Watching the Battle

"Ha

ki can counter Devil Fruit users. Whatever you do, don't clash with those main Marine powerhouses."

Jinbe had not believed such an outrageous Devil Fruit ability existed before, but seeing was believing. If this ability continued evolving, a new king might rise upon these seas.

"Mm, no problem."

After giving a few reminders and receiving Su Lin's agreement, Jinbe rushed ahead. Though he had confidence in Luffy now, he wanted more than to witness it—he wanted to fight again and make up for his regret at failing to save Whitebeard and Ace.

Even so...

Sweat beads the size of soybeans appeared on Jinbe's forehead.

If he copies even old man Whitebeard's ability later, there won't be many people on this battlefield who can restrain him.

That was what Jinbe thought.

Naturally, he had no idea that Su Lin's abilities could only be used for twenty-four hours.

Su Lin's task now was to observe and collect Devil Fruit abilities for later use while cautiously getting familiar with the Glint-Glint Fruit's powers without drawing attention.

The Glint-Glint Fruit abilities recorded as supernatural powers differed from those of a true Devil Fruit user.

For the moment, Su Lin had no plans to use any other abilities. When it came to escaping, the Glint-Glint Fruit was still the best.

"Hmm?"

The Manifestation Points on the system, which had been at zero, began to rise.

I haven't even done anything yet. What's going on?

At the plaza in the Sabaody Archipelago.

A crowd of reporters was eagerly devouring the spectacle.

"Headquarters, this is the Sabaody Archipelago. We have huge news!"

"Straw Hat Kid has landed on Marineford with prisoners from Impel Down!"

"Straw Hat Kid—the one who punched a Celestial Dragon flying here ten days ago?"

"Also appearing alongside him are Revolutionary Army officer Ivankov, who was imprisoned in Impel Down for years, and former Shichibukai Jinbe the Knight of the Sea."

The newspaper reporters chatted excitedly. The situation had shifted abruptly, and unexpected developments like these always drew more attention.

The World Government had a headache now.

"Who's the person beside Jinbe? Does anyone know?"

"No, I don't recognize him."

On the many television screens, one displayed a close-up from a surveillance snail. Rather than rushing out to rescue Ace, Jinbe had been talking in the rear with a casually dressed young man.

How should they put it? This person seemed utterly out of place on this battlefield.

"He isn't on any of the major wanted lists for pirates or the Revolutionary Army."

"Is he connected to Jinbe somehow? He doesn't look like a prisoner either."

Just as the reporters were puzzled but prepared to turn their attention back to the main battlefield.

"He turned into light!" XN

The sudden disturbance caused by Straw Hat Kid had altered every side's strategy.

The Marines' main force was still locked in battle with the Whitebeard Pirates, but they had also split off a sizable force to deal with Straw Hat Kid and his companions.

Marine elites and even upper-tier combatants interested in Straw Hat Kid, such as Smoker, Hina, and Kizaru, had already headed toward him of their own accord.

Of course, there were also some unknown figures.

"Move! Get out of the way!"

Luffy swung his arms, sending the Marine soldiers blocking his path flying.

Armament Haki combined with the Gum-Gum Fruit's ability easily blasted away a large group of men.

"Pirate, Straw Hat Kid, this ends here." Vice Admiral Momonga led a group of soldiers and silently surrounded Straw Hat Kid.

Nearby, Hina and Smoker remained on the outer perimeter, ready for any contingency.

Ivankov knocked a Marine away with a flirtatious wink and checked on Luffy's situation.

Then he chose to continue thinning out the enemy forces around him.

What a joke. Luffy, who had punched Magellan flying, did not need his help. He just did not know what had happened to Luffy.

But in any case, it was not a bad thing!

The most important matter was the guy in front of him!

"Hey, Kuma, it's me! I'm Ivankov!"

Boom—

A laser shot past Ivankov's head. Had he not dodged in time, it would have hit him.

"Kuma! Stop!"

"Fufufufu~" Doflamingo sat atop a small mountain of piled-up pirates, amused by the sight. "It's useless. The Kuma you knew is gone. He underwent human modification."

"What do you mean?!" Ivankov demanded.

"Gum-Gum!"

Luffy's roar came from the crowd ahead. "Stamp!"

As a veteran Marine vice admiral, Momonga had nearly trained his physical skills and swordsmanship to their limits.

He had also mastered the Six Powers and Armament Haki.

Shave—

Just as Momonga and the surrounding soldiers launched their attacks at the same time.

Luffy activated Observation Haki.

The positions where every blade would fall appeared in his mind. He twisted his body, wrapping himself in Conqueror's Haki.

"Gum-Gum! Stamp!"

Years of combat experience made Momonga's body sense the threat before his mind could!

Danger!

He could not withstand this head-on!

"Iron Body!" The instant Momonga activated Iron Body, he raised his sword before him.

Crash—

Powerful Conqueror's Haki wrapped around Luffy's right foot as he kicked.

A tremendous force surged through Momonga, accompanied by the sound of his weapon shattering.

With a deafening clang.

The veteran Vice Admiral Momonga flew away like a kite with its string cut, coughing up blood before crashing into the crowd of Marine soldiers ahead.

The surrounding battlefield fell into dead silence for a moment.

In the silence.

Gulp—

The sound of Marine soldiers swallowing broke the stillness.

Everyone who saw it—Smoker, Hina, the other vice admirals, and even the watching Kizaru—was once again stunned.

"Vice Admiral Momonga!"

"The vice admiral was taken down in one move?"

"Get the vice admiral to the rear for treatment! Hurry!"

After checking Vice Admiral Momonga's injuries, the Marine soldiers shouted frantically.

"That was a vice admiral!"

"I can't believe this..."

"Straw Hat Kid." Smoker was the first to leap out, turning into smoke as he wrapped around Straw Hat Luffy and slashed at him with a Seastone weapon.

"Sorry, smoke man."

Again, just one punch. The smoke Smoker had used to block everyone's view dispersed.

Smoker was sent flying backward.

"I don't have time to play with you right now!"

In an instant, the entire battlefield's emotions were stirred up once again.

"What kind of joke is this..."

"Ace's little brother is so strong!"

"Hey, hey. Is this for real?"

Whether they were Marines, members of the Whitebeard Pirates, or the people from Impel Down, all stared in disbelief, their eyes practically bulging out.

However, the strongest fighters on every side saw what lay behind it.

"Conqueror's Haki coating." Whitebeard laughed. "Gurararara, young people these days are truly terrifying."

The killing intent in Akainu's eyes deepened.

Ace was too stunned to speak. Without his knowing, Luffy had become this strong.

"Garp!!!" Sengoku could endure no longer and punched Garp on the head. "Was it you?! Did you teach him?! You bastard, you must have secretly taught him!"

"It wasn't me! I didn't!"

Garp had suddenly been hit, and tears of pain welled in his eyes as he said innocently, "I never taught him any of this! Luffy, hahahaha, as expected of my grandson"