An instant later, a fist carrying the tremendous force of an ocean current tore through the air toward him-it was Fish-Man Karate, capable of punching through thick rock in an instant, plain and unadorned, yet packed with the innate strength of an entire race.
Before the wind of the punch arrived, surging blue ripples pressed down like a tide.
Smack.
A palm coated in a deep black sheen caught the fist firmly.
Boom!
It was like a tsunami crashing into a mountain range.
The moment the two forces collided, an invisible shock wave exploded outward in a ring. The wooden floor and walls shattered, and the entire cafe was torn in half down the middle.
The aftershocks continued spreading outward-
Not good!
The Fish-Man who had thrown the punch immediately forced himself to pull back, even though it would put him at a disadvantage.
As a guardian, he could never allow the impact to harm the civilians in the streets.
Yet the follow-up attack he expected never came.
The palm released him at almost the same instant.
"Please calm down, Mr. Jinbe."
The man who had worn an eerie smile just moments ago now looked composed again.
He had come here only to confirm a certain "possibility."
Even if the answer displeased him, he would not change his course because of it.
If he could not even hold to his own path, how was he any different from algae drifting with the current?
"I am not your enemy."
"Then how do you explain the prophecy?"
The voice of the proprietress sheltered behind him trembled with a mixture of fear and anger.
"The prophecy..."
The man considered for a moment. "I already have the information I need."
Under the Fish-Man's wary gaze, he reached inside his haori and took something out-