"Water Shot!"
A small droplet formed in the palm of Hody Jones before he launched it forward. It was only a probing strike—he wanted to test his new strength.
"Water Shot!"
Jinbei countered with the same technique. The two droplets collided midair, releasing an explosion as loud as a cannon blast.
They stood several dozen meters apart. Hody's body was now massive, his hair a stark gray, eyes bloodshot. Compared to before, both his appearance and his strength had changed dramatically.
"My power… it has never been greater!"
Jinbei looked at his crazed face and replied, "Indeed, your strength has grown. But the drugs giving you this power—surely their side effects must be terrible?"
"It's worth it! With this power I can overturn Fishman Island—no, conquer the whole world!" Hody's confidence soared. To be able to clash with Jinbei so evenly in a single strike had inflated his ego beyond measure.
"..." Ignorance was frightening. Jinbei sighed, raised his guard again, and said with pity, "Open your eyes and look at the world. This ocean is far wider than you imagine, frog in a well."
"Well said!" Zhang Da Ye stepped out, clapping, with Artoria and Shark Chili at his side.
Shark Chili had come mainly to watch Jinbei fight. Artoria handled navigation. Zhang Da Ye was just tagging along for the fun.
Back at the plaza, the fire had already been put out, though most of the signed posters were lost. Queen Otohime insisted on waiting for Jinbei to return, confirm the capture, and reassure the citizens before returning to Ryugu Castle.
The Right Minister had rushed over with soldiers, surrounding her in every direction—even soldiers floated above in bubbles to ensure she was protected from bullets fired from overhead.
Rui Meng Meng and Tom had been left behind by Zhang Da Ye to keep Shirahoshi company. He remembered that Hody Jones still had a few underlings left. They weren't strong, but one more fright for the little princess would be unacceptable.
"You humans…" Hody glared at Zhang Da Ye with disgust. "Once I deal with Jinbei, I'll kill you next!"
"Oh, good luck with that," Zhang Da Ye said casually, purposely provoking him. Then he turned to Jinbei. "So… need a hand?"
"Thank you for the offer. Though my strength is only average, dealing with someone relying on false power is within my ability. Please just watch." Jinbei's tone was confident, though his words humble.
"Alright then." Zhang Da Ye nodded and dug into his inventory, pulling out three beach chairs, a small round table, and even a nightstand.
He set up the furniture, pulled out snacks and sunflower seeds from the nightstand, and waved for Artoria and Shark Chili to sit and enjoy the show.
Jinbei: …
Hody Jones: …
Something about this didn't feel right.
Zhang Da Ye saw them both frozen and urged, "Go on, you can start. Don't mind us."
Artoria sat down and started eating. Shark Chili scratched his head, embarrassed for his teacher. "Please don't take offense, Master Jinbei. Boss Da Ye… well, he's always a bit… uh…"
Shark Chili couldn't even think of a polite word to finish the sentence.
Jinbei sighed in silence. Hody, on the other hand, was furious. "You bastards! Who do you think you're looking down on?!"
With a roar, he suddenly tried to bypass Jinbei and strike at the two annoying humans instead. His speed now was far greater than before.
But Jinbei wasn't about to let him through. He instantly intercepted and threw a simple punch.
Hody blocked with his arms but was forced back two steps. He sneered, "That's it? Doesn't even hurt! Jinbei, is this all you've got?"
Zhang Da Ye almost burst out laughing. How could someone barely deflect a light punch and still puff himself up like that?
Jinbei ignored him and prepared to lecture through combat. "Watch closely, Shark Chili. I'll show you how Fishman Karate is applied in battle."
"Don't be so arrogant! My power is no weaker than yours!" Hody roared and launched a kick at Jinbei's chest.
"Fishman Karate: 5000 Tile Roundhouse Kick!" Jinbei spun, delivering a clean strike. The wooden sole of his sandal clashed against Hody's military boot.
The two exchanged kicks. A wave of invisible force surged from Jinbei's strike, blasting Hody away into a coral mound, shattering it.
"Now that was stylish. No wonder so many people like playing blind monk characters in games," Zhang Da Ye muttered, imagining himself pulling off roundhouse kicks on weaklings later.
"Master Jinbei, incredible!" Shark Chili's eyes lit up. Unlike Zhang Da Ye, he recognized the precise techniques and fundamentals Jinbei had once explained to him.
"Damn it… then how about this!" Hody sprang from the rubble and unleashed a barrage of "Water Shots," droplets spraying like shotgun pellets.
Jinbei pressed his hands to his waist and struck out. "Fishman Karate: Tangling Current Tile True Punch!"
A shockwave burst from his fist, scattering every droplet midair. It was a move that worked both defensively and offensively.
"Not enough!" Hody roared, throwing all his strength into a final technique. "Fishman Karate: Yawara Taiko!"
He compressed moisture from the air into a devastating impact wave.
This time Jinbei grew serious. Planting his feet, he gathered power. "Fishman Karate: Shark Tile True Punch!"
One of his strongest techniques, second only to his secret arts. Using it on Hody was already giving him face.
Their fists collided. A violent shockwave rippled out, whipping their clothes and hair.
"Guh—!" Hody's chest felt like it had been struck by a Sea King. He coughed blood and was hurled back again.
Jinbei calmly drew back his fist, standing tall with the air of a master.
Hody struggled to his feet, near collapse. "Why? It's the same Fishman Karate! The same power! Why am I losing?!"
Jinbei advanced, fists raining down like a storm. Each punch drove Hody further back as Jinbei lectured him between blows.
"Because this is not strength you earned yourself! Even if you gained brute power for a moment, your technique never improved. Your Fishman Karate is nothing but an empty shell with more force behind it!"
His words weren't only for Hody—they were also a reminder to Shark Chili. Fishman Karate wasn't just about raw power; skill was everything.
Finally, Jinbei delivered another roundhouse kick straight to Hody's stomach.
Hody flew once more, crumpling to the ground. He clutched his abdomen, groaning in agony, unable to speak.
Jinbei clasped his fists politely toward the others. "I've troubled you all in the past, and once even shared drinks with the Straw Hat captain. I am but an unknown old soldier, called Jinbei the Whale Shark Knight. I humbly ask for your guidance in the days to come."
When it came to humble bragging, Jinbei was a master.
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