One Piece: Starting with Sign-in Naruto Character Cards

Back in the plaza, Sakazuki's massive attack looked overwhelming in power—so much so that even the shockwave from the explosion instantly reduced nearby buildings on both sides to rubble.

Yet despite all that, the barrier created by Bartolomeo didn't have even a single crack.

"Haha! So this is what a Marine Admiral amounts to, huh?"

Seeing his barrier successfully block a full-powered blow from the Admiral, Bartolomeo couldn't help but grin smugly.

His reaction stunned both Crocodile and Douglas Bullet beside him.

They had clearly sensed the immense power behind Sakazuki's attack, yet it still failed to break through Bartolomeo's absolute defense.

Witnessing this, they began to feel that Rikuya Kazama's decision to come here had been worth it.

As for Rikuya himself, he watched the scene with a calm expression.

After all, this defensive barrier was powerful enough to block even the "King's Punch" of the War King Elizabello II.

Elizabello II, king of the Prodence Kingdom, possessed a monstrous natural physique and could unleash a punch capable of obliterating an enemy fortress in a single strike. It was said that even someone as powerful as a Yonko would die instantly if struck, earning it the title of a "natural-born weapon of mass destruction."

Compared to the King's Punch, Sakazuki's attack didn't even come close—so naturally, there was no way it could break the barrier.

However, just as Rikuya had said before, the barrier had its flaws. It could only defend a small area in front of the user; the other three sides were completely exposed. And if Bartolomeo let go even for a moment, the entire barrier would vanish. So yes, it had its drawbacks.

"Go for it, Bartolomeo. Look for a chance to trap Sakazuki with a barrier ball. The rest of us will quickly take out those three Marine Vice Admirals."

Rikuya immediately issued orders to the three beside him.

In the next instant, Rikuya's body shifted slightly. He used the rebound force between his feet and the ground to propel himself forward like an arrow.

Seeing Rikuya spring into action, the other three followed suit and charged. Bartolomeo also retracted his barrier.

Seeing the enemies rush toward them, the three Marine Vice Admirals quickly drew their weapons and charged forward as well.

In no time, a chaotic melee erupted in the center of the plaza.

The powerful combatants wreaked havoc across the entire surrounding area, and the nearby buildings were reduced to rubble in an instant.

"Shunshin no Jutsu!"

Just as Rikuya was about to reach Sakazuki, he suddenly flickered and vanished—like a phantom, he instantly reappeared behind Sakazuki.

"Eight Inner Gates—Third Gate: Gate of Life—Lilianhua!"

Rikuya shouted loudly as his body exploded with a wave of green energy, which immediately surged around him.

Just as his foot was about to smash into Sakazuki, the latter transformed into magma in the blink of an eye.

So when Rikuya's kick landed, it struck nothing but thin air.

"Damn it. Even the speed and burst power of the Third Gate isn't enough to catch him off guard!"

Rikuya's face darkened. He realized that even with the overwhelming speed of the Eight Inner Gates, Sakazuki's awareness couldn't be overcome.

Right then, Sakazuki reappeared beside him with a cold snort. His arm once again turned to magma.

In the next instant, his molten arm morphed into the shape of a hound's head and stretched out, lunging toward Rikuya.

"Eight Gates—Fifth Gate: Gate of Limit—Open!"

Rikuya had no choice but to open the Fifth Gate in a rush.

With the Fifth Gate open, his speed became so fast that his movements stirred the ground with shockwaves.

But if he went any further and opened the Sixth Gate, his body would suffer immense damage.

So after opening the Fifth Gate, he immediately launched into a high-speed retreat.

Even though Rikuya was already at top speed, the hound-shaped magma arm still lightly grazed his chest.

In that moment, his clothes turned to ash and his chest was charred black.

When he finally landed and steadied himself, cold sweat poured down his back.

If he had been just a fraction of a second slower, his entire body might've been pierced through.

Admirals really were terrifying!

Just as Sakazuki was fully focused on Rikuya, Bartolomeo, who was locked in battle with Onigumo, seized the moment. After dodging one of Onigumo's sword strikes, he suddenly darted toward Sakazuki and struck his classic hand pose.

In the blink of an eye, a transparent barrier ball formed around Sakazuki and sealed him in completely.

"Hey! Hurry up and protect me! Don't let anyone hit me!"

Instead of celebrating after trapping Sakazuki, Bartolomeo panicked and shouted to Crocodile nearby.

Because in order to maintain the barrier ball, he had to stay completely still and couldn't defend himself at all.

If anyone attacked him right now, he'd be doomed.

Onigumo, who had eight limbs, each holding a long sword, was shocked when he saw Sakazuki trapped—and then immediately rushed toward Bartolomeo, swords flashing.

But at that moment, a blast of purple lightning-like energy shot past and slammed into Onigumo.

The sudden attack forced him to stop and raise his swords in defense.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The attack clashed with several of his blades in a series of sharp, ringing impacts.

Then, Onigumo suddenly coughed up a large mouthful of blood and staggered backward several steps before barely regaining his balance.

Clearly, even though he was Vice Admiral-level, he still fell short when it came to fighting pirates of Warlord caliber.

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