章節 125: Kitaro VS Marineford

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"What's going on here?!"

"Isn't the Uchiha Security Company supposed to be allied with the Marines?"

"Why are they fighting each other now?!"

Countless viewers watching the live broadcast were utterly confused.

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"Fuhahaha!"

"Excellent! The show has truly begun!"

"Marineford and the Seven Warlords versus Whitebeard and the Uchiha Security Company—what a spectacle!"

Doflamingo's laughter echoed maniacally as he reveled in the chaos.

"Gihihihi! Corpses! More corpses! Shadows! More shadows!"

Moria shrieked with excitement. The previous battle had already yielded him countless shadows, and the ongoing fight promised even more. When this was over, the corpses and shadows of countless powerful warriors would bolster his army, greatly amplifying his strength.

"Choosing to turn against Marineford now? What a reckless man," murmured Mihawk, his piercing eyes fixed on the battlefield.

Even the World's Greatest Swordsman couldn't have predicted that Uchiha Kitaro would dare to sever ties with the Marines in such a public and dramatic fashion. Previously, Marineford had tolerated him because of Whitebeard's looming threat.

But now, Whitebeard was on his last legs. His strength was waning with every passing second, and his life force was nearing its limit. At this rate, he would be no help to Uchiha Kitaro at all.

The empress Boa Hancock, meanwhile, couldn't help but worry for Kitaro's safety. As one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, she knew Marineford wouldn't dare move against her for now, not unless they were willing to ignite a war with all of the Warlords at once—even though they were aware of her connection to Kitaro.

"Hold your position for now. I'm about to make my move," Kitaro said coldly.

"Do you need my help?" Whitebeard asked, his voice deep and strained.

"I've not yet fallen so far that I'd need help from an old man on the verge of death," Kitaro retorted. His tone was sharp but carried a hint of challenge. "Just watch. You'll see whether the one who takes your title as the World's Strongest truly deserves it."

Kitaro stepped forward with a calm yet menacing stride. Around him, Marines felt their throats tighten and unconsciously swallowed hard.

This was Uchiha Kitaro—founder and president of the Uchiha Security Company. His legendary feats were known to all: the destruction of Enies Lobby, a clash against two Marine Admirals where he emerged unscathed, and a near-fatal duel with Whitebeard himself that ended with the legendary pirate acknowledging Kitaro's strength.

Whitebeard had even gone so far as to pass on the title of "World's Strongest" to Kitaro. Though it had seemed like jest to some, the reality was clear: Uchiha Kitaro was no ordinary man.

As he strode forward, his pace quickened.

"Don't be afraid! He's just one man! There are so many of us, and we have the Admirals!" a Marine officer bellowed to rally his troops.

"Open fire!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The Marines unleashed a barrage of rockets and cannon fire, the sky filled with blazing projectiles aimed squarely at Kitaro.

Without missing a beat, Kitaro shifted into Thunder Breathing.

Simultaneously, he activated the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

A surge of blue lightning enveloped his body, crackling with raw energy.

Zzzzt! Zzzzt!

Blue streaks of electricity danced along his frame, amplifying his already formidable presence.

Then, he entered Sage Mode.

Orange-yellow markings appeared around his eyes, while his Mangekyō Sharingan remained unchanged, locked in its piercing red brilliance.

Armament Haki followed. Layers of unyielding energy coated his body and blade, reinforcing his defense and offense to their peaks.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Countless explosions erupted as shells collided with their target, creating a blinding inferno that engulfed Kitaro. The ground itself quaked beneath the relentless assault.

"Don't stop! Keep firing! We have to destroy him completely!" another officer screamed.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Even Whitebeard, standing on the sidelines, furrowed his brows as he observed the scene.

"Oi, brat! Aren't you underestimating them a bit too much?!" he shouted, his voice tinged with both concern and disbelief.

It wasn't that Whitebeard doubted Kitaro's strength, but even the greatest warriors could falter under such an unrelenting onslaught. Haki could defend against cannon fire, yes, but it wasn't an impenetrable shield. Using Haki came at a significant cost to one's stamina—a cost Whitebeard himself could no longer afford to pay.

For a long, tense moment, the air was filled with smoke and fire, the aftermath of the bombardment hanging thick in the air.

"Did… did we get him?" a Marine whispered.

"Of course we did! No one could survive that—not even Whitebeard!" another replied, his voice trembling with false confidence.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from within the smoke.

"Why stop now? Is that all you've got?!"

Boom!

A powerful shockwave burst outward, clearing the smoke and revealing Kitaro standing unscathed at the epicenter of the devastation. His clothes weren't even singed.

"Wha—what the hell is he?!"

Marines staggered back in disbelief, their courage faltering.

"He's… he's a monster!"

Even Whitebeard, for all his strength and experience, couldn't hide his amazement. "Impressive, brat," he muttered. "To think your defenses could rival the likes of Big Mom or Kaido."

Kitaro took a single step forward, and the terrified Marines recoiled.

"Running low on ammo, are we? Well, in that case, it's my turn."

He crouched slightly, one hand gripping the sheath of his sword while the other grasped its hilt.

Calmly, he spoke the words that sent shivers down every Marine's spine:

"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash—Unlimited!"

Unlimited was an extension of the Thunderclap and Flash technique, Kitaro had created it himself making it even more powerful than Godspeed that was created by Zenitsu.

Boom!

A deafening thunderclap split the air as Kitaro launched himself forward, a streak of lightning tearing through the battlefield.