Paw-Paw Fruit vs. Paw-Paw Fruit

"You looked after me before. I know your consciousness is still in there, so I hope you'll forgive what I'm about to do."

After silently apologizing to Bartholomew Kuma, Jiang Lin raised a hand and attacked.

"Pressure Cannon!"

A fierce gale gathered around Jiang Lin's right hand, and he slammed it toward Kuma.

Kuma made no move to dodge. He stared blankly at the attack, then flew backward and crashed hard into the ice.

"For someone so huge, you're remarkably quick. What a handful, Third Division Commander Diamond Jozu."

As Jiang Lin sent Kuma flying, Mr. 0 was knocked away by Jozu and landed beside him.

"Jozu, come to think of it, I haven't copied your ability yet."

Jiang Lin used Yata Mirror to appear beside Jozu. With a light slap, he sent Jozu flying to the spot where he had just stood, swapping places with him.

You have attacked Jozu, the diamond ability user. The system is copying his Devil Fruit. Host, please hold out for one minute.

As the system's voice sounded, Jiang Lin turned back toward Kuma, satisfied, and attacked again.

"Pressure Cannon Barrage!"

As Jiang Lin turned, countless small paw-shaped shock waves hurtled toward him.

"Hey! Aren't you going a little overboard?"

Jiang Lin complained, then kicked straight ahead.

"Light-Speed Kick!"

A dazzling yellow beam flashed out, shattering every shock wave in front of him.

Pop!

With a faint sound, the yellow beam Jiang Lin had just fired reversed course and came back at him.

Almost forgot he could do that!

Jiang Lin held out his right hand and slapped the beam away again.

Whoosh!

The yellow beam had barely flown off before it came hurtling back.

"Will this ever end?"

Jiang Lin slapped the beam away once more, then used Yata Mirror to appear right in front of Kuma.

Closing in, Jiang Lin struck Kuma's chest with a Pressure Cannon. The fist-sized shock wave hit, driving Kuma's massive body deep into the ice beneath his feet.

After taking that heavy blow, Kuma's body ceased to function.

When Jiang Lin saw that Kuma was no longer moving, he flashed to his side.

"Kuma, all I can do is send you to the Sabaody Archipelago. I hope your future is as gentle and bright as you are."

Jiang Lin stood before Kuma's fallen body and spoke softly.

"Pain Extraction!"

Jiang Lin used his fruit ability to repel the damage Kuma had suffered. Then he gave Kuma a gentle pat, sending him flying out of Marineford.

"Bartholomew Kuma! Lord Bartholomew Kuma of the Shichibukai was sent flying by Jiang Lin!"

The Marine Soldiers stared in shock at the now-empty crater.

The Shichibukai were a vital fighting force for the Marines. Yet Jiang Lin had defeated Kuma, one of their number, with ease and sent him flying to parts unknown. How could they not be shaken?

You gentle man. This is the last thing I can do for you. I doubt our paths will ever cross again.

Jiang Lin gazed into the distance, believing this was the last time he would ever see Bartholomew Kuma.

But Jiang Lin could not have known that, in the near future, meeting Kuma again would drive him to attack the Celestial Dragons. That attack would enrage all of Mary Geoise and the entire World Government.

"Now... who's next?"

Jiang Lin's gaze shifted, then settled on Hawk-Eye nearby.

Hawk-Eye stood before Luffy, blocking his path with the Black Blade in hand. Faced with the World's Greatest Swordsman, Luffy's expression darkened.

"Luffy, leave him to me. Keep going."

Jiang Lin became a flash of yellow light and rushed in front of Hawk-Eye, blocking his path.

Jiang Lin wanted to find out just how strong the man hailed as the World's Greatest Swordsman really was.

"Jiang Lin, I'm counting on you!"

Seeing Jiang Lin arrive, Luffy ran forward without hesitation.

"D! No, I should call you Jiang Lin. You've spared me a difficult choice. I ought to thank you, but... the sides we're on mean you'll never hear those words from me."

Hawk-Eye made no move to stop Luffy. In his eyes, Jiang Lin was clearly the more important opponent.

"Is that so? If I knew how to use a sword, I'd challenge you with one. Unfortunately, I don't. I'll have to face you with my Devil Fruit abilities instead."

Jiang Lin shook his head regretfully. He wished he could become a swordsman right then and truly cross blades with Hawk-Eye.

"No matter. Swordsmanship and Devil Fruit abilities are both forms of strength!"

Hawk-Eye narrowed his eyes and swung his sword at Jiang Lin. The emerald slash carried a bone-chilling edge as it swept forward.

Clang!

Jiang Lin raised both hands in front of him to block the slash.

The soft paw pads on his palms met Hawk-Eye's attack and instantly repelled the Black Blade, throwing it violently backward.

"Bartholomew Kuma's ability?"

Hawk-Eye gripped his sword with both hands and forced it back under control. His eyes sharpened as a fierce aura poured from him.

"Haki? Hawk-Eye, you can't stop me!"

Jiang Lin narrowed his eyes and turned into a streak of yellow lightning, appearing before Hawk-Eye in an instant.

"Pressure Cannon!"

With a sharp cry, Jiang Lin thrust his hand toward Hawk-Eye. A powerful wave of compressed air struck him at once.

Whoosh!

Hawk-Eye raised the Black Blade and caught Jiang Lin's hands on it. The violent rush of air swept past his body, carving two long trenches through the ice behind him.

"You truly are a man who has inherited Whitebeard's will, Jiang Lin. If you can withstand my next slash, I'll let you pass."

Hawk-Eye withdrew his sword and stood still, gathering his strength and focus. His eyes grew sharper by the moment, and his presence steadily intensified.

When both reached their peak, Hawk-Eye's eyes flew wide. He unleashed his strongest slash at Jiang Lin.

Whoosh!

The emerald slash surged toward Jiang Lin, carrying overwhelming force.