"Big Brother Jinbe!"
The furious blast of air sent the Sun Pirates' ship skidding backwards. The fishmen aboard cried out in terror at the horrifying sight before them.
Out on the sea near the beach, a towering firestorm collided with the waves below, erupting in a surge of white steam.
Flames spiraled within the rising mist, staining the pale vapor a fiery orange-red. The rotating currents of air carried the mist outward in all directions.
Don, flames coiling around his body, gripped his blazing blade En. His eyes fixed intently on the fiery tornado had unleashed.
Through Observation Haki, he could clearly perceive the scene inside.
"As expected!"
Don murmured under his breath.
He had already considered this—on the open sea, the Mera Mera no Mi was not an overwhelmingly advantageous power.
After all, seawater restrained fire.
Not because seawater countered Devil Fruit users per se, but because water itself naturally suppressed flame.
Unless one day he could develop his flames to the point that seawater evaporated before touching him—or even ignite the sea itself.
But this world was an oceanic planet. To burn it outright would require more stamina than even he could muster.
"Water Heart—Ocean Current Shoulder Throw!"
A thunderous shout rang out from within the flames. A massive surge of seawater rose as though pulled upward by an invisible hand.
The water crashed through the fiery vortex and roared toward Don.
The sheer momentum was staggering.
Raising his arm, Don swung down his flame-wreathed longsword. A blazing slash split the rushing seawater apart.
The torrent ruptured, scattering as it crashed onto the ground on either side. Water exploded into shards and spray.
Jinbe, half-submerged in the surf, glared coldly at Don, his expression grave.
"A Devil Fruit user?"
The way Don commanded the flames—Jinbe's first instinct was that his opponent wielded a Fruit's power.
Likely a Logia.
But Jinbe dared not step ashore.
So long as he remained in the sea, he could use its waters to resist fire.
On land, stripped of that advantage, facing an enemy with Logia-like flame manipulation? He could not be confident of victory.
Especially since in their brief clash, he had already sensed Don's prowess as a formidable swordsman.
From afar, cheers suddenly erupted aboard the pirates' ship.
Don, still locked in a standoff with Jinbe, turned his head toward the jubilant vessel. His blade En lifted slightly.
That shift in attention did not escape Jinbe's notice.
His chest tightened—but the very next instant, Don moved.
Shhh!
A clean, unadorned slash cut through the air, streaking toward the pirate ship floating on the waves.
Jinbe's face hardened. He slammed both palms against the water, propelling himself forward to intercept. Arms crossed, Haki coating his forearms
"Plum Blossom Carapace!"
He braced in a defensive stance, colliding head-on with the slash.
Boom!
The impact hurled Jinbe backward, smashing him into the sea beside the pirate ship.
The cheers on board died at once.
"Get out of here, now!"
Surfacing again, Jinbe barked an order to the Sun Pirates.
"Boss Jinbe!"
They hesitated, wanting to protest—but another slash ripped toward them.
Jinbe tensed and leapt forward again.
And once more, he was blasted into the waves.
The pirates finally understood. Their enemy was using them as bait to pressure Jinbe.
Fury welled up among them, but helpless against Don, they could only obey, steering the ship away to avoid becoming liabilities.
As the vessel retreated, Don glanced at Jinbe in the surf, his brow faintly furrowed.
Should he dive in to fight this guy head-on?
Impossible.
Though he had trained his swimming, and his body could now endure an hour or two in the sea, to duel a Warlord like Jinbe—master of Fishman Karate and fluent in manipulating currents—within the ocean itself?
It would be suicide.
On land, Don might match or even overcome him through sheer physique and Devil Fruit firepower.
But in the ocean, unless he attained the power to burn the sea, his flames would falter.
Of course, that was assuming he did not trigger Indomitable.
If he unleashed that terrifying state—with its overwhelming boosts—he might very well crush Jinbe outright.
But Don had no intention of using Indomitable lightly.
To be frank—it wasn't worth it.
Not to mention, that power carried a period of weakness afterward.
On the shoreline, Don and Jinbe locked eyes. Then, with a sudden flip, Jinbe vanished beneath the waves.
Gone?
Don waited, but Jinbe did not resurface.
Neither had truly fought in earnest. It had only been a probing exchange.
Sheathing his blade, Don drew the flames back into his body and turned toward the village.
The rescued villagers remained frozen where they were. Only when they saw him return did they finally breathe out in relief.
Don gave them a cursory glance, then strode in the direction of the village chief's house.
There, a crushed Den Den Mushi lay on the ground. Beside it, the old chief's corpse—one arm severed, a deep diagonal gash across his chest—already lifeless.
Don lowered his head slightly, standing silent for a moment before turning.
At the doorway stood a towering figure clad in a Marine uniform.
"Funny, isn't it? The Navy always shows up a step too late?"
Don's tone was sharp as he looked at the man.
Surprisingly, the old Marine—known for his blunt temper—did not flare up. He only sighed as he took in the dead elder.
"There's no helping it. The sea is vast. Even the Navy can't control everything. And besides... some Marines..."
Garp trailed off, swallowing the rest of his words.
He fixed his eyes on Don.
"You fought Jinbe, didn't you?"
"You saw that?"
Don blinked. He was sure Garp hadn't been present during his clash with Jinbe—or even within his range of Observation Haki.
"I got word. Jinbe came here to meet a band of fishmen. They're the ones lying dead out there, aren't they? He left the bodies behind. And the shore bears signs of battle—scorch marks from fire."
Garp's gaze was steady.
Don hefted En onto his shoulder and walked past him.
"Yeah. But I'm not stupid enough to fight that guy in the sea. Out there, I'd be the one at a disadvantage."
Garp watched Don's straight, unwavering back. Then his eyes drifted to the elder's corpse again.
"You knew him?"
"Not really. Just exchanged a few words before."
Don paused, then turned his head slightly.
"To be honest, I don't like pirates. But I don't like you Marines either. So, don't bother me again, got it?"
Garp stiffened.
For once, words failed him.
"I'll borrow one of your ships to return. As for the bounty on those fishman pirates—convert it. Half goes to rebuilding this village."
With that, Don strode toward the coast.
Out on the water, a Marine warship loomed. Dozens of small boats, crowded with Marines, were rowing toward the island.
END OF CHAPTER
patreon.com/MrBehringer
Fireborne Legends
🔹 Rising Bounty – Read up to 15 chapters ahead
🔸 Legendary Bounty – Command up to 35 chapters ahead