Strawberry raised his arm, shielding his eyes as he spoke in a cold voice, "Truly vicious."
With a flick of his hand, he gave the order to fire again.
Bang, bang, bang…
Tiger's eyes were bloodshot, reason burned away by anger. Even as countless bullets tore into his body, he seemed numb to pain. His throat rumbled with low, guttural growls.
"Unforgivable… unforgivable… unforgivable, humans!"
Through the storm of gunfire he charged like a scarlet arrow, hurling himself straight at Strawberry.
Clang!
Boom!
* * *
In the village.
The villagers were celebrating Koala's return. Laughter and cheers filled the square, and the little girl herself was all smiles. Yet the constant booming sounds from afar made her frown in confusion.
Holding her tearful mother's arm, she asked softly, "Mommy, did you hear something?"
Sweat flowed down her mother's forehead. She turned her head away and forced an answer.
"No…"
* * *
On the shore of Foolshout Island.
The members of the Sun Pirates stood frozen on the deck, unease filling their hearts at the muffled gunfire echoing from inland.
"That direction… that's where Big Brother Tiger went."
The lookout suddenly shrieked in terror, "Look! Over there! A warship! We're surrounded! Why… why now?"
Far out on the sea, nine marine warships surged forward in a wide arc, fanning out to encircle the pirates.
Arlong's face twisted into a snarl as he glared at the approaching fleet. "It's a trap. That brat must have been bait the Marines set up! We walked right into their snare! This is what humans are! Rotten to the core! If only you had listened to me sooner—"
Boom, boom, boom…
Explosions shook the ship as shells rained down. All nine warships unleashed their cannons, a storm of fire pounding the vessel pinned to the shore.
After just two salvos the pirate ship was a wreck. The keel snapped with a groan, the hull breaking apart as it sank slowly into the ocean.
Jinbe's brows furrowed in worry, staring toward the island. "Those cursed marines."
He turned sharply. "Arlong! This place is yours now! We're going to bring the captain back!"
Arlong sneered, lifting his jagged blade. "Fine. But if you don't bring him back alive, I'll never forgive you."
Jinbe's reply was a bark of conviction. "Save it! We're going!"
He leapt overboard, water exploding beneath him, two huge fish-man fighters diving after him as they surged toward the island.
Arlong watched them go, then bellowed to the crew, "All hands, abandon ship! We'll take a warship from the Marines!"
* * *
Deeper inside the island.
Strawberry circled while barking orders. Gunfire erupted in volleys, tearing at Tiger from every angle.
The fish-man's strength was fading, blood pouring from his numerous wounds. His breath came ragged, every strike weaker than the last, but marines still continued to fall in droves around him.
Boom!
One more burst of fury sent a soldier flying into unconsciousness.
Tiger staggered in place, chest heaving, his furious gaze locked on Strawberry.
The surrounding marines faltered, their feet shuffling backward. Hard swallows echoed as murmurs began to rise.
"What kind of vitality is this…"
"He's been shot so many times…"
"Why won't he fall…"
Strawberry commanded calmly, "He's at his limit. Keep firing."
Another wave of bullets raked Tiger. His body lurched in the hail of lead, swaying on the edge of collapse.
Then, from the distance, a loud voice rang out.
"Fish-Man Karate: Shark Arrows!"
Jinbe jumped into the air, his palm gathering droplets of water that glistened in the sunlight. With a fierce swing, the droplets shot down like bullets, piercing through several marines. Screams filled the air.
Strawberry drew his blade in time, deflecting two of the deadly shots.
"You've finally shown yourself." He raised his voice. "Jinbe."
The fish-man landed before Tiger, shielding him from further fire. His voice thundered with rage. "So you're the mastermind behind all this!"
Strawberry's tone didn't waver. "Everything is for justice. To wipe out the Sun Pirates."
Jinbe's jaw tightened. "You bastard…"
Crack!
A sharp crack split the earth, a pit opening at their feet. All eyes lifted skyward.
The fish-man soared high, fists poised.
"Shark Brick Fist!"
His body hurtled down like a hammer, fist aimed straight at Strawberry.
The marine's eyes narrowed. "Your head will be mine too."
His right arm gleamed, wrapped in blackened Haki, as he thrust it upward.
Boom!
The collision tore the ground apart. Dust and debris blasted outward, engulfing the battlefield.
By then, the two fish-man fighters had slipped into the chaos. In the blink of an eye they were beside Tiger, lifting him from the blood-soaked dirt and carrying him away.
At the heart of the blast, Strawberry hissed, sweat beading on his forehead as he clutched his right wrist. "Damn it… I underestimated him."
His eyes snapped to the retreating figures. "Stop them!"
The soldiers reacted at once, raising rifles as they rushed after Tiger's rescuers.
Boom!
But Jinbe slammed down in front of them. "You're not going anywhere!"
"Fish-Man Karate Secret Technique!"
He dropped into a solid horse stance. Left hand open, right hand drawn tight to his waist, water swirled around his fist in a violent spin, pulling air into its vortex.
His gaze fixed on Strawberry.
"Vagabond Drill!"
The punch unleashed a surge of power, ripples tearing the air as a massive spear of water blasted forth. It spun like a drill, ripping through the ground as it barreled straight at the marine officer.
Humm!
Strawberry's blade was coated in Haki as he swung. A crescent slash of white light cut through the air.
The two forces collided. The slash held for a moment before shattering, the water spear charging on.
Gritting his teeth, Strawberry braced his sword.
Boom!
The impact hurled him back, boots gouging trenches in the dirt as he skidded to a halt. He grunted, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His coat of justice fluttered in tatters, a gaping hole ripped clean through.
But he did not pause. His blade whipped up once more as he charged Jinbe. "All of you, after Fisher Tiger! I'll deal with this one!"
For the first time, there was anxiety in his shout. He had planned to end this perfectly, to crush the Sun Pirates in one decisive strike. But if his prize slipped through his fingers because of overconfidence…
"Damn fish-men!"
Slashes of energy ripped from his sword, cutting off Jinbe's escape.
The fish-man stood unmoving, eyes sharp. "If you want to pass, then try me!"
"Fish-Man Karate: Arabesque Brick Fist!"
He struck with a crushing blow, ripples blasting outward in waves. For a heartbeat the world fell silent.
Boom!
The shockwave erupted, hurling every soldier within reach through the air. Even the flying slashes veered off course, carving into the earth instead of their mark.
**
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