------------
If you enjoy please support me on my patreon Future 80+ chapters at patreon.com/Phoenizbeelze
-----
"Don't worry, he's not your opponent! Don't forget that we're still here!" Jason and Rayleigh shouted to their respective adversaries.
"Damn it! You're making enemies of the entire world!" a Marine shouted, watching helplessly as Fisher Tiger reached the edge of the Red Line. Before jumping off, Fisher Tiger left a final message: "I'll wait for you below."
"The Celestial Dragons, who are worse than trash, don't represent the whole world! We just came to watch the show, and now that the main act is over, I doubt you'll enjoy dealing with us! Hahaha!" Jason laughed, clearly excited.
Facing Aokiji again brought back memories. Seven years ago, he was no match for him. Now, Jason hoped to cause enough trouble to make Aokiji regret their past encounter.
However, Aokiji remained impassive, much to Jason's disappointment.
"If he got away, capturing you will be just as good," Aokiji said calmly.
"Oh, Brother Jason, it seems these Admirals don't take us seriously!"
"Yeah, let's show them what we're made of!"
Without hesitation, Jason unleashed a flying slash at Aokiji, who dodged by turning into ice.
"Ice Block: Pheasant Beak!" Aokiji countered with one of his ultimate moves.
"One-Sword Style: Splitting Slash!" Jason responded with a move of his own, enveloping his sword in Haki. The moment their attacks collided, a massive explosion erupted.
"Back off! This is a battle between Admirals—we can't get involved!" Marines and World Government officials scrambled to retreat after being caught in the crossfire.
Jason and Aokiji clashed, with Jason's sword occasionally striking Aokiji, who would dodge using his ice powers. Aokiji, in turn, tried to freeze Jason, only to have his ice shattered by Jason's Haki. Aokiji even formed ice spears to engage Jason in close combat.
"How terrifying!" Kizaru remarked, watching the battle with a mix of awe and caution. Aokiji was his equal, yet he was struggling against this opponent. Knowing he couldn't stand by much longer, Kizaru prepared to intervene. After all, he had only recently become an Admiral, and a large crowd was watching. He couldn't afford to slack off, or the Five Elders might dock his pay.
"Ever been kicked at the speed of light?" Kizaru asked, his usual nonchalance masking his readiness for battle.
Rayleigh, unfazed, replied, "You'll regret underestimating me!"
With that, Rayleigh drew his sword, engaging Kizaru. The damage from their battle was even greater than what Fisher Tiger had caused. Fortunately, the area was far from the Celestial Dragons' residential zone.
Kizaru, now serious, knew that facing a worthy opponent meant the slightest mistake could cost him his life.
Meanwhile, Fisher Tiger, who had evaded pursuit, crashed into the sea far below. His Fish-Man physique, ten times stronger than a human's, helped him withstand the impact. He surfaced and gazed up at the Red Line. Ice and golden light erupted from above, followed by explosions and falling debris, forcing him to dive underwater to avoid getting hit.
"With such powerful battles, those two must be formidable. I hope they make it out safely," Fisher Tiger thought, watching the chaos above.
The fight had reached its peak, and all four combatants were panting, especially Jason. His hand, gripping his sword Zhenheng, began to tremble. Despite his strength, he still fell short of the Admirals. Without a Devil Fruit power, the battle was wearing him down. After shattering Aokiji's ice spear once more, he called out to Rayleigh.
"Uncle, haven't we fought enough? I'm about to collapse! Let's wrap this up!"
"On my way!" Rayleigh replied, deflecting Kizaru's attack and joining Jason.
"So scary. Are you planning to run away? It's useless!" Kizaru said as he joined Aokiji.
"Not yet!" Jason and Rayleigh exchanged a glance. Jason began charging up his next attack, while Rayleigh, whose ultimate move required no charge, prepared to strike.
"Is this it? Their last stand?" Kizaru and Aokiji braced themselves. They already knew the strength of these two robed figures—one youthful and the other unbelievably powerful.
"One-Sword Style: Storm Slash!"
"Divine Departure!" Rayleigh unleashed his flying slash, infused with Conqueror's Haki, growing in size as it surged forward.
Aokiji and Kizaru responded with their own ultimate moves:
"Ice Age!"
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
The four attacks collided, causing an explosion that dwarfed any previous one. The force shattered part of the Red Line, leaving a gaping hole as if a slice of cake had been cut out. Jason and the others took advantage of the moment, jumping off the Red Line.
"What's happening? An explosion like that—is it really the work of humans? I hope those two are okay!" Fisher Tiger's eyes widened as he watched the blast from below, even several kilometers away. He dodged falling boulders by diving underwater.
Above, at the edge of the newly formed cliff, Kizaru and Aokiji stood. Kizaru looked slightly disheveled, while Aokiji had a slash from Jason's attack.
"So scary. I almost died!" Kizaru muttered.
"Someone of that strength can't be ordinary. Should we chase them?" Aokiji asked.
"Forget it. I don't want to work overtime, and none of the Celestial Dragons were harmed. We caught plenty of escaped slaves, so let's call it a day," Kizaru replied casually, and Aokiji nodded in agreement. Chasing them down could be futile, especially with the sea below.
As Kizaru was about to leave, he hesitated, then turned back and jumped into the air. "Yasakani no Magatama!" He unleashed another barrage of light beads towards the sea below.
Aokiji, realizing what Kizaru was doing, explained, "I heard the Fish-Man is the main culprit. If we can't kill those two, maybe we can get him."
"You dragged me out in the middle of the night for overtime. Time to head back and catch up on sleep!" Kizaru yawned and started walking away, with Aokiji slowly following.
"Kizaru, you idiot! I'll remember this!" Jason cursed as he fell, barely dodging the attack. Rayleigh, beside him, was unscathed.
The two could see the Admirals above due to the firelight, but the Admirals couldn't see them. Just when they thought Kizaru had left, Jason's Observation Haki sensed his return, followed by a barrage of light beams.
"Hahahaha, young Jason! Remember, in battle, never let your guard down until it's absolutely safe! You're strong, but you still lack experience!" Rayleigh laughed heartily.
"Uncle Rayleigh, stop laughing! I almost died—why didn't you warn me sooner?" Jason complained.
"You can't be taught combat experience; you have to gain it yourself! Besides, didn't you sense it?" Rayleigh replied, still chuckling. The two floated on the sea.
"Huh? Where's the Fish-Man?" Jason asked.
"I'm here!" Fisher Tiger surfaced after the debris had settled.
"Oh, I used up too much Haki and didn't notice you! Sorry!" Jason said, embarrassed.
"It's fine! My name is Portgas D. Jason. What's yours?"
"I'm Fisher Tiger!"
"Hey! Do we really need to chat here? There are still two Admirals up there!" Rayleigh interrupted.
"Oh, right! Let's head back!" Jason agreed.
At Shakky's Rip-Off Bar on Island No. 13, the three clinked their glasses—except Jason, who drank juice.
"Thank you both for today! I didn't expect anyone would come to help me. And Brother Jason, your strength at such a young age is astonishing!" Fisher Tiger expressed his gratitude. Without their help, he wouldn't have escaped.
"Don't mention it! It's not every day someone declares war on the World Government—we had to see it for ourselves!" Jason replied.
"Exactly! Life should be equal! The Celestial Dragons enslave people of all races and kill those who resist. Why should that system exist? We'll fight anyone who stands against equality!" Jason declared passionately.
Fisher Tiger was surprised. Jason's thoughts mirrored his own. He didn't expect to find someone who shared his views.
"I didn't think Brother Jason felt the same way! Hahaha!" Fisher Tiger laughed.
"But what about those three girls?" Jason asked, glancing at the table where the three sisters sat.
Fate works in strange ways. Jason had expected to see the future Empress of Amazon Lily and her sisters later. But on their way back, they stumbled upon the Hancock sisters running for their lives, pursued by slavers. Jason saved them and learned their identities along the way.
"I'm not sure," Jason admitted.
"You picked them up without a plan?" Rayleigh asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Ahaha, well, I couldn't just leave them when they were being chased! But now, I don't know what to do with them," Jason confessed with a smile. The Hancock sisters watched Jason warily, with Hancock stepping in front of her sisters protectively.
Though she was only 16, Hancock already showed signs of becoming the world's most beautiful woman. However, her figure was still developing, possibly due to the malnutrition she suffered as a slave. Jason wasn't interested in romance; he was focused on his mission and his friend Robin.
"Don't be nervous. Now that I've saved you, I won't just throw you out. Let's eat first. You need to be strong if you're going to escape," Jason assured them.
"Hehe, Brother Jason is quite amusing! But let me handle these three," Shakky interjected, noticing the girls' anxiousness. Her demeanor made them wary, given the bar's reputation.
"I have an old connection with the former Amazon Lily Empress, Gloriosa. For now, you'll stay here. I'll contact her to arrange your return once things settle down," Shakky explained.
The Hancock sisters, overwhelmed with relief, thanked everyone repeatedly, tears of joy streaming down their faces. Four years of suffering were finally coming to an end.
"Then I'll leave these three in your capable hands, Miss Shakky. And what about you, Mr. Tiger?" Jason asked, enjoying a well-deserved meal after a night of intense fighting.
"I'm heading back to Fish-Man Island. After all this, I need to report to Princess Otohime and then make preparations to leave Fish-Man Island as soon as possible," Fisher Tiger replied, setting down his glass and preparing to leave.
"Understood. We don't want to involve Fish-Man Island any further," Jason said thoughtfully. This was exactly why he had come, to establish connections and seek allies.
Before Fisher Tiger left, he handed over several conchs to Jason. "These are tokens of my gratitude. They'll allow you to come and go from Fish-Man Island freely. Despite the differences between humans and Fish-Men, I hope we can always be friends. You're always welcome on Fish-Man Island."
Jason accepted the conchs with a smile. "Of course! Having a Fish-Man friend is something to be proud of. I'll be sure to brag about it when I get back home!"
------------
If you enjoy please support me on my patreon Future 80+ chapters at patreon.com/Phoenizbeelze
-----