Chu Yang let out a breath, as if to expel all the frustration in his heart. "I didn't expect I almost counter-killed him?"
Jinbe nodded, saying with an understanding tone, "No wonder Big Brother Tiger said you saved him; so you're a Devil Fruit user."
Frequent use of Wood Release had drained Chu Yang's Chakra. He was extremely fatigued now, his eyelids drooping. He said weakly, "If you're not planning to kick me off the ship, then take me to rest."
"I just want to lie in bed and get a good night's sleep right now."
Before leaving the bottom storage room, Jinbe helplessly glanced at Arlong, who was leaning against the door, severely injured and unconscious. He sighed with a complex expression.
Arlong's hatred for humans was more severe than most of the Fish-Men on the ship. If he didn't correct his mindset in time, he would probably suffer greatly at Chu Yang's hands in the future.
Out of consideration for Chu Yang, Jinbe specially arranged a single room for him, then quietly left.
After settling Chu Yang, Jinbe hurriedly sent the ship doctor to treat Arlong. Soon after, the news of Arlong being severely injured and unconscious by Chu Yang spread like wildfire.
Initially, Jinbe had thought about helping Arlong cover it up, but Jinbe later dismissed the idea.
Because there were quite a few Fish-Men on the ship who shared Arlong's views.
To prevent this group from doing foolish things, necessary deterrence was essential. Thus, Jinbe felt it was better to let the news out.
Chu Yang, who was sound asleep in bed, didn't know that because of this incident, Arlong had become the laughingstock of the entire ship.
The next day, Chu Yang, who had slept until noon, appeared on the deck under the scorching sun. He noticed that the Fish-Men's gazes towards him were distinctly different from yesterday.
Much of the disgust had lessened, replaced by astonishment and panic.
There was a very obvious sense of distance between the two sides.
"It seems they already know," Chu Yang scanned his surroundings, a slight smile playing on his lips. From now on, the noise in his ears could finally lessen a bit.
Chu Yang had no intention of integrating with this group of Fish-Men. The Sun Pirates were merely a temporary stop for him.
"What happened yesterday was my responsibility," Tiger walked over from the bow, his face tired, expressing his apology to Chu Yang.
"I'm not the one who got hurt, no need to apologize," Chu Yang replied indifferently. "It's that guy named Arlong who probably won't be able to get out of bed for ten days to half a month."
"That's good too, saves him from always looking for trouble," Tiger looked troubled. Although he was a Fishman, he didn't particularly like Arlong's aggressive and radical way of handling things.
"If you need anything, just tell me anytime." Although the Sun Pirates had been announced, Tiger clearly didn't treat Chu Yang as a regular member of the pirate crew and was very polite.
They were companions traveling together for a stretch of their respective paths, unable to reach the destination hand in hand. Both of them had an understanding of this.
Chu Yang thought for a moment, then spoke, "I want to learn some combat techniques from Jinbe. Can you ask him to teach me?"
"Jinbe?" Tiger was stunned for a moment, then laughed, "Of course you can. You have good taste; that kid's strength and potential are extraordinary. In a few more years, he'll probably become one of the best among the Fish-Man Tribe."
Chu Yang smiled.
Nonsense!
That's "mere Four Emperors" Jinbe! The title of Shichibukai isn't given for nothing!
What Chu Yang wanted to learn from Jinbe was not just Fish-Man Karate, but also the more important Haki. Yesterday, he had already witnessed the other party's Armament Haki.
Not long after, Tiger found Jinbe and told him about Chu Yang's desire to learn combat from him.
At this time, Jinbe still held deep reservations towards humans, but he treated Chu Yang specially because Chu Yang had shown kindness to Tiger.
Jinbe reluctantly agreed to Chu Yang's request.
Jinbe began Chu Yang's hellish training that very day.
Whether Jinbe had a certain desire for revenge or just wanted to finish this task quickly, his teaching method was quite brutal and wild.
Almost every time training ended, Chu Yang had to be carried into his room.
As miserable as it was, Chu Yang only took three days to get started with Fish-Man Karate, and his proficiency soared like a rocket.
The rapid progress made Jinbe feel incredible. In Jinbe's opinion, Chu Yang's learning speed for Fish-Man Karate surpassed most of the Fish-Man Tribe.
But Chu Yang was a genuine human...
If he hadn't known Tiger would definitely not allow it, Jinbe really wanted to cut Chu Yang open and see if he had Fish-Man Tribe organs inside.
"This is unbelievable!"
Jinbe, refusing to believe it, continued to intensify his "torment" of Chu Yang. However, Chu Yang was now like a sponge with no upper limit, frantically absorbing everything beneficial to himself.
Chapter 7: Duel with Jinbe
After superimposing Naruto Chu Yang's talent, potential, and strength, Chu Yang's learning in everything far surpassed that of ordinary people.
After just four more days, Chu Yang's proficiency in Fish-Man Karate had risen another level.
Jinbe decided to test Chu Yang's training results.
The two held a unique Fish-Man Karate match on the deck.
Aside from Fish-Man Karate, neither side was allowed to use any other abilities.
Initially, the Fish-Men on the ship all thought Jinbe was joking. How could a human who had only been on the ship for a week learn Fish-Man Karate so quickly?
It wouldn't be possible even if he started learning in the womb!
With a skeptical attitude, all members of the Sun Pirates witnessed the match between Chu Yang and Jinbe.
Even Arlong didn't miss it. His upper body wrapped in bandages, he stood by the side of the ring.
His gaze never left Chu Yang.
"You go first!" Jinbe stood generously in front of Chu Yang, not even assuming a defensive stance.
"Okay," Chu Yang, always decisive, didn't decline. He clenched his fist at his abdomen, his body slightly recoiling, tightening like a spring.
Chu Yang accumulated power in his fist, then forcefully threw it out. The force of the punch formed a strong shockwave in the air.
[Fish-Man Karate: Vacuum Tile Fist]
This was a move Chu Yang improved upon after referencing Jinbe's "Arabesque Tile Fist."
The range was further, and the power was more concentrated.
Due to Wood Release, Chu Yang's cell activity was also increasing daily. The power of this punch was already no less than Jinbe's original move, and even more powerful.
And Jinbe had not yet realized the power of this punch. It wasn't until the cannonball-like shockwave approached him that Jinbe felt the terrifying pressure.
"Shark Tile Fist!"
Jinbe's thick, powerful blue arm bulged with alarming muscles, and he slammed a punch fiercely into the air in front of him.
With a boom!
The air was torn into countless streams of chaotic airflow as if by brute force, surging wildly in all directions, directly knocking over the surrounding spectator Fish-Men.
Arlong watched the two, who had only exchanged one move, in utter horror. The scale of the battle exceeded his imagination.
"This guy actually learned Fish-Man Karate?!"
"And he's on par with Big Brother Jinbe!"
"Does this guy have Fishman blood in him too?"
The Fish-Men discussed animatedly, their eyes wide with surprise as they scrutinized Chu Yang. Tiger's mouth hung open, somewhat at a loss for how to express his current feelings.
"Well done, kid!" Jinbe showed his smile to Chu Yang for the first time, abandoning his previous dismissive attitude. "Since that's the case, I'll have to fight you seriously now!"
Chu Yang smiled, his pupils glowing with excitement, faintly carrying a hint of the previous bloodthirsty fervor.
Seeing this, Arlong suddenly shivered, a chill running down his spine.
The two resumed fighting, abandoning meaningless probing and going straight into the simplest, most brutal close-quarters combat.
Fists meeting flesh!
However, as a human, Chu Yang's physique was extremely disparate from Jinbe's, making it hard to believe he could stand firm under Jinbe's fierce onslaught.
The youthful Chu Yang was only slightly taller than Jinbe's waist, and his thighs were not as thick as the other's arms.
When their fists clashed, it was like two matchsticks colliding with two logs that several people would need to embrace.
The visual contrast made this match appear particularly shocking in everyone's eyes.
Tiger was afraid that Chu Yang's small frame would be broken by Jinbe in the next second.
Indeed.
Every clash made Chu Yang feel as if his body was about to fall apart. The force from Jinbe's fists was like invisible waves impacting every muscle and bone in his body.
A normal person would have given up long ago.
But Chu Yang's self-healing ability was unimaginably powerful to outsiders, giving him the capital to stand firm.
Furthermore, Jinbe hadn't used the power of Haki, so everything was within Chu Yang's tolerance.
Chu Yang and Jinbe's battle lasted from noon until dusk!
And then continued until the stars appeared before it finally concluded!
Jinbe was exhausted...
He simply lay on the deck, panting heavily, his body bruised and battered, a terrible sight.
On the other side, Chu Yang also looked disheveled, with a bruised nose and swollen face.
However, Chu Yang had one thing better than him: Chu Yang was still standing.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Chu Yang, who had only learned Fish-Man Karate for a mere week, actually managed to fight Jinbe to a draw without using Wood Release.
The result shocked everyone!
Just one week!
Chu Yang truly transformed from a novice completely ignorant of physical combat into an elite of Fish-Man Karate.
Tiger stared blankly at Chu Yang, as if looking at an unidentified monster.
Tiger, who had witnessed Chu Yang's abilities in Mary Geoise, never thought the other party would be just an ordinary teenager, but Chu Yang's talent still shocked him.
Jinbe said speechlessly, "Kid, you're really tough!"
Chu Yang grinned and said, "You're not as tough as I imagined!"
"Hahaha!" Jinbe burst into laughter. "I'll consider this a loss for me. We'll do it again next time, but I won't hold back then."