Chapter 7: Confrontation with Jinpachi

After incorporating Uzumaki Naruto’s talent, potential, and strength, Chu Yang learned everything far faster than ordinary people.

Another four short days passed, and Chu Yang’s proficiency in Fish-Man Karate rose another level.

Jinpachi decided to test Chu Yang’s training results.

The two held an unusual Fish-Man Karate match on the deck.

Neither side could use any other abilities besides Fish-Man Karate.

At first, the fish-men on the ship thought Jinpachi was joking—how could a human who had only boarded a week ago learn Fish-Man Karate so quickly?

It wasn’t even possible if Itachi started learning from the womb!

With mixed skepticism, all members of the Sun Pirates witnessed Chu Yang’s match against Jinpachi.

Even A Long did not miss it—he stood at the edge of the arena, his upper body wrapped in bandages.

His eyes never left Chu Yang for a second.

“Itachi attack first!” Jinpachi stood squarely in front of Chu Yang, not even assuming a defensive stance.

“Alright.” Chu Yang, always direct and efficient, made no excuse—he clenched his fist at his abdomen, his body slightly recoiling like a coiled spring.

Chu Yang gathered power in his fist, then swung it forward with full force; the punch generated a powerful shockwave in the air.

[Fish-Man Karate: Vacuum Wave Straight Punch]

This was Chu Yang’s improved version, inspired by Jinpachi’s “Tangcao Wave Straight Punch.”

Greater range, more concentrated power.

Due to his Wood Release, Chu Yang’s cellular activity had been steadily increasing—this punch’s power now rivaled Jinpachi’s original technique, even surpassing it.

Jinpachi had not yet realized the punch’s strength until the cannonball-like shockwave neared him, at which point he felt terrifying pressure.

“Shark Wave Straight Punch!”

Jinpachi’s thick blue arm bulged with terrifying muscles as he slammed his fist hard into the air before him.

Boom!

The air split like raw force tearing through, sending chaotic air currents surging outward and flipping over the surrounding fish-men spectators.

A Long stared in utter shock at the two after just one exchange—the scale far exceeded his imagination.

“This guy actually learned Fish-Man Karate?!”

“And he’s even with Brother Jinpachi!”

“Does this guy have fish-man blood?”

The fish-men murmured among themselves, staring at Chu Yang with astonishment; Tegger opened his mouth wide, unsure how to express his feelings.

“Not bad, kid!” Jinpachi smiled at Chu Yang for the first time, abandoning his earlier condescension. “If that’s the case, I’ll have to take this seriously!”

Chu Yang smiled, his pupils glowing with excitement, faintly echoing his earlier bloodthirsty fervor.

Seeing this, A Long shuddered violently, a chill running through his bones.

The two resumed combat, abandoning meaningless feints and launching straight into brutal close-quarters brawling.

Every punch landed on flesh!

Yet Chu Yang, as a human, was vastly smaller than Jinpachi—no one could believe he could stand firm against Jinpachi’s onslaught.

Chu Yang’s teenage frame barely rose above Jinpachi’s waist; his thighs weren’t as thick as Jinpachi’s arms.

Their fists clashed like two matchsticks striking against logs embraced by several men.

The visual disparity made the match appear shockingly terrifying to all observers.

Tegger feared Chu Yang’s frail frame would be broken by Jinpachi’s next strike.

Indeed.

Each collision made Chu Yang feel his body was about to shatter—the force from Jinpachi’s fists struck like invisible waves battering every muscle and bone.

Any normal person would have collapsed long ago.

But Chu Yang’s regenerative ability was unimaginably strong, giving him the foundation to stand firm.

Moreover, Jinpachi had not yet used Haki—everything remained within Chu Yang’s tolerance.

Chu Yang and Jinpachi’s battle raged from noon until sunset!

It continued until the stars appeared before finally ending.

Jinpachi was out of strength…

He simply lay down on the deck, gasping heavily, his body bruised purple and blue, a sight too gruesome to behold.

Chu Yang, too, looked battered and swollen, nose bleeding, face bruised.

But Chu Yang had one advantage—he was still standing.

Before the eyes of all, Chu Yang, who had only trained Fish-Man Karate for a week, had fought Jinpachi to a draw without using Wood Release.

The result stunned everyone!

Just one week!

Chu Yang had truly transformed from a complete novice in martial arts into an elite Fish-Man Karate practitioner.

Tegger stared blankly at Chu Yang, as if facing an unknown monster.

Having witnessed Chu Yang’s abilities in Mary Geoise, Tegger had never thought him an ordinary boy—but Chu Yang’s talent still left him stunned.

Jinpachi muttered, “Kid, Itachi’re incredibly tough.”

Chu Yang grinned. “Itachi’re not as tough as I thought.”

“Hahaha!” Jinpachi burst into laughter. “I lost this round. Next time, we’ll fight again—but next time, I won’t hold back.”

Chu Yang grumbled, “If Itachi use Haki, I can’t beat Itachi. Let’s just forget it.”

Jinpachi replied, “Itachi can use your Devil Fruit ability too.”

Chu Yang still shook his head. “Can’t beat Itachi. Can’t beat Itachi…”

Jinpachi sighed in exasperation, then proposed a compromise: “Fine. I’ll teach Itachi Haki. We’ll fight again using only Haki.”

Chu Yang smiled in satisfaction, then slowly collapsed onto the deck—he had truly reached his limit.

From that day on, no one in the Sun Pirates whispered gossip about Chu Yang anymore.

No one dared to look at Chu Yang with disdain or hatred.

Wherever Chu Yang went, he felt only reverent gazes upon him.

This was respect for strength.

Only A Long, furious but powerless to act, lowered his head and hurried past Chu Yang whenever they crossed paths.

Two days after the match, Chu Yang eagerly sought out Jinpachi again to learn Haki.

He loved this state—learning anything twice as fast as others.

Every moment, his strength improved noticeably.

It was addictive, impossible to escape.

“Itachi’re truly a monster,” Jinpachi, still bruised and swollen, muttered upon seeing Chu Yang fully recovered. “Tell me honestly—are Itachi even human?”

“Are Itachi kidding?!” Chu Yang rolled his eyes. “Where do I look not human?”

Jinpachi shook his head in wonder. “Nowhere do Itachi look human…”

“Stop insulting me indirectly!” Chu Yang laughed angrily. “Teach me Haki already!”

Reluctantly, Jinpachi began explaining Haki to Chu Yang in detail.

Meanwhile, Tegger sat in the captain’s cabin, his face grim—he held today’s morning newspaper and bounty poster delivered by the news bird.

The bounty poster bore his own face, with a reward of 500 million Berries.

(End of Chapter)