Fisher Tiger persistently pleaded with Tom, but he quickly realized that the true authority here should be Tom's captain.
"Hey, human captain! I admire what you did to those Celestial Dragons. Let me join your crew!"
Fisher Tiger spoke rudely to Brook. At this point in his life, he was just an orphan from Fish-Man Street, little more than a street punk who had no concept of respect.
It wouldn't be until he set out to sea, witnessed the cruelty of nobles firsthand, and experienced the suffering of Fish-Man slaves—including becoming one himself for three years—that he would transform into the heroic leader who cherished life.
"Yohoho! Captain Brook, this Fish-Man sure has an attitude!"
Shakky stepped forward, unconcerned. She figured this was a minor issue that didn't require Brook or Redfield to step in. It would be enough for her to handle.
"Captain Brook, don't be angry. Tiger grew up in an orphanage on Fish-Man Street and has no manners. Let me teach him a lesson."
Tom gave Fisher Tiger a solid knock on the head. This brat could push around other Fish-Men on Fish-Man Street, but in front of pirates of Brook and Redfield's caliber, he was nothing.
"Apologize to the captain!"
Tom grabbed Tiger by the ear, dragging him in front of Brook and forcing him to bow his head. Tiger was furious, his red skin flushing even deeper.
If it weren't for Tom, I'd show them the strength that makes a Fish-Man ten times stronger than a human!
"It's fine, Tom. Let him go. Young people should be fearless! But being too reckless will only get them in trouble."
Brook placed a hand on Tiger's shoulder. A wave of icy underworld energy surged forth, nearly freezing Tiger on the spot, his body going stiff.
"Shakky, let's see how your training has been going. Don't embarrass yourself against a mere Fish-Man kid."
Seeing Shakky itching for a fight, Brook was curious to see how strong Fisher Tiger was at this stage. Did he have the strength of a Navy Lieutenant yet?
With Shakky's current ability, she could easily take down a Branch Colonel. She had even 'persuaded' Silva to make her a pair of Jet Boots, making her even more agile in battle.
"Oi, are you looking down on me? You're sending a little girl to fight me? At least send a real warrior!"
Fisher Tiger scoffed. Shakky was still a teenage girl, shorter than him by a head, standing only around 170 or 180 cm. She was skinny too—definitely not his match!
"Looking down on me? You overcooked shrimp!"
Shakky flicked away her cigarette, vanishing from sight with a swift Soru. In an instant, she reappeared before Tiger.
Another powerful knock landed on Tiger's head. His eyes bulged as he clutched his throbbing skull, squatting down and rubbing it furiously to ease the pain. Tears welled up involuntarily.
Tiger was dumbfounded. Why did everyone like hitting him on the head? This was an insult to a warrior!
"Oh? Is this big, mighty Fish-Man kid crying? Why are the tears flowing?"
Shakky smirked mischievously. She had seen Tom do this to Tiger and his younger brother, Den, and it looked fun. Now, she finally had her turn.
"That was a sneak attack!"
Tiger wiped away his tears, gritted his teeth, and charged at Shakky with a clenched fist.
His red-skinned right arm tensed as veins bulged. His massive fist, the size of a cooking pot, hurtled toward Shakky's head. Furious and humiliated, he was using his full strength.
"Decent power, but too slow! And you're completely exposed!"
Shakky tilted her head, effortlessly dodging the punch. Spotting Tiger's unguarded chest and stomach, she swiftly lifted her leg. With a burst from her Jet Boots, she sent the two-meter-tall Fish-Man flying dozens of meters.
Tom covered his face, unable to watch. Fisher Tiger's combat experience was still lacking. His Fish-Man Karate wasn't fully developed yet—he could only bully other punks on Fish-Man Street.
Nearby, a sharp-toothed Eastern Wolffish Fish-Man, Den, gawked at the scene. The 'King of Fish-Man Street' had just been taken down with ease by a tiny human girl.
"Impossible! How can a human be this strong?!"
Fisher Tiger clutched his stomach, struggling to his feet. He couldn't understand how this small human girl could be stronger than a Fish-Man!
Shakky flexed her legs, delighted by the Jet Boots Silva had made her. Not only could they provide short bursts of flight, but they also enhanced her attacks. A great tool indeed.
A frail-looking intelligence officer, Antonio, watched enviously, turning his gaze to Silva. His eyes practically screamed, I want a pair too!
"Tsk, fine, fine! I'll make another pair!"
Silva sighed, already resigning himself to the inevitable.
Antonio grinned in gratitude. Even the ship's doctor, Crocus, spoke up.
"Ahem, Silva, make a pair for me too."
Crocus acted nonchalant, eyes fixed on Shakky and Tiger's fight, as if he hadn't just casually made a request.
Silva grumbled. He might as well make a pair for everyone at this rate.
Antonio beamed, while Crocus allowed himself a small smile.
Meanwhile, Fisher Tiger refused to accept defeat. Even with the pain wracking his body, he was determined to prove his strength!
"Watch this! My most powerful attack—Fish-Man Karate!"
Eyes blazing with determination, the eight-year-old Tiger charged at Shakky once more. He was young and fearless, unwilling to believe he could lose to a human girl!
"Your energy is impressive, but you're still too slow!"
Shakky, a speed-based fighter, loved taking on muscle-bound brutes like him. She didn't even use Soru or her Jet Boots this time. With a simple squat, she ducked under Tiger's clumsy punch.
"Overcooked shrimp, ready for takeoff?"
Shakky smirked, untying several knots on her 'Wind Knot.' A powerful gust exploded from them, sending Fisher Tiger flying over a hundred meters before he crashed to the ground, rolling several times. His face was now a mess of bruises.
"Shakky, that's enough. I surrender on Tiger's behalf—don't bully him any further."
Tom sighed. He couldn't bear to watch the poor kid get thrown around like a toy anymore. At their current levels, Shakky and Tiger weren't even in the same league.
+100 Chapters on p@treon/tambeerg