"You are crazy! You actually killed the fishmen! Arlong will definitely..."
"Well, the Arlong you are talking about should be the captain of the Arlong Pirates. Can he fly?" Shin interrupted the already frightened Genzo and asked firmly.
He knew that it was meaningless to explain how strong he was now. He could only put things in terms that Genzo could understand.
"Uh... no!"
"Then you said I attacked them from the air. Do they have any good ways to fight back?" Shin continued.
A good way to fight back? Genzo thought about it. Since the fishmen were overly reliant on their physical strength, almost none of them used firearms. Only one fishman could attack with water bullets, and even then, their range was severely limited. Beyond ten meters, their power weakened considerably.
"It seems... no!" Genzo admitted, a faint light of realization flickering in his eyes.
"Then why should I be afraid of them? I've heard of their evil deeds long enough. Don't you want to overthrow these fishmen? Come and fight them with me!"
"This... can't you wait? I can call some villagers..." Genzo looked moved but still hesitated.
"Don't worry, it's just a bunch of fishmen who can't fly. Watch how I deal with them!"
In no time, the two flying through the sky arrived at Arlong Park. Looking at the shoddy imitation of the Sabaody Archipelago, Shin couldn't help but sneer.
"Arlong certainly knows how to deceive himself."
At that moment, most of the fishmen were inside their homes, while a few lingered outside or swam in the pond. Because Shin and Genzo arrived silently, none of the fishmen noticed them.
"What if they stay inside the houses..." Genzo was still mumbling in worry, but Shin was done waiting.
Forming a seal with his hands, he breathed in deeply. The Fire Release Jutsu, now simplified and enhanced, erupted from his mouth.
"Fire Release—Dragon FireJutsu!"
A dragon-shaped inferno surged through the sky and plunged into Arlong Park. The unsuspecting fishmen screamed in agony as several were burned to charred husks on the spot.
The fire dragon slithered through Arlong Park, setting every building ablaze. The fishmen who couldn't escape leaped into the pond, only to find the high heat had turned it into a boiling cauldron. Their cries echoed as they were cooked alive.
The chakra-controlled fire dragon raged through Arlong Park for several minutes before finally dissipating into a sky full of embers. The smoldering ruins continued to crackle as buildings collapsed into piles of ash.
Genzo, still hovering in the sky, gawked in disbelief. He had never imagined that the once-dreaded fishmen, who had oppressed them for years, could be wiped out so effortlessly.
"It seems some of them have strong vitality." Shin frowned as he peered down. Using his gravity manipulation, he pulled out several fishmen who had survived the boiling pond, their bodies bloated and scalded red.
Fishman's physique was tougher than human's. What would have been instant death for most was just a severe scalding to them.
But this time, Genzo no longer showed fear. Seeing Shin's overwhelming power, he knew this was a force beyond anything the fishmen could handle.
Cocoyasi Village was finally saved!
As Genzo processed the situation, Arlong, the leader of the fishmen, emerged from the wreckage. His eyes were bloodshot, and tears of rage streamed down his face. Wielding his massive serrated blade, he let out a hoarse roar, "Damn human! You've slaughtered my people! I will make you pay!"
Shin glanced at Arlong and sighed. "Water Release—Water Severing Wave."
A thin, high-pressure stream of water shot from Shin's mouth, sharper than any blade. It sliced effortlessly through the air.
With a single sweeping arc, the high-pressure water jet carved through Arlong and the remaining fishmen, slicing them cleanly in half.
A chorus of agonized cries followed, and soon, silence fell over the battlefield.
After ensuring there were no remaining threats, Shin finally descended to the ground with Genzo.
The reason for his caution was simple—Genzo was just an ordinary man. Any surviving fishman, even if on the verge of death, could still pose a lethal threat to him.
Had Shin been alone, he wouldn't have bothered flying. He would have simply charged in and obliterated the enemies at close range. But as a clone with limited chakra, conservation was key.
As soon as Genzo's feet touched the ground, the full impact of the scene hit him. He took in the bloodied battlefield, the overwhelming scent of burning flesh, and the crackling of smoldering remains. Unable to hold it in any longer, he vomited violently.
"Come on, old man." Shin rolled his eyes. "Is this the trait of a village sheriff? No wonder you couldn't protect your home."
Genzo wanted to protest, to explain that he was just an ordinary person. Witnessing such carnage—an actual battlefield—would make anyone sick. But before he could respond, Shin exhaled a cold breath, instantly extinguishing the lingering flames and freezing the charred remains.
"There should be a few survivors near the shore," Shin muttered, sensing faint life signatures. "I'll leave them to you."
In a weak sea like the East Blue, no single warrior could dominate an entire village. If the villagers worked together, they could easily handle the remaining threats.
At that moment, the realization fully dawned on Genzo. The oppressive rule of the Arlong Pirates was finally over. The years of suffering, fear, and exploitation had come to an end.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Genzo dropped to his knees. "Thank you! Thank you for saving Cocoyasi Village!"
*******************************
If you would like to gain early access, you can join me at www.patre on.com/bookbattalion