Thus, the Jellyfish Pirates' original plan of using Fish-Man Island as nothing more than a brief stopover quietly changed because of this unexpected promise to teach one another.
In the secluded bay outside Coral Hill, the twelve-meter-tall Fish-Man Prince and the comparatively small human captain became both master and student, embarking on a rather unusual journey of mutual training.
Sami stood atop a massive coral reef while Neptune remained half-submerged in the seawater.
Even so, the prince still had to lower his head slightly to meet Sami's eyes.
"At its core, Armament Haki is the act of turning your will into both a weapon and armor."
Sami raised his right arm, and a layer of jet-black Haki swiftly enveloped it.
"The key isn't imagining that your body has become harder. It's conviction. You must truly believe that you can strike your target—that you can defend yourself. The stronger your resolve and the more solid your martial foundation, the stronger your Haki will become."
Neptune focused intently on the black sheen covering Sami's arm, sensing the solidity and power contained within it.
He nodded slowly, only half understanding.
"That being said," Sami continued as the Haki faded away, "learning Haki is incredibly difficult. Many people spend years just reaching the beginner stage. It's definitely not something that happens overnight."
If learning Haki was abstract...
Then Fish-Man Jujutsu was no less so.
"The essence of Fish-Man Jujutsu is controlling water, not fighting against it."
This time, Neptune assumed the role of teacher.
His enormous hand slowly swept through the seawater, creating a gentle yet powerful whirlpool.
"Water is everywhere."
"It is resistance."
"But it can also become your weapon... and an extension of yourself."
"Feel its flow."
"Become one with it."
"And then..."
"...command it."
As he spoke, he demonstrated a simple water-control technique.
The invisible seawater seemed to come alive, gathering obediently in his palm.
When it was Sami's turn to try...
The scene became rather comical.
As the user of the Jellyfish Devil Fruit, merely standing waist-deep in seawater filled him with an instinctive sense of weakness, making it exceptionally difficult for him to grasp the sensation of manipulating currents.
As a result, he could only focus on mastering the close-quarters grappling techniques of Fish-Man Jujutsu—joint locks, throws, and holds.
As for techniques like Ocean Current Shoulder Throw, which manipulated massive volumes of seawater...
His understanding remained purely theoretical.
By comparison, Fish-Man Karate, which focused on transmitting force through water itself, suited Sami's fighting style much better.
His progress was remarkably fast.
Before long, he had advanced from the basic One Thousand Brick Fist to the Five Thousand Brick Fist, and had already begun studying the more sophisticated techniques for striking through water.
Their breaks from training naturally became opportunities to exchange stories.
Leaning against a coral reef, Sami spoke about the customs of the West Blue, the wonders of Skypiea, and the unpredictable climates and bizarre creatures of the Grand Line.
Neptune listened with complete fascination.
The distant seas of clouds, islands consumed by flames, and frozen kingdoms opened a window into the vast world above the ocean—a world he had never seen.
In return, Neptune shared the history of Fish-Man Island, the secrets hidden within the coral forests, and the ancient legends of Ryugu Palace.
From serious instruction to casual conversation...
From exchanging martial techniques to discussing their differing perspectives...
The initial politeness and mutual caution between the two gradually gave way to a friendship founded on genuine respect and curiosity.
Meanwhile, back at the Flame Fang...
While Sami and the prince devoted themselves to training in the secluded bay, the rest of the crew naturally found their own ways to spend their time.
The scene shifted to the bustling streets of Coral Hill.
Buck, one of Marcus's squad leaders with a bounty of 5.6 million Berries and ranked second among the squad captains, looked completely different from his usual bold and rugged self.
He wore a neatly pressed suit that he was obviously uncomfortable wearing.
His hair had been carefully combed until not a strand was out of place.
In his hands was a bouquet of coral flowers he had painstakingly picked out on Fish-Man Island.
Standing outside the display window of a shell craft shop, he stared at his reflection in the glass, clearing his throat over and over as he practiced.
"Ahem... Miss Keliya... I-I like you. Would you please go out with me?"
He lowered his voice.
Then immediately shivered.
"No, no! That's way too weak! There's no confidence at all!"
Straightening his back, he attempted to look more imposing.
"Hey, girl! I've got my eye on you!"
"...Uh..."
"That's even worse."
"I sound like I'm here to pick a fight..."
"Yo! Buck!"
"Standing guard again?"
Several passing crewmates spotted him immediately and began teasing him without mercy as they surrounded him, laughing loudly.
"Still haven't given up?"
"Maybe she's already sick of seeing you!"
"Get lost!"
"Quit getting in my way!"
Buck's face instantly turned bright red as he waved his hands frantically, trying to shoo them away like flies.
"Alright, alright! We're heading off for drinks!"
"We can't be bothered watching you embarrass yourself!"
The group burst into laughter, made a few exaggerated faces at him, and ran off.
Buck straightened his collar once more.
Taking a deep breath, he finally gathered the courage to approach the shop door.
Just as he raised his hand to knock...
Creak.
The door opened from the inside.
A tall, graceful mermaid with beautiful blue scales stepped out carrying a wooden crate.
Seeing Buck blocking the entrance, she frowned slightly.
"You again?"
"What is it this time?"
"Ah! I—I..."
Buck froze completely.
Flustered, he thrust the bouquet of coral flowers toward her, not even daring to meet her eyes.
"These!"
"I saw them on the way here!"
"They looked... really nice, so..."
"If you like them..."
"...you can have them."
The mermaid glanced at the bouquet.
Then at Buck's bright red face and painfully stiff posture.
"I don't like this sort of thing."
"And..."
"You're blocking the way."
"...Ah?"
"Y-You don't like them?"
"Oh..."
"O-Okay..."
Buck instantly deflated like a punctured balloon.
With an awkward smile, he quickly stepped aside.
Without another word, the young mermaid carried the crate toward a supply wagon waiting at the end of the street.
Still holding the flowers, Buck stood rooted to the spot, watching her disappear into the distance.
He scratched the carefully combed hair that had taken him so long to arrange and let out a long sigh.
Fortunately...
Buck quickly cheered himself up again.
Being rejected wasn't exactly new anymore.
Over the past several days, it had happened more than once.
Scratching his head, he casually tucked the slightly wilted bouquet into an empty decorative seashell by the roadside before straightening the wrinkles in his suit.
"Next time..."
"Maybe I'll try a different kind of flower?"
He muttered to himself before turning toward the tavern where his companions had disappeared.
His steps quickly became light once again.
After all...
Compared to raging storms and cannon fire, a tiny setback like this meant almost nothing in a pirate's life.
Pursuing a girl was just like challenging a powerful opponent.
How could anyone expect to succeed on the first try?
He, Captain Buck...
(Self-proclaimed, of course.)
...wasn't about to give up on the girl he'd set his sights on so easily.
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