"Huff!"
Kojin let out a long breath and looked down at Golden Lion Shiki, whose eyes had rolled back as he lay completely unconscious.
At that moment, Marineford had fallen into complete silence, and everyone's gaze was focused on that single figure.
Previously, Kojin's capture of Roger had been shrouded in doubt. Some questioned whether it was due to the young officer's true strength or Roger's surrender.
But now, Golden Lion Shiki's sudden assault on Marineford and swift defeat in battle had undoubtedly silenced the doubters.
This also gave the world a brand-new understanding of Kojin's terrifying strength.
Looking at Marineford once more, it was clear that over half of its area had been submerged beneath frozen tsunamis. Slash marks crisscrossed the ground, and shattered buildings lay everywhere.
The sight was shocking, and it was enough to imagine just how intense the previous battle had been.
Slowly raising his head, Kojin swept his gaze across his surroundings, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
This battle against Shiki had also served as a test of his current strength.
With his Rokushiki Six Styles, Armament Haki, and Conqueror's Haki all at maximum level, combined with the immense destructive power of the Thunder Thunder Fruit's and the support of his domain, his strength had truly reached the pinnacle of the world.
Although his Domain's perception of the surroundings was still imperfect compared to Observation Haki, it greatly compensated for any shortcomings in his overall combat ability.
Boom! Rumble!
With a thought, the thunderclouds above flickered erratically, and countless lightning bolts descended like twisting branches, carving serpentine paths through the Void.
"Tap tap tap tap tap!"
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed as a large number of Marines nervously approached the scene.
When they saw the towering, muscular figure in the center of the field, wreathed in crackling arcs of electricity, awe filled their eyes.
"Vice Admiral Kojin!"
There was no doubt that, in terms of combat power alone, this young officer had already reached a level comparable to Admirals Sengoku and Zephyr.
In fact, after witnessing the battle firsthand, everyone present believed that Kojin becoming an Admiral was only a matter of time.
"Seastone shackles," Kojin said while extending his hand.
Very soon, a Marine officer quickly and respectfully presented the shackles with both hands.
"Thank you!" Kojin nodded in acknowledgment.
The officer trembled with excitement, repeatedly insisting, "It's nothing!" and "You're welcome!"
Kojin bent down and personally fastened the shackles onto Golden Lion Shiki, then lifted him up with one hand.
"Crack!"
With a flash of lightning, Kojin's figure materialized before Sengoku and Garp.
"This guy should be sent to Impel Down, right?" Kojin asked with a smile.
"Garp-Sensei, Admiral Sengoku!"
"Correct!" Sengoku nodded, smiling. "Do you need our assistance?"
Even though Kojin was his old friend's disciple, he had already reached a level of strength that commanded Sengoku's respect. Sengoku viewed him as someone equal.
"Let the kid handle it," Garp boomed with a hearty laugh. "These are his spoils of war!"
Kojin nodded. "Leave it to me. This is a simple matter."
As he spoke, his body flashed, and a bolt of lightning streaked skyward through the dark clouds. The bolt then abruptly bent at a 90-degree angle, hurtling toward Impel Down
"A Logia-type Devil Fruit user! The Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder Thunder Fruit)!" Sengoku murmured, gazing up at the disappearing figure. "This fruit boasts some of the strongest offensive capabilities."
"Hahahaha!" Garp roared with laughter.
"Your disciple has a meticulous mind. Even his control over his own strength and its progression has been planned with precision. He only ate that Devil Fruit after pushing Rokushiki and Haki to their limits." Sengoku said in a deep voice.
"He's already grown up. I can't control that anymore." Garp grinned as he spoke.
"Still, you should pay attention to your disciples' growth from time to time. Otherwise, if he becomes arrogant in his youth and strays onto the wrong path, it'll be too late to regret it."
Sengoku turned his head and looked straight at his old friend, his voice heavy.
"Whatever path he chooses, that's his freedom. As a Marine, I might be disappointed or frustrated, but as his Sensei, I can only respect and support him."
Garp laughed, completely unconcerned.
"But I still believe in Kojin. He's a kind-hearted man with strong principles!"
...
On the other side, at the entrance to Impel Down...
"Boom!!"
A thunderous explosion erupted as lightning crackled. Two rows of Jailers stood at attention in the harbor. When the figure emerged from the lightning, they snapped to even straighter postures.
"Vice Admiral Kojin!" Someone shouted, snapping to attention in salute.
Kojin nodded in acknowledgment, then carried Golden Lion Shiki all the way to the entrance of Impel Down.
Standing guard at the gate was a towering man nearly five meters tall, with two black horns protruding from his head. Judging by his distinctive features, this must be Magellan.
"Greetings, Vice Admiral Kojin. I am Magellan, Deputy Warden of Impel Down!" Magellan boomed, his voice deep and resonant. "I received orders from Headquarters to take custody of the prisoner in your charge."
At the same time, he carefully observed Kojin.
Outwardly, the two men appeared to be of similar age, perhaps even with Kojin being slightly younger. Yet the power Kojin had displayed in battle far surpassed Magellan's own. This was obvious from the fact that Kojin stood before him without wearing a poison gas mask.
Even the Marine Vice-Admirals from Headquarters would cautiously keep their distance during prisoner transfers. Meanwhile, the Jailers flanking them had already donned their masks and were holding their breath.
"This is Golden Lion Shiki," Kojin said with a smile. "Deputy Warden Magellan, please escort him to the sixth level of Impel Down."
With that, Kojin loosened his grip and tossed Shiki onto the ground ahead.
Fine arcs of lightning crackled around Kojin's body, completely shredding the poisonous gas particles drifting from Shiki into nothingness.
"Leave it to me." Magellan nodded.
Kojin watched as Magellan lifted Golden Lion Shiki and tucked him under his arm. After giving a brief nod, Kojin vanished in an instant.
Magellan raised his head and watched the streak of lightning disappear into the distance. A trace of gravity and wariness flashed in his eyes.
There was no doubt that this young Vice Admiral, whom he had met only briefly, radiated an aura that made him feel a terrifying sense of threat. His strength was absolutely extraordinary.
...
Golden Lion Shiki had been captured!
Not only did Marine Headquarters at Marineford erupt in celebration, but the news quickly spread like wildfire across the entire world.
When pirates around the world heard the news, they fell into stunned silence.
Undoubtedly, this was a crushing blow to the rising confidence of pirates in recent times!
Within such a short span of time, two of the Three Legendary Pirates had already been captured by the Marines.
Soon after, even more shocking news emerged: The one who captured Golden Lion Shiki was named Kojin!
Yes, that Kojin.
He was the same Kojin who was rumored to have captured the Pirate King, Roger, not long ago.
(End of Chapter)
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