"Chii! Chii!" echoed in the air.
Fragments of fire and scorching magma fell into the sea, causing its surface to bubble. The sounds of boiling water mixed with thick white steam rising above the waves.
"Hmm?" a voice was heard. "Did you really deflect that strike?"
"Hahaha! You really are someone I like..." came the response.
...…
On the deck of a small warship, Hibari's eyes widened. At first, they showed horror and disbelief, but soon this turned into delight. She could hardly believe that Tengen's strength had grown so much in six months. As Sakazuki's daughter, she was well aware of how destructive her father's blows could be, given his monstrous combat power. But Tengen... Tengen could deflect a giant fireball? It was so unexpected that Hibari could hardly believe her eyes.
"Did you eat the Logia Mera-Mera fruit?" – he asked.
– No... – came the response. – It's pure ninjutsu!!
At that moment, Sakazuki, whose magma body had already regenerated, watched Tengen from the shore. His gaze expressed a mix of astonishment, disbelief, and doubt. The strike he had just delivered, although not at full power, still contained three levels of force. Sakazuki wanted to teach Tengen a lesson, to show him that his strength might be enough for the small world of the West Blue, but before the truly powerful of this world, it was... simply nothing. He wanted to break Tengen's confidence.
But what happened instead? He himself received a metaphorical slap in the face. The giant fireball deflected his magma strike. Although this was only the first wave of their confrontation, Tengen had already shown himself in an unexpected light.
But even more importantly, Sakazuki initially thought that Tengen had eaten the Mera-Mera fruit. Its last possessor, Ace, had been burned to his core by magma. If the Mera-Mera fruit had reappeared in the West Blue and was accidentally eaten by Tengen... it would have been amusing. After all, the Logia Magma fruit and the Mera-Mera fruit have a relationship of superiority, with magma being the main enemy of fire. If Tengen had eaten the Mera-Mera fruit, Sakazuki could easily destroy him.
However, alas, after careful observation, Sakazuki realized that the giant fireball was not a Devil Fruit ability. It was pure fire-style technique based on ninja talent! But how? When did fire-style techniques become so powerful? Sakazuki remembered once being on a mission in Wano Country and seeing how the local ninja used their techniques. Water style, fire style, earth style... all of it could be described in one word — trash.
But Tengen's technique... it was something completely different.
"This is interesting!!" Sakazuki murmured. "In that case... I want to see just how strong your techniques truly are."
He took a deep breath, and half of his body transformed into magma once more. He sharply swung his hand, still not believing that ordinary fire style could withstand his magma strikes.
In the next moment, twelve magma bombs, like a volcanic eruption, shot towards the shore where Tengen stood. They pierced the air, carrying with them a destructive force that could crush everything in their path.
"Fire Style: Majestic flame destroyer!!" Tengen calmly said, forming a hand seal.
Chakra burst from his body, and a giant flame spanning dozens of meters rushed to meet the magma bombs. A second later, there was a thunderous roar as Tengen's fireball clashed with the magma. A shockwave of heat spread in all directions, distorting the air around it.
"Ah!!" exclaimed Hibari, even from a distance. "What an incredible heat!"
She watched Tengen from the shore, unable to hide her amazement. Damn it! Had he really become this strong in just six months? He managed to deflect her father's magma bombs? Each of those bombs could easily destroy a massive warship, and Tengen stopped them all with one strike. It was... frightening.
Hibari was already bracing for the worst, but now, it seemed that wouldn't be necessary.
"This guy..." murmured Sakazuki, trying to comprehend what was happening.
His expression became serious. Something was off. Tengen was stronger than he had anticipated. Could a first impression be so deceptive?
Akainu hadn't taken Tengen seriously from the beginning. All that boiled in his heart was anger over the cabbage he had been nurturing for eighteen years being devoured by a wild boar. He only wished to teach this boar a bloody lesson, to make it understand the difference between heaven and earth.
But now everything had changed.
Easily deflecting two waves of his attacks, Tengen had taken him completely by surprise. The strength Tengen displayed exceeded all of Akainu's expectations.
A pity, indeed.
But now that Tengen had revealed his abilities, Akainu, as a Admiral, had to take him seriously.
After all, being Sakazuki's son-in-law is no easy task.
"So this is the power of a Marine admiral?" Tengen took a deep breath, an irresistible fighting spirit flaring in his cheeks.
It had been a long time since he felt this kind of excitement.
Now that one of the three admirals, Sakazuki, was here, it was time to have a good showdown.
"Old man , I want to see the true power of the Magma Logia fruit!" Tengen shouted a few seconds later, looking at the small warships in the sea, without a hint of fear.
"Alright!" Hearing this, the corner of Sakazuki's mouth lifted slightly.
Ha-ha-ha,
He was intrigued as well.
If you truly find hidden monster-level combat power in the West Blue Sea, then the trip won't have been in vain.
After the War on the Peak, the Marine Corps appeared to have achieved victory, but in reality, everything was not so rosy.
This time, he followed his daughter, Hibari, to the West Blue Sea to unwind a little and contemplate his next steps.
Because... after the War on the Peak, Fleet Admiral Sengoku seemed to be seriously considering retirement. If Sengoku truly decides to step down, the position of Fleet Admiral will become vacant. Should he vie for that position?
If he fights for it,
it won't be easy.
The style of Sengoku, Garp, and others will likely lead them to recommend another admiral, Aokiji.
If he doesn't fight for it,
as a proponent of "absolute justice," he will be greatly dissatisfied.
If the doves come to power,
the situation for the Marine Corps will become even more complicated.
Only if he seizes power himself can he maintain the authority and strength of the Marine Corps, allowing it to strengthen its position amidst increasingly turbulent seas.
In short,
all three admirals have different views on "justice."
But it's the "justice" that he upholds which is most suitable for the Marine Corps at this stage and best aligns with the current situation at sea.