"Brat! Holding grudges like this isn't a good thing!"
Kizaru shook his head as he spoke. Back in the Sabaody Archipelago, he hadn't used his full strength, so technically, Jiang Lin ought to be thanking him.
"Is that so?"
Jiang Lin smiled and switched Devil Fruit cards. Using the Glint-Glint Fruit alone wasn't enough to defeat Kizaru.
"Dark-Dark Fruit (Hormone Fruit enhancement) loaded. Duration: 10 minutes. Cooldown: 30 seconds."
As the system's voice sounded, Jiang Lin lifted his right hand, shrouded in black mist, and aimed it at Kizaru from a distance.
"Dark Water!"
An intense suction instantly surrounded Kizaru's body, pulling him toward Jiang Lin.
"Light-Speed Kick!"
A dazzling yellow light flared as Jiang Lin reached for Kizaru's leg.
However, Kizaru was far too fast; Jiang Lin couldn't catch up. Helpless, he abandoned the attack, sidestepped, and evaded Kizaru's strike.
"Boom!"
An explosion erupted behind Jiang Lin.
After his attack failed, Kizaru didn't continue the pursuit. Instead, he transformed part of his body into light and retreated swiftly.
"This is dangerous! Are today's kids all devils? Each one is absurdly powerful!"
As the yellow beams collided in the distance, Kizaru's face showed a hint of genuine fear.
"Devour!"
After Kizaru withdrew, Jiang Lin didn't pursue. He realized that without the Glint-Glint Fruit, keeping up with Kizaru's speed would be impossible. Instead, he turned his attention to the nearby Marine soldiers.
Dense black mist emanated from Jiang Lin's body, wrapping around the soldiers and pulling them into boundless darkness.
"Release!"
After swallowing dozens of Marines, Jiang Lin tossed them back into the darkness as though they were nothing more than trash.
"Ah! What's happening? I… I've turned into a woman!"
All the Marines caught in the black mist reappeared transformed, their male bodies now replaced by female forms.
"Ugh, what a nuisance. Brat! That move of yours is really insidious!"
Kizaru returned to the frontlines, helpless. He couldn't simply watch Jiang Lin transform every Marine into a woman. If he did, he wouldn't be able to relax back at base like he normally did.
"Heh… your speed alone isn't enough, Admiral Kizaru. How could I catch you otherwise?"
Jiang Lin chuckled and raised his right hand, aiming once more at Kizaru.
"Dark Water!"
Facing the pull, Kizaru tried the same trick. As he neared Jiang Lin, he shot two blinding yellow laser beams.
"Laser Light!"
The brilliant light flashed, but Jiang Lin didn't even flinch. He chose to absorb the attack directly.
Pale blue flames erupted across Jiang Lin's body. Moments later, two massive explosions sounded before him.
"Boom! Boom!"
The dense blasts stirred dust and smoke, instantly obscuring Jiang Lin's form.
"Dark Water!"
As Kizaru tried to escape using "Laser Light," an eerie suction reappeared on his body.
Feeling the pull, Kizaru was about to strike when Jiang Lin suddenly emerged from the smoke, charging right in front of him.
Reaching Kizaru, Jiang Lin grabbed his neck with one hand while pressing the other firmly onto Kizaru's just-illuminated left foot.
"Got you! Heh heh…"
Jiang Lin smiled faintly at Kizaru.
"Clang!"
A white light shield appeared on Jiang Lin's palm, directly striking Kizaru's body.
"Wah!"
A spray of dark red blood shot from Kizaru's mouth.
After this successful strike, Jiang Lin didn't chase further. He released Kizaru, letting him collapse to the ground.
"Kizaru!"
Sengoku's gaze fell on Jiang Lin, and for the first time, a flicker of concern crossed his face. The defeat of a Marine Admiral was certainly bad news for the Marines!
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Kizaru immediately elementalized and disappeared into the distance. When he reappeared, shock was still visible on his face.
"Brat! I never imagined you'd become this strong. Looks like you've grown to the point even I can't underestimate… no, even the world can't ignore your existence!"
Kizaru, abandoning his usual casual demeanor, now looked at Jiang Lin with caution and seriousness.
With the Gura Gura no Mi, Jiang Lin's power had clearly reached a terrifying new level.
"Kizaru! Move aside! The person I'm looking for isn't you!"
Jiang Lin's eyes blazed with determination as he passed by Kizaru and focused on Akainu, still seated on the golden throne.
Jiang Lin's target had always been one: Ace. To save him, Akainu was an unavoidable obstacle.
"Sorry! I can't let you pass."
Kizaru, sensing Jiang Lin's gaze, returned to his usual relaxed state.
Though he said he couldn't allow Jiang Lin through, Kizaru's body truthfully opened a path for him.
"Thanks!"
Jiang Lin quietly thanked him, switched Devil Fruit cards, and transformed into a shaft of light, dashing past Kizaru.
"Glint-Glint Fruit (Sweet-Sweet, Venom-Venom Fruit enhancement) loaded. Duration: 10 minutes. Cooldown: 30 seconds."
As the system message sounded, Jiang Lin had already passed beyond the Marines' first defensive line.
"Haha… Hawkeye, will you step in?"
Donquixote glanced at Mihawk beside him, with a thrilled expression as he watched Jiang Lin approaching.
"You go ahead."
Mihawk crossed his arms over his chest, showing no intention of intervening.
"Hoho! D! If you want to get through here, you'll have to get past me first!"
Excited, Doflamingo shouted as he leaped from the platform, blocking Jiang Lin's path.
Note: The author mentions a change to the "Dark Water" effect: instead of being avoidable by "Yata Mirror" as in Chapter 21, it now functions as an absolute attraction—enemies can use their abilities normally until contact.