You Were Crying Before I Hadn't Exerted My Strength (4/5)

Jinbei couldn't comprehend the situation.

"You're a renowned general, why would you trouble a sweet, innocent princess like Shirahoshi?" Jinbei's thoughts raced in disbelief.

Shirahoshi, confined to the Shell Tower for years, was already living a tragic existence, and now Finn wanted to make her cry?

How could he be human?

Resolute, Jinbei stepped in front of Finn, blocking his path.

"Don't be ridiculous, blue fat man," Finn scoffed, not even pausing. "You won't beat me. Yesterday's bruises will be the same tomorrow."

He casually reached out to push Jinbei's arm aside.

That remark ignited Jinbei's fury. No one had ever belittled him like this in his domain—the sea, where he was strongest. On land, perhaps, his power wouldn't compare to the Admirals, but in the ocean, with his home-field advantage, he would face even the Four Emperors without fear.

And… blue fat man?

Sure, his skin was blue, but fat? These were the muscular lines of a Murloc, not flab! Finn, with his lanky human limbs, had no right to talk down to him.

Fueled by pride, Jinbei braced as Finn's hand pressed against his arm. He expected to push back easily, but a shocking realization dawned on him—Finn's strength was incredible, rivaling his own.

How could a mere human match the raw, natural power of a Murloc? Even more disturbing, Finn was still calmly pushing Jinbei's arm aside, inch by inch, without showing any sign of strain.

"Impossible!" Jinbei muttered, bewildered. His pride as a Murloc warrior was being shattered. Desperate, he called upon his full strength.

"Murloc Karate: Mighty Palm!"

In an instant, Jinbei's muscles surged with newfound force, his arm swelling to stop Finn's advance.

"Your strength is impressive, Marine, but you've reached your limit!" Jinbei grunted, pushing harder, convinced he could finally regain control.

But his hopes were dashed. Not only did Finn continue to push through his efforts, but the pressure on Jinbei's arm increased. Finn was still winning, and it wasn't even a struggle for him.

"You shouldn't measure others by your own standards," Finn said lightly, his face still serene, his strength relentless. He seemed to regard Jinbei as little more than a child.

In truth, Finn's power came from a Sword Immortal's physique, making him far beyond ordinary human limitations. Against Jinbei, it was no contest.

Refusing to accept defeat, Jinbei let out a furious laugh. "If you're that strong, Marine, then I'll stop holding back!"

With that, he unleashed a devastating blow.

"Seven-Thousand Tile True Punch!"

It was a fearsome move, drawing on the raw power of Murloc Karate, magnified in the depths of the ocean. The sea trembled as Jinbei's fist rocketed toward Finn, the water parting in a colossal wave.

But Finn simply smirked.

"Not bad," he said, his figure flickering, "but I'm not catching that."

In the blink of an eye, Finn vanished, leaving only an afterimage behind. Jinbei's punch slammed through empty space.

"Afterimage?" Jinbei gasped. "How…?"

Before he could react, Finn appeared at his side, launching his own attack.

"Try this: Eight-Thousand Tile True Punch!"

Jinbei's eyes widened as Finn's fist collided with his arm. The shockwave sent pain lancing through him.

"Impossible!" Jinbei cried out. "How can you use Murloc techniques?!"

But Finn wasn't using Murloc Karate at all—he had simply mimicked the form, and it was far stronger. It wasn't technique, just raw power.

In his shock, Jinbei tried to counter, but something was wrong. His arm moved, but not the way he intended—it flung outward, as if it wasn't under his control.

"What's happening?! Why can't I move properly?" Jinbei's confusion turned to panic.

Finn didn't even look back as he walked away, leaving Jinbei struggling to regain control of his limbs.

"Don't go!" Jinbei shouted, attempting to chase after him, but even his legs had stopped obeying. Instead of stepping forward, he stumbled, crashing to the ground in a humiliating heap.

Finn, unaffected, strolled toward the Shell Tower.

"Nervous System Disruption." The advanced medical technique Finn had used on Jinbei would leave him disoriented for a while, struggling to regain coordination.

By the time Finn reached the entrance of the tower, the guards were in the middle of changing shifts, leaving the path clear.

The massive iron door of the Shell Tower loomed before him, covered in weapons—swords, arrows, axes—all remnants of failed attempts to break in.

As a time traveler, Finn knew well why those weapons had been left behind.

He peered through a crack in the door. Darkness.

"Poor Shirahoshi," Finn muttered under his breath. "Trapped in this place her whole life. Tch, I almost feel bad. Almost."

With a grunt, he grabbed the massive iron door and pulled. Slowly, it creaked open, light spilling into the dark interior of the tower.

"Ack…?"

A sweet, curious voice echoed from inside.

"Who are you?"

Finn looked up.

Shirahoshi was... enormous.

Standing before her, Finn had to crane his neck just to see her face. She was towering above him, her delicate features filled with wonder.

Without warning, Shirahoshi reached down and plucked Finn up, holding him in front of her large, curious eyes.

"Who are you?" she asked again, her voice soft and innocent.

Finn forced himself to stay calm, despite the surreal situation. Clearing his throat, he said, "You can call me Master Finn."

"Master Finn?" Shirahoshi tilted her head, blinking her enormous eyes. "Why are you here in Dragon Palace City? What do you want?"

Finn hesitated. How was he supposed to tell this adorable mermaid princess his true reason?

"I… came here to make you cry," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck, embarrassed.

At his words, Shirahoshi's expression crumpled. Tears welled up in her eyes almost instantly.

Oh no…

"Why… would you want to make me cry, Master Finn?" she whimpered, her voice shaking with hurt.

Before Finn could even think of an answer, Shirahoshi burst into tears.

"Waahhh! Why would you do that?!"

The sight of her crying, combined with her immense size and innocent face, made Finn feel incredibly guilty.

He hadn't even done anything yet, and she was already sobbing uncontrollably. Tears streamed down her cheeks like rivers.

"Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have gained the authority to control two Sea Kings!" the system chimed in Finn's mind.

Finn scratched his head awkwardly. "Well… that was easier than I expected."