Chapter 8: Chapter Eight: Watching the Battle

The ability of Conqueror's Haki has a restraining effect on Devil Fruit users; do not provoke conflict with those key Marine combatants.

Previously, Jinpachi didn't believe such an absurd Devil Fruit ability existed, but seeing is believing— if this ability continues to evolve, the sea may soon have a new king.

"Hmm, no problem."

After giving a few warnings, and with Su Lin's consent, Jinpachi rushed forward; though he had confidence in Luffy now, he longed to rejoin the battle and make up for the regret of failing to save Whitebeard and Ace.

"That said."

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

"If he copies Whitebeard's ability too, there won't be many left who can restrain him on this battlefield."

Jinpachi thought this to himself.

He didn't know, of course, that Su Lin's abilities had only a twenty-four-hour usage limit.

Su Lin's current mission was to observe and collect Devil Fruit abilities as backups, while carefully practicing the Gura Gura no Mi ability without drawing attention.

The Gura Gura no Mi-related abilities recorded as psychic powers differ from those of true Devil Fruit users.

Su Lin had no intention of using other abilities yet; for escape speed, the Gura Gura no Mi ability was still the best.

"Huh?"

On the system, the previously zero Shengxian points had just increased.

"I haven't even done anything yet—what's going on?"

On the plaza of the Shichibukai Islands.

Numerous reporters were eagerly watching the spectacle.

"Headquarters, this is the Shichibukai Islands—we have major news!"

"The Straw Hat kid has brought prisoners from Impel Down to Marineford!"

"The Straw Hat kid who punched out a Celestial Dragon here ten days ago?"

"Also appearing alongside him are Revolutionary Army officers: Ivankov, who was imprisoned in Impel Down for years, and former Shichibukai, Jinpachi."

The reporters chattered excitedly; the situation had shifted dramatically—such unexpected elements always drew more attention.

The World Government was now in trouble.

"Who is the man beside Jinpachi? Does anyone know?"

"No, I don't recognize him."

On one of the many TV screens, a surveillance insect's live feed showed Jinpachi not rushing to rescue Ace, but chatting with a young man dressed casually.

Somehow, this man felt utterly out of place on this battlefield.

"This man isn't on any pirate or Revolutionary Army wanted lists."

"Is he connected to Jinpachi? He doesn't look like a prisoner."

Just as the reporters, puzzled, were about to refocus their attention on the frontlines.

"Turned into light!" XN

Due to the sudden chaos caused by the Straw Hat kid, all sides' strategies had shifted differently.

The main Marine forces were still battling the Whitebeard Pirates, but a significant portion had been diverted to deal with the Straw Hat kid and his allies.

Smoker, Tina, and Hyouzou—Marine elites and high-tier fighters interested in the Straw Hat kid—had already moved toward him on their own.

Of course, there were also some unknown figures.

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"

Luffy swung his arms, blasting away Marine soldiers blocking his path.

With Armament Haki combined with the Gomu Gomu no Mi ability, he easily knocked down a large group.

"Pirate, Straw Hat kid—this ends here." Vice Admiral Mosquito led a squad of soldiers who had silently surrounded Luffy.

On the other side, Tina and Smoker prepared on the outer edges for any contingencies.

Ivankov blew away a Marine with a flirtatious glance, glancing briefly at Luffy's direction.

Then he chose to continue reducing the enemy forces around him.

What's the joke? Luffy, who punched out Magellan, doesn't need his help—he just didn't know what had changed in Luffy.

But overall, it wasn't a bad thing!

The most important thing right now is this guy right here!

"Hey, Bear, it's me—Ivankov!"

Boom—

A laser shot past Ivankov's head; had he not dodged in time, he'd have been hit.

"Bear! Stop!"

"Fufufufu~." Doflamingo sat atop a pile of pirates, intrigued: "Useless—the Bear you knew is gone. He underwent human modification."

"What do you mean?!" Ivankov demanded.

"Gomu Gomu!"

From the crowd ahead came Luffy's shout: "Stamp!"

Mosquito, a veteran Vice Admiral, had nearly pushed his martial arts and swordsmanship to their absolute limits.

He had also mastered the use of Marine Six Powers and Armament Haki.

Shave—

As Mosquito and the surrounding soldiers launched their attack simultaneously.

Luffy activated Kenbunshoku Haki.

The exact positions of every blade and sword strike appeared in his mind—he twisted his body, wrapping his Conqueror's Haki around himself:

"Gomu Gomu! Stamp!"

Years and months of combat experience let Flying Squirrel's body sense the threat a step ahead!

Danger!

Impossible to face head-on!

"Tekkai!" The instant Flying Squirrel deployed Tekkai, the blade in his hand blocked in front of him.

Crack—

Powerful Conqueror's Haki coiled around his right leg, and he kicked out.

A tremendous force transmitted through his body, accompanied by the sound of the weapon shattering.

With a tremendous crash.

Veteran Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel flew out like a kite with a broken string, spat a mouthful of fresh blood from his lips, and landed among the crowd of Marine soldiers ahead.

The surrounding battlefield fell into a deathly silence in an instant.

In the silence

Gulp—

The swallowing sounds of the Marine soldiers broke the stillness.

Everyone who witnessed this scene—whether Smoker, Tina, the other Vice Admirals, or even the watching Borsalino—was once again plunged into shock.

"Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel!"

"The Vice Admiral was taken down in a single strike?"

"Quickly escort the Vice Admiral to the rear for treatment! Hurry!"

The Marine soldiers shouted at the top of their lungs after examining Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel's injuries.

"That's a Vice Admiral!"

"I can't believe it, something like this...."

"Straw Hat." Smoker leapt out first, transformed into smoke, and slashed at Straw Hat Luffy with a Seastone weapon.

"Sorry about that, Smokey."

Once again, a single punch—and the smoke Smoker had used to block everyone's view dispersed.

Smoker was sent flying backward.

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

Suddenly, the mood across the entire battlefield was inflamed once more.

"What kind of joke is this...."

"Ace's little brother is so strong!"

"Hey hey... is that for real."

Whether it was the Marines, the Whitebeard Pirates, or the Impel Down crowd, every single one of them wore expressions of disbelief, their eyes practically bulging out.

However, those who stood at the pinnacle of combat power on each side saw through to the truth of the matter.

"Conqueror's Haki infusion." Whitebeard laughed. "Gurarara, the young ones these days are truly terrifying."

The killing intent in Akainu's eyes intensified.

Ace was so surprised he couldn't speak; Luffy had become this strong without him knowing.

"Garp!!!" Sengoku, unable to bear it any longer, punched Garp on the head: "Was it you?! Was it you who taught him this! It must be you, you bastard, sneaking around teaching him!"

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

Garp, suddenly struck, teared up from the pain and said somewhat innocently: "I never taught him any of this! Luffy... hahaha, worthy of being my grandson