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In many situations, overwhelming firepower can be incredibly effective, but against Logia users who can freely transform their bodies, it often becomes somewhat ineffective.
Within the blazing explosions, a blue arc of electricity pierced through the smoke, transforming back into Zyhark as he continued speeding across the ocean.
However, this was exactly what Kizaru had been waiting for. At a faster speed of light, he closed the distance, raising his Haki-imbued leg for a powerful flash kick, directly sending Zyhark crashing into the sea!
"Wait, this sensation..."
Kizaru frowned, a look of surprise crossing his face.
"That's right! It's a clone!"
Zyhark's true form appeared from another direction.
After battling Kizaru for so long, his speech had unknowingly taken on a strange resemblance to Kizaru's lazy drawl.
Despite the oddity of his tone, the electric arcs coursing over him showed that his next attack was no joke.
"Now it's your turn, Kizaru. Witness the true power of a lightning strike!"
Zzzt!
The sky above Kizaru crackled with thunder, massive bolts of lightning roaring and flashing.
Thunder roared across the entire sea, like the end of the world.
One bolt fell, then a thousand bolts followed, as countless strikes of lightning descended upon the wide-eyed Kizaru, resembling divine punishment!
Boom boom boom!
The once calm sea boiled again, another wave of unfortunate fish meeting their end, reuniting with the ones caught in the Yasakani no Magatama earlier.
The two Devil Fruits' ultimate fishing powers, confirmed!
After the lightning subsided, the scattered golden light points quickly gathered, reforming the figure of Kizaru, whose clothes were now a bit dirty.
"Divine punishment, huh? How scary~"
The "true lightning strike" looked world-ending, but against Kizaru, its greatest effect was only on the fish.
Of course, Zyhark never intended for this move to defeat Kizaru.
It was purely to match the Yasakani no Magatama, serving as the conclusion to their thunder and light battle.
After the prolonged high-intensity battle, his stamina, which was never his strong suit, was depleted, making it impossible to continue fighting Kizaru.
Calculating the time, Aqua and the others should have already escaped by now.
So, it was time to truly make his getaway!
With that thought, Zyhark restrained his aura and looked at Kizaru across from him, expressing his admiration: "That was a refreshing battle. I truly experienced your strength, Borsalino."
"Old me doesn't remember saying I would let you go. Isn't it a bit early to be saying goodbye?"
Kizaru rubbed his scruffy chin, his tone still lazily casual.
He was confident he could defeat Zyhark and had considered when to hold back.
But now, seeing Zyhark's confident expression, he was more curious about what means the latter would use to escape when speed was no longer an advantage.
Would it be the lava power used at the Sabaody Archipelago? Or perhaps more advanced sword techniques?
Or maybe some other mysterious ability not mentioned in the intelligence reports? After the intense battle, even Kizaru, who was used to being lazy, had to admit he felt a rare surge of excitement from this newcomer.
"Although I'd love to keep fighting, unfortunately, my stamina just can't keep up with a monster like you," Zyhark admitted without reservation. He paused for a few seconds, then smiled, "Borsalino, do you like watching water sports?"
The random question left Kizaru puzzled: "Are you saying you have water-based abilities like the Water Witch?"
"Even so, it wouldn't be very effective against me~"
Zyhark shook his head lightly: "No, no, what I mean is..."
"Water conducts electricity!"
In Kizaru's incredulous gaze, Zyhark ceased his elemental state, subjected to gravity, and with a graceful 360-degree twist, dove headfirst into the churning sea!
Splash! The small splash quickly disappeared.
Perfect form!
Kizaru: "???"
His casual eyes flashed red as he maintained his Kenbunshoku Haki, locking onto Zyhark's muscular form swimming below.
No matter how he tried, he couldn't detect any signs of an electric clone.
It was indeed Zyhark's true body!
A Devil Fruit user who could completely ignore the sea's curse?
The shock of Zyhark's strength aside, Kizaru was genuinely stunned, taking off his yellow goggles and standing there in disbelief.
He naturally couldn't believe the nonsense about water conducting electricity. If that were true, water could also refract light, and he could swim freely in the sea?
How did this guy do it?!
As Kizaru's thoughts ran wild, a splash came from below. Zyhark surfaced, performing the backstroke right in front of Kizaru.
"Taking a bath after a battle feels amazing. Hey Borsalino, your clothes are dirty too. Care to join me for a swim?"
Hearing such a provocative statement, even Kizaru's composure broke as he shouted, "Zyhark, what kind of monster are you?!"
Zyhark paused his swimming, floating on the shimmering water, his playful expression turning serious.
"Take it as a compliment. But I'm not a monster, just a fool dreaming of freeing the world."
In reality, Zyhark had no grand ambitions of freeing the world. He didn't have that kind of noble mindset, nor did he possess a Devil Fruit like the Nika Fruit.
He said this because he knew such talk would resonate with Kizaru, who had danced the Nika dance with Vegapunk, Kuma, and Bonney.
Without waiting for Kizaru to respond, he dove back into the sea.
The bright blue electric arc flickered, gradually disappearing into the depths.
A distant sea breeze blew, rustling Kizaru's slightly torn justice cloak, bringing a sense of calm.
It was as if the intense battle of light and thunder had never happened, and everything returned to its original state.
Hovering in the air, Kizaru's shocked expression remained.
"Freeing the world, huh..."
Thinking of his own justice and the distant legend of Nika, Kizaru's swirling thoughts turned into a light sigh.
"Next time we meet, I'll make sure we have a clear winner, Evil Thunder, Zyhark!"
Leaving these rare determined words, Kizaru didn't linger, transforming into a flash of light and returning to Water 7.
...
Zyhark, who had escaped unscathed, rested briefly underwater, regaining some of his stamina before searching for the Endless Dream.
Using his Goro Goro no Mi's excellent detection abilities, he soon arrived at the area where Kanna and Akainu had fought.
The sunset cast its glow on the calm sea, where pieces of shattered deck floated.
Judging by the familiar color and appearance, it should be a Marine warship.
An uneasy feeling rose within him.
Following the battle's traces, Zyhark, now in his electric form, sped across the sea, finally spotting the slowly sailing Endless Dream in an unknown sea far from Water 7!
"Hahaha, that was satisfying. Did you see that? That magma monster's face was as black as coal!"
On the deck, Aqua was bragging endlessly about her exploits to her companions. "Trying to bring us to justice? This goddess cooled his magma head off first!"
King and the others had heard enough to make their ears sore.
Glancing at the setting sun, King, lifting an 80kg dumbbell, interrupted Aqua's boasting.
"Speaking of which, it's been a long time. Why hasn't Zyhark returned?"
Brook, standing nearby, voiced his concern, "Could he be in trouble? That Marine doesn't seem easy to shake off."
Despite being trapped in the Florian Triangle, Brook had little impression of Kizaru but recognized the top-tier Pika Pika no Mi, known for its speed.
"He won't! Zyhark is super strong!" Kanna's eyes were firm, her trust in Zyhark unwavering.
Her dragon tail, extending from her white skirt, had transformed into a thin wire, plugged into a socket on the deck to recharge.
Compared to Zyhark's efficient charging method, using a regular charging process to replenish her energy was much slower. "Indeed, that guy is as sly as they come. Forget the Marine candidate; it's a wonder he didn't break down," Aqua added.
In this regard, she clearly understood Zyhark better than the newly joined Brook.
As they spoke, thunder rumbled in the sky.
Amidst the flashing electric arcs, Zyhark made a dramatic entrance, his clothes tattered, revealing his muscles!
"Zyhark is back!"
Seeing the familiar figure, Kanna jumped up excitedly, unplugging herself and hopping over.
Noticing Zyhark's condition, Kanna thought briefly and pointed seriously to a specific area, "Zyhark, you're a big hentai!"
Following her direction, the gathered companions looked down, their expressions becoming subtly awkward and a bit embarrassed.
"Tch."
Lounging on the sofa, Aqua propped her head up with one hand, smirking disdainfully.
The well-experienced Water Goddess had a thicker skin than Kaido's blood, unlike shy little girls.
"Haha, sorry, sorry. The pressure from fighting Kizaru was too much to worry about such things."
Even Zyhark, with a skin as thick as Aqua's, felt a bit embarrassed. He quickly turned into an electric flash and entered the cabin.
Reemerging in fresh clothes, he addressed Aqua, "So, explain yourself. What trouble did you cause while I was gone?"
Seeing the wreckage of a Marine warship, he had a bad feeling.
"Hey, starting with such accusations? You're just a perverted, sinister exhibitionist!"
Aqua, feeling affronted, jumped up from the sofa, proudly puffing her chest, "Listen carefully, you'll be scared stiff."
"Not everything is about you. This time, I displayed a super cool and perfect performance and was the MVP of this instance!"
Seeing her proud demeanor, Brook and the others covered their faces in exasperation.
Although Brook was just a skeleton, he still had a face~
"Cut the crap, speak plainly."
Zyhark wasn't interested in her ramblings.
"You!"
Aqua, about to explode, reluctantly bragged, "I defeated a Marine admiral, a magma monster, and an entire warship crew!"
Zyhark's bad feeling intensified: "What exactly happened?"
Ignoring Aqua's unnecessary boasting, with the help of Meowth and the others, he quickly pieced together the events.
In short, Aqua, attacked by Akainu, hid underwater, summoning various tsunamis and sea currents to bombard the Marine warship above.
Due to the terrain, despite the presence of Zephyr and Akainu, they couldn't protect the fragile warship.
The entire ship was dismantled, and the non-Geppo-capable Marines fell into the sea, suffering various injuries!
Eventually, under Zephyr and Akainu's cover, they retreated to Water 7 in disgrace.
"Hahaha, Zyhark, isn't my achievement super dazzling? You can start worshiping me now; it's not too late!" Aqua laughed heartily.
Zyhark's twitching lips brought his hand down on her head in a chop: "Worship you, my foot!"
He wasn't too concerned about Akainu, whose personality clashed with theirs anyway.
But Zephyr, who later even researched dynamite rock against the World Government, clearly had potential as an ally.
Zephyr's greatest concern was his students. Despite his asthma, he fought to protect his crew from Whitebeard Jr., losing an arm in the process.
Based on this, Zephyr's stance towards Baratie would likely be similar to Garp and Sengoku's.
But Aqua had thrown all the Marines overboard, surely causing a major grudge!
Fortunately, despite Aqua's reckless actions, she had shown some restraint, not wiping out the escaping Marines.
The feud hadn't reached a point of no return.
"What?!"
Aqua clutched her head, ready to explode, but Zyhark gave her a thumbs-up.
"Don't take it too hard, Aqua. It's part of my love for experience. Though reckless, you did okay this time. Go grab a couple of good bottles from the wine cellar."
Troublesome as it was, Zyhark wasn't one to take a beating in silence.
If Akainu showed such hostility towards his crew, there was no need for courtesy, nor was there any point.
If he had been there, he would have likely condoned Aqua's actions, blasting them fiercely! As for why he would still hit her, it was to prevent her from getting too complacent.
He knew Aqua too well. Give her an inch, and she'd take a mile.
This time she dared to fight an admiral; next time, she'd flood Mary Geoise! "What an international joke! I'm a Water Goddess, revered and noble!"
Aqua's voice rose several decibels, pointing to her other temple, "Zyhark, dare to hit again!"
Thud thud!
And so, Aqua, with two lumps on her head, took the wine cellar key from Zyhark, humming a tune, and skipped off to choose her wine.
As a newcomer, Brook: "..."
"Excuse me, is Aqua always like this?"
Meowth, King, and Kanna nodded emphatically.
Brook's yohohoho laugh resounded, Endless Dream hoisted sail and continued towards the sunset.
For Zyhark and his crew, their eventful journey to Water 7 was over.
But for Tom-san, the Marines, and the World Government, the consequences had just begun.
...
At the top of the Red Line, in the Holy Land of Mariejois.
In the luxurious hall, the Five Elders maintained their respective postures.
"Stronger than Sakazuki, the bone-only skeleton, and the technological ship that can traverse air and sea, Zyhark's crew's threat level has risen again..."
Jaygarcia Saturn's face darkened as he read the report from Water 7.
As the World Government's scientific defense god, he was particularly concerned about the advanced ship, doubting that shipwright Tom could create something on par with Vegapunk's weapons.
With subsequent investigations, Meowth's identity as chief scientist was thoroughly exposed.
"In just a few months, they have become a force we can no longer ignore. This is unprecedented."
Topman spoke gravely, his long white mustache trembling slightly.
"Water 7 is already showing signs of faith in the Water Witch Aqua. This is not a good sign." Marcus spoke in a low voice.
"Being able to quell a tsunami of that magnitude, and possessing an unknown water-based Devil Fruit power, where did she come from?"
Shepard's eyes flickered with uncertainty.
"In any case, we can't let them grow unchecked. Increase their bounties appropriately."
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the finance god, cradled his long sword.
"In addition, what are your thoughts on Otohime's request for coexistence with humans?"
(NOTE: In the original timeline, Otohime's negotiations with the World Government were two years after this point. Here, it's been advanced due to the butterfly effect of Zyhark's crew saving the Fishmen slaves and killing the Celestial Dragon.)
"Fishman Island is directly below us, making it a unique situation. We'll need to see what conditions Otohime offers."
"The Red-Haired Pirates in the New World are becoming increasingly active, and the Shichibukai and Emperors are also becoming restless."
"Since Zyhark's crew killed Charlos in Sabaody, trouble has followed..."
(End of Chapter)