Chapter 23: Reid Makes His Appearance

"I must have already gained these people's abilities, but I just don't know how to use them yet. I can't always rely on the system—what if it breaks down one day? Then I'd be finished."

Reid recalled the system's earlier introduction. While it had mentioned possessing Haki and weapons, it hadn't explained the specific techniques of their Devil Fruit abilities.

"For example, Garp's 'Fist of Love' that he always uses on Luffy, or his 'Galaxy Divide' ultimate move—the system didn't mention any of that. That means, deep down, I already know how to use them, I'm just not familiar with the execution. Hmm… I'll need to observe their attacks. Once they use their abilities, I'll master them too."

Having made up his mind, Reid cautiously observed the battle from a distance.

The battlefield was filled with deafening explosions, especially in the clashes between Sanbell and Sengoku, as well as Akainu.

Sanbell's massive transformed body was evenly matched with Sengoku's golden Buddha form, their collisions sending shockwaves rippling through the air with every impact.

"Sengoku the Buddha, you're nothing special. Fish-Beast Impact!"

"Buddha Shockwave!"

A deafening crash echoed as Sanbell and Sengoku separated.

But before Sanbell could catch his breath, Akainu had already leaped into the air, his arm surging with molten lava as he launched his attack.

"Pirates like you deserve extinction—Great Eruption!"

Reid's eyes flashed.

"That's Akainu's ultimate move, 'Great Eruption'… So Akainu really is a magma man. After activating his Devil Fruit, his body constantly drips molten rock."

As Reid marveled, Akainu's massive magma fist surged toward Sanbell.

"Hmph! You think the 'Chaos Fish King' fears you? If you have 'Great Eruption,' then I'll counter with 'Great Water Cannon'!"

Sanbell's throat bulged as if something was about to burst forth.

"Great Water Cannon!"

A massive jet of water erupted from Sanbell's mouth, colliding with Akainu's magma fist in a spectacular clash of fire and water.

"Buddha's Suppression!"

Seizing the moment while Sanbell was gathering strength, Sengoku soared into the air, his body radiating a sacred, oppressive golden light. He descended from above like an unstoppable force!

Sanbell felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on him.

"Tekkai (Iron Body)!"

Though his Observation Haki had predicted the attack, Sanbell had no time to dodge. Instantly coating his entire body in Armament Haki, he braced for Sengoku's strike.

BOOM!

Sengoku's massive form crashed directly onto Sanbell's head, the resulting shockwave obliterating everything in its path. The impact created a massive crater, sending tremors outward in concentric rings.

"Damn… that power! The shockwave's coming this way—Armament Haki: Tekkai!"

Reid's gaze sharpened as he crossed his arms in front of him. His body instinctively activated Armament Haki.

"This is the feeling… I don't even know how I'm doing it, but Haki just flows naturally."

Clenching his fists, Reid blocked the shockwave as the trees in front of him shattered into splinters.

"Pfft—!"

Sanbell, taking the full brunt of Sengoku's attack, spat out a mouthful of blood.

Before he could even rise, Akainu struck again—another "Great Eruption" slamming into Sanbell's body.

The magma fist then exploded, scattering volcanic rocks that detonated around Sanbell, the searing heat scorching his flesh as the ground hissed and steamed.

"Grah! You damn Marines!"

Sanbell's body convulsed violently as he roared in agony.

"Buddha Shockwave!"

Sengoku immediately followed up, giving Sanbell no chance to recover.

"I'll take you all down with me—Fish-Beast Impact!"

With a furious roar, Sanbell charged at Sengoku, determined to clash head-on.

"Great Eruption!"

THUD—!

Sanbell's massive body was sent flying by the combined attacks of Akainu and Sengoku, crashing through several hills before finally skidding to a stop.

"Sanbell!"

"Old San!"

Rayleigh and Gabban gritted their teeth, struggling to hold their own but unable to assist their comrade.

Roger, of course, had noticed Sanbell's injuries. If this continued, Sanbell would die.

"Garp… Can you do me a favor?"

Roger's gaze was solemn as he locked eyes with Garp.

"Roger, I'm a Marine. This isn't child's play—accept reality. Surrender and come with me. You'll be executed, but your crew will only be imprisoned in Impel Down."

"Then there's nothing more to say. My crew isn't afraid of death, and they'd never agree to my surrender. And neither would I."

Roger said no more. Today was destined to be a battle to the death.

"Meteor Volcano! Die, pirates!"

Akainu pressed forward relentlessly, giving Sanbell no chance to recover.

"No! Sanbell will die at this rate! I have to do something! But how…? Wait—Sengoku's Buddha Form!"

Reid closed his eyes, visualizing Sengoku's transformation.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open!

"Buddha Form! System, help me—succeed!"

Thud… Thud… Thud…

Reid's heart pounded powerfully as a golden ripple expanded from his body. A brilliant light enveloped him, and under its radiance, his form began to change—

"I'm growing taller... Is this Sengoku's Buddha Form? I feel my body brimming with power, and my mind has never been clearer. Alright, today marks my first battle in the world of One Piece!"

With unwavering determination, Reid stomped the ground, causing the earth to crack beneath him as he shot into the sky.

"Prepare to die. This is where you meet your end."

Akainu's eyes burned with cold fury, devoid of any emotion.

"Reid has arrived! Buddha Shockwave!"

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Reid unleashed a rapid barrage of palm strikes, sending shockwaves rippling through the air.

"Ah—the aim's off!"

Reid winced awkwardly. Despite transforming into the Buddha Form, he still hadn't mastered control over it.

"Guh—!"

Sanbell took another brutal hit from "Meteor Volcano," his body now drenched in blood.

"Hm?"

Akainu turned his head. "What the hell is that?"

Everyone froze at Reid's booming voice, their battles momentarily halted as all eyes turned toward him.

"Did that guy just say his name was Reid?"

Roger was stunned. Reid, the miraculous doctor—could he also transform and fight in this form?

"Roger... you know him?"

Garp narrowed his eyes, studying Roger's reaction.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(To be continued...)