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"Let me see just how powerful this thing is."
Shin held the Dyna Stone, his eyes filled with curiosity. He tossed it into the air, then fired a golden beam of light, striking it mid-flight.
The container holding the Dyna Stone shattered instantly. Exposed to the air, the stone erupted in a colossal explosion.
A deafening roar echoed across the sea as a massive wave surged outwards, sweeping across the surrounding area.
The shockwave sent a hurricane-force wind blasting across the ocean, so powerful that several weaker Marines lost their footing and were blown away.
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"Now that's some serious firepower..." Shin remarked, a hint of surprise on his face.
If that had gone off on an island, it would have undoubtedly annihilated the entire landmass in an instant. Even a powerful individual, if caught off guard by the blast, would likely be killed on the spot. Of course, a Logia user wouldn't have to worry, but for anyone else, the Dyna Stone was a death sentence.
Zephyr's face went slack. He had gone through hell to get his hands on those Dyna Stones, and now Shin had just wasted one for a test.
"My, my, I've never seen a Dyna Stone explode before. That kind of power is quite terrifying. How scary~" A lazy smile spread across Kizaru's face.
This outcome wasn't so bad. Although they couldn't retrieve the Dyna Stones, at least they were gone now. When he returned to Marine Headquarters, he could report back to Akainu. A dangerous weapon like the Dyna Stone being destroyed was a good thing.
Aokiji said nothing. This was indeed a better outcome than letting his former teacher get his hands on them and use them to destroy the world.
"Actually, I have more." Shin casually produced two more containers, both filled with Dyna Stones.
Even with these two, however, Zephyr's plan to destroy the three key locations was now impossible.
Was he supposed to just give up? Trying to steal more Dyna Stones was out of the question. The Marines, having been hit once, wouldn't let him succeed a second time. Besides, the number of Dyna Stones was limited to begin with.
"Why are you stopping me?" Zephyr stared at Shin.
"You're an old man. Shouldn't you just be waiting for death peacefully instead of stirring up all this trouble?" Shin glanced at Zephyr and said calmly.
'If you're going to cause trouble, at least keep it small. As long as it doesn't affect me, I don't care. But the moment it does, I'm going to stop you. The fact that I haven't killed you already is a mercy.'
"Teacher Zephyr, our fight isn't over yet," Kizaru said, looking at Zephyr with a detached expression.
"Kizaru, it's already over. Why do you insist on pushing this?" Aokiji frowned and said to Kizaru.
Without the Dyna Stones, Zephyr's original plan was impossible. He was no longer a threat. So why was Kizaru so determined to finish him off?
"No, my mission isn't complete," Kizaru said, glancing at Aokiji coolly.
Kizaru's mission included eliminating Zephyr. It was a direct order from the Five Elders, and it was also what he intended to do.
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Shin didn't seem to be leaving. He sat down to watch the show.
"Well, looks like we have more company."
Shin's gaze shifted to the distance, where a warship was rapidly approaching.
"He looks a little familiar," Robin said, following Shin's gaze.
"It's that Smoker guy," Shin recognized him instantly. Compared to the last time they met, Smoker had changed quite a bit.
"I was expecting a big shot, not... this guy," Shin said, a little underwhelmed.
It wasn't that he looked down on Smoker, but the man's strength was genuinely lacking. In the original story, he was completely left behind.
"Yes, it's Smoker." Hina had been classmates with Smoker and knew him well.
"He probably hates you now," Shin said, glancing at Hina. After all, in Smoker's eyes, Hina had fallen and become a pirate.
"..." Hina's expression was calm. With Smoker's strength, she didn't consider him a threat.
In the past, Hina would have been no match for the genius Smoker. But now, he was far behind her. After Shin's hellish training and Olvia's guidance, Hina's strength was on a completely different level.
"I was hoping it would be the meddlesome Red-Haired Shanks. Looks like I was wrong. What a shame."
It seemed even the nosy Shanks wasn't going to get involved this time. As for not knowing about it—that was impossible. This whole affair had caused such a stir, it was impossible for him not to know.
Half the Grand Line already knew. If Zephyr had continued, he wouldn't have needed anyone else to stop him—the ambitious pirates of the sea would have ganged up and taken him down themselves.
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"SHIN UZUMAKI!"
A furious roar came, and Shin saw Smoker glaring at him, his eyes burning with a hatred so intense it was as if he wanted to devour him whole.
"Do we have that much of a grudge?" Shin wondered.
The last time Smoker had come looking for trouble, Shin had specifically let him go. Had he forgotten?
Smoker's gaze then shifted to Hina, his voice filled with contempt. "Hina, you actually joined a pirate crew. What a disgrace."
"You have no right to lecture me about my business," Hina said, her brow furrowed with displeasure.
Before, when Zephyr had said it, Hina hadn't argued—he was her former teacher, after all. But facing Smoker, she wasn't going to be so polite.
"Why don't you two have a fight?" Shin suggested with interest.
A fight between Hina and Smoker wouldn't be without its highlights. Hina's strength was certainly no less than Smoker's—in fact, Shin was confident she was stronger. She had received his guidance and Olvia's special instruction, after all. Her strength had improved immensely.
"Hina thinks you're just trying to stir up trouble," Hina said, glancing at Shin.
Her main concern was her teacher. Kizaru was still relentlessly pursuing him. If they fought, the outcome was already clear from their previous battle. Zephyr's current strength was no match for Kizaru; he was completely suppressed.
Hopefully, Aokiji could stop Kizaru. Otherwise, Zephyr would be in real danger.
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