could even react, Kaito reappeared directly in front of him — and drove a jet-black fist straight into his stomach.

Boom!

The air rippled with the impact as Smoker's eyes went wide. His body bent around the blow before he was blasted backward like a cannonball.

"Urgh!" He coughed violently, blood splattering into the air.

His smoke form flickered erratically. "What—why didn't my Logia form activate!?"

As the realization hit, his mind raced. That black sheen on Kaito's fist…

Armament Haki…!

Smoker hit the ground hard, skidding across the dirt before coming to a stop.

Tashigi screamed from a distance, "Colonel Smoker!" She ran toward him, panic etched on her face.

"I'm fine," he groaned, trying to rise. But pain shot through his ribs, and he stumbled again. "Damn… that punch cracked something…"

He winced, glancing up at Kaito in disbelief. So this is the man who took out Rear Admiral Katakombo in one move…

Kaito lowered his hand and exhaled slowly, his expression calm. "Marines these days are getting weaker," he said with a faint smirk. "You're nothing like the old guard."

Then his gaze shifted to Momousagi. "Now that the distractions are gone, are you sure you want to do this?"

Momousagi didn't answer. Instead, a sharp gleam flashed along her blade.

Whoosh!

A white crescent of sword energy erupted from her swing — bright, cold, and fast enough to slice the air itself.

The slash cut toward Kaito with terrifying precision, the killing intent palpable even from afar.

Kaito's eyes narrowed slightly. The power behind that attack… it wasn't just skill — it was mastery.

"So this is the strength of a true Swordsman…" he muttered softly.

The crescent slash reflected in his eyes as it approached, unstoppable and deadly.