This was Rosen's current level of strength—still a step behind a Marine Admiral.

Unless Rosen's Devil Fruit mastery advanced further, or his physical combat abilities reached a higher tier, he would need at least two high-level attributes to truly go toe-to-toe with Kizaru—maybe a 60–40 or even 50–50 split.

"No wonder Admiral-level fighters are so rare on this sea. It's no surprise they're considered top-tier. Most people spend a lifetime mastering even one discipline, but these monsters have two, even three. The Yonko… do they all have three or four fully developed skills? Take Red-Haired, for example—if his Haki, swordsmanship, and physical combat are all high-level, I wouldn't be surprised. Some elites develop a single skill to such an extreme that it's worth two of someone else's. Like reaching a 2000 mastery level. As for me, I've only just reached the threshold of the world's top class—and that's only in one aspect. I'm still far off." Fresh chapters posted on novel-fire.ɴet

Through fighting Kizaru, Rosen had gained a clearer understanding of his own strength. At a glance, he didn't seem weak, but compared to true top-tier powerhouses, there was still a gap.

And there was still the unknown: were there beings stronger than the Yonko? Possibly. If so, they wouldn't be common. They might very well be the foundation of the World Government's dominance.

"Zoning out? That's bold." Kizaru delivered a light-speed kick that sent Rosen flying, cloaked in Armament Haki and packed with immense power.

"What's the difference? It's not like you can kill me." Rosen smiled.

"That kind of confidence might tip into arrogance," Kizaru replied calmly.

Crocodile's strength had exceeded Kizaru's expectations, but he was still confident he could take him down—even if it cost him something. He didn't always act like it, but as a Marine, he had a duty to uphold justice.

"No, I agree with him, Kizaru!" A voice rang out nearby—Sabo had arrived on the battlefield.

"Are you both after me?" Kizaru blinked in surprise but quickly realized what was happening.

The Revolutionary Army's attack from the right flank had been a distraction to draw the Marines away. Before reinforcements could arrive, the Army's second-in-command had already made his way here.

Clearly, Rosen and Sabo had made some kind of deal.

"These young ones are terrifying. Strong and cunning—it's clear we're falling behind." Though surprised, Kizaru remained calm and even had the leisure to comment on Sabo.

"Rotten relics only bring darkness and disaster. That's common sense." Sabo gave a polite smile—and attacked instantly.

"Dragon Talon!" His right hand formed a dragon-claw shape, covered in Haki and radiating aggression, lunging straight at Kizaru.

"Then let's see if you've got what it takes. Light Barrage." Kizaru swept his Ama no Murakumo Sword, sending a flurry of light particles at Sabo.

At the same time, he extended another finger and fired several laser beams toward Rosen—unfazed by being outnumbered.

"Hellburst Shot: Cluster Strike!" Rosen condensed 33 sand bullets into three straight lines, each line made up of 11 bullets.

Boom!

Two sand clusters clashed with Kizaru's lasers. The third set of sand bullets aimed directly at his heart—but Kizaru, sensing the attack with Observation Haki, shifted into light form and dodged just in time.

Meanwhile, Sabo's Dragon Talon shredded through the light particles with ease, smashing toward Kizaru's head. Kizaru didn't dodge—he swung his Ama no Murakumo Sword upward. Claw met blade with a massive impact, sparks crackling from the friction.

Boom!

A shockwave erupted from their clash, forcing both sides to retreat. Rosen took the chance to unleash a Sandstorm Barrage, engulfing Kizaru.

Glancing at Sabo, Rosen was genuinely impressed. Despite his young age, Sabo's physical combat seemed to be at a high level, not far from Rosen himself—definitely Admiral-tier.

Thinking back, it made sense. Two years later, Sabo's feats showed that he had earned such strength. After all, he had grown up training under Kuma and Dragon.

Even during the Dressrosa incident, before acquiring the Flame-Flame Fruit, Sabo had defeated a Vice Admiral and Blackbeard's squad captain, Burgess.

His Haki was also well-trained—perhaps not yet high-level, but still formidable. Once he gained a Logia power and improved further, he became someone who could fight Admirals without losing.

For someone his age, that strength was monstrous—no wonder he was the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command.

Sabo's current strength seemed comparable to his future self before eating a Devil Fruit. Years of following Dragon into battle had paid off. His ambition and desire for freedom fueled his rapid growth.

"Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, living up to the title. At your age, that kind of strength will become a huge threat if left unchecked." Kizaru emerged from the dust cloud, unscathed.

Even facing two powerful foes with potential to harm him, he remained dominant. He was a true Admiral—stronger than Rosen or Sabo, who had only just stepped into that level.

While their combined efforts were powerful, killing Kizaru was impossible—defeating him would be hard enough. If perfectly coordinated, the two might match one full-power Kizaru.

But this was their first time fighting side by side.

"Then let's fight." Sabo stood firm. Rosen resumed his assault.

Battle erupted.

In an instant, Lantis Island was ravaged by three top-tier fighters. Sabo's Dragon Talon was brutally powerful—one strike could shatter the earth.

Rosen's sand powers let him reshape the terrain with ease, turning the battlefield into a weapon.

Kizaru was even more overwhelming. His Glint-Glint Fruit gave him devastating speed and destructive force—borderline terrifying.

Rosen and Sabo fought cautiously. A few solid hits from Kizaru could seriously weaken them.

Boom!

Explosions, sandstorms, and shockwaves from Dragon Talons burst across the island. One-fifth of Lantis Island was destroyed, a massive fissure splitting it in two as seawater flooded in—a natural boundary now dividing the island.

"Lantis Island's collapsing?!" From a nearby guard outpost, someone watching was left in shock.

So this was the Buster Call? It was terrifying. Could they really erase an entire island?

"Is he dead?" Queen Hathaway's stamina had held up longer than Kizaru expected, putting Vice Admiral Doberman on the defensive.

Her immense willpower let her fight beyond her limits.

The battle had dragged on long enough. It was time for her to leave—but it seemed far too easy now. Why had that man provoked a Marine Admiral?

There had to be a reason. She didn't believe someone would risk so much for Lantis unconditionally. What was so important about Lantis? He never even mentioned it. Wasn't he worried she might turn on him?

Such a strange man.

(End of Chapter)