"The Mark-Mark Fruit user? What exactly does this ability do?"
Hearing the guard's words, Monet turned to Jake with curiosity, instinctively asking the question.
For her, Jake always had answers to things she didn't know.
And this time was no exception. Without hesitation, Jake replied.
"The Mark-Mark Fruit allows the user to mark a target with a touch. Once marked, anything they throw will automatically track the target, never stopping unless intercepted or blocked. Even if the target is on the final island, Laugh Tale, and you're at the starting town, your throw will still hit them.
Honestly, if I had this power, I'd just toss a ship into the air and ride it—then everyone would know the coordinates of Laugh Tale!"
Monet couldn't help but laugh at Jake's words, nodding in agreement.
"But why did that guy touch Princess Shirahoshi just now?"
At Monet's question, Queen Otohime's expression darkened with solemnity.
She sighed and bowed her head slightly toward Jake.
"My apologies, Jake-sama. I acted rashly earlier. Today, we truly owe you our gratitude. If not for you, Shirahoshi's future might have been filled with hardship."
To this, Jake simply smiled and said.
"It's alright, Queen Otohime. Since Fishman Island has already made so many sacrifices, it's only natural that we Marines should also make some gestures. By the way, if you don't mind, let that bastard come and shake hands with me. This way, the future threat to Princess Shirahoshi will be eliminated."
"But if we do that, Jake-sama, you might later be affected by that fellow's..."
Before Queen Otohime could finish, Jake smiled and said directly:
"It's alright, Queen Otohime. For me, that guy's attacks won't become a burden—they'll actually be a tool for me to catch him. I'm somewhat interested in the information left behind by his ancestors.
If we capture him directly here, this guy definitely won't tell the truth. It's better to let him go for now. When he can't resist and prepares to attack Princess Shirahoshi, that's when we'll completely catch him."
Hearing this, Jinbe was somewhat puzzled.
He looked at Jake and asked softly.
"You mean to let this dangerous guy leave now? Isn't that a bit..."
Jake walked over to the unconscious Vander Decken IX lying on the ground, then reached out and grasped his hand.
"There's nothing to worry about. Don't worry. Also, make sure everyone else here keeps quiet and doesn't leak any information."
"On that point, you can rest assured. They are all loyal followers of Queen Otohime. As for those in Fishman District, they're still frozen inside and haven't seen what happened here."
Hearing this, Jake nodded.
After repeated thanks from Queen Otohime and little Princess Shirahoshi, the group finally arrived at the palace of Fishman Island.
King Neptune looked at Jake standing before him with complex emotions in his eyes.
The human before him seemed so small, yet the power contained within his body was enough to completely destroy Fishman Island in a short time.
Moreover, the other's status was actually far more noble than his own.
The future Admiral of the Marines—perhaps even Fleet Admiral—was, no matter what, far more noble than a mere king of Fishman Island like himself.
Thus, when facing Jake, King Neptune felt an indescribable sense of powerlessness.
It seemed there was only one path he could take regarding any demands or conditions Jake proposed: to agree.
Jake, though he noticed the king's low spirits, didn't know what to say.
He didn't want to pressure others with authority, but clearly, some things weren't up to his personal preferences.
Fishman Island now had to be firmly controlled by the Marines.
Only then would the plan to eradicate all pirates in Paradise have a chance of success.
This was Jake's main plan for the next three years.
After taking control of Fishman Island, Zephyr would be stationed there permanently, supported by at least two Vice Admirals, ensuring that from now on, Fishman Island wouldn't supply the New World with even a drop of fresh blood.
With the situation in the New World now largely stabilized due to Whitebeard and Red Hair being essentially won over, it was possible to recall some naval forces appropriately, leaving only Kizaru—who wasn't particularly keen on military achievements—to coast along there.
Of course, to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, Jake and Sengoku had already discussed it: Garp's primary vacation spots would be arranged in the New World.
This not only shut Garp up but also maximized the use of his combat strength.
Additionally, Kizaru would be assigned a technologically advanced armed unit, sufficient to suppress most riots in the New World.
As for the rest of the naval forces—such as Sakazuki, Kuzan, Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru, Jake, the various vice admirals, Monet, and others—they would focus on the Paradise region, aiming to eliminate over 90% of the pirates there.
By cutting off the root source of pirate recruitment, Jake planned to eradicate half of all pirates within the next few years.
The remaining time would be spent collaborating with Whitebeard and Red Hair to completely wipe out the remaining major pirates in the New World.
Of course, Whitebeard likely saw this coming—or perhaps even tacitly approved of it.
After Jake showed him numerous islands ravaged by pirates, his disappointment in the pirate community had grown immensely.
He gradually came to accept that most pirates were scum, with only a rare few—like himself and Roger—being true legends.
Given that, why not let Jake utterly destroy the Great Pirate Era and usher in a new age of lawful adventure?
By then, civilians in most regions would likely enjoy far better lives.
Though Whitebeard had realized this earlier, his failing health and the harsh realities had rendered him powerless to act.
But now, with his body restored and circumstances changed, doing nothing would be sheer cowardice!
After interacting with Jake, Whitebeard made the most crucial decision of his life.
He would personally end the Great Pirate Era, the era his dear friend Roger had begun.