"Jealous?"
Kuina's gaze turned even icier as she swung her sword again:
"You? What exactly do you have that I could possibly envy?"
Amidst the shrieking of blades tearing through air, the two combatants moved from the deck onto the ice. Smoothie chuckled lightly:
"What else? Of course it's jealousy that I can openly confess my feelings to your precious Lord Xiano, even propose marriage..."
Kuina's sword momentum faltered momentarily.
"I saw everything clearly at the Tea Party."
Smoothie whispered breathily into Kuina's ear, "Every time I got close to Xiano, your eyes looked ready to devour me whole. Couldn't hide it even if you tried. What's wrong? The mighty 'Wind Erosion' Kuina, too cowardly to confess?"
"Silence!"
Kuina roared, her swordplay suddenly intensifying severalfold. A Steel Tempest slash tore across the ice, carving a trench dozens of meters long.
Smoothie failed to block it completely, sent flying backward to crash heavily against a distant iceberg.
"Your baseless assumptions bore me. I hold only respect for Lord Xiano, unlike you with your filthy thoughts."
Though wincing from chest pain, Smoothie's smile widened as she flipped back up, continuing to fan the flames:
"Oh ho, struck a nerve did I? How pathetic. But understandable—someone as radiant as Lord Xiano would make anyone's heart flutter."
"Pity though, he doesn't seem interested in you at all. You'll forever remain just his loyal little Swordsman, silently watching from the shadows."
"What would you know!"
Kuina finally erupted, years of pent-up emotions bursting forth like floodwaters as she snarled through clenched teeth:
"You couldn't possibly comprehend the heights of Lord Xiano's dreams! I must become his sharpest blade first, accompany him to the very end! When his goal is achieved, if I confess then surely—"
Her words cut off abruptly.
Would it really work?
A flicker of uncertainty passed through Kuina's eyes.
Would her feelings truly be accepted...?
Now's my chance!
Seizing the opportunity, Smoothie lunged forward, her blade aimed straight for Kuina's heart:
"Admit it! You're jealous that I can openly declare my feelings while you're too cowardly to even face your own emotions!"
Clang!
At the last possible moment, Kuina parried the lethal strike. Their blades locked, bringing them face-to-face in a cold stare-down.
"You're right."
Kuina took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
When they reopened, her gaze had become eerily calm:
"Perhaps I'm still influenced by my father and hometown traditions. I've been too reserved, constantly running from these feelings—couldn't even muster the courage to speak them aloud—"
"But thanks to your provocations!"
With sudden force, she shoved Smoothie back:
"Using excuses to deceive myself, escaping reality—that's the truest weakness! That version of me could never become Lord Xiano's sharpest blade!"
"And today, right now, I'll use these hands to sever that weakness myself!"
A fierce light flashed in Kuina's eyes.
Hummm!
The Wado Ichimonji, which had accompanied her for over a decade, suddenly began to tremble violently at this moment. With a clear metallic hum, it erupted with an unstoppable, terrifying aura.
Smoothie was shocked to discover that her own longsword was forcibly pressed back against her chest, the blade bending under immense pressure to the point of nearly snapping.
This is...
This is????
The next instant—
BOOM!
With Kuina at the center, a violent shockwave exploded outward. The nearest circle of pirates around her rolled their eyes and collapsed in droves.
Smoothie was also sent flying dozens of meters by the shockwave. Staggering to her feet, she looked up and her eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets, her mouth agape:
"Hey hey hey... you've got to be kidding me..."
It seemed she had completely overplayed her hand.
But still, but...
This was just too bizarre.
Who in the world would Awaken their potential over something like this?!!!
In mid-air—
The woman who always kept her high ponytail meticulously neat now had her hair tie snapped, her black locks cascading wildly behind her like a waterfall. Yet she remained unfazed, eyes closed, gripping her sword tightly.
CRACK!
Black-red lightning, as if alive, surged from every part of her body, spreading recklessly in all directions, scorching the air into distorted ripples.
Under Smoothie's stunned gaze.
Kuina finally opened her eyes.
Her once calm, deep eyes now burned with fierce battle intent, as if molten lava churned within her pupils.
"Why'd you stop talking? Go on, keep speaking," a cold voice rang out. "I can't help but feel like you're regretting this now."
————
Outer reaches of the Galaxy Sea.
On a solitary reef.
Jinbei sat cross-legged, hands resting on his knees, eyes lightly closed as he meditated and regulated his breathing.
The sound of waves lapped at his ears, while a gentle breeze brushed against his blue skin, bringing a cool sensation.
After an unknown length of time.
He slowly opened his eyes and exhaled softly.
"Has Lord Xiano still not returned?"
Jinbei gazed into the distance, where the faint outlines of seven islands were barely visible through the mist.
He had come here days ago, making the trip specifically from Fish-Man Island.
His purpose was simple.
To apologize for the past misdeeds of Arlong and to express gratitude for sparing Fish-Man Island from calamity.
But luck wasn't on his side.
Xiano himself was nowhere to be found. One of the stationed officers informed him that Lord Xiano had taken the main fleet out to sea, with no set return date, and suggested he return to Fish-Man Island and visit another time.
But after careful consideration, Jinbei decided to stay and wait.
However, he declined the invitation to rest within the Curtain Closer's territory. It would be far too impolite for someone like him, bearing past sins, to enter uninvited while the master was away.
"Seems like another day of waiting in vain."
Jinbei sighed and stood up, stretching his limbs.
Just as he was about to resume his meditation, he suddenly sensed something and frowned, turning his gaze toward the southern sea—
Whoosh~
There, above the azure waters, a rather peculiar figure was leisurely flying across the surface.
It was a tall, green-haired man with a giant yellow flower sprouting from his head, spinning rapidly like a propeller, carrying him aloft over the sea.
Hmm?
The green-haired man soon noticed Jinbei on the reef and abruptly changed course, heading straight for him.
"Hey, you there—blue Fatty."
The man stopped a few meters away from Jinbei, hovering above the sea surface as he studied him with interest. "Huh, a Fish-man? Rare sight in the South Blue. So, are you with the Curtain Closers?"
"Not at all."
Jinbei shook his head slightly, narrowing his eyes at the newcomer. "Just waiting for someone here. And you, sir?"
"Not a Curtain Closer, eh?"
Aramaki grinned, revealing sharp white teeth. "Then I suppose I don't have to kill you. Fine, scram and go play somewhere else."
With that, he looked up, surveying the distant island with a mocking chuckle.
"Few ships left—seems they really did send everyone out. Having the Navy's intel sure makes things easy… Hehehe. Wrecking his base first—when that brat comes back and sees the mess, his face'll be priceless."
"Hold it!"
Jinbei's gaze sharpened as he abruptly stood, his voice low and firm. "From your words, sir, it seems you intend harm against the Curtain Closers?"
Aramaki slowly turned his head, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes. "What's it to you, Blue Fatty? Planning to meddle?"
"I am Jinbei. Though not a member of the Curtain Closers, Lord Xiano has done great favors for Fish-Man Island."
Jinbei assumed a Fish-man Karate stance, his voice resolute. "If you've come seeking vengeance, I cannot stand idly by."
"Jinbei… That name rings a faint bell."
Aramaki scratched his ear, feigning thought before flicking away earwax with indifference. His grin turned vicious.
"Still can't place it, but no matter. I gave you a chance to walk away, yet you insist on dying. Guess I'll warm up with you first!"
A lowly species trampled by humans—how utterly delusional!
Whoosh!
Before the words fully left his mouth, Aramaki's right arm transformed into thick vines, lashing toward Jinbei like a monstrous serpent!
"Fish-man Karate—Arabesque Tile True Fist!"
Jinbei planted his feet, fists surging with torrential force as he struck forward!
The clash of power sent a towering geyser of seawater erupting between them. After a brief struggle, Aramaki's vines shattered inch by inch under the impact.
"Oh? Not bad."
Aramaki took half a step back, raising an eyebrow. "Seems you're more than just cannon fodder."
"But that's all you've got!"
With a deranged laugh, he spread his arms. Countless thorned vines burst from his body, surging from all directions in a dizzying, relentless assault.
"Fish-man Karate—Idle Rapids!"
Jinbei reacted swiftly, palms glowing blue as he slammed them against the sea, summoning a massive wave as a shield.
Yet these vines were far stronger than before. Many pierced straight through the watery barrier, gouging bloody holes into his shoulders and legs. The thickest among them smashed squarely into his chest.
"Ugh—!"
Jinbei was sent flying, crashing into the sea with a colossal splash.
Crimson bloomed in the water.
But mere seconds later—
Splash!
He surged back to the surface, standing tall as he wiped blood from his lips, his expression grave.
This guy… is strong.
Jinbei had seen enough of the world to know—just a few exchanges were enough to confirm this man stood among the mightiest on these seas.
No wonder he dared to invade the Curtain Closers' territory alone for revenge.
But…
"No matter what, I won't let you pass!"
Jinbei growled with deep fury, "In the name of the sun, if you wish to enter the Galaxy Sea, you'll have to step over my corpse first!"
The opponent was indeed far stronger than him—that much was undeniable.
But as a Fish-man, as one bearing the title of the strongest in naval combat among the Warlords of the Sea—
On this battlefield called the ocean, he had no reason to cower. He possessed the confidence and resolve to hold his ground!
"A Fish-man, huh? How amusing."
Aramaki was growing impatient. "Seems like even your recovery speed increases in the water. Tch, what a pain. Fine, I'll show you a little of my true power..."
"Advent of a World of Trees!"
In the next instant—
Jinbei felt the light above him abruptly dim.
Instinctively looking up, his expression twisted in shock.
Countless vines had woven into a colossal net that blotted out the sky, pressing down toward the sea. Upon contact with the water, they didn't wither—instead, they forced the seawater aside, occupying the space and multiplying wildly.
In the blink of an eye,
the surrounding waters spanning several nautical miles had transformed into a primeval forest!
Meanwhile, Aramaki's body rapidly expanded, his skin turning woody, resembling the texture of bark. In mere moments, he had morphed into a towering ancient tree, dozens of meters tall!
"This…"
Cold sweat dripped down Jinbei's back. His opponent had already developed his Logia fruit to an Awakened state—even seawater couldn't halt its expansion!
With this, his sole advantage had vanished entirely.
"Hah, see that?"
The towering tree that was Aramaki let out a low chuckle, a grotesque mouth splitting open along its trunk:
"Fish-man, the ocean you rely on is now my forest!"
Boom!
Countless vines lashed out like giant serpents. Gritting his teeth, Jinbei met them head-on, slashing with Armament Haki-coated hand strikes—yet only a few scattered vines were torn apart.
More tendrils coiled around his limbs, sharp wooden thorns piercing his muscles, blood streaming freely.
"Fish-man Karate: Secret Technique—Martial Thunder Pierce!"
With a furious roar, Jinbei unleashed all his Haki in a single burst, shattering his restraints. His right fist clenched tightly before delivering a devastating blow straight at Aramaki's main body.
Boom!
A massive Shockwave erupted, blasting a gaping hole through the tree's trunk, sending splinters flying. Yet, in an instant, new branches surged from the wound, regenerating completely.
"Useless, useless, useless! Fish-man!"
The face on the colossal tree vanished, but Aramaki's unrestrained laughter echoed from all directions as the entire forest trembled in resonance:
"In this domain of my creation, I am a god—an immortal! And without the sea, how much longer can you last?"
Jinbei dropped to one knee, clutching his chest as he gasped for breath, blood pouring from his wounds.
Struggling to lift his head, he scanned his surroundings—even the sky above was now entirely sealed by the forest, trapping him in a vast green prison.
Escaping seemed impossible now...
As the crushing weight of the colossal trees loomed ever closer—
Was this the end?
At that critical moment—
BOOM!!!
A massive meteorite, ablaze with searing flames, suddenly plummeted from the heavens like a divine hammer, crashing onto the forest's canopy.
Countless trees and vines twisted and snapped under the terrifying pressure, igniting into a sea of fire.
"Fire? A meteorite?"
Aramaki's furious voice echoed from within the tree trunk as the massive human face reappeared, "Who? Who's there?"
"Where are you looking? I'm right above you."
Both Jinbei and Aramaki looked up simultaneously.
High in the sky, a figure was slowly descending. His purple yukata fluttered in the wind as the blind swordsman, wielding his cane sword and wearing wooden geta, landed between the two men.
Behind him, an orange-haired girl followed, her palms ablaze with flames, giggling mischievously.
The attack that had just incinerated the forest seemed to be their combined technique...
"Mr. Issho!"
Delight flashed in Jinbei's eyes—the second strongest of the Curtain Closers hadn't left with the others after all?
"My apologies for not greeting you sooner. I've been in secluded training these past few days and couldn't properly receive you."
Fujitora landed steadily beside Jinbei, bowing slightly with a hint of remorse.
"Sir Jinbei, you've truly worked hard. It's fortunate you intercepted this man at the outskirts, preventing the battle from reaching the civilians in the territory. Now, please leave the rest to me... and Miss Nami."
(End of Chapter)