Strong winds whipped around Jerry, created by the dramatic changes in airflow caused by Hakuba's insanely high-speed movements as he circled like a living tornado.
Jerry kept his Observation Haki active at full intensity, ensuring that Hakuba's blurred figure couldn't escape his enhanced perception despite the incredible velocity.
At a crucial moment, Jerry's eyes flashed with determination as he swung his right hand decisively. His fishing rod transformed into countless afterimages, spreading in all directions with astonishing speed to counter the incoming assault.
Endless sword strikes surged toward him like a silver tide, threatening to overwhelm Jerry completely with their sheer volume and intensity.
But his expression remained perfectly calm as he wielded his fishing rod without any sign of panic, creating continuous crisp sounds as it collided with the incoming blade work.
"Ding! Ding ding!"
To the few remaining onlookers, the battlefield scene appeared as though Jerry was engaged in fierce solo combat against an invisible opponent—as if he were fighting madly against empty air itself.
This surreal display left the spectators completely dumbfounded and genuinely shocked by what they were witnessing.
Amid the confused murmuring of the small crowd, Skull shook his head and rubbed his eye sockets, desperately trying to see the action more clearly.
He squinted with maximum concentration, using every ounce of his observational ability to follow the battle, and said with obvious frustration:
"They're too fast, aren't they? My eyes can't keep up with their speed at all. Brook, how about you?"
Brook was equally dazzled and couldn't clearly track the fight between Hakuba and Jerry. He gently scratched his distinctive afro, feeling somewhat helpless about the situation:
"My vision is similarly limited, though of course I don't actually have eyes anymore! Yohohoho!"
The offensive and defensive rhythm between both fighters seemed to intensify with each passing moment. Their movements carried the force and speed of a raging storm, and during their fierce exchanges, their techniques appeared to be accelerating beyond human limits.
After observing carefully for several more seconds, a sharp gleam flashed in Jerry's eyes as he finally identified his opponent's weakness and timing patterns.
His figure vanished instantly like a ghost, then he suddenly shouted with triumphant clarity:
"Flowing Stream Redirect!"
"Tide Breaker Sweep!"
"Face-Rearranging Rod!"
Jerry's form briefly appeared in mid-air as he positioned himself beside Hakuba, his fishing rod connecting perfectly with his opponent's sword.
Using the martial principle of redirecting greater force with minimal effort, he pressed and pulled strategically, causing Hakuba to move involuntarily along with his sword's momentum and exposing critical vulnerabilities.
Jerry quickly adapted his tactics and swung his rod again, striking Hakuba precisely on the back of his neck with calculated force.
Then, in one smooth, flowing movement, he raised his leg and delivered a lightning-fast kick. His oversized flip-flop moved so rapidly it became a blur as he targeted Hakuba's exposed face, leaving countless large slipper impressions across the transformed fighter's already swollen features.
"Bang bang bang!"
Hakuba was struck accurately by this devastating combination attack. He screamed in pain and defeat, instinctively covered his battered face with both hands, and collapsed heavily to the ground.
"Technique complete," Jerry announced with satisfaction.
Jerry glanced at Cavendish, who showed no signs of attempting to get back up. He balanced on his left foot and slowly retracted his right leg, which had just delivered the decisive series of kicks.
Seeing that the battle had concluded, Skull and Brook approached cautiously while the remaining spectators gradually dispersed amid excited exclamations and animated discussions about what they'd witnessed.
"Mr. Jerry, he's not actually dead, is he?" Brook asked with concern.
Brook tilted his skull to examine Cavendish, who remained motionless on the ground, then poked Jerry's arm questioningly.
"I'm not sure—does social death count as a fatality?" Jerry replied with a faint smile.
He was perfectly aware of how much force he'd applied during the fight. This had simply been appropriate punishment for Cavendish's dangerous actions the previous night.
Skull quickly reviewed Cavendish's background information in his mind, then chuckled knowingly:
"Oh haha! Maybe it does count for someone like him."
All three friends looked down at Cavendish, who lay on the ground with his hands covering his face. Through his fingers, they could vaguely see his grotesquely swollen features that now resembled those of a pig.
Jerry and his two friends looked at each other and couldn't help but burst into genuine laughter at the ridiculous sight.
Perhaps their amusement was too harsh and audible, because Cavendish—who hadn't completely lost consciousness—trembled and performed an impressive somersault to return to his feet.
Even without looking in a mirror, Cavendish knew exactly what his face must look like just from the feel of his hands against the swollen tissue.
He kept his head down and continued covering his face while gritting his teeth and cursing in a low, bitter voice:
"Damn it! Hakuba, you useless alter ego! How dare you try to take control and make me look like a complete pig!"
After he finished speaking, there was absolutely no response from his secondary personality. Perhaps Hakuba was too embarrassed to show his face while wearing such ridiculous facial swelling.
"He's conscious again. What's he muttering to himself about?" Skull observed with amusement.
"Hahaha, who knows? I can't understand pig language," Jerry replied with mock seriousness.
"Oh haha! Should we head back then? It's getting pretty late," Brook suggested practically.
The three friends completely ignored Cavendish, who stood perfectly still while conducting his internal conversation. They looked up at the darkening evening sky and turned to walk toward the busy streets that remained bustling with festival activity.
"Leviathan! Just wait for me!" Cavendish's voice called out after they'd taken about ten steps.
However, Jerry didn't stop walking or bother looking back. He simply waved his hand casually over his shoulder:
"Sure thing, but you'd better be more careful next time, or you'll end up with a pig face again."
After delivering this parting advice, the trio quickly disappeared around a street corner.
Cavendish watched them leave with complicated emotions flickering in his eyes. He gingerly touched the swollen mass that had replaced his once-handsome face, sheathed his sword with resignation, and turned to depart in the opposite direction.
"Ugh! I need to find some serious anti-swelling medication immediately, or my reputation will be completely ruined," he muttered to himself while carefully avoiding any reflective surfaces.
The moon hung high in the star-filled sky as Jerry and his friends returned to the celebration streets, which remained lively and crowded despite the late hour. After wandering through several districts, they finally located Carrot and Kotatsu at a singing competition venue.
"Carrot! Did you have fun exploring today?" Jerry called out cheerfully.
"Brother Jerry! You guys made it here too? Sister Carina is performing on stage right now! Today we've been..." Carrot began excitedly.
From Carrot's enthusiastic narration, they learned that she and Carina had spent the entire day playing games, shopping for souvenirs, and sampling various festival foods throughout the city.
The reason they'd stopped at this particular venue was that Carina had spotted the competition's displayed prize and decided to enter the contest specifically to win it.
Jerry and his friends had actually been drawn to this location because they'd heard Carina's distinctive singing voice carrying through the evening air.
It had to be acknowledged that Carina's performance on stage was absolutely spectacular. The talent and natural charisma she displayed were completely worthy of her reputation as Gran Tesoro's former star performer.
Her singing voice possessed an ethereal beauty that seemed almost supernatural. The audience cheered enthusiastically and danced to her rhythm, creating an incredibly warm and energetic atmosphere throughout the venue.
The competition had now reached the final stage, and as expected, Carina claimed the sparkling, expensive necklace as her well-deserved prize.
After stepping down from the stage, Carina fastened the jeweled necklace she'd just won around her neck. Amid admiring gazes from numerous audience members surrounding the stage area, she walked toward Jerry's group with a thoroughly satisfied smile.
"Pretty nice, isn't it?" she said, touching the necklace proudly. "If I'm not mistaken, this piece should be worth several million Berries. This celebration really is generous with their prizes."
Hearing Carina's happy commentary, Skull nodded approvingly, placed his hands on his hips, and adopted the pose of someone about to boast shamelessly:
"Oh haha! That's certainly nice, but it's nowhere near as valuable as Boss Jerry's prize!"
"His legendary artifact is completely one-of-a-kind and out of print—"
Before Skull could finish his sentence, Jerry delivered a powerful kick to his rear end, causing him to yelp in pain and surprise.
Jerry raised his right hand and clenched it into a threatening fist while producing a Video Den Den Mushi with his left hand, speaking in an ominous tone:
"Skull, it seems like you've grown wings recently. Let me help you pluck some feathers."
However, Skull proved unyielding despite his obvious fear. He continued with a mischievous expression:
"Uh... Fishing King, let's discuss this calmly and reasonably!"
"Your head!" Jerry roared, chasing after his fleeing intelligence officer. "Get back here so I can properly educate you about respect!"
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