When Neptune and Jinbei reached Ryugu Palace, a grim scene awaited them. The entire castle was strewn with lifeless bodies, and a sizable gang of Fishman District criminals lingered around.
The shadowy assembly seemed to stretch endlessly as far as the eye could see. Leading this menacing group was the haughty Hody Jones. On the ground nearby, Fukaboshi and others were bound but showed no signs of physical harm, prompting a collective sigh of relief from Neptune and his companions.
"Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, Manboshi..."
Though the lives of the three captives were temporarily safe, Neptune recognized that this gang had more sinister motives. Holding hostages gave them audacity, but Neptune knew they faced obstacles ahead.
"Otohime, you...didn't kick the bucket?! Jahahaha! Well, that's intriguing, quite intriguing!"
Hody Jones, catching sight of the unharmed Otohime, couldn't help but narrow his eyes, revealing an unexpected expression.
He had personally witnessed Otohime being shot and collapsing before he exited the square. If it weren't for the mottled Bloodline still clinging to her clothes, he might have believed it was all a dream.
"But it doesn't matter. I've already got the steroid, so no need to fret anymore!"
Having experienced the potent effects of the steroid, his aspirations and confidence had surged boundlessly.
Not even Jinbei, the former big brother, garnered much respect from him!
"Hody, you guys may match up to Arlong's crew, but you've gone even further than Arlong ever did!"
Observing this, Jinbei took a determined step forward. The bricks beneath his feet shattered, and fragments scattered everywhere, clearly indicating his anger.
"What gives you the right to bring up Brother Arlong? He was clearly taken down by the Marines. Instead of seeking revenge, you decided to become a lackey for the World Government!"
Jinbei's question fueled Hody Jones' rage. Among all the fish-men in the street, Arlong was the one he admired and wanted to follow the most. However, Arlong met his end at the hands of the Marines without any justification, without even causing a ripple of disturbance.
If Jinbei hadn't suddenly brought up Arlong today, Hody Jones might have assumed these individuals had nearly forgotten about Brother Arlong's demise!
"Even if that's the case, it doesn't justify your actions today!"
"Haha~~ There's no point in talking with a traitor like you!" Hody Jones took a deep breath, attempting to suppress the urge to kill brewing within him. "You'll never grasp the pain and anger felt by the fish-men!"
"This is centuries of bottled-up frustration!"
"I understand your pain, and I can clearly hear the 'voice' deep within your heart, but violence can't resolve everything!"
Princess Otohime couldn't hold back and stepped forward to rebuke.
"Violence can't solve everything? If I didn't possess significant power now, would you, from the esteemed royal family, even bother conversing with me, a fishman gangster, like this?"
"What a preposterous claim, Otohime!"
"Moreover, you so-called royal family merely rest on the shoulders of the citizens of The Fish Men Island, betraying our interests to curry favor with the Marines and the World Government."
"We've never taken actions against The Fish Men Island's interests, and our collaboration with the Marines is also aimed at safeguarding The Fish Men Island!"
Neptune couldn't stay silent upon hearing this and retorted vehemently.
"Jahahaha! The so-called royal family has been corrupt for a long time. Do you really think I'll buy into your lies?"
"So, what's your plan exactly, Hody Jones?"
Jinbei's tone gradually became more composed.
He finally grasped that reasoning with such a paranoid individual was utterly futile. Hody had firmly entrenched himself in his own beliefs, rendering further discussion useless.
"What do I want to do?" Hody Jones chuckled and glanced at the wolf-like fishmen behind him. His sharp gaze then swept across Neptune and his group, lingering only on Atlas. After a brief pause, he swiftly looked away.
For some reason, he felt an unsettling fear today.
But—
These aren't the only cards he's holding!
"Come and proclaim it! The fury of the fishmen!"
"War!! Counterattack on land!! War!!"
Innumerable voices erupted from the rear, reaching the skies. The robust vibrations even caused the protective barrier above to quiver slightly.
"Did you catch that? This is the final outcry of the fish people, and it's our plea. This world—"
"It shouldn't be governed by inferior beings like humans!! Only we, the cherished denizens of the sea, should seize control of this world!!"
Upon hearing the resounding shouts, Hody Jones slowly extended his arms, a sickly flush coloring his pale face.
"You're like a frog in a well, utterly clueless about the vast gap between you and the world!"
Jinbei observed the arrogant Hody Jones and secretly shook his head.
This fool has never truly ventured beyond The Fish Men Island, and yet he aspires to launch an assault on the land. It's pure wishful thinking!
"A frog in the well?!"
Jinbei's words seemed to enrage Hody Jones completely. He forcefully kicked Fukaboshi beside him with his right foot, slowly twisting his heel.
"Hmph~"
Fukaboshi grimaced in pain, suppressing the scream on the verge of escaping.
"Nicely done, you do have some grit, but in the face of reality, mere grit won't cut it!"
Hody Jones paused for a moment, a cruel smile playing on his face.
"Wait, you can't just release the three of them!"
Neptune intervened urgently.
"Let them go? It's quite simple. Why not just end it all and commit suicide on the spot?"
"Impossible, you're just indulging in wishful thinking!"
Jinbei felt a sense of helplessness in his heart. The adversary held hostages, and even if he had mastered the Ultimate level of Fishmen Karate, the distance was too great. That guy could dispatch the three before Jinbei reached them!
"Father, Queen, please leave us be and just crush these thugs right here!"
Fukaboshi fought hard, attempting to provoke Hody Jones. If the three of them were beaten to death on the spot, they wouldn't be a hindrance to his father and the others!!
"What a devoted son. It's genuinely touched me a bit. However, there's a condition here."
"As long as this condition is met, I can completely release these three."
"What are the conditions?"
Even though she suspected it might be a deceit, Otohime wasn't ready to give up.
"Of course..."
As Hody Jones began to speak, Neptune and the others instinctively held their breath, fixing their gaze on Hody Jones' lips.
Hook, line, and sinker...
Hody Jones felt a secret delight seeing this.
Snapped--! ! !
A clear sound shattered the silence. Atlas, standing beside Shirahoshi, gripped a sleek fish-webbed hand. He gazed at the sharp-toothed monkey with indifferent eyes, a face filled with surprise, and said slowly:
"What are you up to, you scoundrel?"
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