Sparring

"Hmph! Hah!"

Two heavy thuds rang out in succession—the sound of fists striking steel.

In the training grounds, Jinbe had risen early. Though still somewhat unwell, he continued training diligently.

To strengthen the soldiers under his command, Neptune had established training grounds within Ryugu Palace. Jinbe was a regular here, along with a yellow-skinned fish-man.

Using Fish-Man Karate, Jinbe heavily struck the equipment before him. His friend Hatchan watched and took notes nearby, pointing out flaws in his movements and exertion.

Mobius followed the information he had received and arrived to find this scene.

A thin layer of sweat had already soaked Jinbe's clothes. His flesh and organs had fully warmed up; his warm-up was complete.

Hatchan watched Jinbe's technique with an expression of immense admiration.

"Whether it's Karate or Jujutsu, there's nothing more I can teach you, Jinbe. You have completely surpassed me."

Even compared to Brother Tiger from the past, Hatchan believed Tiger would not have been Jinbe's match.

Hatchan was one of the rare fish-men who had not grown up in the Fish-Man District. His family had passed down their techniques through generations, though he had only met Tiger a few times as a child.

Hatchan had met the young Jinbe two years ago. At the time, Jinbe had been powerful, but only in terms of strength and physique. His technique had been exceedingly crude.

But now, Jinbe had completely absorbed the essence of Fish-Man Karate and Fish-Man Jujutsu from Hatchan. He could already be called a master or even a grandmaster.

"You flatter me, Hatchan. I'm still far from good enough..."

Jinbe grinned. In his memories, Brother Tiger had been stronger than him. He wanted to surpass that Brother Tiger so he could provide help in the future!

"Good morning, Jinbe. Looks like we didn't manage to drink you under the table yesterday after all~"

"And this is?"

Mobius greeted him openly, then looked toward Hatchan beside him.

Though his gaze carried some confusion, Mobius had already recognized who this was.

A future Revolutionary Army officer, an instructor who trained young Revolutionary Army fighters, nicknamed Haku of a Hundred Techniques.

"Good morning, Mobius. This is Hatchan, my friend, a master of Fish-Man Karate and Jujutsu."

Seeing Mobius, Jinbe grinned as well. After their conversation yesterday, the two could already be considered friends.

"Mobius? Could you be the national adviser His Majesty Neptune just announced?"

Hearing the name Mobius, Hatchan's expression changed, and his tone became astonished.

"That's right. Hello, Master Hatchan."

Mobius admitted it openly. Looking between Jinbe and Hatchan, he compared their presences and agreed with Hatchan's earlier words. Jinbe was indeed stronger.

"You give me too much credit. I've merely inherited a little of my family's teachings."

Hatchan lowered his head. He could hardly be called a master yet.

"Do you have time now, Jinbe?"

"It'll still be some time before my shift."

Hearing Mobius's words, Jinbe understood what he meant. His gaze grew slightly heated.

"Then... shall we spar?"

Mobius flexed his fingers. His hands were getting itchy.

"Good!"

Even now, Jinbe had not encountered many powerful opponents from overseas. How could he not look forward to it?

The two exchanged smiles, preparing to find a place and have a proper fight.

"Huh?"

Hatchan, standing nearby, was somewhat bewildered. Wasn't he the national adviser? Why was he going to fight a squad leader like Jinbe?

But as the pressure from the two spread, Hatchan knew he would not be able to stop them.

He was about to go teach the princes...

Hatchan gave a bitter smile, but then had an idea. Perhaps he could let the princes see in advance what a battle between strong fighters looked like.

In the open space, Jinbe and Mobius stood facing one another. Not far away were the three princes led by Hatchan, watching the fight.

Hatchan had suggested that the princes broaden their horizons. Neither Jinbe nor Mobius had any reason to refuse, and both agreed.

Still wearing wooden sandals, Jinbe stood firmly in place. Yet when facing Mobius, he did not know why, but his heart constantly warned him to stay alert.

It was as though he was not facing a person, but a ferocious beast.

Clenching his teeth, Jinbe forcibly dispelled the inexplicable feeling in his heart. He assumed the signature stance of Fish-Man Karate, secretly gathering his strength as he prepared for battle.

Mobius also took a stance, though compared to Jinbe, he looked far more relaxed.

Having trained under old Uncle Borsalino, his master had generally never been very proper when fighting opponents.

Bang. With a light step against the ground, Jinbe's bulky body shot forward at a speed utterly mismatched with his size.

In the blink of an eye, that blue fist as large as a sandbag had already appeared before Mobius.

Fish-Man Karate—Arabesque Brick Fist!

A straight, heavy punch shot forward. Before the physical fist even arrived, a shockwave had already reached him first.

"So this is Fish-Man Karate?"

Mobius understood inwardly. It did not produce impact through brute force alone, but drove the moisture in the air, forcing it outward in layer upon layer.

This kind of heavy punch not only possessed immense impact, but also tremendous penetrating power, much like dripping water piercing stone.

If Pizarro's assimilated stone giant from before had faced this move, it would probably have suffered greatly.

But Mobius was unafraid.

Simply coating his hand in Haki, Mobius relied on the enhanced body granted by several Devil Fruits and threw a powerful counterpunch.

Bang bang bang...

The layered force of water was smashed apart. Surprise appeared on Jinbe's face. On Fish-Man Island, he had never encountered anyone who could break this move so directly.

Boom!

Like bricks colliding with bricks, a muffled impact instantly rang out. Jinbe's fist collided with Mobius's fist as the two forces clashed.

But in less than a second of deadlock, Jinbe's proud wrist strength began to buckle.

As Jinbe's expression crumbled, Mobius flashed a savage grin and threw a merciless punch!

Boom!

Jinbe's broad body flew through the air, sent flying in the same manner as Mobius's former opponents.

He crashed heavily onto the ground and let out a muffled groan, but immediately climbed back to his feet.

His fist trembled as Jinbe looked at Mobius in utter disbelief.

Was that guy really human?

Not bad~

Unlike Jinbe, Mobius was thoroughly delighted at that moment. The strength of the Red Dragon, the strength of a lion, the strength of an elephant.

Without using his other Devil Fruits, Jinbe could not resist the power of a dragon, a lion, and an elephant alone.

"This is the power of raw stats, Jinbe. There are plenty of powerful people overseas~"

Mobius spoke earnestly. Having remained secluded on Fish-Man Island for so long, he felt that Jinbe's talent had been worn down somewhat.

Jinbe nodded as though enlightened, but said no more. He immediately changed his stance and faced his opponent once again.

Boom!

This time, Mobius threw the punch. As the air was pushed aside, it crashed forward like the front of a train, the fierce blast of wind even leaving afterimages.

Jinbe focused completely. If he could not compete in raw stats, then...

Plum Blossom Hide!

Powerful Haki wrapped around Jinbe's hands, forming a bridged guard before him as he met Mobius's punch head-on.

A punch carrying the same immense strength struck him. Jinbe let out another muffled sound; the force was simply too great for him to bear.

But this time, Jinbe was not sent flying.

He caught it!

With a reverse motion, Jinbe seized Mobius's arm, his thick palm gripping it tightly.

Mobius's senses trembled, yet he did not stop the move.

Fish-Man Jujutsu—Tide-Draw One-Armed Shoulder Throw!

Following Mobius's force, Jinbe's massive body somehow yielded like the tide. However much force came, he redirected that same amount.

Boom!

Using Mobius's own strength, Jinbe flipped him over his shoulder and smashed him violently into the ground.

Cracks several meters long spread across the ground. Mobius lay on his back, the shattered stones nearly "submerging" his shoulders.

Using an opponent's force against them, Mobius now understood just how great his own strength was.

"Like this?"

Mobius pondered aloud from the ground, then climbed straight back up and dusted himself off. There was not the slightest sign of injury on him.

"When comparing raw stats, use Fish-Man Karate. When the difference in stats is too great, use the mechanics of Fish-Man Jujutsu."

"What excellent combat methods~"

Mobius sighed in admiration. This Karate and Jujutsu stuff was good—he had to secretly learn some.

"The testing is over. It's time to get serious."

Jinbe clenched both fists, fearful yet excited. Was this what it felt like to encounter a powerful opponent?

Vertical pupils appeared in Mobius's eyes. Dense scales emerged across his body, a horn pushed out, and his hands took on the shape of claws.

Red Dragon Fruit · Snake Fruit · Flood Dragon Form!

He sensed the moisture in the air. Recalling Jinbe's previous method, Mobius assumed the same stance.

"This move was used like this, right?"

Fish-Man Karate—Arabesque Brick Fist!

Jinbe's pupils contracted. What was this!?