Chapter 182

Jebber walked toward Tiger, step by step, a wicked smile spreading across his face as he said,

"Don't worry, you're my precious cargo. I won't poison you to death, just enough to make you temporarily weak."

Tiger gritted his teeth, raising his fist. "I won't let you succeed!"

The sheer strength of fish-man was formidable, and as a leader among them, Tiger's endurance was unmatched. The poison coursing through his veins would have been more than enough to bring a normal person to their knees, yet he stood tall.

Jebber, taken aback by Tiger's resilience, chuckled in surprise.

"Impressive. You're the strongest Fishman I've ever seen! You'll make me rich!"

These words only fueled Tiger's rage. He glared at Jebber, raised his palm, and with a fierce swing, summoned a massive drop of water.

"Hit the water!" he shouted, as the drop blasted forward like a cannonball. Jebber dodged narrowly, the water punching a hole in the ship's wall. Jebber's eyes widened, regretting his impatience. He'd underestimated Tiger's strength, assuming the poison alone would cripple him.

But Tiger's energy was waning, his breath becoming labored. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead as he raised his fists, bracing for Jebber's next attack.

Jebber clenched his fists, which darkened as Haki surged through them. Tiger's heart sank at the sight. He had traveled widely, mastering Haki himself, one of the few Fishmen with such an ability. He knew that even fragile humans, once armed with Haki, could rival the Fishmen's physical might, sometimes even surpassing it.

Yet, his body betrayed him. Weakened by poison, he could not summon his Armament Haki. With a resigned growl, Tiger raised his fists in a defensive stance.

Jebber grinned, stepping closer.

Boom!

In an explosion of force, Tiger was launched across the room like a cannonball, crashing through the door and skidding across the deck in a flurry of wood splinters.

Above, Laki and the other lackeys gawked as Tiger landed heavily on the deck, a livid fist mark visible on his chest—a remnant of Jebber's powerfu Punch.

"What are you standing there for?" Jebber snarled. "Grab that Fishman! He's still poisoned, or I'd never handle him alone!"

Snapping out of their daze, the lackeys began advancing on Tiger, who struggled to stand. Fresh blood oozed from a wound on his forehead, blurring his vision. He wiped his eyes with a watery film, clearing his sight, and spat a mouthful of blood.

The minions hesitated, struck by Tiger's ferocious resilience.

Suddenly, Tiger whipped around and staggered toward the ship's edge, intent on escape. But Jebit's smirk didn't falter. He gave Laki a nod.

"Stop him, Laki. He's got no strength left."

Laki laughed, dropping to all fours as his Devil Fruit powers activated. His body was soon cloaked in black fur, his face narrowing, whiskers sprouting—transforming him into skunk form.

With a wicked smirk, he leaped into the air, twisting to release a yellow, foul-smelling gas toward Tiger, who was already breathless and inhaled it unwittingly. His strength drained instantly as he collapsed at the ship's edge, the sea below glimmering like a promise of freedom he could not reach.

Laki landed beside him, claws pressing down on Tiger's head, his taunting gaze inches away. Tiger could only glare in frustration, wishing he had the strength to fight back.

Then, a distant roar caught their attention. Laki turned, eyes widening as he saw a speedboat cutting across the waves toward them at high speed. A tall figure lay atop it, arms behind his head, a book covering his face.

But what mattered to Laki was not the man's identity—the speedboat was aimed straight at their ship.

Before he could call out to Jebber, the speedboat pierced through the hull like a blade, coming to a sudden halt as the mysterious figure stirred.

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