Neptune and his sons stared blankly at Shirahoshi and Ace, who wore a gentle smile. Had they truly misunderstood the situation?
As the realization dawned on them, King Neptune and his sons breathed heavy sighs of relief. Neptune glanced at his old friend Rayleigh, who wore a bemused expression. Neptune could only manage a bitter smile in response.
"You can't blame me for misunderstanding!" he thought. The name of the Flame Emperor loomed too large over the sea. In this world, any person or force that offended Ace would be wiped off the map. Even Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and Enies Lobby, one of the World Government's three major institutions, had become stepping stones for the Entei Pirates.
The Entei Incident had been a particularly stark example. The public execution broadcast live to the world showcased Ace's style and power. Even the Celestial Dragons, descendants of the Creator and true nobles of the world, were not immune to Ace's wrath. The fact that Ace could publicly execute one even with the Naval Headquarters and even the Five Elders stopping him was a testament to his might.
During that broadcast, one of the highest authorities in the world, Jaygarcia Saturn of the Five Elders, had his head smashed by Ace. Though the World Government later claimed and showed that Saint Saturn was unscathed through public news and photos, the image of Ace crushing his head in front of the world was indelible. Ace had managed to escape from the Sabaody Archipelago afterward, further cementing his fearsome reputation.
The true extent of what happened on Sabaody Archipelago after the live broadcast remained unclear, but it was enough to reveal the kind of person Ace was. The World Government, a colossal entity with unparalleled power, had no immediate solution for Ace. Moreover, the shocking combat power Ace displayed during the live broadcast of the Entei Incident was known to all.
Even now, as Neptune stood before Ace, the memory of those events made his heart pound. Yet, here was Ace, protecting Shirahoshi and smiling kindly at her. The contradiction between Ace's fearsome reputation and his gentle actions was almost too much to reconcile. Neptune could only hope that this encounter marked the beginning of a safer, more hopeful future for his daughter and their island.
"I'm truly grateful for your help, Lord Ace. Your declaration to the world during the Entei Incident spared our mermaids from being captured. Please allow our Ryugu Kingdom to express our gratitude by hosting a banquet in your honor."
Neptune's posture was humble. He had only witnessed the majesty of this overlord, who could rival the World Government, through the live broadcast of the Entei event and could only glean insights about Ace's character from newspapers. In those reports, the World Government painted Ace almost as a tyrant. However, Neptune knew that someone who saved mermaids publicly and condemned the criminal behavior of slave traders that the World Government protects couldn't be a tyrant.
Despite this, it was essential to maintain respect for an overlord of the sea they were meeting for the first time. Ace had indirectly been kind to the Ryugu Kingdom, and Neptune genuinely wanted to express his gratitude.
"A banquet? That sounds delightful," Ace replied with a laugh.
The idea of a banquet in the Ryugu Kingdom intrigued Ace. He had held numerous banquets on the sea and even in the sky but had never attended one 10,000 meters underwater. The fine wines and delicacies of the Ryugu Kingdom piqued his interest.
Seeing Ace's happiness, King Neptune and his sons smiled. This absolute overlord, who could challenge the world government, was completely different from what they had imagined. He lacked the arrogance typical of a sea overlord and was much kinder than some big pirates. Neptune even felt that Ace was comparable to his old friend Whitebeard, one of the Four Emperors.
"Then please, follow us," Neptune gestured with a smile.
"Let's not rush the party just yet. Shirahoshi's matter hasn't been completely resolved," Ace said, smiling gently.
Neptune and his sons suddenly became excited. Could it be that Ace intended to help Shirahoshi solve the problem posed by Vander Deken IX? Their hatred for Vander Deken IX ran deep. Shirahoshi, the crown jewel of their Ryugu Kingdom, had been forced to live in a hard-shell tower because of his relentless attacks. She couldn't even attend her mother Princess Otohime's funeral. This constant threat had made Shirahoshi, who already had a somewhat timid personality, even more fearful and withdrawn.
Neptune and his Three sons, all loved Shirahoshi dearly. They wanted nothing more than to see her live freely and happily. The brothers often fantasized about tearing Vander Deken IX to pieces for the suffering he had caused their beloved sister. Despite their efforts to chase him down for years, the vastness of the sea and the elusive nature of Vander Deken IX's attacks left them empty-handed.
But now, if Ace was going to take action, everything could change. Ace, the absolute overlord of the sea, had a reputation for getting things done. If he said he would solve the problem, he certainly could. The thought of Shirahoshi finally leaving the hard-shell tower and living a free life filled Neptune and his sons with hope and excitement.
"Yes, Shirahoshi can live freely in the future, but to solve this matter, one person is needed," Ace said, looking at the excited Neptune and his sons with a gentle smile.
"Need someone? Who?" they asked eagerly.
"He's already here," Ace replied, looking into the distance.
A blue figure was rapidly approaching.
"Jinbei?!" Neptune and his sons exclaimed in unison.
"Jinbei-sama," Shirahoshi called out, her voice filled with relief.
The person approaching was none other than Jinbei, the whale shark and "Sea Hero," one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Jinbei's arrival signaled hope and a possible end to Shirahoshi's long ordeal.
"Sure enough, only one person in this sea can possess such powerful Haki," Jinbei said, looking at Ace with admiration. "In the great incident of Entei, due to our differing affiliations, it was a pity that we couldn't meet. Flame Emperor, it's an honor."
The Entei Incident, especially the events following the public execution broadcast, was shrouded in mystery for most of the world after the live feed cut off. But Jinbei, as one of the Shichibukai involved, had witnessed it firsthand. He saw Ace's terrifying power, extraordinary wisdom, and absolute skill force the Five Elders to terminate a Buster Call. Ace ensured the safety of everyone on the Sabaody Archipelago, even though he could have easily leveraged his victory to expand his territory and power.
"Just call me Ace. I need your help with something, Jinbei," Ace said, a smile playing on his lips.
"Then I dare to call you Mr. Ace," Jinbei replied promptly, his demeanor serious. "If there's anything within my power, I must see it through."
Jinbei's respect for Ace was profound, especially after Ace's declaration during the Entei Incident that protected mermaids from being captured. Jinbei felt indebted and eager to repay this kindness.
"It's not that serious. I just need you to get rid of Vander Deken," Ace explained, his smile unwavering.
"In the deep sea, no one can exert more power than Jinbei," Ace thought. Although Ace had ways to fight underwater, his abilities couldn't match Jinbei's in that environment.
"Vander Deken? The one threatening Princess Shirahoshi?" Jinbei's face hardened with resolve.
"Yes, I need your help to do this," Ace reiterated.
"How can this be called help? This is a favor to us, the Fish-Men Island," Jinbei said excitedly.
"Nami, find his location for Jinbei," Ace instructed, handing a special transponder snail to Jinbei. "This phone bug has my power on it. It will work in the deep sea, no matter the distance."
Jinbei nodded, understanding immediately. This was likely how Ace had broadcasted the public execution of the Celestial Dragons to the entire world. "I understand. I'll get going. Thank you for the coordinates, Miss Nami."
"Just call me Nami and leave it to me," she replied with a chuckle. Then her expression grew intense as she activated her powers.
With Observation Haki and her Thunder Fruit abilities, Nami's reach extended rapidly. The unique package of her Comprehension Field amplified her radio waves even in the deep sea, broadening her scope.
"Buzz!"
Her Observation Haki spread out, enhanced by the Thunder Fruit's power, and the results were almost immediate.
"Location, I've found it," Nami said, a satisfied smile on her lips.
This was an extremely massive ship, about half the size of the entire Fish-Man Island. Even in the deep sea, its sheer size exuded an oppressive presence. This ship was known as Noah.
Inside the cabin, Vander Deken IX, a fish-man with four legs and the ability of the Target Fruit, burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! Shirahoshi should be scared now, right? This is what happens if you don't accept my love."
"Idiot," muttered Hody Jones from the shadows. A great white shark man with sinister eyes, he stared at Vander Deken, his shark's mouth wide open, revealing ferocious sharp teeth. Hody Jones, the leader of the new fish-man pirate group, had grand plans. He intended to wrest sovereignty of Fish-Man Island from King Neptune of the Ryugu Kingdom by using the letters obtained by Otohime to attend the World Summit and then massacring the royal families of various countries. He dreamed of creating a kingdom of fish-man supremacy.
If not for the convenience of Vander Deken's Target Fruit ability causing trouble for the Ryugu Kingdom, Hody Jones would have killed him already. The idiot only used his power to threaten the fish-man princess into accepting his love. Hody saw this as a waste of potential. If he possessed such an ability, he would have killed Neptune and taken over the Ryugu Kingdom by now. However, eating the Devil Fruit meant losing the ability to swim, which would make him no different from the lower races of humans.
The ferocity in Hody Jones' eyes was palpable as he looked at Vander Deken, who, in his eyes, could no longer be considered a noble fish-man. When the Ryugu Kingdom fell, this waste would die.
"You use this ability to help me kill Neptune. Then Shirahoshi will definitely belong to you. How about that?" Hody Jones suggested, his shark face a mask of ferocity.
He had no intention of consuming a Devil Fruit and losing his noble fish-man bloodline. But using Vander Deken, who had already lost his ability to swim, was feasible. It would be a way to utilize this defective fish-man.
"I told you, I don't want to be subordinate to anyone," Vander Deken frowned. Arlong had invited him once, but he had also rejected that. As a descendant of the First Generation Vander Deken, there was no way he would be inferior to others.
"It's not about working under me. It's about working with me," Hody Jones suppressed the ferocity in his eyes and smiled.
"Cooperation? That's no problem," Vander Deken thought for a moment before nodding. If this continued, who knew how long it would be before Shirahoshi could be with him. After destroying the Ryugu Kingdom and killing all its royal family, would Shirahoshi not be his?
"Then it's a pleasure to work together," Hody Jones grinned, showing his fangs, and extended his hand. This kind of idiot could be manipulated with just a few words. He had no intention of taking Vander Deken under his command permanently. How could a defective fish-man who couldn't swim be worthy of a high-ranking position? Once used up, Vander Deken would die.
"I don't like shaking hands with others," Vander Deken said, looking at Hody Jones' extended hand.
Hody Jones raised his eyebrows, bloodshot appearing in his shark's eyes. "Then, let's wait until we kill Neptune and seize power in the Ryugu Kingdom. We can celebrate with a thousand cups then," he grinned.
Vander Deken nodded, eyes filled with anticipation. By that time, Shirahoshi would surely be his.
However, Vander Deken did not notice the growing ferocity in Hody Jones's eyes. This idiot, a defective fish-man who could no longer swim and had forsaken his noble heritage, had the audacity to refuse a handshake? Hody resolved that when the time came, he would use his sharp teeth to crush this good-for-nothing's bones into pieces.
A cruel smile curved at the corner of Hody Jones's mouth. To avoid alerting Vander Deken, who still had some useful value, Hody quickly masked his expression and shifted the conversation. "But what was the reason for the whistling sound earlier? It seemed to be heading towards the hard-shell tower. Hey, Deken, that wasn't your attack, was it?"
Hody Jones appeared confused, and Vander Deken looked equally concerned. "Speaking of which, I am also very curious. Is there someone else targeting Shirahoshi?" His face darkened. In his mind, Shirahoshi already belonged to him. If anyone dared to take her from him, he would make sure they both perished.
"Then attack again!" Vander Deken roared, removing his gloves. The ability of the Target Fruit made Vander Deken's hands instruments of his power. Anything touched by his hands would become his target. However, this ability had an upper limit, restricting the number of targets he could designate. To ensure his selected target remained unchanged, he wore gloves most of the time. This precaution also explained his earlier reluctance to shake hands with Hody Jones.
At that moment, Vander Deken desperately wanted to confirm whether anyone else dared to compete with him for Shirahoshi. However, he was not entirely foolish; he knew that approaching Shirahoshi would result in his capture by the Dragon Palace Kingdom's forces. Thus, he decided to launch another, unprecedented large-scale attack. This would force anyone trying to take Shirahoshi to retreat or face his wrath.
"Hehehe! Go to Shirahoshi!" Vander Deken laughed, ready to activate his Target Fruit ability.
"What a good place to hide. It turns out you were hiding in Noah." A chuckle echoed, causing Vander Deken's pupils to shrink.
"Who?!" Hody Jones's eyes turned bloodshot as he glanced around ferociously. The other cadres of the new fish-man pirate group also tensed, becoming alert.
"Hody, you are so stubborn." A familiar voice froze Hody Jones in his tracks.
"Who do I think it is? It turns out to be Boss Jinbei." Hody Jones laughed out loud as he watched Jinbei emerge from the shadows.
"Now that you've heard it, it doesn't matter. How about it, Boss Jinbei? Do you want to join us and accomplish the great things of our fish-men clan together? The noble fish-men should be the masters of this world, and the lowly humans should be the slaves of our superior race." Hody Jones laughed out loud, his voice dripping with contempt.
A mocking laugh echoed from the shadows, causing Hody Jones's eyes to turn blood red with rage. "Who? Come out!" he demanded, his face twisted in fury.
"I didn't expect that there are people with this kind of thinking among the fish-men. Do you want to be scum like the Celestial Dragons?" A figure emerged from the shadows, walking to Jinbei's side.
"Who are you!!!" Hody Jones's eyes narrowed, filled with suspicion.
"Captain of the Entei Pirates' Zero Division, 'Dark King', Silver Rayleigh! Why are you here?" Vander Deken growled. The worldwide live broadcast of the Entei incident had made the Entei Pirates infamous even in the depths of the sea.
"Flame Emperor!" Jones's eyes turned blood red with fury. "Did the guy who killed Brother Arlong also come to Fish-Man Island?" He stared at Rayleigh with murderous intent. Hody Jones didn't care about the Entei Pirates' actions in Sabaody Archipelago. What infuriated him most was that Ace had killed Arlong, his eldest brother, in East Blue. Many "noble" fish-men had fallen to that bastard, and such a great hatred could not go unavenged.
"Jinbei, you have fallen and betrayed the noble fish-men! How can you associate with the subordinate of the man who killed Brother Arlong?" Hody Jones roared, his voice filled with betrayal.
"You are the one who betrayed the fish-men tribe, Hody! Are you worthy of Princess Otohime's efforts?!" Jinbei roared back, his anger matching Hody's.
"Princess Otohime? Oh, that idiot woman who fantasized about letting noble fish-men and lowly humans live together." Hody Jones sneered. "I'm so sorry, I killed that idiot woman, hahaha!!!" He laughed maniacally.
"What did you say?!" Jinbei's pupils shrank in horror and disbelief.
"That idiot woman wanted our noble fish-men to live with lowly humans. Shouldn't she be killed? After killing her, the fish-men finally realized that living with those lowly humans was a big joke. Jahahahaha!" Hody Jones reveled in his hatred, recalling how the fish-men had cheered after Otohime's death.
"You depraved bastards, let me capture you and take you to Princess Otohime's tomb to repent," Jinbei, usually calm and composed, was now seething with fury, assuming a fish-man karate stance.
"Jiahahaha! We are different now from before, Jinbei!" Hody Jones laughed derisively. Along with the other cadres of the New Fish-Man Pirates, he produced a handful of pills. "E.S! This medicine doubles the strength of the person who takes it! Only the noble fish-men can withstand such strong medicine! Hey, your name is Rayleigh? Let me show you the greatness of our noble fish-men!"
Hody Jones threw a handful of pills into his mouth. His appearance changed rapidly: the shark's eyes turned red with white pupils, and he seemed to go mad, laughing incessantly. The transformation was both grotesque and terrifying, an embodiment of the twisted pride and hatred that drove him.
"I see. The upper limit of tolerance for drugs that overdraw one's vitality indeed depends on one's own body," Rayleigh observed, his voice cool and detached. His Observation Haki had captured the drastic changes in Hody Jones and the other cadres of the New Fish-Man Pirates, causing his expression to turn indifferent.
Jinbei looked at these new fish-men pirate group cadres in silence, regret clouding his eyes. These fallen individuals were a stark contrast to the honorable Fisher Tiger.
"That's right! Only the perfect bodies of our noble fish-men can consume so much E.S! Tremble, humans! Feel the despair!" Hody Jones roared, his voice filled with delusional pride.
"Bah! Bah! Bah!"
Rayleigh suddenly grabbed the hilt of his sword. All around him, violent black and purple lightning began to crackle, enveloping his body and making him appear as if he stood at the center of a thunderstorm.
"Ace, you have spread the will of 'D' throughout the world and yet these Insane fish-men bunch are against the very freedom everyone Seeks.," Rayleigh said, his eyes cold and filled with Conqueror's Haki. The black and purple aura around him grew even thicker.
At this moment, Rayleigh was furious. The Entei Incident was Ace's first step to overthrow the World Government and challenge the pathetic Celestial Dragons. Yet these fish-men sought to become similar to the Celestial Dragons, a grave mistake.
Rayleigh had no intention of showing mercy to such misguided souls.
Under Rayleigh's fully activated Conqueror's Haki, Vander Deken, Hody Jones, and all the leaders of the New Fish-Man Pirates were paralyzed, unable to move. Even Jinbei felt the tremendous pressure of Rayleigh's Haki.
"Why... why can't I move?! Why!!!!" Hody Jones was enraged. He, who considered himself noble, was restrained by the power of a human.
"Give it to me, break it open!!!" Hody Jones's eyes turned blood red as he shook his body with all his might. The E.S medicine pills on his body flew into the air, and he swallowed them in one gulp.
"Bah! Bah!" Hody Jones's body underwent rapid, grotesque changes, becoming twisted and monstrous. His hair turned gray as his vitality was completely exhausted from consuming so many E.S pills.
"Hahaha! I'm invincible! Don't try to trap me, human!!!" Hody Jones roared, breaking free from the restraints of Conqueror's Haki, and charged at Rayleigh.
"Yeah?" Rayleigh's eyes suddenly grew cold.
"Clang! *WOOSH*! *SLICE*!" The sword was unsheathed and thunder struck with fury.
"*BTZ BAM*!!!"
Under Hody Jones's horrified expression, the terrifying Conqueror's Haki slash engulfed him. Vander Deken's consciousness disappeared instantly in despair. The bodies of the other New Fish-Man Pirates' leaders collapsed at once.
One furious Rayleigh had utterly annihilated the New Fish-Man Pirates, including Hody Jones and Vander Deken IX. Total destruction.