A faint aroma of roasted meat wafted from the corpse—perhaps only humans would find it fragrant.
To the fishmen, it was more like an extremely dangerous signal.
Jinbe's expression darkened at the sight.
Though he wanted to retaliate against Jake, memories of the latter's background and personal record made him suppress the impulse once more.
Otohime, however, glared at Jake with anger.
"Please stop this! Cease these atrocities at once! Even as a Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral, you cannot indiscriminately kill citizens of Fishman Island!"
A faint smile played on Jake's lips as he responded:
"Queen Otohime, you seem to have forgotten something. I'm here to purge remnants connected to Fisher Tiger—this is an order from Holy Land Mariejois! You have no authority to stop me!"
Jake had long prepared his justification for eliminating Fishman District's extremists.
The Celestial Dragons had never forgotten Fisher Tiger's actions, and using that as pretext left no room for argument.
Worry clouded Princess Otohime's features as she attempted to plead:
"Rear Admiral Jake, they knew nothing about those events. I can testify they never left Fishman Island when it happened."
Observing her expression, Jake sighed inwardly.
Just as depicted in the original records, she was indeed a noble mermaid.
Yet sometimes, excessive soft-heartedness only brought disaster upon oneself and others.
For Fishman Island to truly embrace a bright future, extremist strongholds like Fishman District had to be eradicated—120%.
No amount of pleading from Otohime would change that.
Because the moment Jake invoked the Celestial Dragons, he wasn't negotiating anymore—he was announcing executions.
For the Celestial Dragons, killing a few fish-men doesn't even require a reason.
Jinbei looked at Queen Otohime, who still wanted to say something, and sighed deeply before speaking to her.
"Queen Otohime, please stop this meaningless conversation. The purpose of Rear Admiral Jake's visit this time is likely to completely purge the entire Fish-Man District, am I correct? Jake-san!"
Hearing Jinbei's words, Jake nodded slightly.
He made no attempt to deny it, simply replying to Jinbei in a calm tone.
"If you're a smart man, then you should realize that the existence of Fishman District is not beneficial—neither for Fishman Island nor for the outside world. To welcome a brighter future, Fishman District must be eradicated."
"Whether Fishman District is good or bad, it has always been part of Fishman Island, always been a gathering place for our people. Its existence should not be decided by you."
"I know my actions may be hard for you to understand, but I don't need your understanding. The future will show whether what I'm doing today is right or wrong. If you intend to stop me, Jinbe, prepare to meet your end."
Jinbe listened to Jake's words.
After a brief hesitation, he raised his head again, his eyes filled with unwavering resolve.
"Then I may have to offend you, Rear Admiral Jake!
Fishman Karate · 5,000 Brick Fist!"
Against a renowned powerhouse like Jake, Jinbe didn't hesitate for a second, immediately unleashing his full strength.
As an overwhelming force gathered and surged through the air, Jake simply raised his hand, his body erupting with golden-orange lightning.
"80 Million Volts · Sacred Thunder Dragon!"
A colossal golden dragon infused with immense light energy manifested behind Jake.
The thunder dragon roared, charging toward the terrified fishmen under their horrified gazes!
The terrifying thunder dragon seemed to carry the most dazzling force in the world, illuminating the sky with radiant clarity.
Jinbe stared at the thunder dragon descending from above, his entire body breaking out in cold sweat.
This level of power—from a rear admiral?!
Has Marine Headquarters lost its mind?!
This single attack already surpasses most rear admirals!
After Jinbe unleashed his 5,000 Brick Fist, the lightning dragon paused slightly in midair, its luminous form cracking just a fraction.
But that alone was like a drop in the bucket—utterly insignificant against the dragon's might!
Just as the thunder dragon was about to crash into the crowd, Jinbe's face twisted with fury.
But the next moment, he realized the dragon rapidly shrank when it was still dozens of meters away, reducing to just a few meters in size.
Moreover, the dragon's target had always been him alone—it hadn't harmed a single other fishman.
Relieved, Jinbe spread his arms, his entire body hardening with Armament Haki.
With a powerful exhale through his nostrils, he seized the thunder dragon and roared.
"Water Heart · Ocean Current Shoulder Throw!"
In the next instant, Jinbe forcibly hurled the dragon straight back toward Jake!
Though his body was slightly scorched by the lightning, he had finally countered Jake's attack.
"Rear Admiral Jake, I thank you for holding back and sparing the innocent bystanders."
Jake merely smiled faintly in response, saying softly.
"I came here to ensure a brighter future for Fishman Island, so naturally, I won't casually harm its ordinary residents. I am a Marine—that will never change. Secondly, Jinbe, you blocked the first Thunder Dragon. But what about the second?"
As Jake's voice faded, an even larger Thunder Dragon descended from the sky, its cold, emotionless gaze fixed upon the fishmen below.
"I can block the second Thunder Dragon too!"
Jinbe stepped forward, his body once again enveloped in Armament Haki, making him appear like an indestructible statue.
Jake, however, raised his hand again, his tone almost despairing to the fishmen as he murmured.
"Then what about the two hundredth?"
The moment Jake's arm lowered, a storm of thunder roared.
Fishman Island was instantly engulfed in a sacred golden lightning, as countless dragons loomed over the sky, their icy stares piercing the fishmen below.