Mufasa closed his fist and reached out a hand.
"So? What do you say? I'll give you a chance—become my son!"
His voice was bold, almost fatherly, but it hit like thunder.
Hoshigaki Jinbei blinked, frozen for a moment.
"...Huh?"
What did this lunatic just say?
Son?
SON?!
His brow twitched. His gilled face twisted with rage. Wind-cut sideburns rose like jagged fins.
"You bastard! That's unforgivable!"
His voice bellowed like a war horn.
"I'll crush you with my shark army! There won't be a scrap of you left!"
At his command, the waters around them churned violently.
From every direction, sharks surged forward. Sleek dorsal fins sliced the ocean surface as they closed in like knives.
With a burst of water, they leapt, jaws wide, teeth gleaming.
Especially the giant great white shark beneath Jinbei—it opened its monstrous abyssal maw, rows of jagged teeth ready to devour.
Within seconds, Mufasa was engulfed by the shark pack.
Every inch of him had a shark on it—snapping at limbs, shoulders, even his toes.
The crew of the Flying Dutchman held their breath.
Aozame, arms crossed, sighed. "It's over. He's fish food."
He knew the strength of the sharks bred by the Hoshigaki clan—relentless and bloodthirsty.
The moment they tasted even a drop of blood, the frenzy would begin.
Shun chuckled lightly. "Relax. That little attack isn't even scratching the captain."
From within the swirling mass of sharks, a booming voice echoed:
"Iron Body—Unbreakable!"
Suddenly, the gnashing teeth met unmovable steel.
Click.
Crack.
CRUNCH.
One by one, teeth shattered. The sound was like someone chewing a hundred bags of chips at once.
Sharks paused in confusion, their jaws aching.
The great white let out a muffled yelp, its massive fangs cracked and embedded into its own gums.
It recoiled, bleeding, panicking. The scent of blood stirred the other sharks into chaos.
Jinbei stared, stunned.
His elite school of sharks was... injuring itself?
He quickly ordered them to retreat to the dock's deep pool for recovery.
As the ocean cleared, Mufasa stood tall, brushing shark blood off his chest hair.
"Man, Jinbei... your therapy fish kinda suck. Not a single hair gone."
The Flying Dutchman's crew erupted in cheers.
"The captain's invincible!"
"Iron Body rules!"
Jinbei's eyes twitched. His pride was bruised. One failed technique, and now he was being mocked.
"Enough! You want pressure? I'll show you pressure!"
"Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave"
A colossal burst of water shot from Jinbei's mouth, forming a huge ellipsoidal prison of dense liquid that trapped Mufasa inside. Jinbei swam in effortlessly—his gills perfect for underwater combat.
He smirked. "Try breathing now, you bastard."
But Mufasa wasn't panicked. With a click, an oxygen mask and tank materialized on him.
"I don't really need this," he said, "but I like proving a point. Science never fails."
Jinbei gawked. "You're cheating!"
"I'm winning."
Water Release: Endless Shark Barrage!
Jinbei slapped the water, unleashing five water sharks that swam with lethal intent. They locked on to Mufasa, jaws snapping.
Jinbei chased behind, gliding like a real shark, ready to strike.
But Mufasa's punch cut through the sea like a cannonball. One swing shattered a shark bomb.
Another punch. Another shark gone.
Each shockwave he created disrupted the chakra around the bombs, preventing regeneration.
Then came Jinbei.
Shark Karate: True Justice Fist!
He slammed a full-force punch right into Mufasa's chest.
It landed—direct hit.
And Mufasa didn't even flinch.
Jinbei's eyes widened in disbelief.
Mufasa smiled, not even moving.
"Man, that was weak. You sure you're trying?"
"Be my son instead."
BOOM!
A single counterpunch sent Jinbei spinning like a pinwheel across the sea.
He flipped several times, gasping, before catching himself in the water.
He looked up. Mufasa didn't even break a sweat.
"This guy... he's not a man. He's a monster."
"No."
He clenched his fists.
"If I'm going to beat him... I need to become a monster too."
He called out.
"Great White!"
The injured shark returned, circling Jinbei protectively.
"Fusion—Activate!"
With a flash of chakra and an explosion of water, Jinbei fused with the shark.
His form morphed—larger, faster, covered in hardened scales. Fins jutted from his back, and his mouth now overflowed with jagged fangs.
He was no longer just a ninja. He was Sharkman Jinbei.
Water rippled around him with each breath.
"Arrogant old man... I'm going to rip you apart."
Mufasa cracked his knuckles. "Son, don't stress. You'll still have my love."
"SHUT UP AND DIE!"
Jinbei rocketed forward like a torpedo.
Shark Karate – Hidden Technique:
Megalodon!
Boom!
Jinbei shot through the sea like a cannonball, water trailing behind him like a rocket's tail flame. Waves exploded outward in his wake.
At the front of this massive swell was Jinbei, spinning rapidly. His iron fist was pointed forward like a drill, all his power focused at a single spot.
"Let's see how you block this!" he growled, eyes locked on Mufasa.
He crashed into Mufasa's chest.
Boom!
Another deafening impact.
Man versus man. Sea against steel.
The shockwave shook the ocean. Even the Flying Dutchman rocked from the blast.
"Iron Block!"
"Iron Block is invincible!" the crew shouted in unison, gripping the rails to stay steady.
Aozame, standing nearby, clenched his fists anxiously.
He was torn—worried their captain might be hurt, yet also hopeful his clan's leader could finally win.
This was the pride of the Hoshigaki family at stake.
On the mast, Manyo stood poised, light as a feather, listening.
The raging sea, the panting... Yes, Jinbei was out of breath.
But he could still hear the deep, strong thud.
Mufasa's heart.
Manyo smiled. "What a monster."
As the towering wave finally crashed down, everyone could see the aftermath.
Jinbei's fist rested against Mufasa's chest, his body trembling with exhaustion.
But Mufasa stood tall, unmoved—like a mountain.
Jinbei's eyes widened. "This... this isn't real... How..."
"I'm Whitebeard," the white-haired titan said calmly. "You think this attack could hurt me?"
Jinbei shivered.
Monster...
Mufasa smiled warmly.
"Come on, be my son."
Jinbei's head spun.
"No... I'm the head of the Hoshigaki clan... I can't... I—"
Mufasa raised his Yanyue Saber, chakra flaring across its blade.
"Still clinging to pride? Let me show you what that's worth."
He stepped on the sea—and soared into the sky.
With both hands gripping the saber, he brought it down.
"Shock Blade: Heaven-Splitter!"
Boom!
The slash cracked the sky.
Clouds ripped apart. Thunder cracked. A deep, webbing fracture split across the sky itself.
The air groaned under the force.
The fissures raced across the heavens like wild vines. One struck the castle.
Boom!
Stone exploded. The entire castle shattered into dust.
Mountains behind it cracked apart like dried bread. The sea turned to mist as waves were blown into vapor.
Everyone—from the Dutchman's crew to the villagers of Hoshigaki Island—stood frozen.
What kind of power was this?
Mufasa landed.
"Father!"
Jinbei screamed and ran forward, diving onto Mufasa's leg.
"Please! Let me be your son!"
His voice trembled with devotion.
That attack had rewritten his world. Pride, honor, legacy—they meant nothing.
Only this strength could protect his people.
The Hoshigaki Island would be reduced to rubble if Mufasa had used that blade twice.
He had to choose wisely.
He had.
"You're serious?" Mufasa asked. "Will you give everything?"
Jinbei nodded furiously. "Yes! I'd march through fire for you, Father!"
Mufasa grinned. "Good. Stand up."
Jinbei rose.
Mufasa turned to the ship.
"This is my first son, Hoshigaki Jinbei! One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
"Cheers!" someone yelled.
The Flying Dutchman roared with approval.
"Father is mighty!"
"Whitebeard Pirates are invincible!"
Even the islanders cheered wildly.
Now, they had nothing to fear. The storm was over.
That night.
On the beach, bonfires lit the sand. Meat sizzled. Drinks flowed.
Hoshigaki Jinbei hosted a grand welcome feast for Mufasa.
Mufasa sat at the center, holding a bowl bigger than a basin, downing it in one gulp.
"Father," Jinbei asked, leaning in carefully. "What do we do next?"
Mufasa chuckled, wiping his beard.
"Gurararara! What do pirates do, son?"
He raised the bowl.
"We rob gold, food, and women! We punch the Marine in the face!"
The crew erupted with laughter.
"Prepare your ship!" Mufasa shouted.
"Get your men ready. Next time the old man calls, you'll lead your fleet into battle!"
Jinbei saluted.
"Yes, Father!"