OPTC Chapter 165 Trying to Eat for Free
"Has Jinbe ever been to Sabaody before?" Zhang Da Ye asked.
"Of course, but I never really liked the atmosphere here. Your little tavern is fine though." Jinbe glanced at the people who had been secretly watching him but were now smiling and chatting again. These people were far better than the strangers who would either fear or resent him.
Zhang Da Ye speculated, "Maybe it's because they've seen so many strange things here—like a piano-playing cat, and a very chatty robot. Another Fishman wouldn't seem too unusual."
The chatty robot looked expectantly at him. "Mr. Jinbe, why not test my Fishman Karate?"
"Sure," Jinbe replied. "Let's see what progress you've made these days."
They walked out to the courtyard. Zhang Da Ye looked at the guests craning their necks to watch. "Anyone who wants to watch, come to the courtyard."
The scene that followed could only be described as a rush to see the action. Zhang Da Ye thought it looked strangely familiar.
Fortunately, no traps were usually set during the day when the tavern was open, or some guests might have been carried out.
Jinbe didn't mind the spectators and took a defensive stance. "Come on, attack with full strength."
"Full strength? Then activate Super Transformation!" Shark Chili instantly transformed, his right fist raised. "Fishman Karate: Five Thousand Watt Punch!"
Shark Chili's transformations always drew cheers. Both those who had seen it before and newcomers were excited to watch.
Some even whispered to explain to their friends: "Shark Chili is incredibly strong. No one has ever beaten him in arm wrestling at the tavern. His strength multiplies when he transforms. I wonder if even a Warlord can withstand him!"
Zhang Da Ye thought, of course he can. Jinbe was extremely familiar with this move, and he himself was known for his strength. Even raw power-wise, he wasn't weaker than Shark Chili.
Sure enough, to test Shark Chili, Jinbe crossed his arms and absorbed the punch. His eyebrows slightly furrowed as his wooden clogs left two one-foot-long marks on the ground.
"As strong as ever." Jinbe commented, clearly satisfied. "Your technique still has room to improve, but unlike Hody, you don't just rely on brute force. You have talent."
"Thank you, Mr. Jinbe! While I'm still transformed, please teach me more!" Shark Chili had learned that it wasn't convenient to train or fight before transforming, so he now carefully used his transformation time for training. With Jinbe's guidance, he didn't want to waste a second.
"No problem. Bring it on!"
They sparred, each punch and kick packed immense force. Most of the time, Jinbe defended and pointed out Shark Chili's mistakes. Occasional attacks were more like demonstrations of proper technique.
Bang! Crack!
The crowd felt every impact. "Incredible! Is this the power of a Warlord? Shark Chili's full-strength attacks can't even hurt him!"
They had always heard how powerful the Warlords were but had no real concept until now. One Shark Chili could take them all, but one Jinbe could handle several Shark Chilis?
They estimated that one Jinbe could take on over a hundred spectators.
That estimate was off. Jinbe hadn't even used his Haki, and this was on land. Conservatively, in water, one Jinbe could take a whole artillery team.
Shark Chili had only just begun training, so his potential was huge.
Fifteen minutes later, Shark Chili reverted to his normal form, ending the test. Jinbe praised his progress and encouraged him to keep going.
After the crowd left the courtyard, Tom lingered alone, mimicking Jinbe's stance and throwing a few punches. His fists seemed to carry invisible shockwaves.
Bored, Tom yawned and went into the kitchen to raid the fridge.
After a while, Jinbe announced he had to leave.
"Not staying a bit longer? You haven't tasted Tom's cooking yet."
"Yes, Mr. Jinbe, Tom's cooking is excellent."
"Ha, that can wait for next time. My companions are still waiting at the port. If I stay too long, they'll get anxious."
"Ah, I should have invited your companions along as well." Zhang Da Ye hadn't noticed the slightly troubled looks on some guests' faces when Jinbe said that.
A Jinbe in the tavern was still within their tolerance. Warlords were, after all, allies of the World Government. But facing an entire Sun Pirates crew? Better to settle the bill and leave.
Jinbe noticed their reactions and smiled. "I'll convey your kind thoughts. No rush; there'll be another opportunity."
"Alright then." Zhang Da Ye noticed the guests relaxing and decided not to push it.
"Camie, Papagu." Jinbe called.
"Yes!" Camie had Jinbe lift her onto his shoulder, and Papagu hopped onto his other shoulder.
"See you next time, Brother Da Ye, Sister Meng Meng…" Camie waved goodbye.
"See you, Camie, Jinbe!"
Once they saw Jinbe off, the guests finally realized. "Why did he take Camie? Was the little boss threatened?"
"No. Camie is a mermaid, so of course she's going back to Fishman Island with Jinbe." Zhang Da Ye said matter-of-factly.
"What—?"
"Camie-chan is a mermaid?"
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?"
"I did. I told you a friend asked me to look after her. Jinbe is that friend. Can a child he brings really be an ordinary human?"
Many guests looked stunned, and Zhang Da Ye continued. "Once there was a genuine mermaid in front of you, and you didn't cherish her. Only when she was gone did you regret it…"
"Enough, little boss!"
"Our dream, our mermaid!"
But Zhang Da Ye wasn't finished. "It's your fault for being so scared of Jinbe. That's why he didn't bring the other crew members."
The guests thought it didn't matter. They were Fishman pirates anyway, so missing the rest wasn't a big deal.
Zhang Da Ye added, "There were mermaids on Jinbe's ship far more mature than Camie. Looks like you won't get to meet them."
"More mature than Camie-chan…"
"…Mermaids?"
"Little boss isn't lying to us, is he?"
Zhang Da Ye raised a finger. "I swear on Tom's life, I'm not lying! You can ask Meng Meng and Artoria."
Artoria nodded, and Rui Meng Meng said, "There really are more mature mermaids. The boss isn't lying."
Though she knew the truth, the guests had no idea and imagined missing out on meeting a mermaid elder, beating their chests in frustration.
"Damn it, no paying today!"
"Yeah, we're not paying!"
The guests rioted.
Artoria quickly drew her sword at the door. She hadn't done her job as bodyguard for a while. "Defeat me and you don't have to pay."
The guests: …
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