"Bastard!"
"Fish-Man Karate!"
Jinbei's composure shattered under Jack's taunting words. Gripping Jack's massive arms with both hands, Jinbei heaved the towering opponent into the air. Amid the stunned gazes of the onlookers, he spun Jack around several times before hurling him away.
"Soru!"
Before his body hit the ground, Jack pressed his palms to the earth, using the momentum to launch himself back to his original position.
"Hold up—Fish-Man Karate?" Jack's brow furrowed as he landed, dusting himself off. "So you're a master of Fish-Man Karate, huh? I may be a Fish-Man too, but I don't know the first thing about it. Guess today's my crash course!"
Jack punctuated his words with several quick Soru steps, landing deftly on the deck of the ship. Amid the crew's puzzled stares, he pointed toward Jinbei and barked, "Bring the ship closer!"
The force of Jack's movements cracked the deck of the Mammoth, prompting the shipwrights to scramble with tools for repairs. Meanwhile, Jinbei, seeing Jack's audacious approach, leaped high into the air to intercept him.
"Fish-Man Karate!"
Fist met club in a thunderous collision, sending both combatants hurtling back. The difference lay in their landings: Jinbei crashed toward the sandy shore, while Jack intentionally adjusted his trajectory to land on solid ground.
Jinbei noted this with a sharp glance. His eyes flicked toward Jack's long elephantine trunk, and an idea sparked in his mind.
Jack, meanwhile, planted his spiked kanabo into the ground to steady himself, flipping upright with practiced ease. Jinbei, however, plunged into the sea without resurfacing, leaving the onlookers puzzled.
Jack's instincts flared as he sensed energy gathering beneath the waves. His stance shifted into a defensive posture.
"Boom!"
The sea itself split as Jinbei emerged, propelling a high-pressure torrent of water like a cannonball straight at Jack.
"Bang!"
"Ugh…"
The force of the attack knocked Jack out of his hybrid form, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"Though you're a Fish-Man," Jinbei said as he emerged from the water, walking toward Jack with deliberate steps, "eating a Devil Fruit has left you with a glaring weakness."
Jinbei's voice carried a calm authority as he continued, "The very ocean that gives us Fish-Men our strength… has cursed you. You're no match for me like this. Your plan ends here!"
With a confident stride, Jinbei raised his fist, ready to knock Jack unconscious.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
But the punches never landed as intended. Jack caught Jinbei's fists mid-strike, his grip like iron. Jinbei's composure wavered as he shouted, "Impossible! This can't be happening!"
"Why?!" Jinbei's voice rose with disbelief. "As a Devil Fruit user, your body should be powerless in seawater!"
"Why do you still have such overwhelming defense?"
Jack sneered, his hands tightening around Jinbei's fists as he hoisted him into the air. With a shake of his damp hair, Jack muttered, "Let me educate you."
"Left stomp!"
"Right whip kick!"
"Wham! Wham!"
Jinbei crashed to the ground under the force of Jack's kicks. Jack wiped seawater from his face, smirking as he said, "Good thing my skin's thick. You almost had me there!"
"You think you can beat me with cheap tricks?" Jack laughed mockingly. "The seawater that hinders Devil Fruit users only retains its potency for a short time in the air. Bet you didn't know that, huh?"
"Defense? Seawater saps my strength but doesn't weaken my body. What, did you think I'm as fragile as some snapper Fish-Man like Fisher Tiger? Nah, my body doesn't crumble under sneak attacks!"
"You wanna take me down in this little window of time? Keep dreaming!"
Jinbei's face twisted in anger as Jack mentioned Fisher Tiger, his tone laced with contempt.
"You bastard!" Jinbei roared. "Don't you dare insult Tiger-san!"
A palpable aura of killing intent radiated from Jinbei, his fury undeniable even without Observation Haki. Jack clicked his tongue, amused.
"Tch, touched a nerve, did I? That just proves I'm right. The truth always stings, doesn't it?"
"Fish-Man Karate!"
Before Jack could finish his taunt, Jinbei rushed him, landing a clean hit to his chest.
"Boom!"
The force sent Jack stumbling back a few steps, but the damage was minimal. Jinbei's frustration mounted as he clenched his fists again.
"Fish-Man Karate!"
This time, Jinbei's fist connected with Jack's face, drawing a trickle of blood from his nose. Jack wiped the blood with his hand, grinning.
"Hahaha!" Jack laughed, his eyes alight with excitement. "Not bad! I see now why Kaido loves challenging people so much."
"But while Kaido hates being a punching bag, I don't mind it one bit! Bring it on, Jinbei. If you can find a way to beat me, I'll head straight back to the New World. Deal?"
Jinbei's hands trembled with rage as he leaped at Jack again.
"Don't underestimate me, you arrogant brat!"
"Bang!"
"Ha! That's it! Keep it coming!" Jack cackled, goading Jinbei further.
The blazing noon sun bore witness to their relentless fight, drawing the attention of Fish-Men watching from the water. Some dipped halfway into the sea, their gazes fixed anxiously on the island's fierce battle.
An entire day and night passed.
It was no longer a battle—it had become a one-sided assault. Jinbei, though exhausted, refused to relent. Though his fury had cooled, his determination to prove himself and protect his ideals kept him going.
But as he looked at Jack, unscathed and lounging on the beach with his eyes closed, Jinbei finally understood the gulf between them.
"Jack, your strength may surpass mine," Jinbei admitted, his voice steady. "But I won't let you insult Tiger-san or Queen Otohime's dreams!"
"I have one last move. If you can withstand it…" Jinbei paused, resolute. "I'll let them join the Beasts Pirates. But the Sun Pirates will never become a subordinate crew!"
Jack's face lit up with excitement as he stood.
"One last move? Sounds fun. Let's see it!"
Jinbei leaped to the sand, clasping his hands behind his back.
The sea surged into a towering wave, rushing toward Jack.
"Oh, great, more water?" Jack groaned. "Fine, let's see what you've got. Might as well enjoy a bath while I'm at it!"
Spreading his arms, Jack welcomed the oncoming wave. But he failed to notice the glowing water orb forming in Jinbei's hands.
"Fish-Man Karate: Ultimate Technique—Buraikan!" Jinbei roared.
"Boom!"
The orb exploded, propelling Jack into the air like a ragdoll before slamming him into the ground.
"Jack-sama!" the Beasts Pirates shouted in disbelief.
As Jack slowly stood, brushing off sand and water, he looked at Jinbei, lying spent on the ground. His voice oozed disappointment.
"Is that all?"
"Heh… wash up and call it a day."
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg