The crystal-clear wine in the glass, carrying a fresh fruity aroma, made Kizaru unable to resist raising his cup.
Having a drink shouldn't be a problem… right?
It's not like there were any World Government or Marine spies ten thousand meters up in the sky.
"If it weren't for the World Government's wanted poster," Kizaru said casually, "I think we might have become friends."
Astrix feigned surprise.
"Friends with a Marine?"
"Like Captain Roger and Marine Hero Garp?" he added with a grin. "Mr. Kizaru, am I really capable of that?"
Click~ Click~
Gan Fall moved quickly.
The Vision Dial snapped photos—and then began recording video—while a Tone Dial captured every word.
Once finished, he turned and left briskly.
Kizaru's signature lazy smile stiffened.
He didn't know what those shells were—but he knew something was off.
"…It seems I've been played."
Astrix didn't respond directly. Instead, he smoothly changed the subject.
"I heard you're close with Monkey D. Dragon. Mind introducing me?"
Kizaru's eyes narrowed.
Information about Astrix flashed through his mind in an instant.
Joined the Roger Pirates at nine.
Disappeared after their disbandment.
Reappeared last month in Loguetown.
Then immediately showed up in Alabasta—kidnapping a World Government prisoner.
How does he know about Dragon?
Was there a leak in the Marines?
Or—
Did Astrix share Dragon's ambitions?
Was he trying to use him as a bridge?
"How troublesome…"
Kizaru drained his glass in one gulp.
"I'm a Marine. Capturing you is my duty."
"Fair enough."
Astrix stood and drew his blade.
"It's only natural for Marines to hunt pirates."
He smiled.
"But Brother Kizaru… I hope this little fight doesn't ruin our friendship."
Kizaru's eye twitched.
Friendship my foot.
We just met today.
Before Astrix could move, Mihawk had already acted.
A flying slash cut through the air as the black blade Yoru descended.
It was rare to face someone at Admiral-level strength.
Yoru had long grown restless.
Originally, Mihawk had planned to leave after the banquet, continue challenging great swordsmen, and reunite with Astrix in two years.
Instead—
A worthy opponent had delivered himself to his doorstep.
There was no reason to hold back.
Kizaru casually formed the Ama no Murakumo Sword and blocked the attack with effortless precision.
Smooth. Fluid. Unshaken.
At thirty-four, he was in his prime.
Even without the Glint-Glint Fruit, his swordsmanship alone was already at the level of a great swordsman.
Astrix watched quietly, choosing not to interfere.
This was Mihawk's fight.
Instead, he took the photos from Gan Fall.
In them—
Astrix sat at the center, with Kizaru and Mihawk on either side, all three raising their glasses together.
…Highly misleading.
"Old Gan, where's the doctor?"
Gan Fall blinked.
"Lord Thunder God, didn't you tell him to take an Octopus Balloon and hide in the Blue Sea?"
Astrix rubbed his temples.
"…Never mind."
That guy really valued his life.
Still—
They weren't walking the same path.
Astrix let it go.
There were plenty of capable people on the seas. Finding like-minded companions wouldn't be difficult.
As for immortality…
Not something a fifteen-year-old needed to worry about.
To Astrix, immortality wasn't a blessing—
It was a cage.
The weight of life came from the unknown.
What he enjoyed were the moments:
Setting sail. Finding treasure. Outsmarting enemies. Drinking with friends.
If life became endless…
Then excitement, victory—even survival itself—
Would lose their meaning.
…Alright, maybe he was overthinking it.
Truth was, he was only fifteen.
He could worry about immortality after he'd at least finished growing.
Otherwise—
Wouldn't he be stuck undersized forever?
Besides, who's to say he wouldn't obtain it naturally one day?
After all—
He was a proud cheater.
"Lord Thunder God, let us fight as well."
Gan Fall stepped forward eagerly.
Astrix nodded in approval—but refused.
"There'll be opportunities later."
Sending warriors without Haki against a Marine Admiral wasn't bravery.
It was suicide.
Better they learn first—
What true power on the sea looked like.
"Old Gan, take everyone and retreat further."
Even at this stage—before Kizaru became an Admiral and before Mihawk earned the title of World's Greatest Swordsman—
The shockwaves alone could wipe out the islanders.
Zephyr once said Kizaru relied too heavily on his Devil Fruit.
That was his weakness.
But also his strength.
Because the Glint-Glint Fruit itself had almost no flaws.
And fundamentally—
Lightning and light weren't so different.
What Kizaru could do—
Astrix could learn.
On the battlefield, Mihawk's fighting spirit only grew stronger.
But Kizaru—
Kizaru was different.
Since when does this slacker get serious?
If it were anyone else, Astrix would've already launched a sneak attack.
Fair or not didn't matter.
Winning did.
But Mihawk was different.
Too proud.
Too solitary.
Astrix respected that.
A one-on-one duel.
Among the future Admirals:
Aokiji clashed with Garp.
Akainu fought to the death at Marineford—and battled Aokiji for ten days.
Only Kizaru…
Barely a scratch.
At Sabaody, he lazily said "how scary" while kicking down Supernovas one by one.
It was almost as if—
He'd never truly fought seriously.
The same could be said for Mihawk.
But at nineteen—
He still wasn't Kizaru's equal.
When Mihawk was knocked back for the third time—
Astrix moved.
Musou Isshin surged forward, coated in Conqueror's Haki Infusion, clashing directly against the Ama no Murakumo Sword.
This strike—
Held nothing back.
Thanks to certain "fools" from Teyvat, Astrix had experienced divine power firsthand, pushing his Conqueror's Haki to evolve at an abnormal rate.
In this world—
Conqueror's Haki Infusion was the gateway to the top.
As Kaido once said—
Only Haki transcends all.
The clash shook the air.
Purple lightning. Blinding light.
Kizaru's pupils shrank.
"Conqueror's… infusion?"
For once—
He forgot his usual drawl.
What kind of intelligence report was this?
A Logia user.
A former Roger Pirate.
And now—
A master of advanced Conqueror's Haki?
…With a bounty under 100 million?
Ridiculous.
Astrix grinned.
"Brother… how about we sit down and talk?"
Truthfully, aside from Musou Isshin, Conqueror's infusion, and his natural strength—
He didn't have much else to contend with an Admiral.
Better to stop while ahead.
If Kizaru pressed further—
Things would escalate.
Together, he and Mihawk could hold him off for a while.
But not here.
Not on Sky Island.
The land was too precious.
Astrix had no intention of destroying his own base.
Kizaru glanced into the distance—
Toward the retreating islanders.
Astrix understood immediately.
"That's easy."
His Conqueror's Haki surged outward.
A wave of red and black pressure swept across the island—
Knocking out every living being except Mihawk and Kizaru.
Kizaru used the recoil to leap into the air.
Two targets.
Non-mandatory mission.
No witnesses.
Report already sent.
…Not worth the trouble.
Hovering in the sky, he looked down at Astrix.
"Astrix… what exactly do you want to talk about?"