"Boom—!"
Before Mike could even finish his sentence, the entire hot springs inn transformed.
The warm, comfortable paradise instantly became a scorching, unbearable hellscape of pure heat.
The Kusanagi in his hand wasn't wreathed in any visible flames, yet it felt as if it were directly connected to the core of the sun, unleashing a terrifyingly high temperature capable of melting steel and evaporating oceans in an instant.
"Sizzle—!"
The water in the hot spring pool boiled and then vanished at a visible rate.
The once-misty steam became a thick, oppressive fog, and waves of scorching heat slammed into the three admirals, threatening to suffocate them.
"W-what kind of temperature is this?!" Akainu's pupils constricted to the size of pinpricks.
For the first time in his life, his perpetually stern and rigid face displayed an emotion called "shock"—and it was the most extreme shock he had ever felt.
As a Magma-Logia user, he understood temperature better than almost anyone alive.
But this… this was completely beyond his comprehension.
He instinctively took half a step back, only to find the water beneath his feet gone, replaced by the scorching hot stone of the pool's bottom.
"Oi oi oi, Kid, are you trying to boil us alive?!" Kizaru yelped, his body instantly dissolving into golden light as he flashed to the farthest corner of the inn.
Even from that distance, he could feel a searing sensation on his skin, as if he'd been left to bake in the desert sun for three straight days.
Damn this kid! Kizaru thought, his mind reeling.
He was hiding this kind of power from me?!
This was nothing like the Breathing Styles he'd seen Mike use before.
Comparing them was like comparing a firefly to the blazing sun.
Only by experiencing it firsthand could one truly grasp the terrifying, absolute power radiating from Mike—an aura of pure destruction that could incinerate everything in existence.
"Such terrifying heat…" Kuzan slowly stood, his own chilling aura spreading out like an invisible barrier, desperately trying to combat the oppressive heat.
The air sizzled where their two auras met.
Even so, he felt his mouth go dry, his entire body unbearably hot, his skin tingling with a faint burning sensation.
This temperature… Kuzan realized with a jolt.
It might have already surpassed the maximum heat of Sakazuki's Magma Fruit! If we're talking about pure temperature… he's already lost!
The three of them—Kizaru, Kuzan, and Akainu—stared intently at Mike, their hearts roiling with a unified, profound shock.
As Logia users, their perception of the elements was unparalleled, which was precisely why they understood just how terrifying this power truly was.
This wasn't just "high temperature."
This was a destructive force capable of burning the very world to ash.
"S-so this is your true strength?" Akainu stared, his eyes gleaming with a newfound admiration.
His voice, for the first time, carried a faint tremor.
It wasn't from fear.
It was from pure, unadulterated excitement.
Yes! he thought, a savage grin threatening to split his face.
This is exactly the kind of overwhelmingly powerful man who should be leading the New Marine!
"This is just the tip of the iceberg," Mike said, casually sheathing his blade.
It was just a taste of his Ryūjin Jakka.
He hadn't even used his Breathing Styles or his Conqueror's Haki yet.
But for allies, this show of force was more than enough.
"Whew—"
As the sword's power receded, the terrifying heat dissipated with it.
The thick fog thinned, revealing the lingering steam and the three New Marine Admirals.
"Splash—"
Fresh hot spring water began to refill the pool, and the tranquil, misty atmosphere returned.
"Mike, you brat…" Kizaru was the first to snap out of it, glaring at Mike with a resentful look.
"That was way too intense! My high-temperature hazard pay better be doubled for this!"
"Hah—" Kuzan exhaled a long breath of hot air, shaking his head with a wry smile.
The kid was a true monster.
For a moment there, he'd genuinely felt like he was about to melt.
A man with strength like that… had he already surpassed the level of an "Admiral"?
"Heh— old man, I gave you a free sauna, and you're still complaining?" Mike chuckled, his tone teasing. He glanced across the three of them.
"How about a back scrub? Consider it my welcome gift to the three Admirals of the New Marine."
"Heh— a back scrub? Not a bad idea!" Kizaru grinned, slumping back into the hot water.
"Get me a skilled female masseuse—strong hands, big tits and a full-body oil massage…"
"Fine by me," Kuzan agreed, leaning back and closing his eyes, still processing the heart-stopping moment from before.
"Hmph!" Akainu snorted but didn't object, slowly submerging himself in the water.
"A little relaxation… wouldn't hurt."
"Kuro," Mike called out.
"Here, Captain," Kuro appeared silently behind him.
"Make the arrangements."
"Yes, sir."
"Oh, right!" Mike suddenly remembered something, a mischievous smirk spreading across his face as he lit a fresh cigar.
"For our Admiral Kizaru… arrange a male masseuse. An older one, experienced, with the heaviest hands you can find. And make sure he gets that full-body… oil massage."
Kuro's steps faltered for a fraction of a second, and a faint glimmer of amusement flashed behind his glasses.
"Understood."
"???"
"!!!"
Kizaru's grin froze.
A horrifying image exploded in his mind: a burly, scowling, unshaven old man with deep wrinkles, grinning menacingly as he approached with a bottle of… oil!
"Gah—" Kizaru sucked in a sharp breath, goosebumps erupting all over his back.
"Hey, hey, hey! Mike, you brat!" he yelped, leaping out of the water with a huge splash.
"How could you treat your dear old superior like this?! I want a female masseuse! Young and pretty! With a hot body!"
"Hahahaha!" Kuzan could no longer hold it in and burst into laughter, his whole body shaking with mirth.
"Pfft—" Even the eternally stern Akainu couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from twitching up into a rare, genuine smile.
That was… truly amusing.
The atmosphere in the hot springs instantly became lighthearted and cheerful, filled with a sense of camaraderie and joyous air.
[Ding—!]
[Host has successfully recruited the three Admirals of Marine Headquarters.]
[The three Admirals of Marine Headquarters officially join the New Marine.]
[Under the united leadership and cooperation of the three Admirals, the New Marine will shake the entire seas with its might!]
[The flag of the New Marine will soon fly high across these seas!]
[New Marine slogan updated: Loyalty!!!]
[Happy Points +10000!]