"Haki can counter Devil Fruit users. Whatever happens, don't clash with those key Marine fighters."
Jinbe had once refused to believe a Devil Fruit power this absurd existed, but seeing was believing. If this power continued to evolve, this sea might gain a new king.
"Yeah, no problem."
After giving him a few reminders and receiving Su Lin's agreement, Jinbe rushed ahead. Though he had faith in Luffy now, more than witnessing it, he wanted to fight once more and make up for his regret at failing to save Whitebeard and Ace.
Even so...
Beads of sweat the size of soybeans appeared on Jinbe's forehead.
If he copies even Pops Whitebeard's power later, there won't be many people on this battlefield who can restrain him.
That was what Jinbe thought to himself.
Of course, he had no idea that Su Lin's powers only lasted for twenty-four hours.
Su Lin's current task was to observe the battle and collect Devil Fruit powers for later use while carefully practicing the Glint-Glint Fruit's abilities without drawing anyone's attention.
The Glint-Glint Fruit abilities recorded as superpowers differed from those of a genuine Devil Fruit user.
Su Lin had no plans to use any other abilities for the moment. When it came to escaping, nothing beat the Glint-Glint Fruit's power.
"Hm?"
On the system, his Manifestation Points, 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.
Numerous reporters were eagerly following the drama.
"Headquarters, this is the Sabaody Archipelago. We have major news!"
"The Straw Hat Kid has brought Impel Down prisoners to Marineford!"
"The Straw Hat Kid who punched a Celestial Dragon flying here ten days ago?"
"Also present are a Revolutionary Army officer, Ivankov, who was imprisoned in Impel Down for many years, and former Shichibukai Jinbe the Knight of the Sea."
The newspaper reporters buzzed with excitement. The situation had changed dramatically, and unexpected developments like these always drew more attention.
The World Government had a headache on its hands now.
"Who's that person beside Jinbe? Does anyone know?"
"No, I don't recognize him."
Among the many television screens, one showed footage zoomed in by a Surveillance Snail. Rather than charging out to rescue Ace, Jinbe was talking in the rear with a young man dressed casually.
How should they put it? That person felt utterly out of place on this battlefield.
"He isn't on the major wanted lists for either the Pirates or the Revolutionary Army."
"Does he have some connection to Jinbe? He doesn't look like a Prisoner, either."
Just as the reporters were puzzled and about to shift their attention back to the main battlefield.
"He turned into light!" Everyone shouted.
The disturbance suddenly caused by the Straw Hat Kid changed every side's strategy.
Most of the Marine forces were still locked in battle with the Whitebeard Pirates, but a sizeable portion had been dispatched to deal with the Straw Hat Kid and his companions.
Marine elites and even high-level fighters interested in the Straw Hat Kid, such as Smoker, Hina, and Kizaru, had already started heading his way on their own.
Naturally, 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 power easily blasted away a large group of men.
"Pirate, Straw Hat Kid, this ends here." Vice Admiral Momonga led a group of soldiers as they quietly surrounded the Straw Hat Kid.
Elsewhere, Hina and Smoker stood on the outskirts, ready to deal with any unforeseen circumstances.
Ivankov blew a kiss and sent a Marine flying, then glanced over at Luffy's side.
He then chose to continue thinning out the enemies around him.
What a joke. Luffy, who had punched Magellan flying with one blow, hardly needed his help. He just didn't know what had changed about Luffy.
But in any case, it wasn't a bad thing!
The most important matter right now was the guy before him!
"Hey, Kuma, it's me! I'm Ivankov!"
Boom—
A laser shot past Ivankov's head. Had he not dodged in time, he would have been hit.
"Kuma! Stop!"
"Fufufufu~" Doflamingo sat atop a small mountain of Pirates, his interest piqued 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 trained his physical and swordsmanship skills to their limits.
He had also mastered the Six Powers and Armament Haki.
Shave—
Just as Momonga and the surrounding soldiers attacked at the same time.
Luffy activated Observation Haki.
Every point where blades would fall appeared in his mind. He twisted his body and coated himself in Conqueror's Haki:
"Gum-Gum! Stamp!"
Years of battle experience made Momonga's body sense the threat before his mind did!
Danger!
He couldn't withstand it!
"Iron Body!" The instant Momonga activated Iron Body, he raised his sword before him.
Crash—
Powerful Conqueror's Haki coated Luffy's right leg as he kicked out.
A tremendous force struck 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 battlefield fell deathly silent for a moment.
In the silence.
Gulp—
The sound of Marine soldiers swallowing broke the stillness.
Everyone who witnessed the scene—Smoker, Hina, the other Vice Admirals, and even the watching Kizaru—was once again stunned.
"Vice Admiral Momonga!"
"A Vice Admiral was taken down in one move?"
"Get the Vice Admiral to the rear for treatment! Quickly!"
After checking Vice Admiral Momonga's injuries, the Marine soldiers shouted in panic.
"That was a Vice Admiral!"
"I can't believe this."
"Straw Hat Kid." Smoker was the first to leap out, turning into smoke and slashing at Straw Hat Luffy with a Seastone weapon.
"Sorry, Smoke Guy."
Once again, it was just one punch. The smoke Smoker had used to obstruct everyone's vision dispersed.
Smoker flew backward.
"I don't have time to play with you right now!"
In an instant, the emotions across the battlefield were stirred up once more.
"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 nearly popping out of their sockets.
However, those at the very peak of each side's fighting strength saw what was really going on.
"Conqueror's Haki Coating." Whitebeard laughed. "Gurararara, young people these days are truly frightening."
The killing intent in Akainu's eyes grew even stronger.
Ace was too shocked to speak. Without him knowing, Luffy had become this strong.
"Garp!!!" Sengoku finally lost his patience 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 suddenly took a hit, tears welling up from the pain as he said innocently, "I never taught him any of that! Luffy, hahahaha, as expected of my grandson!"