Facing the towering waves, Wyper had no choice but to roar at the massive silhouette faintly visible beneath the sea.
The other four immediately understood the danger threatening the Thunder Dragon Gaya.
Braham's flames might have countered the surge and kept the ship steady, but he was too far away, separated by the rising wall of water. A reckless pillar of fire could just as easily destroy the ship as save it. Worse still, Jinbe's ambush had been made possible by Braham's earlier flames, which filled the battlefield with steam and concealed the Fish-Man's movements.
A sharp pain throbbed in Braham's head. If the Thunder Dragon Gaya sank on her maiden voyage, his fate would not be any better than Jinbe's.
Mantis Kamakiri and Jebura, despite their control over gold and earth, were equally helpless. Out at sea, their abilities meant little.
All eyes turned to Wyper. Although Sali had forbidden him from using his Demon God Transformation, only a full transformation could save the ship now.
It would take just a single nod from him.
But Wyper did not respond. Rage burned through him. If the Thunder Dragon Gaya went down, he would storm Fish-Man Island himself and make that fat-headed fish pay, rules of the Dawn Faction be damned.
At that moment, Lanchi, who had been standing quietly behind them, suddenly pushed through the crew. With a swift kick, she shattered a barrel on the deck into splinters. Amid the flying debris, she grabbed several planks and hurled them toward the incoming wave.
Before anyone could react, she leapt into the air, her palms slamming against the planks.
In an instant, the wooden pieces expanded, swelling as if filled with air, forming a massive canopy that stretched across the sky.
"What are you all staring at? Get over here and hold it up!"
Though her Devil Fruit ability was well trained, Lanchi was still young and lacked the strength to maintain it alone. The enormous wooden shield began to sag toward the Thunder Dragon Gaya.
Her shout snapped Wyper and the others out of their daze. Relief flashed across their faces as they rushed forward, bracing the shield from below.
A deafening rumble echoed.
Together, they endured the crushing impact of the wave.
But Wyper knew defense alone would not last.
He shot into the sky and shouted toward the distant Braham, "Idiot, get back and guard the ship!"
With Braham and Lanchi holding the line, even if Jinbe launched another attack, they could manage.
As Wyper sped past Braham, he noticed a disturbance forming beneath the surface. Jinbe was preparing another strike.
Without hesitation, Wyper cloaked himself in lightning and unleashed a weakened Myriad Thunder into the sea.
Myriad Thunder was known for its immense range and density, ranking among the top techniques in the Pirate World.
In that critical moment, Wyper displayed sharp tactical awareness. Seawater conducted electricity, turning Jinbe's advantage against him and disrupting his hidden assault.
The situation shifted instantly.
Under Wyper's protection, the Thunder Dragon Gaya rode through the lightning unharmed.
If Jinbe stayed any longer, repeated strikes combined with Wyper's follow-up attacks would finish him, unless he dove thousands of meters deep.
After all, he was a whale shark Fish-Man, not an eel.
The electrified seawater sent numbing shocks through Jinbe's body as he dove deeper. Gritting his teeth, he swam several sea miles to the side before finally escaping the range of the fading lightning.
"Damn Devil Fruit users," he muttered under his breath.
After confirming he was out of danger, Jinbe resurfaced.
The moment his head broke the surface, Wyper sensed him.
Wyper's Observation Haki, combined with the lightning net technique Sali had taught him, covered the entire battlefield.
Seeing Wyper descending toward him, Jinbe said nothing. He turned and sprinted across the water toward a nearby barren island.
Although the sea no longer gave him a complete advantage due to the lingering conductivity, Jinbe still did not believe he would lose to Wyper.
Devil Fruit users feared the sea. That was common sense.
And Fish-Men ruled the ocean.
That was an even greater truth.
It was time to show these overconfident users the true power of Haki and Fish-Man Karate.
That was Jinbe's resolve.
Sea Calendar, September 18th, 1518.
The World Economic Journal spread across the seas.
The clash between the Seven Warlords, Thunder Demon Wyper and Knight of the Sea Jinbe, had shaken the New World. Lightning had engulfed the battlefield, preventing detailed coverage, but the result was clear.
Jinbe was injured and forced to retreat beneath the sea.
Across the world, factions reacted in their own ways. Meanwhile, Fleet Admiral Sengoku wasted no time contacting Wyper through his Den Den Mushi.
It was Wyper's first call since receiving his Warlord title and personal snail.
For a moment, he considered handing it over to Kirk for storage, the same way Sali handled his own.
"Thunder Demon Wyper? This is Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
"First time speaking. I'm Wyper. What can I do for you, Fleet Admiral?"
Though annoyed that the Journal had once again outpaced Marine intelligence, Sengoku kept his tone steady.
"I want to know why you fought Jinbe in the New World."
Wyper curled his lip. He had expected this.
"He came after my ship, the Thunder Dragon Gaya."
He briefly explained the situation.
Then his voice turned cold.
"Knight of the Sea? He's nothing but a coward who bullies the weak. Ash wiped out his underling Arlong, yet Jinbe never dared to step foot on Gourmet Island. The Dawn sails openly across the four Blues and he stays quiet, but the moment I buy a ship at Water 7, he comes after me. Does that fat-headed fish think I'm easy prey?"
After a pause, he added with clear irritation, "If I could swim, I would have ended him for good."
Sengoku sighed.
He had believed Wyper and Jinbe to be among the more stable Warlords, yet they had clashed over something as simple as a ship.
Still, as Fleet Admiral, he could not openly take sides. Even so, with one flying the Sun Pirates' flag and the other tied to the Cathay Chamber of Commerce, his personal leanings were obvious.
He knew exactly what kind of man Arlong was.
Frankly, Jinbe had it coming.
After offering a few standard warnings to prevent further escalation, Sengoku ended the call.
Only after hanging up did he realize something.
He had completely forgotten to ask why Wyper had suddenly gone to the New World.
Wyper's reputation as a relatively reasonable Warlord had clearly influenced his judgment.
Back on the ship, Wyper stared at the Den Den Mushi for a moment before deciding it was too troublesome to keep.
The Fleet Admiral seemed far too free, calling over the smallest piece of news.
There was no way Wyper could explain everything every time.
Returning to his cabin, he opened the wardrobe and stepped inside.
A moment later, he emerged in Dawn's garden.
"Well, look who decided to show up."
Kirk lounged comfortably in Ash's chair, raising a glass with a relaxed grin.
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