This coral forest had already been reduced to ruins.
Bright had returned to human form. Sitting on a chunk of shattered rock, he stared blankly at his right hand.
Invisible ripples curled around it.
"I've gotten a little stronger."
Bright sighed.
Although Rayleigh's teaching ability was always questioned, one thing he had said was true: Haki did improve through battles with powerful opponents.
After finishing his fight with that nameless Marine, Bright could feel his Haki had grown stronger, even if only by a small margin.
More importantly, his understanding of Hardening had become clearer as well.
This battle could barely be considered quite rewarding.
That was what Bright thought.
At his current level, even if he fought Brother Jinbe at full strength, he probably would not be defeated easily anymore, right?
He had barely crossed the threshold into the Calamity General tier.
Of course, the trouble had grown worse as well.
Bright turned to look to the side. The corpse of the Marine whose name he had not known even after killing him had already been burned to charcoal.
His grudge with the Marines was only growing deeper.
Bright felt somewhat melancholy.
My dearest Shyarly, where exactly is the turning point in the future you spoke of?
If this keeps up, why do I feel like I really am about to go to all-out war with the Marines?
"Bright! What happened?"
Brother Jinbe's plump figure darted out from deep within the coral forest. He hurried over anxiously.
As soon as the battle ended, Bright had contacted Jinbe through a Den Den Mushi.
The situation was grave.
"I was attacked just now," Bright said.
"Attacked?" Jinbe froze, then exclaimed, "Pirate retaliation—no, was it the government's move?"
"The Marines."
Bright pointed at the several corpses scattered across the ground. "But I've