"Bang!"
The café's grand entrance, a masterpiece inlaid with exquisite coral and shimmering pearls, was violently kicked open from the outside. It slammed against the internal shell wall with a groaning protest, sending a rain of shattered coral fragments onto the floor. Every Mermaid waitress inside shrieked in terror, their eyes darting fearfully toward the source of the destruction.
A tall, blue-skinned Fishman with a distinctive, jagged long nose strode into the room, radiating a wave of intense hostility. His eyes were fierce, burning with an undisguised, extreme loathing for humans. Behind him followed a squad of thugs, each possessing malevolent expressions and varied, intimidating appearances.
The Confrontation at the Cafe
"Shyarly!" the intruder bellowed in a grating, metallic voice. His gaze swept the room before instantly locking onto his sister and the out-of-place humans seated in the booth.
"I heard you brought some human mongrels into your shop?! Have you gone mad?!" Arlong stomped forward, his jagged nose glinting coldly as he pointed it directly at Takuro. "Is it you dirty humans who've bewitched my sister?".
Madam Shyarly's expression darkened instantly as she stood to block his path. "Arlong! This is my place, and they are my guests! Please leave at once!".
"Guests? Hahaha!" Arlong let out a harsh, sarcastic laugh. "Shyarly, has clutching that crystal ball muddled your brain? Humans are plunderers! Slave traders! They are scum who trample all over us! Have you forgotten how many of our kin have suffered at their hands?!".
The Fishman thugs clamored in agreement, their anger creating a tense, fraught atmosphere. Gion's brows furrowed; this individual was far more extreme than any she had encountered on the streets. Meanwhile, Robin quietly assessed their fighting styles, looking for potential weaknesses.
A Display of Power
Takuro remained calmly seated, even pouring himself another cup of coffee as if the scene were merely a noisy performance by a monkey. Arlong, infuriated by the lack of fear, loomed over the table.
"I don't care who invited you! Fish-Man Island does not welcome you! Get out now, or I'll personally throw you into the sea trench to feed the fish!" Arlong threatened, his voice carrying the brute arrogance typical of his race.
Takuro finally put down his cup, looking bored. "I say, long-nose," he said, picking at his ear, "your sister is a civilized person, yet you're acting like an uncivilized savage. You have no manners.".
"Manners? With you?" Arlong slammed his fist into the coral tabletop, spider-webbing the surface with cracks. "My fist is my manners! Last time—get out!". His thugs brandished weapons and took up Fish-Man Karate stances.
Takuro began to laugh—a sound of genuine amusement rather than anger. "Heh... Hahaha! No wonder you can only hide in the deep sea and wallow in self-pity. Do you not even have the basic ability to judge an opponent's strength?".
As Takuro stood, an invisible, heart-stopping pressure emanated from him, causing the lights to dim. This power was a clear indicator of his status as a World-Class Power.+4
Power Comparison * Arlong: A Tier 2 Planetary Notable, capable of regional conflict but far below the apex of power. * Takuro: Operates with the presence of a Tier 3 or 4 threat, capable of overwhelming multiple opponents simultaneously.+4
"You said you'd throw me into the trench?" Takuro asked with a cruel smile. "How about I show you how it's done first?".
The Result of Arrogance
Before the sentence ended, Takuro moved with speed that exceeded the Fishmen's vision. There was only a blur before Arlong's massive body was struck as if by a full-speed sea train.
"Boom—!!!".
Arlong became a blue afterimage, shooting through the damaged door and out into the street like a cannonball. He slammed into a distant coral building, embedding deep into the rubble.
The café fell into a deathly silence. The thugs stood frozen in horror, unable to comprehend how their strongest leader had been defeated so effortlessly. Takuro lightly dusted off his hands and looked at the remaining Fishmen.
"Anyone else want to fly out like him?".
The thugs scrambled out to check on their boss. Takuro turned to a shocked Madam Shyarly and shrugged. "It seems your brother doesn't understand human language. I helped you educate him; no need to thank me.".
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