Yamata Snake Soup

A small boat glided across the South Sea. It was controlled by an old man with a hat and a straw coat, holding a long bamboo pole in his hand.

Every time the old man thrust the bamboo pole into the water, the little boat would move forward like a rocket. Water splashed continuously on its sides as if it were a speedboat. 

A rumbling sound filled the air as the water behind the boat churned, while the small vessel itself left a straight light on the surface of the water and moved forward at a great speed. 

Suddenly, huge waves appeared not far in front of the boat. The tumbling waves seemed to turn into a great wall to stop the old man from going any further.

When the boat came in front of it, the old man simply raised the bamboo pole and swung it at the waves that were tens of meters high. Shockingly, he cut through them as if they were tofu—the cut side was perfectly smooth.