Borsalino looked at the island stained with fresh blood:
"S~ca~ry~"
"Are there any survivors left on this island~"
"What kind of Devil Fruit is this~"
"Causing such a huge commotion~"
Sakazuki, while retracting the magma, spoke:
"It's not just about the fruit. Some people's hands have stretched too far."
"Cut them off, trim them a bit."
"As for the fruit, you can spar with Bullet for it."
Bullet grinned wide, pitch-black Haki flowing over his fists as he stared at Borsalino.
Borsalino looked a bit curious:
"Oh~"
"A little sparring, huh~"
"Hmm——"
He rubbed his chin, thinking.
While Borsalino was still pondering, Bullet grinned viciously and spoke:
"Let's race for speed, Borsalino."
Borsalino paused for a moment:
"Hm?"
It was strange. Someone challenging him to a speed race?
Whoosh——
The sound of air splitting rang out.
Bullet's figure appeared, his fists hardened with Armament Haki smashing down where Borsalino had just been.
On a massive red mangrove branch behind, a point of light condensed, and Borsalino's figure appeared:
"S~ca~ry~"
"Popping out of nowhere~ So fast~"
"Really~"
Bullet turned back and grinned viciously:
"Next time, I'll catch you."
"Be ready."
Borsalino brought his palms together before him, light gathering:
"Oh~"
"Is that so~"
"Then I'll have to get a little serious too~"
"Yata....."
Whoosh——
A massive black shadow instantly covered Borsalino's body.
Borsalino raised his head slightly, pupils shrinking sharply as he locked eyes with Bullet's vicious grin...
Time seemed to freeze...
Suddenly, without warning, Borsalino disappeared, reappearing in midair at a distance.
Before he could even look back at the spot he'd been in, a massive Armament-covered hand pressed down on his shoulder.
Forcing him to the ground...
Thud, thud——
The two landed on the ground.
Borsalino had his hands in his pockets, body slightly bent, stabilizing himself, the cape of justice fluttering behind him.
Behind him, Bullet's massive figure stood with one hand on his shoulder, a grin on his face.
Sakazuki, who had been gathering the magma, let the corner of his mouth lift slightly.
Borsalino's usual composure was gone now. His smile had faded quite a bit as he spoke slowly:
"S~ca~ry~"
"Bullet~"
His brain was spinning rapidly, replaying the previous scene multiple times in the span of a few words.
As his body straightened slowly, Bullet's hand left his shoulder.
Borsalino's face regained some calmness, as he had figured it out:
"A speed-enhancing type~"
From the multiple replays in his head just now, he could clearly tell—this wasn't teleportation.
It was sheer speed. So fast... even his thoughts couldn't keep up.
No reaction time...
Looks like he's gotten a bit too relaxed lately...
Bullet crossed his arms and laughed:
"Paramecia-type——More-More Fruit."
A sharp inhaling sound rang out.
"Hiss——"
This fruit... Borsalino instantly felt a headache coming on:
"More-More Fruit?"
"Then it really is worth all this trouble."
A truly monstrous fruit. Even the Government had it on their list...
Why was Byrnndi World called the World Destroyer? Because with that ability, destroying islands was as easy as breathing.
Catch him? At 50x speed, who could keep up?
This was why, years ago, the Marines failed to capture him multiple times.
Later, the Government sent Sengoku and Sakazuki, ordering him taken alive. But in the end, he 'accidentally' died at Sakazuki's hands...
This fruit had vanished from the seas for over twenty years...
And now, the moment it resurfaced, it landed in Bullet's hands.
Borsalino sighed.
He now realized, in terms of reflexes, he couldn't beat Bullet. The distance was too short.
If it were a wider space, Bullet wouldn't be able to catch him so easily.
Borsalino's face returned to its usual unseriousness:
"Sa~"
"Then I'll return to report to the Fleet Admiral~"
"More-More Fruit, huh~"
"This is quite the major event~"
Sakazuki chuckled lightly:
"Go."
"I'll explain the full details to Sengoku later."
Light began gathering around Borsalino's body:
"Is that so~"
"Sayonara~"
Whoosh——
A beam of golden light shot across the sky in an instant, vanishing completely.
When Borsalino was gone, Sakazuki's smile slowly faded:
"Well?"
Bullet grinned viciously:
"Within 500 meters, he's dead."
That distance was the limit he had just tested, simulating both their capabilities.
Calculating Borsalino's reaction and transformation speed...
How far Bullet could start and still catch him.
Any farther, after Borsalino surpassed his initial reaction speed, he'd turn into light and run. Bullet wouldn't be able to keep up at all.
Sakazuki chuckled lightly.
Staring toward the direction Borsalino left, he said in a low voice:
"That's enough..."
...
Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
Kong, as Commander-in-Chief, listened to the Den Den Mushi report, his expression darkening:
"Alright, alright, I understand."
"I'll have them give me an explanation for this."
Clack——
He hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Bang——
A large hand slammed on the table, Kong snorted coldly:
"Such audacity."
He stood up, pushed open the door, and walked straight toward the hall where the Elders were...
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Fleet Admiral's office.
Borsalino sat on the sofa, lifting a teacup, blowing lightly before taking a sip:
"That's how it was~ Fleet Admiral~"
He slowly described the devastation at Sabaody, and what kind of fruit had caused Sakazuki and Bullet to make such a big move.
Sengoku sat with his hands clasped, elbows on the desk, thinking with a faintly solemn expression:
"I understand. You may go now."
Borsalino stood slowly:
"Sure~"
He strolled out leisurely.
Knock, knock, knock——
Sengoku's fingers, at some point, began tapping on the table.
"Byrnndi World, huh..."
He couldn't help recalling the previous user of the More-More Fruit.
Byrnndi World—dead at Sakazuki's hands...
Golden Lion—dead at Sakazuki's hands.
Was there a connection...?
Skarn's ability... Bullet's ability...
Under the Buddha Fruit's subtle influence, granting him Buddha-like wisdom and clarity, Sengoku could easily draw connections between things...
But sometimes it gave him headaches. These connections, while plausible, often made no sense...
He shook his head, pushing the thoughts away.
Bullet obtaining the More-More Fruit's power was ultimately a good thing.
The Marines' strength had grown even greater.
Buru~ Buru~ Buru~ Buru~
The Den Den Mushi rang out.
Looking at the caller, Sengoku picked it up:
"Hello."
"Sakazuki."
-----------
The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg. 414 chapters in total