Bonus 19
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"Are we out of danger?"
"That Marine rescued us!"
A person gently laid their hand on his unharmed body, expressing disbelief with hushed murmurs.
The thugs from Fishman district, concealed within the gathering, wore uncertain expressions and started to question their convictions.
With sheer force, he could intimidate even the mighty Sea Kings. Can Boss Hody truly triumph over a man of this caliber using only the Energy Steroid?
"What just occurred... it certainly wasn't a random event."
Jinbei, standing to the side, felt beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he observed the colossal Sea Kings departing, his face contorted in anger.
If he interpreted it correctly, that immense power...
It must be emanating from Princess Shirahoshi.
However, that intimidating Conqueror's Haki?!
Jinbei directed his gaze at Atlas suspended in the air, and suddenly, an idea struck him. He appeared to have grasped something significant and urgently exclaimed:
"Your Excellency Hakuryu, could you please save Princess Otohime? The gratitude of Fish-Man Island will endure for generations to come!"
"Lord Atlas, can you rescue my queen mother?"
Upon hearing Jinbei's plea, Shirahoshi wiped away her tears and implored Atlas with a voice filled with sorrow.
....
On the other side of Fish-Man Island,
A shark-type fish-man, sported a petite top hat, his black hair sticking out on both sides, and a small braided beard on his chin. As he observed the massive Sea Kings slowly departing, a look of greed appeared on his face.
He leisurely extended his webbed palm, adjusting the top hat slightly to conceal the beads of sweat brought on by fear. However, his expression grew increasingly exhilarated.
'Finally...I've discovered it!'
His name is Vander Decken IX, a descendant of the Vander Decken .
His forebearer, the First Generation Vander Decken, ventured to the depths of the sea solely in pursuit of that myth.
The fabled mermaid princess possesses extraordinary abilities—awe-inspiring powers that compel Sea Kings to heed her commands.
Consider this: the ocean encompasses the largest expanse in the entire world, and without a doubt, Sea Kings stand as the most formidable creatures in existence!
One can only fathom the terror wielded by a mermaid princess who commands such incredible power.
And now—
This formidable power has been uncovered by Vander Decken IX!
"Ancestor!! I've finally discovered it!!"
Overflowing with excitement, he couldn't resist shouting to the heavens, releasing his pent-up emotions.
"Excellent, Captain!!"
"Only our clan comprehends the genuine significance of this legend. It must remain this way."
A fish-man with a plump, diamond-shaped visage joined in the jubilation, dancing with excitement.
"Shh~ be quiet!!"
Vander Decken IX initially hushed the celebrations, then breathed a sigh of relief upon surveying the surroundings and confirming their solitude.
"What if someone overhears me?"
"Don't fret, Captain. We assessed the surroundings before arriving. There's assuredly no one here."
The fish-man with the rhombus-shaped face said with a grin.
"Hmm~ That's reassuring, but the most pressing issue now is - I must become the princess's husband first!"
"But Princess Shirahoshi is just a child right now?!"
"Well~~ That is indeed a dilemma."
Decken IX stroked his chin, appearing somewhat vexed.
"But, what was the name of the thug from Fishman district who visited me last time?"
"Captain, was it Hody Jones?"
"Did he approach me for some specific reason?"
Decken IX strained to recollect but realized he had no distinct impression. Even though the other party had sent envoys proposing collaboration to overthrow Neptune's rule, he had unhesitatingly turned down Arlong's offer, not to mention the young Hody Jones.
However, during that encounter, he vaguely recalled overhearing the conversation between the Fishman district envoy and his subordinates. Since he didn't pay much attention at the time, his memory remained somewhat unclear.
"He appears to be in search of the Tamatebako concealed deep within Ryugu Palace, claiming he intends to share half of its contents with us."
Another member of the fish-man crew chimed in with a grin.
"Tamatebako? What's that?"
Decken IX twirled a few slender beards under his nose, asking with a furrowed brow.
"According to them, it's a mystical substance capable of exchanging life for strength."
"With that, whoever uses it will age, right?"
Decken IX posed the question from an unusual perspective.
"...Theoretically, yes. Consuming it trades some of your life for an increase in age."
The fish-man crew appeared somewhat unsure.
Is the conversation taking an unexpected turn?
"For instance, someone small like this..."
Decken IX gestured towards the ground while speaking, then turned his gaze expectantly to the fish-man crew. "Can you also swiftly transform into a mature and alluring young girl?"
"...It's possible, I guess?"
The rhombus-faced fish-man crew member responded boldly.
'By the way, Captain, don't you think your interest is a bit peculiar?'
"What do you mean 'it should be'?"
Decken IX's expression soured, and he spoke with a slightly discontented tone.
"It's certainly feasible!! It's entirely doable!!"
Observing this, the other fish-man crew members vigorously nodded.
"Well done!! Now the predicament is finally resolved!!"
"In that case, I can promptly propose to Princess Shirahoshi!! That's the way to go!"
While speaking, Decken IX grew increasingly animated, to the point of breaking into a dance. "Quickly head to Ryugu Palace and secure that Tamatebako!!"
"Yet, Ryugu Palace is heavily fortified, and we can't infiltrate it on our own!"
"But if I wed Princess Shirahoshi first, won't I then have unrestricted access to Ryugu Palace?"
The captain harbors dubious intentions, and a considerable number of his subordinates aren't much better. Several fish-man crew members are engaging with Decken IX in a frenzied manner.
"You guys truly have sharp minds!! Bahahaha!!"
"But wouldn't it be simpler for us to just seize the Tamatebako from that fellow Hody Jones?"
"Shirahoshi has a pleasing appearance. If she matures for another ten or twenty years, she'll surely blossom into a stunning woman!!"
"But she'll also grow taller!"
Interjected the diamond-faced fish-man on the side.
"That's called being robust! Plus, I don't mind tall women!! As long as I become her husband—"
"I'll attain it!!"
"The dream that the Vander Decken family has chased for generations!!"
"You need to propose first!! Captain Decken!"
Several crew members reminded in unison.
"Alright!! I'll draft the wedding invitation immediately!!"
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