The sea gradually returned to calm, the rolling waves receding layer by layer.
The impact that had nearly torn apart the entire sea moments ago slowly faded like a brief but unforgettable nightmare.
The warship stopped shaking, and the damaged deck let out faint creaks.
"Bzz—"
A flicker of fine lightning flashed.
Rock landed lightly in the center of the deck.
The hem of his clothes stirred slightly, his breathing steady.
As though the clash that had torn through the sky moments ago had merely been a casual warm-up.
Only then did the Fish-Men snap back to their senses.
Some instinctively took a step back, while others swallowed hard, their minds still not fully recovered.
Tiger stood at the very front.
His gaze was fixed on Rock, his throat tightening slightly.
"Vice Admiral Rock..."
His voice was somewhat hoarse.
"Admiral Kizaru, he..."
Before he could finish.
"Bzz—"
Light.
It silently gathered half a step behind Rock.
One speck.
Then two.
Countless particles of light converged in an instant, forming a figure standing there lazily.
"How scary~"
His familiar tone drifted down as he raised a hand to rub the spot where he had been kicked earlier.
"A familiar feeling..."
"It really hurts~"
He sounded as though he were complaining, yet every word carried an air of ease.
At that sight, every Fish-Man on the deck froze, their eyes widening bit by bit.
"...Huh?"
"Th-This, this, this..."
"A battle of that level just now..."
"And he only got his clothes a little dirty?!"
Rock glanced at him and chuckled. "Looks like you haven't been slacking off all these years, Borsalino."
Borsalino froze slightly, as though some memory had been stirred.
Then he let out a soft sigh.
"Well~"
He raised his head and looked at the cleared sky.
"A lot has