Hyouzou and the other fish-men's actions naturally could not escape Uchiha Hikaru. His perception clearly tracked every fish-man's movements. As they withdrew, Hikaru revealed a mocking smile. It seemed they had been thoroughly intimidated.
At that moment, Jinbe sat atop Bald Sea Monster's head, driving the bruised and battered creature toward the Kraken. Whenever Bald Sea Monster showed even the slightest reluctance, Jinbe answered with a savage punch.
"What's going on?" Once he drew close, Jinbe looked at the vacant-eyed, muddleheaded Kraken and asked Hikaru aboard the ship, "Isn't this the Kraken? It has been wreaking havoc in these waters for the past two years. How did it suddenly become so docile?"
Jinbe could also see that something was wrong with the Kraken, but he could not say exactly what it was, nor did he know why the Kraken had suddenly begun pulling Hikaru's ship.
"I controlled it." Hikaru did not hide it and chose to speak plainly. "I can easily control any creature weaker than me, completely hypnotizing and manipulating their nervous systems and consciousness."
Hikaru did not mention abilities such as illusion projection, nor did he intend to. Casting illusions was rather troublesome; in his view, direct control was much more straightforward. He did not care about the kind of illusion attacks that destroyed a target's will.
Jinbe recalled how Tamago had been controlled, and he immediately became somewhat wary.
Hikaru chuckled. "Don't worry. Most of the time, I can't be bothered to use this move. Besides, even if I did, being on guard would be useless. No matter how strong your will is, if you are not strong enough, you cannot resist my mental control."
Hearing Hikaru speak so frankly, Jinbe understood. Hikaru was being completely open, trying to truly earn his trust. After all, if Hikaru