Chapter Three: One Sword Startles the Four Corners

The Fishmen's extraordinary talents extended far beyond their innate physical attributes. On Fishman Island, many Fishmen were born with a variety of special abilities, rivaling even the diverse powers granted by Devil Fruits.

Take, for example, the Japanese Wobbegong Fishmen. Their bodies bore intricate black-and-white patterns, allowing them to blend seamlessly with their surroundings, making them masters of stealth and assassination. Or consider the Cigar Daruma Sharkmen, whose teeth were harder than steel, capable of crushing solid rock as effortlessly as cracking sunflower seeds.

So, when Chu Yi and Tiger discussed their future voyage routes, although both were keenly observing their surroundings with Observation Haki, they failed to notice the hidden wild card lurking just outside the room within the “Killer Sky” Pirate Crew.

In short, the newly formed “Killer Sky” crew was fraught with complications.

Take Chu Yi, for instance.

He never imagined that the first dinner aboard the “Killer Sky” crew would be so awkward.

Originally, as Tiger headed to the deck, Chu Yi planned to introduce himself to the crew. Even if they didn’t become close, at least they would recognize each other in the future. But the moment Chu Yi stepped onto the deck, where the dinner atmosphere had been warm and lively just seconds before, everything instantly turned awkward.

Almost as soon as Chu Yi appeared...

“Whoosh!”

“Whoosh!”

The group of Fishmen chatting animatedly on deck dispersed with lightning speed, faster than even Kizaru. They quickly formed small cliques, slinging arms over shoulders as they moved aside, casting all sorts of strange looks at Chu Yi, who felt like an exhibit in a zoo. The Fishmen around him were like spectators gathered to watch a monkey perform.

But was Chu Yi the most awkward in this situation?

Not quite.

Tiger was even more uncomfortable.

As Chu Yi received cold, indifferent stares, Tiger was met with enthusiastic greetings from the clusters of Fishmen as he passed by.

This was clearly sowing discord between Chu Yi and Tiger.

Every time Tiger greeted his familiar Fishmen comrades, he felt an uneasy prickling sensation, like sitting on needles.

What should have been a walk of just a minute or two turned into nearly ten minutes as Chu Yi accompanied Tiger to the dining table. When they finally sat down with their prepared meals, Chu Yi quietly moved to a corner, crouching down without concern for appearances. Tiger’s face turned ashen as he said, “Sorry, kid, I didn’t expect this...”

“It’s okay. I understand,” Chu Yi replied.

Still, a lingering discomfort remained.

Chu Yi was not a controlling man, but these Fishmen were unbearably bullying.

What was this? Cold treatment?

They clearly knew who the captain was, yet refused to acknowledge it, as if they only recognized Tiger as their leader. Anyone would have their doubts.

The only thing Chu Yi could accept calmly was his friendship with Tiger.

He wasn’t upset with Tiger for “usurping” authority—only angered by the Fishmen’s attitude.

Then there were the “allies” on board.

Well!

Chu Yi felt even more frustrated.

At this moment, Mihawk behaved like a gentleman, meticulously using his knife and fork to eat, completely ignoring the Fishmen’s odd gazes.

Smoker and Lucci, having long abandoned their pride since their capture, wolfed down their food with ravenous hunger, maintaining their strength, poised to challenge Chu Yi again at the right moment.

As for Jinbe...

Sigh. He was the least reliable.

The relationship between the Fishmen crew and Chu Yi was nearly hostile, yet Jinbe laughed it off, completely indifferent. When Tiger apologized awkwardly to Chu Yi, Jinbe mingled casually with the Fishmen.

With no anger to vent at Tiger, Mihawk, or Jinbe—and no way to lash out at these newly joined Fishmen—Chu Yi channeled his frustration into his appetite. He used his astonishing capacity for food to intimidate the Fishmen who refused to acknowledge him.

Then...

Dinner ended. Just as Tiger cleared his throat to draw attention and prepare to introduce Chu Yi to the Fishmen and vice versa—

Suddenly!

An alarm echoed from the bow, reverberating throughout the ship.

“Bad news!”

“A storm is coming! Everyone prepare!”

The storms at sea were not merely the thunderstorms found in weather forecasts.

Especially near the New World, storms were terrifying beyond measure.

Though the Fishmen crew had long dwelled on Fishman Island, their innate maritime skills were exceptional. Upon hearing the warning, they immediately dropped their tasks and began preparing to face the storm.

Of course.

A sailing novice like Chu Yi had no idea how dreadful the storm could be.

Seeing the Fishmen prepare as if facing a formidable foe like Zephyr, Chu Yi raised an eyebrow and turned to Tiger.

“Tiger, is the storm really that terrifying?”

“The storm itself is not the problem. The real danger is...” Tiger’s expression grew grave as he commanded the crew and explained to Chu Yi, “Our ship isn’t strong enough to withstand the storm’s wrath. Kid, do you know how important a good ship is? Like my father’s Moby Dick—no matter the storm or typhoon, the Whitebeard Pirates can face it with laughter. But this ship, chosen for us by Princess Otohime, is good for Fishman Island standards, but a single storm could easily flip it to the ocean floor.”

“Kid, since you have a Devil Fruit power, I advise you to return to the cabin now.”

“If you fall overboard during the storm, we... we probably won’t be able to save you in time!”

So that was it...

It really was the ship’s fault.

Chu Yi had sensed something wrong with this dilapidated vessel the moment he boarded, but hadn’t realized how serious it was.

Hearing Tiger’s warning, Chu Yi instinctively wanted to retreat to the cabin when—

Scornful eyes shot daggers from the Fishmen crew’s gazes.

Suddenly, Chu Yi realized he was being cornered by the Fishmen to face the danger on deck with them.

But then again, how could a captain hide away in times of peril?

A captain like that would never command respect.

Especially for someone with Chu Yi’s unique status, if he chickened out now, how could he ever regain authority?

With that thought, Chu Yi abandoned the idea of retreating.

His gaze slowly shifted from the Fishmen around him to the darkening clouds gathering above.

Suddenly!

A faint smile curved his lips.

Before Tiger could join the preparations for the storm, Chu Yi chuckled and said, “Forget it, Tiger. I don’t think you all need to prepare.”

“Let me, the captain, solve this first crisis of our ‘Killer Sky’ crew.”

“Kid... you!” Tiger tried to stop him.

But unexpectedly—

“Whoosh!”

Without giving Tiger a chance to speak, Chu Yi swept his hand like a sword in a sudden downward slash.

Next moment...

“Whoosh!”

The fierce gust scattered all around.

Though Chu Yi’s sword-like gesture seemed slow, the sharp force it unleashed swept across the ship, drawing the attention of everyone present, including Mihawk.

Yet...

While Chu Yi’s strike was undeniably impressive, no one understood what he intended to do.

Some Fishmen even snickered inwardly, thinking, “Why waste time showing off sword skills instead of preparing for the storm?”

How amusing.

But just as disdain began to etch across their faces, ready to express their contempt—

Suddenly!

“Crack... crack!”

As Chu Yi’s fierce sword energy sliced upward through the “Killer Sky” ship, the sight that met everyone’s eyes was—

The thick, looming clouds above instantly vanished, erased by the power of Chu Yi’s sword energy!