INIIDF-Chapter 307 Suprised Meeting Part 2

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Back in Dressrosa, the arena hosted the infamous "Destruction Cannon" Eddio, who later joined the Straw Hat Grand Fleet. He was crowned the "V2-Level Dominator of the New World Central Fighting Tournament."

And if there's a V2 level, there must be a V1 level. Considering Blackbeard's First Ship Captain, Jesus Burgess, is known as the "Champion," it's likely he holds that V1 title.

"Liam?" Robin noticed his distracted expression and gently called out to him.

"Ah? Oh!" Liam blinked back to attention, locking eyes with B.I.B. They both seemed to have the same thought.

After all, Oda, the so-called "Creator God," is known to be a fan of Toriyama. The "World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament" from Dragon Ball turning into the "World's Greatest Swordsmanship Tournament" in the pirate world? Quite fitting!

But so what?

Liam shook his head, dismissing the thought.

"You're not planning to go?" Robin asked, her tone curious.

Liam, leisurely strolling midair with Geppo, grinned. "We're heading to Sabaody Archipelago. Crocus' note will turn to dust if we don't use it soon. Wouldn't that be a waste?"

Robin smiled, understanding his intent. "We didn't make it there last time. Let's not get sidetracked this time."

Liam laughed heartily. "Exactly!"

With that, he plunged back into the sea, sending a massive splash into the air. The Sea Kings roared in surprise, yet Liam skillfully dodged their lunges with playful ease.

Naturally, even with Liam's abilities, he couldn't overpower the colossal Sea Kings. However, their massive size made them sluggish, and Liam's agility made him an elusive target. While defeating them was beyond him, evading them was child's play.

He darted through the water, diving, and resurfacing in a whirl of foam, gleefully teasing the monstrous creatures.

Above, Robin relaxed, the breeze tousling her hair as she flipped through the newspaper, passing the time.

...

After some time, the wind suddenly picked up.

Robin lifted her gaze, noticing a distinct line emerging on the boundless blue sea. On one side, the Calm Belt's waters lay eerily still, like a mirror. On the other, the ocean roared with fierce waves.

The boundary was clear and abrupt.

The white foam stirred up by Liam's swimming crossed into the choppy waters of the Grand Line.

They were leaving the Calm Belt.

Robin's thoughts drifted back to years ago when she and Liam had attempted to reach Sabaody directly to find Rayleigh. Due to unforeseen events, they ended up stranded in the Calm Belt. Now, at long last, they were returning.

Suddenly, Robin felt a slight sense of weightlessness.

B.I.B. was descending.

Looking down, Robin realized the turbulent wake Liam had created had vanished.

"Is he diving underwater?" Robin mused.

She wasn't concerned. B.I.B. could sense Liam's presence, ensuring they wouldn't lose track of him.

B.I.B. calmly confirmed, "The main body is underwater... it seems he's encountered someone."

Robin blinked in surprise. "Someone?"

This was the Calm Belt's edge. Aside from Sea Kings and monstrous beings like Liam, who else would be out here?

'Boom...'

A low, muffled impact echoed beneath the waves.

'Boom... Boom...'

The sea stirred, trembling with each thunderous clash.

'Boom...'

With a tremendous splash, water erupted into the sky.

B.I.B.'s glowing eyes narrowed, tracking the figure flung skyward.

"It's him."

The Stand's thoughts flickered. Calculating the timeline, it concluded that the opposing pirate crew should have already been formed by now...

... 

Moments earlier, having exited the Calm Belt sea, Liam was in pursuit of a medium-sized sea beast underwater.

After swimming for quite a while, bare-handed and out of the Calm Belt, it had been quite the workout. While it didn't tire Liam out, he was already feeling hungry. The sea beast he was chasing had fled into the Grand Line, and finding another one like it would be difficult. 

Feeling stubborn and ravenous, Liam refused to give up. He dove deeper, cutting through the water like a torpedo, his eyes locked on the large sea beast ahead.

'Oh, poor little sea beast, Liam thought mockingly. You're really in trouble now. I almost feel bad for you... Almost!'

His eyes gleamed with excitement as he caught up. Circling the beast, Liam wound up his fist. With a muffled bang, his punch struck the water, sending a shockwave that swirled the currents around him.

The massive creature recoiled from the blow, its body twisting through the sea. The underwater currents thrashed violently, but Liam held firm, using sheer strength and the powerful propulsion of his Water Step to keep control. Closing in again, Liam's grin widened as he delivered another strike. Bang...

Each punch sent shockwaves rippling through the ocean, causing schools of small fish to scatter in panic. The water roiled with turbulence, but Liam was undeterred. He grabbed the sea beast's mane, gleefully landing blow after blow, already savoring thoughts of his impending feast.

But just then, his face shifted, his Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) tingling with an incoming presence.

Gū lū...

A distinct sound reverberated through the churning water.

Gū lū lū...

Something was approaching at an alarming speed!

Bang!

A column of water shot past Liam's ear like a cannonball, the force churning the sea. He spun in the turbulent waters, searching for the source. There, through the murky depths, a shadow emerged, darting swiftly beneath the sea beast. Panicked, the creature seized the opportunity and fled.

"Interrupting my lunch? You're done for, you know that?"

Liam's words bubbled from his mouth as he surged forward, launching himself toward the mysterious figure.

The figure clearly hadn't expected Liam's swift retaliation. Hastily, they raised an arm to block. Thud! The impact of Liam's punch sent a tremor through the water. But when Liam caught a clear look at the figure, his expression shifted to surprise.

"Oh?"

His exclamation was muffled by bubbles, disappearing into the depths.

...

With a massive splash, water erupted from the sea, and a figure shot into the air.

Robin, observing from above, soon saw Liam break through the surface as well. Using Geppo, he swiftly pursued the airborne figure.

The figure twisted mid-air, soaring along the misty water spray. Liam, stepping on the air as though climbing invisible stairs, closed the distance with ease. Each impact of his Geppo sent shockwaves through the water below, droplets scattering in a glistening arc under the sunlight.

The figure traced a graceful arc in the sky before plummeting back into the sea with a resounding splash.

"Impressive! Truly worthy of the title 'Sea Hero' — swimming like a fish!"

Liam laughed, his voice echoing as he stepped down harder. With a resounding 'bang', he dived straight into the water like a torpedo, cutting through the depths without a trace.

The chase resumed below the surface. Two figures, one in pursuit and the other fleeing, twisted and turned through the water.

High above, B.I.B. hovered with the Den Den Mushi, capturing the scene as Robin observed with keen interest.

Underwater, the not-yet-Sea Hero Jinbe swam with powerful strokes, but even his fish-man agility couldn't shake his pursuer.

Bang... bang... bang...

Each pulse of sound reverberated through the sea. With every thud, Liam's speed surged, his relentless pursuit becoming all the more apparent.

"What kind of swimming technique is that?"

Jinbe's mind raced in disbelief.

"A human... keeping up with a fish-man underwater?"

(End Of This Chapter)