Chapter Seven: The Fog Clears

As the saying goes, a prime minister’s heart is vast enough to hold a boat.

This saying holds true, for even in the world of pirates, great figures often prefer not to quarrel with lesser individuals, choosing instead to appear magnanimous and broad-minded.

However, generosity has nothing to do with one’s true capacity. Take Chu Yi, for instance—he never considers himself magnanimous; rather, he is a man who never lets an offense go unavenged.

He treats his comrades with the warmth of spring—like Tiger and Mihawk, no matter what happens, Chu Yi will never lose his temper.

But toward his enemies, or those who bear ill will against him…

Hmph!

Chu Yi will crush them in the cradle. No matter how much they plead or repent, he grants no chance for redemption.

From this, one can discern Chu Yi’s attitude toward Evil Dragon.

To be honest, if not for Tiger and Jinbei acting as mediators, someone like Evil Dragon—who wouldn’t last three episodes in a drama—would have long been dealt with by Chu Yi.

Naturally, Jinbei understands Chu Yi’s temperament well, which is why he was so shocked when Chu Yi previously tried to explain Evil Dragon’s situation.

But now…

It seems Evil Dragon has no hope of clearing his name, even if he were to jump into the Yellow River.

When Chu Yi’s Observation Haki locked onto Evil Dragon’s figure attempting to ambush Mihawk, he was momentarily taken aback—was this the fake Evil Dragon from before, or the real one aboard their ship?

Yet, in the next moment…

“What difference does it make if he’s real or not?”

“Either way, getting rid of a menace here…”

“Is a good thing!”

With that thought, a cold gleam lit up Chu Yi’s eyes. He clearly had no intention of wasting time pondering whether Evil Dragon was genuine or a sham.

Having a legitimate reason to eliminate Evil Dragon was more than enough.

Therefore, when Evil Dragon charged toward Mihawk’s back with his serrated snout…

*Boom!*

Using the Gale Step!

Moving like a streak of light, Chu Yi’s speed was almost comparable to light itself. Even Jinbei found him difficult to contend with—how could a mere Evil Dragon stand a chance?

To be frank, Evil Dragon’s strength was weak, both in the original pirate story and especially before Chu Yi.

In the original tale, Evil Dragon appeared formidable, mainly because the Straw Hat Pirates had not yet fully risen.

Evil Dragon’s fighting style wasn’t Fish-Man Karate; he relied entirely on the superior physical attributes of his species. As a sawtooth shark fish-man, he was a prodigy among fish-men, with physical prowess nearly twice that of a normal fish-man as he matured.

Thus, at the story’s beginning, Evil Dragon was at his peak, initially brutally tormenting Luffy before ultimately succumbing to Luffy’s burst of power in a fierce battle.

But now…

Thirteen years had passed since the original navy story, and Evil Dragon’s physical prowess had diminished several times over compared to before.

He might still hold his own bullying fish-men of similar age on Fish-Man Island.

But facing Shura, Evil Dragon hardly had the strength to fight back.

Just as Chu Yi, using Gale Step, flashed before Evil Dragon and raised his right arm to use it as a blade to strike down the utterly unprepared opponent…

“Tang Grass Tile Straight Fist!”

*Bang!*

Jinbei, close to Mihawk, suddenly punched, quick as lightning, knocking Evil Dragon to the ground.

“Jinbei’s reaction is impressive. I suppose…”

“He saw my intent to kill, didn’t he?”

Evil Dragon was severely injured when Jinbei knocked him down. The sound of bones snapping echoed with that punch.

Yet, compared to death, Evil Dragon had gained. If Chu Yi had struck, Evil Dragon would have died. Jinbei’s heavy blow likely saved him.

This revealed that Jinbei’s earlier words were false.

He never truly intended to kill Evil Dragon; his earlier threats were mere bluster.

But since Jinbei’s intentions were clear, if Chu Yi insisted on attacking Evil Dragon, Jinbei would certainly intervene.

Therefore, after Evil Dragon fell, Chu Yi calmly looked at Jinbei and thought about the bonds among fish-men, something beyond his understanding. Then, with a faint smile, he said, “Jinbei, thanks for stepping in. Otherwise, I might have gotten into trouble again.”

“Oh?”

Jinbei raised his eyebrows knowingly. “Chu Yi, you mean…”

“Obviously!”

Chu Yi shrugged and crossed his arms. “If this Evil Dragon were the one who attacked us earlier, your ‘Tang Grass Tile Straight Fist’ wouldn’t have harmed him. He could have dodged both my ‘Sea Splitter’ and your punch. But the Evil Dragon before us is injured, isn’t he? So…”

“He must be the real one!”

After Chu Yi spoke, Jinbei smiled faintly, though reluctantly, and approached Evil Dragon to realign the dislocated bones.

But just as Jinbei lifted his foot…

*Whoosh!*

Mihawk suddenly appeared beside Evil Dragon.

Jinbei tensed, knowing Mihawk’s approach was in response to Evil Dragon’s earlier ambush.

Mihawk’s hawk-like eyes narrowed sharply.

“The long-nosed one was severely shocked before… Now his mind seems unstable!”

Long-nosed…

Indeed, Evil Dragon would carry Mihawk’s nickname his entire life.

Feeling a bit of pity for the fierce-looking Evil Dragon—whose visage was nearly as exaggerated as Pinocchio’s—Chu Yi noticed Jinbei’s taut demeanor and quickly stepped in front of Mihawk.

“Enough talk. If you have a way to restore Evil Dragon’s mind, do it now.”

“It’s difficult…”

Mihawk rarely furrowed his brows but did so now. Looking up at Jinbei, he said, “Fatty, I have a way to temporarily stabilize the long-nosed one, but I need you to hold him down. Can you do that?”

“N-no problem!”

Hearing Mihawk call him “Fatty,” Jinbei’s veins twitched slightly, but because of his concern for Evil Dragon, he ignored it and helped restrain him.

Under Mihawk’s slightly narrowed gaze, Jinbei watched as Mihawk lightly touched Evil Dragon’s forehead with his wooden sword.

*Buzz!*

Sword intent.

Chu Yi could perceive the sword intent through his Observation Haki, a testament to his improved swordsmanship.

Mihawk’s subtle touch was a form of healing through sword intent.

This moment made Chu Yi realize the gap between himself and Mihawk.

Mihawk’s mastery allowed him to wield sword intent effortlessly in every movement. His swordsmanship was undoubtedly superior, though only slightly, leaving Chu Yi hope to catch up.

As Chu Yi silently calculated the extent of this difference…

The crimson hue in Evil Dragon’s eyes gradually faded.

When the now-conscious Evil Dragon saw Chu Yi, Mihawk, and Jinbei together, his fierce and unruly demeanor melted into fear.

Seeing Jinbei was like seeing a savior; he clutched Jinbei’s leg and howled:

“Jinbei, hurry back! Go back… go back and save Boss Tiger!”

“What? Boss Tiger was attacked?”

They exclaimed in unison.

Though Chu Yi crossed his arms, his eyes grew heavy with concern.

Jinbei forced himself to remain calm but nervously asked, “Evil Dragon, tell us, what did the attacker look like?”

“I… I didn’t see clearly. I only know… I know he’s a monster who can control shadows!”

“Hmm? Control shadows?”

Listening to Evil Dragon, Chu Yi recalled the original story’s plot and began to suspect their enemy’s identity.

But just as Chu Yi started to clear the fog and glimpse who their foe might be, Mihawk’s slow words dispelled the mist completely:

“Controls shadows?”

“Could it be… that powerful newcomer rising in these seas?”