Between Two Worlds: Nen and Haki

Whitebeard gazed back at Fishman Island, his eyes deep and contemplative.

It truly was a season of unrest.

First, that bastard Teach had committed an unforgivable act of betrayal, and now a mysterious member of the Three-Eye Tribe had emerged from the shadows.

These events gave Whitebeard a premonition that a great storm was brewing.

Seeing that his Pops wouldn't let him scout the situation, a sharp glint flashed in Marco's eyes.

'It seems Pops is taking this Zane quite seriously.'

It made sense, though.

Setting aside the ten-billion-berry bounty, the man's past achievements were enough to prove he was no ordinary individual.

Amidst this brief interlude...

The Moby Dick, carrying the Whitebeard Pirates, smoothly arrived at Fishman Island.

After releasing the two Sea Kings they had captured, the Moby Dick passed through the double-layered bubble and sailed into the port within Fishman Island.

"They've arrived!!"

Seeing the familiar Moby Dick enter the port...

Neptune, who had been waiting for a long time, instantly perked up and hurried forward with his three sons to greet them.

"Your Majesty!"

Jinbe was the first to leap down from the Moby Dick.

Upon seeing Neptune, he immediately called out a greeting.

"Jinbe, I've truly troubled you this time," Neptune sighed.

Jinbe shook his head. "Don't say such things. When Fishman Island is in trouble, of course I will come."

Even if he hadn't been on Pops' ship when they contacted him, he still would have rushed here at the first opportunity.

After all, Fishman Island was his home.

Even the Fishman District was a place where he had once lived.

No matter how chaotic things became here, it was not for outsiders to run rampant.

The gangplank was lowered.

Accompanied by the sound of heavy footsteps...

Led by Whitebeard, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates disembarked from the Moby Dick one after another to the port.

"Newgate!"

"Neptune!"

Whitebeard and Neptune embraced each other with a smile upon seeing one another.

"Newgate, I've already prepared a banquet at the palace. Let's go have a proper drink first!" Neptune said happily.

Whitebeard shook his head. "There's plenty of time for drinks. Let's handle your business first. Is that Zane still in the Fishman District?"

"Pops, how about I go see Zane first?" Jinbe suggested.

It was rare for Pops to visit Fishman Island; even with matters to attend to, they could afford a moment to rest.

"Jinbe, Pops has his own plans. We just need to follow his lead," Marco said, stopping Jinbe's proposal, having already grasped his captain's intention.

Neptune was deeply moved to see his friend so concerned about his affairs.

He said no more and personally led the way toward the Fishman District.

The Fishman District.

"Assemble!"

"Hurry up! You rookies better not drag your feet. If anyone sees you like this, they'll think we're some third-rate organization."

"Remember, our Hunting Team is an organization that doesn't lose to any army. When you hear an order, you must execute it strictly!"

" "

Outside the Fishman District, both the veteran members of the Hunting Team and the more than five thousand new fishman recruits gathered.

At the word of command, they quickly converged on the plaza at the entrance of the Fishman District.

As the assembly finished...

A massive, well-ordered formation immediately presented itself.

Zane led them.

He stood at the very front of the formation, his arms crossed over his chest, a calm and composed smile on his face.

Behind him stood the three pillars: Manlong, Baby 5, and Nico Robin.

Following them were Wyper, Bones, Bon Kurei, Kamakiri, Roche, Eddie, and the rest of the officers.

Then came the numerous veteran members of the Hunting Team.

And finally, the five thousand newly joined fishman recruits.

For this mobilization...

Except for the new recruits, the members of the Hunting Team already knew the reason.

Not just the ordinary members...

But even the officers like Manlong were solemn, fully prepared for a major battle.

Before even entering the New World, they were about to face a legendary overlord of those seas.

Facing such an experience, the fact that Manlong and the others stood ready rather than trembling with fear was a testament to their resilient wills.

BOOM!!!

In an instant, before the people even arrived, their overwhelming presence preceded them.

Like an energy field, a crimson tide swept toward the Fishman District, causing the void to tremble and the ground to crack wherever it passed.

They were here!

That crimson wave of energy was none other than an incredibly powerful burst of Conqueror's Haki.

Zane's eyes narrowed!

Watching the surging wave of Conqueror's Haki, Zane's expression remained unchanged as he suddenly erupted with his own.

Crackling sounds filled the air...

The two bursts of Conqueror's Haki clashed violently.

To the perception of Observation Haki, it looked as if two hemispherical energy fields were colliding, triggering countless bolts of black lightning.

The tremors in the void became even more intense.

The ground beneath them suffered even more severe cracking.

At this moment, it felt as if the entire Fishman Island was trembling.

Tramp, tramp, tramp...

The sound of hurried footsteps drew closer.

In Zane's line of sight, a giant figure came rushing forward.

That iconic crescent-moon mustache and the giant bisento held in his hand were enough to confirm the visitor's identity.

Cloaked in Conqueror's Haki, he charged ahead.

When he was only dozens of meters away, Whitebeard, his eyes locked onto Zane, suddenly leapt high into the air, swinging Murakumogiri, one of the 12 Supreme Grade Swords, down toward Zane's head.

Zane calmly pulled out a single strand of hair.

The [BODY OF STEEL] ability activated, and the hair instantly transformed into a majestic three-pointed double-edged glaive.

Moving with effortless grace, Zane stepped forward. With his hands positioned on the shaft, he thrust the three-pointed double-edged glaive powerfully toward the descending bisento.

BOOM!!!

In a brief moment.

The three-pointed double-edged glaive and the bisento collided, though they were still separated by a short distance of thin air.

The earth-shattering sound of the impact exploded instantly.

Black lightning crackled across both weapons. The force of the collision sent howling gales and a violently turbulent shockwave outward.

The surrounding ground was pulverized, forming a deep, sunken crater.

The void itself rippled and distorted as if it might collapse at any second.

The most shocking effect, however, was outside Fishman Island.

Through the double-layered bubble that protected the island, the deep sea above was churning so violently that a terrifying rift had opened in the ocean depths.

A sky-splitting phenomenon.

Even in the depths of the ocean, the domineering will of an Emperor could not be contained.

"He blocked it?"

"This guy actually blocked Pops' attack?"

"Haki Infusion? This Three-Eye brat actually mastered such a technique?"

"What amazing Conqueror's Haki... he's not inferior to Pops at all."

"Truly remarkable. Even though Pops hasn't used his Tremor-Tremor Fruit yet, being able to withstand his raw strength and Haki is already an incredible feat."

"Idiot, did you forget he's also the Rumble-Rumble Fruit user? That Devil Fruit is also known for being invincible!"

"..."

The Whitebeard Pirates, following close behind, scrambled to steady themselves against the incoming gale and shockwaves.

When they saw Zane going toe-to-toe with their Pops, looks of shock appeared on every one of their faces.

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