Chapter 398 Golden Lion's Rebirth
Brett didn't linger at Totto Land. After returning the stone to Katakuri, he immediately departed with Golden Lion-senpai, embarking on the journey back to Fish-Man Island.
No choice—Golden Lion-senpai's injuries were truly too severe. Without quickly treating them, they might genuinely endanger his life.
"I see—so this is how you operate underwater?"
Golden Lion remained wrapped in flame clouds. He was currently inside a bubble.
Beside the bubble was Brett, leading Golden Lion through the seafloor.
"I heard certain Fish-Men possess special abilities. This is your ability, right? Creating bubbles!"
Golden Lion felt he'd seen through Brett's method of overcoming the sea. Couldn't really call it wrong—after all, this was indeed Brett's ability.
"Something like that."
Brett replied casually.
"Who'd imagine such a simple method avoids the weakness of devil fruit users being unable to operate in water?"
Golden Lion felt somewhat emotional.
He also counted as someone who'd overcome this weakness. As long as he continuously used his ability, operating in water wasn't difficult.
After all, he'd already demonstrated this earlier—using the Float-Float Fruit's ability to part seawater.
But such ability compared to Brett—someone who could truly swim freely in water—still fell far short.
Not free enough.
What pirates pursued—wasn't it freedom? And this—wasn't free enough.
"It's been many years since viewing deep-sea scenery. Suddenly seeing it again truly feels somewhat nostalgic."
Golden Lion-senpai looked around. Though the dark seafloor, he could still vaguely see massive creatures slowly swimming nearby.
"Oh?"
Brett felt somewhat surprised. "Golden Lion-senpai, you've visited Fish-Man Island? I thought someone who mastered the Float-Float Fruit ability wouldn't need to visit the deep sea."
With Golden Lion's ability, he could directly fly anywhere in the world.
"What foolish talk. I'm also a pirate!"
Golden Lion sneered. "For pirates, isn't adventure an instinctive choice?"
"Really?"
Brett laughed heartily. "Too bad—I haven't been a pirate for many years."
He'd once been a Sun Pirates member too. But that was already years ago. Hadn't adventured in quite some time.
"By the way, Golden Lion-senpai—after your injuries fully heal, want to meet an old friend?" Brett suddenly asked.
"Old friend? I don't recall having any old friends."
The old veteran dismissed this disdainfully.
"Really? I was thinking Rayleigh would quite hope to see you."
Brett said somewhat regretfully. "After all, people who've sailed from the previous era until now—very few remain in this world."
"Rayleigh?"
Golden Lion froze, then grinned. "That bastard's still not dead?"
Though his main opponent back then was Roger, the man named Rayleigh had once been a formidable rival greatly troubling Golden Lion-senpai.
"Living quite well."
Brett smiled. "Every day just drinking, enjoying retirement life, while also teaching the world's strongest disciple."
"...World's strongest?"
Golden Lion didn't react for a moment. Then his eyes widened. He couldn't help laughing aloud. "Jihahahaha! So you're Rayleigh's disciple! I've never seen anyone call themselves the strongest!"
Titles like strongest—weren't they publicly recognized?
This kid was truly quite shameless.
Brett shrugged. "Unfortunately, this is fact."
Because truly difficult to find anyone stronger than himself. Even that Lord Imu—
His most formidable aspect wasn't his own combat power.
"Hahahaha!"
Golden Lion-senpai's laughter wouldn't stop. So much that pulling his muscles touched his injuries, making him grimace in pain. But his smile still continued.
"Fine, kid—afterward take me to visit Rayleigh who trained the world's strongest! So then? Does Fish-Man Island have any healing-type ability users?"
"Quite accurate guess."
Brett smiled.
What could make Golden Lion-senpai immediately recover—naturally only the Heal-Heal Fruit user. One of Tesoro's idol group All Stars members—Tontatta princess Mansherry-sama.
Soon Brett brought Golden Lion back to Fish-Man Island. For secrecy considerations, as usual arriving at Ryugu Palace from above, then having Tesoro bring Princess Mansherry over.
"This guy's really Golden Lion?"
Tesoro looked somewhat disbelievingly at Golden Lion, burned beyond recognition.
Completely unrecognizable from his original appearance.
"Besides me, who else dares use this nickname?"
Golden Lion glanced at him sideways.
"I'm somewhat convinced now."
Tesoro's lips twitched.
Can't say for certain, but before Brett still daring such arrogance—aside from those who'd once climbed to the seas' pinnacle, very few would possess such spirit.
"Golden Lion?"
Nearby, both Jinbei and Neptune frowned.
Undoubtedly, the Flying Lion was indeed a powerful ally.
But legend said this guy's character had never been good.
Brett heard their thoughts, but now wasn't the time for this. He looked toward Mansherry who'd landed on Golden Lion's chest.
"Princess-sama, I'll leave this to you." Brett said.
"Yes!"
The little princess nodded lightly, then began deploying her ability.
A few healing tears later, Golden Lion's festering skin and muscles began rapidly recovering. Even his hair regrew.
"Remarkable ability!"
Feeling strength gradually returning, Golden Lion couldn't help praising loudly.
"Kid, I owe you another favor!" He said seriously.
"Don't rush, Golden Lion-senpai—it's not over yet. Too early to mention owing favors."
Brett walked behind Golden Lion's head, extending his hand to press the ship's wheel—damaged by high temperature—atop his head.
"Hey! You kid—"
Golden Lion instinctively cried out.
He'd kept this ship's wheel in his head naturally not for appearance, but because it had penetrated deeply into his brain. Moving it recklessly might cause direct death.
"Don't worry, Golden Lion-senpai. Now prepare to welcome rebirth."
Brett smiled.
The next instant, Haki surged. The ship's wheel in his grip shattered directly.
Golden Lion's head instantly gained several bloody holes, penetrating deep into the brain.
"AHHHH!!"
The old veteran released an extremely miserable scream.
Then the same moment—
"Mansherry!" Brett said gravely.
"Leave it to me!"
The little princess took a deep breath. Ability—activate!
***
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