Chapter 26

So, so weak!

Aqua and Luffy exclaimed in their minds simultaneously.

The brief encounter happened almost in the blink of an eye. By the time Aqua and Luffy realized what had happened, Zyhark was already on the ground, not getting up, clutching his cheek in apparent agony.

"A cook is just a cook, possessing only this bit of skill, and yet dreams of opposing me?"

Higuma couldn't help but sneer, slowly bending over to pick up the long sword by his feet.

His attention was fully on Zyhark, not far away, completely failing to notice that the blade, which should have pierced through the palm, didn't have a single drop of blood on it.

With a mad grin, Higuma, holding the long sword, took steps towards Zyhark.

In his eyes, this indebted restaurant owner was already nothing more than a lifeless corpse.

What a pity about that 800,000 Belly...

Higuma lamented internally.

Unbeknownst to him, the supposedly agonized Zyhark on the ground was secretly reaching for the newly purchased flintlock pistol at his waist!

Zyhark's gaze, though filled with fear, was fixed intently on Higuma.

The moment the overconfident Higuma got close enough would be the perfect opportunity for Zyhark to draw his gun and shoot him in the head!

If all went well, it would take just one shot to instantly kill Higuma, effortlessly claiming the walking bounty of 8 million Belly!

As Higuma drew closer, Zyhark tightened his grip on the pistol, highly focused, even beginning to plan what he would do after collecting the bounty.

However, as expected, the unexpected happened.

Not far off, water splashed, and a dazzling blue magic circle shimmered.

"All my devotees in this world, heed the command of the Water Goddess Aqua."

"Grant my wish, fulfill my desire, and show the world your power, Create Holy Water!"

Aqua, though unreliable on a regular day, could still be trusted in critical moments.

Seeing Zyhark so easily defeated, soon to become a soul under Higuma's blade, the determined Aqua didn't choose to flee but stood her ground, chanting a spell.

Buzz!

A blinding blue light appeared above Zyhark and Higuma, with runes flowing to form a complete water magic circle.

The sound of surging waters built up within the magic circle, echoing across the golden beach.

Damn it! This idiot goddess!!!

Realizing the moment the magic circle for creating holy water appeared, the panic Zyhark had feigned turned into genuine shock.

Without hesitation, he decisively pulled out the flintlock pistol hidden behind him, aiming at the equally stunned Higuma, hoping to settle matters before the flood erupted.

Yet, he underestimated Aqua's determination to rescue her companion.

Before he could pull the trigger, a torrential downpour descended from the sky, creating a wild surge on the beach!

Under this fearsome power, Zyhark, Higuma, Luffy, and even Aqua herself were swept away, tumbling through the raging waters.

Seconds later, as the water receded back into the ocean, leaving behind a scene of utter devastation.

Sand flowed, stones scattered everywhere, numerous fragments of wood strewn about—the only dock in Windmill Village capable of mooring boats was destroyed!

Soaked and disheveled, Higuma slowly rose from the sand, the familiar sensation of dizziness igniting his rage, his gaze fixed on Aqua, who had been swept close by the flood.

"I knew it! Only our stronghold was hit, and it's all because of you, you damned woman!"

Day after day, for several days, Higuma's stronghold and men were mysteriously flooded by "heavy rain."

Though brief, those were some of his darkest days.

Until today, he thought it was just bad luck, never imagining the culprit was this mentally troubled woman before him!

"I'm going to kill you, I'll chop you into pieces!!!"

Higuma's eyes, bloodshot, lifted his long sword and charged at Aqua, now weakened from casting her spell.

The enemy's strength reduced by 10%, rage increased by 300%!

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it's so hot, I just wanted to cool you down, please don't be so angry!"

Aqua quickly waved her hands, apologizing sincerely.

But how could the bloodthirsty and brutal Higuma stop because of this?

He quickly approached Aqua, killing intent thick, and without wasting words, swung his long sword down!

Slash!

The sound of the blade tearing through fabric, a dark shadow completely covered Aqua, crouching and trembling on the ground.

At the crucial moment, Zyhark appeared, shielding her with his broad chest from Higuma's violent slash!

Looking through the cut in his short sleeve, a slight trail of blood appeared from his left shoulder to his right thigh.

His unformed Armament Haki, combined with his natural defense, forcefully took Higuma's full-powered slash without sustaining serious injury!

Ignoring the shocked Higuma, Zyhark threw his waterlogged flintlock pistol to the ground, turned to Aqua, and scolded:

"Idiot goddess! What are you doing, unleashing a flood on your own teammate?!"

"Just one step, just one step more, and I would have blown Higuma's head off!!"

Aqua, initially moved by Zyhark's selfless act of blocking the attack for her, felt wronged and indignantly retorted upon hearing such harsh words:

"Who asked you to be so weak, getting flown away upon the first encounter, almost getting chopped to death!"

"Anyway, you're so tough, even a big black bear couldn't break through your defense. Getting swept away definitely wouldn't hurt you, I just wanted to use holy water to disrupt the enemy's movements!"

Hearing this, Zyhark's mouth twitched, his face lined with exasperation.

"...Did you ever consider that me, who couldn't even be breached by a big black bear, was pretending to be defeated to lower Higuma's guard?"

"Eh?" The fierce Aqua's eyes suddenly cleared.

She sheepishly scratched her wet, aqua-colored hair, "Well, there might be that possibility."

Sigh...

Looking at the goddess of stupidity before him, Zyhark let out a heavy sigh.

Putting aside the disastrous outcome, Aqua's initial intention was indeed to help him escape "crisis." What reason did he have to blame or despise her?

And...

Zyhark glanced towards the distance.

There, Luffy was struggling to pull his head out of the sand.

Thanks to the flood, Luffy had finally escaped Higuma's grasp.

Higuma no longer had a bargaining chip to limit his true power!

"After taking my full-powered slash, you only have a superficial wound? Zyhark, what are you hiding?!"

Higuma, retreating to a safe distance, saw Zyhark turn his head towards him, his hand holding the sword unconsciously trembling.

As a bandit chief who dominated the surrounding forests, a criminal with hundreds of lives on his hands, he was actually afraid...

Of those fierce, beast-like eyes!

"Forget it, Higuma. I'm done pretending. Time to lay my cards on the table."

Zyhark, observing Higuma's reaction, flexed his fingers with a smile on his face.

"Actually, I'm a master."

(End of Chapter)