With a thought, Yunan leapt high into the air and slammed a powerful punch down onto the giant goldfish.
"BANG!!!"
The heavy blow knocked the massive goldfish unconscious instantly. Yunan seized the opportunity and hoisted it onto his ship.
Menzu, witnessing this, flew into a rage. His enormous eyes glared down at Yunan, who looked like a mere ant in comparison.
"Who's this dog of a pirate, daring to steal my lunch?!"
"This fish didn't have your name on it. Whoever catches it gets it," Yunan shot back, shaking the water off his body and tilting his head with a grin.
"You're just a weak pirate. Since you angered me, you'll be my lunch too!"
With a roar, Menzu slammed his massive fist down.
"Hey! If you smash my ship, I'll have nowhere to stay," Yunan called out, leaping into the air. In the same instant, he threw a punch that met Menzu's colossal fist head-on.
"BOOM!!!"
Though Yunan's fist was tiny compared to Menzu, to the giant fishman, it struck with the force of thousands of tons, sending him crashing into the sea!
"Hey, Menzu, it's just a fish. I'll share half with you—no need to get so mad."
Yunan shouted down from above.
"Damn pirate! I don't share my food!"
Menzu rose again and charged toward Yunan.
"Can't take advice, huh?" Yunan muttered, shaking his head. He raised a finger lightly.
"Wind Release: Razor Wind!"
Instantly, razor-sharp wind blades tore through the air toward Menzu.
"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!"
The massive fishman's body was instantly cut in dozens of visible slices.
"Next time, if you don't behave, I'll cut your throat," Yunan said coldly, his eyes emanating a faint, deadly intent.
Feeling Yunan's lethal aura, Menzu's pupils constricted sharply. He froze in place.
"I… I can explain, Master Pirate! Don't kill me…"
He wasn't foolish—he knew that if Yunan had meant to kill, those wind blades would have been enough to finish him.
"See? That wasn't so hard. No need to force me to use violence," Yunan said, patting Menzu's large head with a grin.
"Um… Master, may I go now?" Menzu cautiously asked.
"You may leave. How about this: you take me on a tour of Fish-Man Island? I'm bored anyway. Any objections?"
Yunan pondered for a moment. Since he had no particular destination, Fish-Man Island was a reasonable choice.
"Fish-Man Island? Why would you go there, Master?"
"Enough chatter. I just want to take a look around, is that not allowed?" Yunan replied impatiently, though his mind lingered on the image of the tall mermaid princess, Shirahoshi.
"All right, Master. You just hide in my mouth, and I'll take you to Fish-Man Island," Menzu agreed immediately. He had no choice—ten lifetimes' worth of courage wouldn't let him refuse Yunan now.
"Prepare to set off," Yunan said, tossing the recently knocked-out giant goldfish to Menzu.
"You're not eating it, Master?" Menzu asked in confusion.
"It's not cooked. I don't eat it raw. You can have it," Yunan waved him off.
Menzu devoured the dozens-of-meters-long goldfish in just a few bites.
"All set, Master."
Patting his belly, Menzu opened his enormous mouth and swallowed Yunan along with the ship.
"Be careful, Menzu. Don't swallow me. I don't want to exit from your rear," Yunan called out in time.
With a powerful dive, Menzu plunged into the depths of the sea.
"Here we are, Master," came Menzu's voice after some time in darkness. He opened his mouth and released Yunan and the ship, depositing them safely near Fish-Man Island.
"Thanks, Menzu. You're free to go," Yunan said, patting Menzu's head before heading toward the island.
Fish-Man Island, however, was no longer peaceful. The sound of destruction filled the air, with debris scattered across the city.
"Trouble! Hody and his crew have seized Ryugu Palace!"
"Has this guy gone mad? Does he really want to wage war with humans?!"
"Hurry and hide! They're capturing people everywhere!"
As Yunan stepped onto the streets, all around him were fleeing fishman residents, shouting in chaos.
"Everyone, calm down! Lord Hody is thinking of the future of Fish-Man Island!"
"All adult fishmen must join Lord Hody's crew! When we go to war with humans, you will all fight under my command!"