The location was a training ground deep within the Sea Forest of the Fish-Man District on Fish-Man Island, where a battle was underway.
The two combatants were Hyouzou and Shark Star, the eldest prince of Ryugu Palace.
"Whew... it should be about time, shouldn't it, Your Highness?"
Hyouzou, the Octopus Fishman and Fish-Man Island's greatest swordsman, panted for breath. "Look at you, already gasping for air."
"Aren't you the same?"
Prince Shark Star, also a fishman, refused to be outdone. He held a pitch-black trident in his hand. "And don't call me prince when we're here. I'm just a member of the Immigration Bureau!"
"Heh heh."
Hyouzou merely chuckled. His body shot forward, his eight longswords already stained black as they whirled toward Shark Star like a storm of blades.
"Octopus Storm!"
"Fishman Jujutsu—Flowing Time Spear!"
Shark Star fearlessly swung his trident to meet the attack, and the field once more erupted in a barrage of clanging steel.
Below the stage, Bright and Jinbe stood side by side, watching the battle.
"Shark Star's Armament Haki is stronger than Hyouzou's."
Jinbe commented, "But he's too heavily restricted on land."
Even among fishmen, there were differences. Hyouzou was an Octopus Fishman with many tentacles that allowed him to move freely on land. Shark Star, however, had only a single fish tail, and he had to rely on the bubble wrapped around his waist to move across land. He fought under tremendous restraint.
"Hyouzou's swordsmanship isn't weak. He can now use Flying Slashes with ease, and he's highly proficient in both types of Haki. For Shark Star to fight him to this extent despite being at a disadvantage, Shark Star's true strength has already surpassed Hyouzou's."
Bright nodded.
What was currently taking place was the Immigration Bureau's grand tournament.
Now that all the