As the two sides faced off, Augustus D. Aether shifted his gaze toward the only remaining fighter on the opposing side, the man in the bib, Sentomaru. He raised his sword slightly, his tone calm.
"Hey, you're Sentomaru, right? How about a round between us?"
Sentomaru clenched his jaw, his expression dark. Even someone as straightforward as him understood the gap between them. A man capable of wielding Conqueror's Haki was far beyond his reach.
Kizaru saw the same reality. Sentomaru was no match for Aether.
In an instant, Kizaru's demeanor sharpened. He intended to eliminate Aether first. His eyes flicked briefly toward Aether's arm, noting the subtle trembling. It was strange, such overwhelming Haki housed in a body that seemed unable to fully bear it.
Kizaru's form burst into light, attempting to bypass Rayleigh, but a blade coated in Armament Haki forced him back into solidity.
Rayleigh stood firm, sword held across his body, blocking the path.
"Looks like you won't let me pass so easily, Dark King Rayleigh."
"Ama no Murakumo."
A blade of light formed in Kizaru's hand as he clashed with Rayleigh. Their swords collided in rapid succession, the air flashing with brilliance as neither side gained ground.
With the greatest threat occupied, the Straw Hat crew began to retreat.
But before they could escape, a towering figure stepped into their path, slowly removing a glove.
"Straw Hat crew… if you were to take a journey, where would you like to go?"
Aether muttered quietly, almost amused.
"Finally. Any later and I would have left."
Though it seemed they had gained some advantage, time was not on their side. Marine Headquarters at Marineford and the Holy Land Mary Geoise were too close. Reinforcements could arrive at any moment.
Rayleigh, locked in combat with Kizaru, was already breathing heavily. Age had caught up to him. Even with his strength, victory was uncertain, and using Conqueror's Haki in full meant risking everything.
As Bartholomew Kuma moved toward the Straw Hats, Sentomaru stepped forward and blocked Aether's path, determination written across his face.
"I won't let you pass, Augustus D. Aether."
Aether said nothing.
Crack. Crack.
The blade in his hand, already riddled with fractures, finally shattered. Advanced Conqueror's Haki was too much for an ordinary weapon to endure, and this had only been a fine-grade sword.
Left unarmed, Aether raised his fists, coating them in Armament Haki before charging forward. His blows rained down relentlessly, forcing Sentomaru into a miserable state.
Sentomaru's cheeks swelled under the barrage. Confusion flickered in his eyes. Why wasn't Aether using that overwhelming power again? With just Armament Haki, he could at least endure for a short time using his defensive techniques.
Elsewhere, Kuma had already begun.
Usopp had just reached Zoro when Kuma's bare palm descended.
The severely injured swordsman vanished instantly.
"Zoro!"
The cry echoed as shock and despair spread through the crew.
Rage overtook Usopp and Sanji as they charged forward, only to be effortlessly struck away by Kuma's casual backhand.
"Sanji!"
"Usopp!"
One after another, Nico Robin, Brook, and Chopper disappeared.
Each loss struck deeper into Luffy's heart, his strength draining as despair took hold. This was the first time since setting sail that he faced such absolute helplessness.
Kuma moved to Franky next. The cyborg vanished just as easily.
Nami, her face pale with fear, looked between Luffy and Aether, desperation filling her voice.
"Luffy… Aether, please help us!"
Before her plea could linger, she too disappeared.
Aether let out a quiet breath.
In truth, Kuma was saving them.
Even at full strength, Aether would need his strongest trump card to defeat Kuma. In his current state, there was no chance.
Silence fell.
Only Luffy's anguished cries remained.
Aside from their captain, the entire Straw Hat crew had been sent away.
Bartholomew Kuma, wielder of the Paw-Paw Fruit, could repel anything his palms touched. Attacks, pain, fatigue, even people, sending them flying across the world.
He was the perfect all-rounder. Attack, defense, recovery, speed.
But beneath that power lay another truth.
He was a founding member of the Revolutionary Army, a subordinate of Monkey D. Dragon, Luffy's father. Forced into submission by the World Government, he had allowed Vegapunk to transform him into a human weapon. His emotions were fading, piece by piece.
When even Luffy vanished, Kuma turned toward Aether. In an instant, he appeared before him.
"If you were to take a journey, where would you go?"
Aether released the battered Sentomaru and met Kuma's gaze calmly.
"So you're the Paw-Paw user. I'm no match for you."
He paused slightly, a faint smile forming.
"If I have to choose, send me to the Kuja tribe. I hear the women of Amazon Lily are quite interesting."
Even Kuma fell silent for a moment.
"Very well."
His massive palm descended.
Aether vanished from the Sabaody Archipelago.
With everyone gone, the clash between Rayleigh and Kizaru finally ceased.
Kizaru spoke lazily.
"Anyone sent flying by Kuma ends up somewhere random and never returns. Aren't you worried, Rayleigh?"
Rayleigh gave a tired shrug.
"There's nothing I can do. I'm past my prime. I can't stop both an Admiral and a Warlord. What happens next is up to them."
In truth, he was not worried. He had encountered Kuma earlier and understood his intentions.
"Old man, can I leave now, Kizaru?"
Rayleigh's tone was light.
Kizaru shook his head slightly.
"You're the last opponent I want to face."
He transformed into light and appeared beside Sentomaru.
"Sentomaru, you really took a beating."
"Next time, I won't lose."
His words were firm, but carried a hint of frustration.
Kizaru said nothing more and took him away. On the sea, defeat was common, but sometimes there would be no next time.
With their departure, the incident at Sabaody Archipelago came to an end.
Aside from a few unfortunate pirates, none of the Supernovas were captured.
Though Kizaru had severely injured several upon arrival, Aether's intervention later diverted his attention, allowing them to escape.
Encased in a Paw-Paw bubble, Aether shot through the sky before descending toward the earth. The bubble cushioned his fall, lowering him gently onto the ground.
It was his first time experiencing Kuma's ability. It felt novel, almost like flying without limits.
Looking around, he found himself surrounded by dense jungle.
Climbing a tree, he scanned the distance and spotted faint outlines of buildings.
"Two days of travel… so this is Amazon Lily."
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