Chapter 101
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! For $5][www.p@treon.com/zaelum] [Thank You For Your Support!]
Amidst the rubble, Arlong slowly got up, stretching his thick neck and shaking off the dust from his head.
"Such heavy force indeed, are you the captain of this ship? Perfect timing."
On the surface, it seemed like Arlong was commenting on Zyhark's previous attack, but there was no hint of fear on his cold face.
As a pirate who once followed Tiger on adventures along the Grand Line, he had encountered humans with even greater strength, all of whom ended up under his saw-toothed sword.
These small-time figures active in the East Blue meant nothing to Arlong.
"Once I kill you, that lowly human, the woman who can create water will be mine!"
Arlong gripped his saw-toothed sword, his face wearing a menacing, brutal smile, treating Aqua as nothing more than a valuable item.
Zyhark remained expressionless, with no intention of engaging in conversation with this soon-to-be-dead man.
Buzz!
Armament Haki quietly erupted, coating his blades, Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri, in a layer of faint black.
Sandai Kitetsu's blade trembled slightly, greedily savoring this wonderful sensation.
Even Yubashiri, which had never encountered Haki, exuded an exceptionally sharp chill!
Originally, Zyhark had planned to use Arlong as a test for his enhanced body and to refine his sword skills.
But now, he clearly had no leisure for such indulgences!
"Is this... Armament Haki? Impossible, how could someone from the mere East Blue possess Haki?!"
Arlong was completely shocked by the scene before him. Having roamed the Grand Line, he was well aware of the existence of Haki.
However, before he could make sense of the situation, Zyhark, with swords in hand, transformed into a blur, attacking with incredible speed first.
A monstrous and intense aura of danger overwhelmed Arlong, who relied on the fish-men's inherent physical prowess to firmly brace himself, blocking with his saw-toothed sword in front.
The next second, Zyhark's strike landed.
Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri swung down in parallel, striking hard against the complex blade of the saw-toothed sword.
Clang!
Sparks flew, and the clash of the three blades rang out clearly.
Compared to Arlong's peak-cleaving blade, both Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri, being renowned swords, held advantages in sharpness and durability.
Coupled with the overlay of Armament Haki and the impact of their rapid swings, they quickly sank deep into the weaker notches of the saw-toothed sword as the forces locked in struggle.
Following this trend, it wouldn't take long for the entire blade to be severed into three pieces!
"You lowly and weak human, what does it matter if you have better swords? I am a fish-man, after all!"
In the instant of their clash, Arlong felt an overwhelming pressure.
Realizing that continuing this deadlock would definitely break his blade, Arlong's hands bulged with veins as he burst forth with all his strength to force Zyhark back.
Simultaneously, he stomped powerfully, shattering the tiles underfoot, and swung his blade at Zyhark's head with all his might.
Zyhark's eyes glinted red. Under the enhancement of Observation Haki, Arlong's swiftly descending saw-toothed sword seemed to move in slow motion, its trajectory and path clearly visible.
Yubashiri swung upward, cleverly deflecting the incoming blade.
Seizing the moment Arlong was rooted in place and unable to dodge, the chill light flowed, and Sandai Kitetsu, like a bloodthirsty beast, lunged at the exposed chest of Arlong.
Ssssh.
The blade's tip traced through the air, drawing a streak of fresh blood.
Though Arlong managed to avoid a fatal blow with his physical strength, a long gash was still slashed across his chest!
In just one exchange, Arlong was already injured!
However, this was just the beginning.
Zyhark had no intention of giving Arlong any respite. He alternated strikes with Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri, launching a tempest of high-speed slashes.
Arlong, at a disadvantage, was overwhelmed, desperately swinging his blade in defense, but was steadily forced back.
Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang!
The three blades continuously traced afterimages in the air, showering both Zyhark and Arlong with sparks from the intense clashes.
Under the high frequency of fierce exchanges, Arlong's unenhanced blade was the first to show gaps, which only widened further.
Finally, with a powerful, decisive strike from Zyhark, the saw-toothed sword that had reaped countless pirate lives shattered, breaking into several pieces that whirled through the air and clattered to the ground.
Deprived of his weapon, Arlong was visibly panicked, his forehead covered in sweat, completely lacking his earlier arrogant demeanor.
Swoosh!
Zyhark raised Sandai Kitetsu, ready to end Arlong right there, when a powerful jet of spit, propelled with surprising force, suddenly struck from the side.
It was the Arlong Pirates' officer, the Kissing Fish-man Chew!
To dodge the attack, Zyhark instinctively halted his advance.
Close behind, the Cartilage Fish-man Kuroobi, his elbows adorned with fins, rushed to Zyhark's side and threw a heavy punch.
"Fish-man Karate, Thousand Tile True Punch!"
As a technique in which fish-men excel, the punch packed considerable force.
Unfortunately, it wasn't fast enough and hit nothing but air.
"Where is he?"
Kuroobi looked around in bewilderment at the suddenly vanished figure.
By the time he realized and turned sharply, a sharp blade had already swung down.
Clang!
Six slender blades met the edge of Yubashiri.
"Although it was wrong of us to forcibly try to take people, I'm very sorry, but I simply can't stand by and watch a friend be killed!"
Octopus Fish-man Hatchan used his six arms to exert force, blocking Zyhark's attack.
"Anyone who strikes at my companions must be prepared to die."
While Zyhark held no dislike for this fish-man, who was compelled to follow the Arlong Pirates for the sake of camaraderie, he resolutely attacked, leaving a trail of blood on Hatchan's chest with Sandai Kitetsu, then kicking him away.
Facing the utterly ruthless Arlong Pirates, any hesitation could lead to a fatal strike!
"There's an opening! Thousand Tile True Punch!"
Seizing the moment, Kuroobi surged forward, his fish-man palms gathering strength for a blow.
Zyhark instantly appeared behind him: "That opening was intentionally shown to you."
With a swift slash, Kuroobi was cut down, almost instantly losing his ability to fight.
These fish-men, who hadn't mastered Haki, stood little chance against the supremely fast Zyhark!
"Got him!"
As Kuroobi fell, sharp teeth struck, biting fiercely into Zyhark's shoulder from a blind spot.
Deprived of his main weapon, Arlong resorted to his second proud asset—his sharp, hard shark teeth!
What?!
This sensation?
How could the body of a mere human possess hardness comparable to rock?!
Feeling the solid resistance against his teeth, Arlong's face showed shock, his pupils dilating.
Before he could comprehend what was happening, a sharp blade pierced his chest.
"That's right, that was also intentionally shown to you, Arlong."
(End of Chapter)