The Legend of the Fishermen of Sicily

Tired, so very tired.

Shortly after entering the water, my chest began to send out warning signals.

Bianchi knew that he had burned out.

The target fish is right in front of me, very close, but no matter how hard I try, I can't swim past it.

It took twice as long as normal to finally get close to the target.

Even with buoyancy, it's still difficult to lift your hand.

He gripped the speargun with both hands, and before he even began to aim, he had a bad feeling—in this position, it would be difficult to lock onto a moving target fish.

However, the signals from his chest to his brain reminded him that he could not waste any more time.

The fish arrow was shot out, grazed the school of fish, and fell to the seabed.

Bianchi quickly pulled back the rope connecting the fish arrow, preparing to launch another attack.

But the movements he had done a thousand times had become incredibly clumsy, and reeling in the fishing line was extremely difficult. It almost got tangled together. After finally managing to reel in the line, loading the gun became a new problem—he no longer had the strength to pull the rubber band apart and then put the fish arrow into the slot.

But he won't give up, he won't give up even if he fights to the last second... That's Bianchi.

While struggling with the rubber band, I caught a glimpse of a very large fish rapidly approaching me.

Reports of shark sightings near the Sicilian coast immediately alerted Bianchi, who held his fishing arrow upright in front of his chest and sharpened his gaze.

But that "big fish" turned out to be a person...

Leo stopped five or six meters away from Bianchi and gestured:

"Are you alright?"

Bianchi hesitated for a moment, then put down his speargun and answered with gestures:

"no problem."

Seeing Bianchi lower his weapon, Leo cautiously approached, gesturing to him as he did so:

"I'll help you."

Leo helped Bianchi load the fish arrows, then quickly left.

From the moment Leo appeared until he left, only a few seconds passed. Bianchi wasn't even sure if he had been there... but the harpoon in his hand, loaded with harpoons, didn't lie.

Although he had a million questions in his head, there were more important things to do right now, so he aimed at the target fish once again.

The second shot hit its mark by chance. Bianchi removed the fish and loaded the gun again...

Soon, the "big fish" reappeared, gesturing and saying:

"Go up!"

Why are you back again?

Bianchi quickly gestured to him:

"I can."

Leo circled Bianchi once, as if assessing his condition, and then made a "I'll help you" gesture again.

The harpoon, now loaded with harpoons, reappeared in Bianchi's hands, and the "big fish" departed once more.

Bianchi's gaze followed the "big fish" as it left, and he found that it hadn't gone far, and was watching this place with a worried expression in his sight.

So he hadn't left at all... Bianchi seemed to have figured out the situation.

His opponent is so powerful that while hunting fish, he can also spare some energy to care for him... How could he possibly defeat such an opponent?

But as I said before—even if he loses, he should lose spectacularly; he needs a 'perfect farewell'!

Under the oppressive feeling of suffocation, Bianchi pulled the trigger, and the fish arrow flew three or four centimeters to the left of the target.

Bianchi pulled back the rope, wanting to try and get another chance to strike.

The "big fish" appeared for the third time and pushed Bianchi forward without saying a word.

Bianchi kept gesturing "I can" and "I can" to Leo.

The two remained locked in a stalemate for a second or two. The "big fish" then stepped back a meter, looking anxious.

Time was of the essence, so Enzo only taught Leo a few simple communication gestures.

Leo guessed that Bianchi probably couldn't understand the internationally recognized diving hand signals, and that the internationally recognized diving hand signals didn't contain the meaning he wanted to express... so he tried to use the hand signals that were easy to understand at a glance.

He pointed to Bianchi's chest and then gave him a thumbs up.

Seeing that Bianchi remained unmoved, Leo pointed to the number '1' again, referring to Bianchi once more.

The other party still didn't react, so Leo gave both thumbs up and kept pointing at Bianchi.

In fact, Leo Benzo was talented in underwater communication.

Bianchi understood what he meant as soon as he made the first gesture.

Leo is saying – You are the best, you are number one in my heart, you are really great.

The reason for the delayed response is because I'm "cherishing" this beautiful moment.

From the moment Sandro's son was born, he was expected to be better than everyone else in everything, as if it were a matter of course.

He was able to hunt sharks on his own when he was 12 years old, which was better than 99% of the young fishermen in the village, but 12 years have passed... and the only thing worth mentioning about him is the title of "workaholic".

The older brothers are all too good. So good that the things their father said to Bi Anqi most often were, "You can do better," "You still have room for improvement," and "You need to keep working hard."

Today... he finally received recognition; some people said he was the best.

And this certainty is so pure—because it comes from his opponent.

Bianchi gave up resisting and obediently followed Leo up.

The "big fish" lowered Bianchi to a point 3 meters above the water and asked him:

"May I?"

Bianchi answered using gestures and body language:

"I still have the strength."

Having received a positive answer, the "big fish" decided to leave once again.

But Bianchi used his last bit of strength to pull the 'big fish' back from leaving.

.......

The game was already over, but Bianchi's spirit of not giving up and fighting to the very last moment inspired many people.

His exhausted figure leaning against the boat was heartbreaking, yet he still didn't give up.

In the final stages of the competition, many people turned their attention back to this aspect.

Whether or not he brought up any fish, everyone will give the "brave man" their unreserved encouragement.

"I can't believe it. We were planning to use 'sportsmanship' on Leo, but now we're going to use it on Bianchi." Salvi said to Marco with a sigh, "Shout louder later, did you hear that? We've been watching Leo the whole time, and we haven't cheered for Bianchi much."

"Do you need to tell me this logic?" Marco rolled his eyes at him, his hands already poised to clap, just waiting for Bianchi to emerge from the water.

"What did Leo bring back this time?" Salvi twitched his ears and looked in Leo's direction. "I heard someone gasping for breath."

Marco also gasped, turning Salvi's face back to Bianchi:

"A huge wave surged up on the sea."

......

Strange bubbles suddenly appeared near Bianchi's fishing boat, and the bubbles became increasingly dense.

The noise was terrifying; it sounded like some huge fish was about to leap out of the water.

Aurelio looked tense, gripping his fishing gear tightly. He was worried that the fishing competition had attracted some predatory fish from the vicinity.

Suddenly, a huge hole burst open in the water, and Leo was launched from underwater as if he had been spat out by the sea, with astonishing force!

The entire venue fell into a deathly silence.

No mistake... This is Bianchi's ship. How come Leo came out from here?

People's eyes widened as they stared.

Because Leo was still rising, it was as if there was a force underwater that was doing its best to lift him up.

Then, a head "grew" out from under his armpit... The head belonged to Bianchi!

Bianchi lifted Leo out of the water, and with the last of his strength, brandished his speargun and shouted:

"Look at the 'big fish' I caught!"

The entire arena erupted in cheers—the "fish" that Bianchi brought back from his final dive, which had already burned out, was actually his opponent, Leo?

No one knows what happened underwater, nor does anyone understand why the two people appeared in this way.

But this scene undoubtedly brought a perfect and meaningful end to this spectacular fishing competition.

Regardless of victory or defeat...

It is the dignity and glory of refusing to bow down even under extreme circumstances!

It's a mutual respect between strong individuals!

It's a passionate resonance!

Even screaming wildly can't fully express how I feel right now!

A massive, overwhelming wave of sound swept in, causing ripples to spread across the sea.

The Sea King, who had already climbed onto the fishing boat, raised his arms and shouted into the sea breeze.

He vented his emotions in the most primal and passionate way—it felt so good!

"I lost, I admit defeat." Carrying Leo out of the water had exhausted Bianchi's last bit of strength, and he could no longer even hold the boat steady.

However, a hand suddenly reached out and touched the top of his head.

Leo helped Bianchi up and supported him as he looked at the cheering crowds standing on the ships opposite:

"You didn't lose. These applause and cheers are for both of us."

Bianchi paused for a second, then raised his harpoon and roared, a roar filled with a multitude of emotions.

Leo also raised his trident, joining Bianchi in celebrating their shared victory!

You have earned the respect of the Sicilians.

Respect stems from strength, yet transcends it; it is a more lethal weapon than guns, money, or power.

Congratulations! The spectacular performance mission is complete!

[System Note: Thank you to the Godfather for the magnificent performance for the people of Sicily]