Borsalino glanced over the island, now dyed red with blood, and let out his usual drawl.
"Oh my~ that's quite the mess~ Anyone still alive on this island~? What kind of Devil Fruit is worth all this trouble~?"
As magma receded around him, Sakazuki replied calmly, "It's not just about the fruit. Some people have grown too bold, and their hands have reached farther than they should. Time to cut them off and trim things clean."
He turned his head slightly. "As for the fruit, you and Bullet can test it out."
Bullet grinned widely. Dark Armament Haki spread like liquid steel over his arms as he cracked his knuckles. His gaze fixed directly on Borsalino.
"Oh~" Borsalino said, tilting his head with mild curiosity. "A little spar, is it~? Hmm…" He rubbed his chin, pretending to think.
While he hesitated, Bullet's grin grew sharper. "Let's test our speed, Borsalino."
"Huh?" The admiral blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. Few ever challenged him on that front.
Whoosh!
A sharp gust tore through the air as Bullet's figure blurred, his Haki-clad fist smashing into the spot where Borsalino had been standing just seconds ago.
On a large tree branch behind him, particles of light reformed into Borsalino's body.
"How scary~" he exclaimed. "Suddenly appearing like that~ quite fast~ truly impressive~"
Bullet turned, baring his teeth. "Next time, I'll catch you. Be ready."
Borsalino raised both of his palms before him, light gathering between them. "Oh~ is that so~? Then I suppose I should take things a little more seriously~"
"Sacre—"
Whoosh!
A massive shadow loomed, blocking out his body. Borsalino's pupils tightened as he looked up, meeting Bullet's fierce grin.
For a split second, time seemed to stop.
Then, without warning, Borsalino vanished, reappearing high in the air. Before he could even glance back at where he'd stood, a huge arm, covered in Haki, pressed down on his shoulder, forcing him to the ground.
Thud, thud.
The two landed.
Borsalino bent his knees slightly, hands in his pockets, cape of justice fluttering behind him. Bullet stood just behind, his hand still resting on the admiral's shoulder, a confident smirk on his face.
Sakazuki, who was still collecting his magma, curved his lips faintly.
Borsalino's usual calm was gone. His lazy smile faded as he muttered, "Oh my~ Bullet~"
His mind raced. In just a few seconds, he had replayed the entire exchange in his head several times. Straightening up, he brushed Bullet's hand off his shoulder and said at last, "A speed-enhancing fruit, isn't it~?"
From his mental replay, he could tell it wasn't teleportation but pure speed. So fast his thoughts couldn't catch up. He hadn't even been able to react.
He sighed inwardly. 'Looks like I've been getting a little too relaxed lately…'
Bullet crossed his arms, still smiling. "Paramecia-type. More-More Fruit."
The sound of a sharp intake of breath followed.
"Hss…"
Borsalino winced. "More-More Fruit, huh? No wonder all this commotion."
The name brought back memories. It was a monstrous fruit ability, one even recognized by the World Government.
Byrnndi World had been called the "World Destroyer" because of it. That power could shatter islands with ease. Catching him had been nearly impossible. Once he activated fiftyfold speed, escaping was easy for him.
That was why the Marines' repeated sieges had all failed years ago. Only when the government sent Sengoku and Sakazuki personally were they able to end it, though World had been "accidentally" killed by the latter in the process.
Since then, the fruit had vanished from the seas for over twenty years. And now, the moment it resurfaced, it had fallen into Bullet's hands.
'It's like giving wings to a tiger…' Borsalino thought.
He had also come to a realization. When it came to reflexes, he clearly wasn't faster than Bullet. The distance between them earlier had simply been too short. If the space were wider, Bullet would have had a much harder time catching him.
His expression returned to its usual nonchalant grin. "Well then~ I'll head back and report to the Fleet Admiral~ The More-More Fruit, hm~ That's quite the major event~"
Sakazuki chuckled. "Go ahead. I'll explain the full details to Sengoku and Commander-in-Chief Kong myself later."
Light particles began to spread from Borsalino's body as he waved lazily. "That so~? Then~ goodbye~"
Whoosh!
A golden beam shot into the sky and disappeared.
When he was completely gone, Sakazuki's faint smile faded. "What do you think?"
Bullet's grin widened. "Within five hundred meters, he's dead."
That was the distance he had just tested, their limits. Based on Borsalino's reaction and transformation speed, Bullet had calculated exactly how far he could chase and grab him. Any farther, once Borsalino turned into light and fled, he wouldn't be able to catch up.
Sakazuki gave a low chuckle, eyes narrowing toward the direction Borsalino had left. "That's enough..."
* * *
Holy Land of Mariejois.
Commander-in-Chief Kong listened to the report through the Den Den Mushi. His face darkened with every word.
"Okay, I understand. I'll make sure they give an explanation for this."
He hung up.
Bang!
His large hand slammed onto the desk. "How bold of them."
Rising to his feet, he pushed open the door and strode toward the chamber where the Five Elders stayed.
* * *
Marineford, the Marine Headquarters.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, Borsalino sat lazily on the sofa, gently blowing the steam from his teacup before taking a slow sip.
"That's how it went~ Fleet Admiral~" he said lightly, recounting the horrific Sabaody Massacre incident and the discovery of the fruit that had driven Sakazuki and Bullet to such extremes.
Sengoku sat behind his desk, fingers interlocked, deep in thought. His expression was serious. "I see. You can go now."
"Alright~" Borsalino answered as he stood up, his movements relaxed, and strolled out of the office.
Tap, tap, tap…
Sengoku's finger tapped rhythmically on the desk.
"Byrnndi World..."
His mind replayed the connection. The former user of the More-More Fruit, killed by Sakazuki. Golden Lion, also slain by Sakazuki.
Could there be a link…?
Soter's ability... Bullet's ability...
Under the subtle influence of the Buddha Fruit, Sengoku's mind was sharp and far-reaching, capable of drawing links between seemingly distant events. But sometimes, that very clarity became troublesome. The connections were there, yet they made little sense.
He sighed and shook his head, pushing the thoughts away. Whatever the truth, Bullet obtaining the More-More Fruit was, in the end, a boon for the Marines. Their strength had grown once again.
Purururu~ Purururu~
The Den Den Mushi rang out. Sengoku glanced at it for a second, then picked it up.
"Yes? Sakazuki."
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