Jinbe's Defeat

!!!

Mobius, who had just left the Sea Forest, suddenly looked toward Fish-Man Island, his eyes turning grave.

This presence... that sound...

"Ugh!" "This is..."

Shyarly and Hatchan, beside him, were completely unable to withstand it. Their bodies went limp, and they collapsed with their minds blank.

Slap, slap.

Mobius caught them both steadily, one in each hand. His consciousness had been shaken as well, and his entire body went on alert.

"Beasts Pirates... Kaido?"

An emotion somewhere between excitement and terror appeared in Mobius's eyes.

At forty-four years old, Kaido had undoubtedly entered his prime. Perhaps he had not quite reached his absolute peak yet, or perhaps he already had.

But no matter what, he was a powerhouse worthy of being called an Emperor of the Sea.

Not to mention...

Kaido possessed the Azure Dragon Fruit, while Mobius possessed the Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit—also known as the Pink Dragon Fruit, Red Dragon Fruit, or Sakura Dragon Fruit.

Did a replica count as a counterfeit?

Mobius did not want to think about that question. He only wanted to see how wide the gap was between himself and an Emperor of the Sea.

Whether he could win or not, he would fight first and find out later!

After settling Shyarly and Hatchan, Mobius shot forward and ran straight toward the source of Kaido's presence, adjusting himself to peak condition along the way.

Teacher Kaido, I want to be a king too!!!

"Stop right there, Kaido! Fish-Man Island will not tolerate your rampage!"

Jinbe charged forward with a roar, his eyes bloodshot. He had long known that Fish-Man Island would be watched. Since he had anticipated it, why would he be afraid?

He still had to wait for Big Brother Tiger to return!

Just as Kaido was about to reach Ryugu Palace, a blue, round figure leaped out, countless droplets of water already gathering in his hands.

Spear Wave: Cluster Rain!

Dense streams of water surged forth, firing at Kaido like Gatling bullets.

Kaido raised an eyelid. Seeing Jinbe, he became slightly interested.

"That spirit is pretty good~"

It was already enough to rival his right-hand men, but against him, it was nowhere near enough.

Kaido did not dodge either. He even generously raised his arms, exposing himself wide open as if inviting an embrace.

The dense water streams struck him, exploding across his body one after another, yet they did not affect the rhythm of his advance in the slightest.

His steps remained steady. Only when the water streams hit his face did Kaido impatiently clap his hands.

Boom!

Haki erupted. Every stream of water exploded and dispersed in midair.

"Not bad for a shower. You'd make a fine bath attendant~"

Kaido thrust out his chest, revealing his dripping-wet body. He was completely unscathed, without even a hint of redness.

Jinbe gritted his teeth, but he was not overly shocked. He had already witnessed what a true powerhouse was like through Mobius.

No matter how great the gap between himself and Kaido was, he would not give up fighting now.

Behind him was Ryugu Palace!

Plum Blossom Hide!

Jinbe clenched his fists. Dark Armament Haki wrapped around both hands, gleaming black.

His feet rooted themselves into the ground as he gathered all his strength. Every last bit of power erupted without restraint.

Fish-Man Karate: Secret Art—Oni Gawara Righteous Fist!

Boom!

The air trembled. Jinbe had instantly seen the gap between himself and Kaido. If he did not use one hundred percent of his strength, he would not even have a chance to hurt the man before him—perhaps only at the instant he launched his attack.

Faced with such a punch, Kaido finally gave Jinbe his full attention, interest surging across his wild face.

This fish-man was pretty good. He had decided—he would capture him and take him away!

"Uorororo, then I can't afford to underestimate you!"

With a whoosh, Kaido drew his spiked club. Cold steel gleamed from it, and its uneven spikes made it look even more ferocious as power wrapped around it.

How could he fail to respond to a man's all-out strike?

Thunder Bagua!

Kaido vanished in an instant, charging directly before Jinbe at a speed beyond reason.

In Jinbe's eyes, Kaido's towering body and shoulder-length black hair abruptly filled his entire vision.

His thick arm bent, and his savage spiked club traced an arc through the air. Red, lightning-like energy spread through the atmosphere.

Danger!

His entire body screamed of danger, but Jinbe merely lowered his head and threw his punch. He would not run.

Clang!

Fist and spiked club collided like a great bell being struck. The sound stabbed into their ears, and the ground seemed ready to split apart.

Unparalleled pain surged through his body, but Jinbe ignored it completely. He simply kept forcing his massive body forward, nearly holding Kaido in a deadlock.

But in the next second, Kaido's eyes widened in fury. Hassaikai rose high as tremendous strength erupted.

Jinbe's fist was driven back. He had lost in strength, and his body was sent flying along with the spiked club, shooting straight backward like a locomotive.

Rumble!

An entire wall was pulverized. Dust, ash, and wreckage piled up, burying Jinbe beneath them.

There was no suspense. Kaido had defeated Jinbe.

"Uorororo!"

A delighted grin appeared on Kaido's face. He was very happy. Even if he could not meet Tiger now, it no longer mattered—he had encountered an even more interesting fish-man.

Next...

Kaido casually rested his spiked club on his shoulder. Rather than looking toward Ryugu Palace, he turned to the other side, toward someone else who had also come from outside.

Mobius stood with his hands in his pockets, looking at the defeated Jinbe for a long while before turning his gaze to Kaido.

"Kid, who are you?"

Kaido asked. He sensed far too many presences from the brat before him, and one of them was extraordinarily familiar, making him unable to help but think.

Could it be... his illegitimate son?

"Mobius. I'm with the Naval Science Unit, and I'm also Fish-Man Island's national advisor."

Mobius discarded his excess clothing, his gaze never leaving Kaido as he continued.

"Naval... Science Unit?"

Kaido repeated it, his face filled with disgust.

"Now that's a name I absolutely hate hearing!"

Still, Kaido was certain he had never met Mobius before. So was he a newcomer?

"You're Fish-Man Island's national advisor? You're actually a human. If you had teamed up with that fish-man just now, you might have been able to win."

Kaido's boisterous voice rang out as his gaze stabbed toward Mobius. He looked crude, but there was a sharpness beneath that rough exterior.

"Don't joke. You noticed me long ago. If we had done that, we still couldn't have won."

"Besides, that was Jinbe's resolve. As his friend, I should believe in him at a time like this."

Mobius answered calmly. The Kaido before him was also a powerhouse whose Observation Haki could foresee the future. Petty tricks were useless.

"Uorororo..." Kaido chuckled, deciding that if the opportunity arose, he would take this man away as well.

"So, are you confident you can defeat me?"

"I only have the courage to stand before you."

With that final sentence, Mobius stopped wasting words. Changes gradually began appearing across his body.

Crimson scales slowly emerged, followed by dragon horns rising from his forehead. His claws became broad and savage.

Kaido fell silent. He stared fixedly at Mobius, his eyes growing hotter and hotter.

"You are... a Mythical Zoan?"

"Nothing says you're the only one who can be a dragon."

"Uorororo!"

Kaido laughed for who knew how many times that day. He only felt that coming to Fish-Man Island had been the right choice.

Without another word, dark-blue dragon scales surfaced across Kaido's body as well. His body continuously expanded, and his long dragon tail nearly exceeded his body length.

"You're right. Nothing says I'm the only one who can be a dragon."

Kaido muttered, then suddenly revealed a vicious expression.

"But I can decide how many dragons this sea can have!"

Heat Breath!

A massive, high-temperature blast of breath erupted, carrying enough power to nearly destroy an entire mountain peak!

Thunder Roar!

Mobius was equally fearless. He unleashed lightning from his mouth powerful enough to cover an entire island, and its blinding radiance made even Sun Tree Eve pale in comparison.

Boom!!!

Thunder and flame intertwined. Nearly all of Fish-Man Island's upper level was engulfed by the energy, with blazing fire and lightning each occupying half the area.

"Kurararara, that's truly dazzling~"