**Chapter 68: The Ball**

"I still haven't settled things with you for that one incident," Jinbei said, clearly referring to the time Linton insulted Whitebeard by calling him trash. Whitebeard was a benefactor to Fish-Man Island, and Jinbei couldn't tolerate anyone disrespecting him.

"I was just telling the truth," Linton replied.

"If I beat you, will you apologize for your words and actions?" Jinbei asked.

"No problem," Linton nodded. "But if I win, you'll do something for me in return."

"What is it?" Jinbei asked.

"My nephew here, well, he's not very skilled," Linton gestured toward Ace beside him, "and I'm way too strong. If I were to fight him, I'm worried something might happen to him. So I need to find him a suitable sparring partner to help him improve. You're about on his level. If you lose to me, you'll train with him for ten days, on the ship."

"What are you on about?" Ace shouted. "Just because I lost once doesn't mean I'm that bad!"

"Alright," Jinbei agreed without hesitation. The request wasn't unreasonable—ten days of sparring was manageable, and he liked Ace, seeing him as someone worth befriending.

"I'm warning you, though," Linton said. "I'm really strong, and sometimes I get a little carried away. Are you sure you want to fight me?"

"Let's do this," Jinbei responded, already taking his battle stance.

"Hey, you're not going to use that sneaky ability of yours again, are you?" Ace asked. "Your Devil Fruit powers are way too bizarre, creating illusions like that—it's not a fair fight."

It seemed like Ace wasn't just complaining; he was actually giving Jinbei a heads-up by revealing Linton's ability to induce hallucinations. The two clearly had a good relationship.

"Relax. I only used that move earlier because I didn't want to hurt you," Linton explained. "But this time, I won't hold back. You'll see my true strength."

"Bring it on," Linton motioned to Jinbei.

Jinbei held his stance but didn't rush to attack. He was gathering energy while watching Linton's movements closely.

Seeing Jinbei hesitate, Linton smirked. "Come on, if you don't hurry, I'll get mad!"

As he spoke, Linton unleashed his Conqueror's Haki. Jinbei suddenly felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on him, forcing him to take a step back and kneel slightly. But he managed to withstand it without losing consciousness.

"Hey! You used it again?" Ace shouted.

"No… it's not an illusion," Jinbei said. "This is… the Conqueror's Haki, a power only one in a million can possess."

"You're quite knowledgeable, as expected from one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea," Linton said with a grin. "Much sharper than my nephew here."

"One in a million?" Ace looked at Linton in shock.

"What's the big deal? In my family, it's a basic skill. Everyone has it, and you will too," Linton said.

"What? I have it too?" Ace looked dumbfounded.

"You just don't know how to use it yet," Linton explained. "It's nothing special, really. It's just good for clearing out small fry. Honestly, Jinbei's just a small fry to me. Come on, Jinbei, or do I need to crush you with my Haki?"

Jinbei said nothing, gritting his teeth and getting back on his feet. He took his stance again, showing just how tough he really was. He quickly adapted to Linton's B-rank Conqueror's Haki.

As Jinbei prepared to attack, Linton suddenly raised his hand. "Too slow. I'm getting bored."

Linton's eyes shifted, emitting a red glow for a brief moment before turning purple, with rings rippling from his pupils. The sight made Jinbei uneasy.

"Universal Pull," Linton stretched out his hand, and a powerful force pulled Jinbei toward him. Jinbei tried to resist, but it was too late—he was already flying toward Linton.

Unsure of what just happened, Jinbei couldn't figure out Linton's power, but there was no time to dwell on it. He adjusted his stance, ready to attack once he got close.

Just as Jinbei closed in, Linton's eyes flashed purple again. "Almighty Push!"

With a loud crash, a massive shockwave erupted from Linton, sending everything around him flying. Jinbei, who was closest, felt the full brunt of the impact. It felt like his organs were being crushed. He coughed up blood as he was flung back the way he came.

"Oh? Didn't trigger the battle system," Linton muttered, a little surprised. It seemed Jinbei hadn't even had a chance to fight back.

Linton had planned to use Susanoo, but it looked like that wouldn't be necessary. Remembering how he had joked about turning Jinbei into a ball, Linton thought Jinbei's round figure made him look like one. Why not go with it?

"Universal Pull." Jinbei had just been sent flying when Linton pulled him back again. Before he could get close, Linton waved his hand once more. "Almighty Push!"

Jinbei was sent flying again, coughing up blood. But Linton wasn't done.

"Universal Pull! Almighty Push! Universal Pull! Almighty Push!" 

After a few more rounds, Jinbei was battered and bloodied, resembling a blood-soaked ball. Everyone watching was stunned. Jinbei was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, someone who had fought their captain to a standstill the day before, yet today, Linton was using him like a plaything. Was Linton's earlier claim that he could crush Ace so easily not a joke after all?

"Wait!" Ace suddenly shouted, snapping out of his daze.

Hearing this, Linton stopped, just as Jinbei flew back toward him. Linton reached out and caught the bloodied, barely conscious Jinbei.

"Uh… this isn't good," Linton admitted. "I got a little too carried away. He's tougher than I thought, though…"

"Doctor! Someone get the doctor over here!" Linton called out before turning to Ace. "See? I told you sometimes I can't hold back."

Ace didn't respond, immediately rushing to check on Jinbei's condition. Seeing that Jinbei was still breathing, Ace sighed in relief.

The ship's doctor, Deuce, examined Jinbei and shook his head. "It's not looking good. He's got severe internal injuries, and it's hard to say how many bones are broken. If he wasn't from the Fish-Man race, he'd probably be dead."

"I've never treated a Fish-Man before, but I'll stop the bleeding first," Deuce said.

Under Ace's orders, the crew quickly carried Jinbei back to the ship, where Deuce began treatment. He hadn't treated Fish-Men before, so he applied standard human procedures and hoped for the best.

By evening, Jinbei's condition had stabilized. Wrapped in bandages like a mummy, his Fish-Man physiology allowed him to survive, though he was still in rough shape.

Linton reflected on how the people in this world had an uncanny ability to recover. Look at Luffy—he'd been beaten to a pulp multiple times, only to bounce back after a good meal. Jinbei should be fine.

Once Jinbei's condition was stable, Ace felt relieved. Linton took the opportunity to check in on Ace, mostly to see if he still harbored any intent to attack him.

"I get it now. I'm still too weak," Ace admitted.

"No, you've got it wrong. I'm just that strong," Linton corrected him. "So stop comparing yourself to me—I'm on another level."

"Hmph. I'll surpass you one day," Ace said.

"Why does teaching you always feel like such a hassle?" Linton sighed. "Anyway, you're not my equal yet. Understand? If you want to take me on, come back after a few years of training…"

"I understand," Ace said.

"Good. Now let's get going," Linton said.

"Where are we going?" Ace asked.

"To find Whitebeard, of course. Don't tell me you're backing out now," Linton replied.

"I… think I need more time to improve," Ace said. "I've only just arrived in the New World. I'm not familiar with the situation here. I need to… level up a bit and gather information on this place."

"Don't wait. The less you know, the braver you are," Linton said.

"Huh?" Ace was confused.

"You know the family motto of the Gol family?" Linton asked.

"No fear?" Ace replied.

"Real combat is the fastest way to get stronger. Everyone in the Gol family is a battle junkie—we get stronger the more we fight, like Saiyans…"

"Saiyans? What's that?" Ace looked puzzled.

"Not important! What matters is, I know you can't beat Whitebeard, but that's fine. Just charge in. Even if you lose, you'll get stronger. Look at how much stronger you've gotten in the past couple of days from fighting me and Jinbei. There's a reason I've been pushing you to spar with him."

Ace was convinced. He had indeed grown stronger lately, and it seemed Linton's advice was sound.

"So, I should challenge Whitebeard?" Ace asked.

"Of course, you think as long as I'm here, what could he possibly do to you?" Linton said. "To improve, you must overcome this hurdle, or else this obsession will remain in your heart, and you won't be able to truly enhance your strength."

"Oh, is that how it is?" Ace nodded. "I understand now. Let's go!"

(End of chapter)