Chapter 17: Clash of Titans
The so-called Fish-Men were a special race of the seas, their appearance often a blend of human and fish.
Due to historical grievances, until a few decades prior, Fish-Men were still traded as "fish." Their tough physiques and strength—twenty times that of an ordinary human—made "Fish-Man slaves" highly sought after in the markets.
Fish-Men bore a long-standing grudge against humans. Even the few humans with good intentions couldn't ease the deep-seated conflict. The "vast majority" of Fish-Men and the "vast majority" of humans viewed each other as enemies.
Faced with this deadlock, Princess Otohime of the Ryugu Palace on Fish-Man Island sought to change the future for her people, advocating for "coexistence with humans." This great princess would, in the near future, even rescue a Celestial Dragon in distress, attempting to use that as a bridge to establish rational communication with the World Government.
Her actions would eventually awaken a rare, enlightened Celestial Dragon named "Sage Mjosgard."
But for now, Princess Otohime's ideals seemed naive. The vast majority of Fish-Men remained hostile to humans.
And among them, a particularly respected Fish-Man was growing increasingly antagonistic, his anger barely contained.
His name was Fisher Tiger.
BOOM!
A fist hammered down, striking Alvin Vergil squarely on the cheek.
Fisher Tiger clenched his fist, veins bulging on his massive arms, aiming to end the fight from the outset.
But as his punch landed, Tiger's expression froze.
It didn't feel like hitting a face. It felt like slamming his fist into the hard seabed—unyielding, immovable.
"Urgh…"
Tiger grunted in pain, realizing his opponent's strength was no simple matter. This was nothing like the human slaves he'd faced before.
Years of slavery had driven his hatred of humans to its peak. He didn't want to bargain with them. But the chance for freedom was so close, even if offered by that despicable Celestial Dragon. Tiger wasn't willing to let it go.
He just wanted to go home. To see the rogues of Fish-Man Street and the glittering Fish-Man Island once more…
"Hey, human!"
Withdrawing his slightly numb fist, Tiger closed the distance, whispering low, "Listen. I have a plan."
He grabbed Vergil's wrists, creating the illusion of a stalemate, then continued, "That Celestial Dragon, Saint Ekwena—he's supremely arrogant, easy to fool. He'll likely keep his promise. If I 'knock you out' like this, we can escape while he's gloating!"
"…"
Tiger's logic was sound. Rationally, fighting a Celestial Dragons meant fighting the World Government and the Marines simultaneously. No one on these seas could manage that.
Fortunately, Saint Ekwena wasn't the murderous type. He just craved a display of superiority. If they played along, both Vergil and Tiger might find an opening.
"Sounds reasonable. I don't see a reason to refuse."
Vergil stared into Tiger's bloodshot eyes. At over three meters tall with a perfected physique, Vergil was imposing for a human, but still slightly shorter than Tiger's five-meter-plus frame.
Yet in terms of presence, they were matched.
Vergil grinned. The pupils of his eyes had already shifted into segmented patterns. His Devil Fruit power thrummed beneath his skin, ready. He said excitedly,
"But I just want to feel what a Fish-Man's fists are like!"
"…"
"You lunatic!" Tiger muttered.
He'd never met a human like this. The man before him didn't feel entirely "human"—more like a beast, his aura unsettlingly elusive.
That uncertainty, that faint fear, made Tiger snap, "Don't you want to live?! What are you trying to do?!"
"Live in the moment!"
Vergil laughed. His wrists thickened. Twin horns sprouted from his forehead. His skin flushed crimson.
In a blink, the "human" before Tiger vanished, replaced by a hulking, alien beast with dense limbs, now even a head taller than him.
Chīguǐ Form.
In this state, beyond the special power of "land-destruction," Vergil's physical prowess was massively enhanced. His already monstrous strength reached new heights.
He raised a thick fist high and brought it crashing down on Tiger.
BOOM!
Tiger crossed his arms to block. The impact sent a jolting numbness through them, forcing him back several steps.
"Tch…"
That exchange truly ignited Tiger's fighting spirit. A Devil Fruit user? No matter his power, he's still a damn human! If he wants a fight, let him feel the strength of a Fish-Man!
THUMP!
Tiger stamped a foot, steadying himself. He clenched his fist and swung again at Vergil.
Fish-Men possessed strength twenty times that of humans. Fisher Tiger was renowned across Fish-Man Island for his might. Few on these seas would dare trade blows with him.
But Vergil showed no intention of dodging. He took Tiger's punches head-on, laughing even as they landed.
"Come on, Fish-Man! Let's brawl!"
He clenched his own fist and launched a furious assault in return.
Back and forth they went. The dull thuds of impact mingled with roars and laughter, echoing through the arena.
And in the blood-streaked stands, Saint Ekwena clapped his hands, cackling with delight.
"Good! Very good! A fine fight!"
This was what he loved. Untouchables tearing into each other while he, a Celestial Dragon, watched from on high. Exhilarating!
A veteran spectator of countless bouts, Saint Ekwena could see the disparity. The Fish-Man was powerful, but no match for the unknown Mythical Zoan user.
The end was near.
On the arena floor, after the furious exchange, Tiger was breathing heavily.
Vergil, though his face bore a few superficial marks, still gleamed with exhilaration.
In a flash, Vergil spotted an opening in Tiger's defense. He extended his right index finger, gathered force, and thrust it forward—not at Tiger's neck, but at the Explosive Collar encircling it.
Pfft.
"Excellent!" Saint Ekwena leapt up, thrilled.
But as he saw clearly, his expression twisted into one of utter bewilderment.
The expected gore didn't materialize.
Vergil's finger hadn't pierced Tiger's neck. It had struck the collar itself.
"Metals and gunpowder are processed minerals… part of the 'land.'"
Vergil had been pondering a question: If I can destroy land, what about 'metal'?
The segmented patterns in his pupils began to spin rapidly, then locked at a specific instant.
In that moment, the entire internal structure of the Explosive Collar—its composition, its materials, even its microscopic flaws—was laid bare to Vergil's Chīguǐ senses.
It felt like taking apart a childhood toy. Everything became clear.
"As long as this point is destroyed…"
Ability—activate.
Click.
A crisp sound. The Explosive Collar around Tiger's neck fell apart, clattering to the ground.
Under Fisher Tiger's stunned gaze, Vergil clapped his hands together, laughing triumphantly.
"Find the inherent weakness in the metal's structure, then strike it to collapse…"
"Haha! Okay! I've got it!"
(End of Chapter)
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