Skaar: "It's him... Knight of the Sea Jinbe, former Warlord of the Sea, bounty 438 million Berries!"
Fenner Morey: "A former Shichibukai? I didn't expect someone of this caliber to be the first to show up."
Ganliu: "Gulp… Just standing there, he exudes sheer pressure. Can we really face someone like that?"
Gambi: "Don't be a coward! He's just an ex-Warlord. We'll eventually have to face guys like him anyway!"
Jinbe walked calmly through the waters outside the Gate of Flame, standing tall before the Spade Pirates. Bowing deeply before Ace, he spoke with the gravity of the sea itself:
> "I apologize for the abruptness, but putting up your flag here will draw unnecessary attention and conflict from the powers of the New World. In the name of peace, I humbly ask that you take down your flag—just temporarily."
Ace stood up slowly, meeting Jinbe's serious gaze. "I'm sorry," he said, smiling, "But now that our flag has been raised, the only way it's coming down is if someone knocks it down. You understand what that means, don't you, Jinbe? As a man?"
Jinbe's expression tightened. He had expected as much—but the conviction in Ace's eyes left no room for compromise.
> "...I see. I had hoped this wouldn't come to a fight," Jinbe sighed. "But if I must be the one to stop you before this becomes a wider conflict... then so be it. I'll remove your flag myself!"
He no longer spoke with diplomacy. This was Jinbe the warrior, the protector of Fish-Man Island, the seasoned veteran of the sea.
But just before he and Ace could clash—
> "Wait!"
A voice called out.
Vores stepped forward from among the Spade Pirates. His tone was calm but resolute. "Captain Ace... let me handle this battle."
Ace turned, hesitating. "Vores, you—" He paused, then nodded slowly, reading the resolve in his crewmate's eyes. "Alright. Jinbe is yours."
"Thank you, Captain." Vores gave Ace a grateful glance, then turned to face the fish-man warrior. "Boss Jinbe... I didn't expect our reunion to happen like this."
Jinbe's brows lifted in surprise. "Brother Vores? So you really are part of the Spade Pirates... That explains why you turned down my offer."
"Sorry I didn't tell you before," Vores said earnestly. "I had already pledged myself to the Spade Pirates."
Six months earlier, Vores had gained fame by defeating the champion boxer of Ryugu Palace. At the time, Jinbe had offered him a spot in the Sun Pirates—but he declined.
Although reluctant to fight someone he respected, Vores knew no one else among the Spade Pirates was more suited for this match.
> "Boss Jinbe, I may not be your equal… but for the sake of our flag, I will face you with everything I've got!" Vores bowed low, then clenched his fists and got into stance. "Please accept my challenge!"
Jinbe returned the bow and stepped forward, his tone respectful and grave. "I won't go easy on you, Brother Vores."
> "That's what I'm hoping for!" Vores grinned. "Let's go, Boss Jinbe!"
"Fish-Man Karate—Senkai Shōken (Thousand Tile True Punch)!"
BOOM!
Their fists collided mid-air, unleashing a shockwave that cracked the ground beneath them.
Vores stumbled back several steps. Jinbe didn't budge.
The difference in their strength was clear—but Vores's spirit burned fiercely.
With a roar, Vores charged again, unleashing another powerful punch.
"Fish-Man Karate—Karakusagawara Seiken (Arabesque Brick Fist)!"
The spiraling impact of the 360-degree punch forced even Jinbe to slide back several meters, though he held firm.
> "Impressive," Jinbe acknowledged. "You've grown strong, Vores. I see why you defeated Ryugu Palace's champion."
"Still nothing compared to you, Boss!" Vores replied, leaping in again with another Karakusagawara Seiken.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The two fish-men exchanged blows in rapid succession. Though Jinbe was clearly stronger, Vores refused to fall.
An hour passed.
Jinbe was barely scratched.
Vores was bruised and bleeding, but still on his feet.
He refused to go down.
He didn't even let Jinbe use Haki—he wanted to win this as a man, or at least stand as one.
Gambi and the rest of the Spade Pirates watched with clenched fists and tear-filled eyes.
They wanted to stop him—but they didn't.
They understood. This was Vores's battle.
> "That's enough, Brother Vores!" Jinbe finally called out, stepping back, unable to bear watching anymore. "This isn't necessary!"
> "What are you saying... Boss Jinbe!" Vores spat out blood but kept walking forward. "This is a battle between men. I can die on my feet—but I won't back down! Let me show you… my conviction!"
"Fish-Man Karate—Sankyūsenwa Shōken (Three Thousand Tile True Punch)!"
With one final roar, Vores launched himself into the air and came down with everything he had.
BOOM!!
The force of the punch shook the ground.
The duel between men had begun—and though the outcome seemed inevitable, Vores's willpower had left a deep mark.
His flag was still flying.
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