Jinbe's Shock

A little earlier, back at Navy Headquarters, the great fortress known as Marineford.

A man pushed open the door to the Fleet Admiral's office.

"Brother Kong, Jinbe just sent a message,"

The man had a round, ball-like hairstyle and wore a hat resembling a seagull. "He's asking why the last Fishman pirate hasn't returned yet."

This was the man people on the sea generally called Admiral Sengoku.

"This is a headache. How did you answer him?"

The man sitting behind the desk was quite burly, his beard resembling an inverted mountain character.

He was the man who had led the path of justice as the supreme commander of the entire Marine force since a long time ago, Fleet Admiral Kong Garp.

Sengoku replied, "I told him directly that the escort warship went missing. But that guy didn't believe it at all, thinking we went back on our word."

"It would be strange if he did believe it."

Kong rubbed his forehead, clearly troubled. "What on earth happened to that Hag fellow? How did he just disappear without a trace?"

"There's not a single clue, and it even involves a new Shichibukai."

"The search hasn't stopped, but given the harsh natural conditions of the New World, the possibility of finding any clues in such a vast sea is slim," Sengoku said.

"But we can't just let this matter go, can we?"

Kong's eyes lifted, his gaze sharp. Regardless of the circumstances, the silent disappearance of a Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral was a major event that demanded his attention. "Request CP's assistance. Don't let any possible clue slip through your fingers."

Sengoku nodded lightly. "I think we can start with the Science Unit. Okam said that Hag and that Fishman didn't have a harmonious relationship."

"It's up to you, Sengoku."

Bright was unaware of what had happened at Marineford, but he wouldn't have been surprised even if he had known.

A Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral was no low-ranking officer.

At this moment, Bright was floating in the deep sea. Not far in front of him, Jinbe was also quietly floating in the water.

Just a while ago, Jinbe had suddenly proposed a spar with Bright.

Facing Bright's question, Jinbe had replied, "Once I confirm your current abilities, I'll know what kind of training intensity to use."

It sounded quite reasonable.

The battle location they finally chose was this deep sea area, relatively far from Fish-Man Island, but not entirely outside Eve's radiance.

After all, if Jinbe were to have Bright go all out, the commotion might be too great if they fought on Fish-Man Island.

However, could he really move freely underwater?

Jinbe looked at Bright not far away, marveling inwardly.

How terrifying must it be when a Devil Fruit User isn't afraid of water and can even live in it?

"Are you ready, Bright?"

Jinbe asked with a chuckle, "If you're ready, then attack!"

"Then I won't hold back!"

Bright exhaled a string of bubbles.

This was the perfect opportunity to test how much of a gap still existed between himself and the strong fighters on the sea!

Brother Jinbe might not be the absolute top-tier monster in this world, but he was definitely at the second-tier level. Even among the crews of the Pirate Emperors, he would be a top executive.

He could go all out!

Puff!

A white pillar of water shot out in the deep sea. Bright moved like a torpedo launch, his astonishing speed erupting instantly.

The fastest swimmers in the sea were Mermaids, and the second fastest were Fishmen.

Jinbe smiled, his feet planted on the water, his hands already in a ready stance. "Come on!"

"Fish-Man Karate—Four Thousand Hand-Style Brick Fist!"

Using Fish-Man martial arts in the water was like adding wings to a tiger. The surrounding water was drawn by Bright's fist, forming a vortex that wrapped around it.

"Too crude!"

Jinbe's bulky body swayed casually, easily dodging Bright's punch. He even had the leisure to comment, "Fish-Man Karate isn't just about flailing your fists around!"

"Four Thousand Hand-Style Spinning Kick!"

Bright's right leg tore through the seawater, creating a vacuum in the deep sea with his kick.

Jinbe raised his right arm to block in front of him.

Bang!

With a muffled explosion, Jinbe was sent flying back by Bright's kick.

"Astonishing power!"

After being pushed back only a short distance, Jinbe exclaimed in admiration, "Of course, your technique is still very crude. Your power isn't being unleashed to its fullest potential."

"Brother Jinbe, at least be serious!!"

Bright shot over, his fists raining down.

"I'm already on high alert!"

Although Jinbe was large, his reaction speed was astonishing. His hands moved like phantoms, and every punch Bright threw was swatted away with a slap.

"Is this Observation Haki?"

Bright exclaimed in surprise.

His attacks felt completely transparent.

"Observation Haki is the power of listening!"

Jinbe raised his hand to grab Bright. "In the perception of Observation Haki, your attacks are too obvious."

His hand was about to grab Bright's wrist.

But in that instant, Bright twisted his body, evading Jinbe's grasp while creating distance.

"Hmm?"

Jinbe was stunned. He actually reacted?

"I almost got caught. As expected of you, Brother Jinbe."

Bright said with a smile.

Good thing my reaction was fast.

Strictly speaking, his perception ability was just a side effect of the power provided by the Reaper Squid. What Bright truly wanted from that creature was its agility and reaction speed.

Although the Reaper Squid was massive, its body was covered in special cells that enhanced touch and accelerated nerve signal transmission, making it incredibly sensitive and agile. It was said they could even feel the vibrations in the seawater through their skin to pinpoint the movement patterns of a large group of prey, then use their enormous tentacles to precisely and swiftly snatch them one by one before they scattered.

Combined with their long-range perception, they earned the name Reaper.

"Brother Jinbe, don't be too shocked by what's coming next!"

Bright's body began to swell.

There's no point in fighting without using my abilities.

Jinbe was superior to him in both strength and technique.

He's really a Devil Fruit User!

A Devil Fruit User who can survive freely in the sea!

Watching Bright transform, Jinbe was awestruck.

Then, an even more astonishing sight appeared.

"This, this is!!"

Jinbe was almost dumbfounded.

What was he seeing?

Bright had turned into a red dragon!

A very familiar dragon!

"What is this?!"

Jinbe couldn't believe his eyes, his eyeballs nearly popping out of their sockets. "Bright, did you get Kaido's ability?"

Except for the color, it was exactly the same as Kaido's!

"It's Kaido's ability, replicated by Vegapunk."

Bright's slender body swam through the water. "But the ability should be about the same as Kaido's."

"About the same as Kaido's?"

Jinbe clicked his tongue.

Kaido possessed one of the world's most powerful abilities, the power of a mythical beast from legends!

Did Bright now possess the same strength as him?

Surprise bloomed in Jinbe's heart.

"Be careful, Brother Jinbe!!"

Bright roared, and dazzling lightning erupted from his body, instantly spreading through the seawater in all directions.

If Jinbe's Observation Haki can't hit me, then I'll make it so he can't dodge.

"An amazing ability!"

Jinbe laughed heartily. The more powerful Bright displayed, the happier he became. "But don't underestimate me either!"

His entire body was covered in dark Armament Haki, and the leaping arcs of electricity instantly engulfed him.

"Ouch, ouch!!"

Jinbe cried out.

But it was only shouting.

The lightning caused him pain, but it was only pain.

Bright wasn't surprised.

Jinbe's Armament Haki was so strong that he could take a furious blow from Charlotte Linlin and emerge almost unscathed!

Although the current Jinbe was definitely not as strong as he would be eleven years later, his Armament Haki's strength was not something Bright could ignore.

He was on a completely different level from that Hag fellow.

Since lightning was useless, he would use wind!

Wind swirled up from Bright's body, churning the seawater. In the depths, it transformed into white vortex dragons that attacked Jinbe from all directions.

"Water-based techniques aren't very effective against Fishmen!"

Jinbe cupped his hands, directly grabbing one of the white vortexes. With a powerful swing, he unleashed "Ocean Current Shoulder Throw!"

The massive sea current whipped like a whip, smashing the other vortexes. The surging undertow even pushed Bright backward.

Before the undertow had even subsided, Jinbe had already shot forward.

"Do you have any stronger moves, Bright?!"

Jinbe laughed heartily.

"Of course!!"

Bright's body began to shrink as he transformed into his Dragon Human form.

His tall frame was covered in red scales. Upon closer inspection, one could see a layer of bubble film clinging to the scales.

"Fish-Man Karate!!"

Fire was useless in the deep sea, and even enhanced fire wouldn't be effective against Jinbe.

Lightning couldn't penetrate Jinbe's defense, and wind was powerless.

So, he would use his fists!

Bright charged towards Jinbe.

"Come on, Bright!"

Both of them threw punches simultaneously.

BOOM!

In the next instant, their fists collided.

The mere impact of their fists created a vacuum in the deep sea.

"What astonishing strength!"

Jinbe exclaimed.

In terms of raw strength alone, Bright was now very close to him!

After all, on Fish-Man Island, no one was stronger than him!

However, he was already thirty-five years old, his body long past its peak.

Bright, on the other hand, was only seventeen, his body still in a rapid developmental phase, and he hadn't even undergone rigorous training or intense battles to grow!

At the same age, he himself was far inferior to Jinbe, even when Jinbe wasn't using his abilities.

Jinbe's eyes were filled with excitement.

Bright, as expected, if it's you--

"Come on! Bright, show me what you can do!!"

Thank you to 'First Ray of Sunshine', 'Foodie Hum', 'No Intent to Compete', and 'Where Oh Where' for their 100-point donations. Thank you to 'Sometimes Rising, Sometimes Setting' for their 1000-point donation. Thank you, thank you!