More and more people gathered in the square.
However, no one dared to get too close to the center of the square, only watching from a distance.
"Why is Reddy giving a mermaid girl such a hard time?"
The news of Reddy publicly harassing Shirahoshi in the square spread quickly, which upset the local residents of Loguetown. But when they actually witnessed Shirahoshi wiping her tears nonstop, their anger turned into confusion.
A wealthy tourist chuckled mockingly, "I heard that Dr. Reddy wants to keep that mermaid girl as a pet. What a terrifying man."
"Shut up!"
A young local resident couldn't stand someone slandering Reddy like this and flared up in anger.
The tourist simply pointed at Shirahoshi and grinned, crossing his arms with a look that said, "You're too young and easily fooled by appearances."
The young man was left speechless.
Shirahoshi cried pitifully, wiping her tears continuously, while Reddy stood before her with an indifferent expression. It really did look like he was forcing her to submit.
He wanted to defend Reddy, but he didn't know how to explain the situation.
The tourist sneered, "I thought Dr. Reddy was a gentle man, but it seems his true nature can't be changed. No wonder he's called the Evil Scientist."
"Maybe Dr. Reddy plans to use this mermaid girl for some twisted experiment."
"I heard many tourists have gone missing in town recently. Could they have been taken as test subjects?"
"This place is too scary. I'm leaving."
"I'm getting out too. Who knows if I'll be the next test subject and die for no reason?"
"..."
A few tourists shook their heads and pushed their way out of the crowd.
Hearing these unsettling remarks, the locals couldn't help but waver in their beliefs.
Reddy had given Loguetown a new lease on life and restored their hope for the future, but they were still human with moral limits they couldn't cross.
What they didn't know was that these tourists regrouped outside town shortly after leaving.
"You did well."
CP4 elite agent Hamilton was pleased with his subordinates' performance.
Rumors were deadlier than tigers.
He had always looked down on the CP9 members captured by Reddy, believing they were all brawn and no brains, which was why they got caught.
Right now, it might just be a minor rumor, but once people started believing it, the rumor would spread and shake more people's faith.
If more and more people believed the rumors, would anyone still support Reddy?
Once a stain appeared, it would overshadow all his merits.
The three decrees Reddy issued in Loguetown weren't just appealing to the common folk—they also held great attraction for merchants.
The World Government wasn't worried about influencing civilians, but they couldn't stop merchants backed by nobles from supporting Reddy's plans. That's why they sent Hamilton to sabotage Reddy's schemes in Loguetown.
Unfortunately, the previous grain war had left him feeling powerless.
In just a few days, the rent for the grain merchants' warehouses had skyrocketed to five million Berries per day—and was still rising steadily.
They had no choice but to pay!
He found it hard to believe that Reddy had such a massive stockpile of grain.
His allies were even more skeptical, so they doubled down, gritting their teeth and buying even more grain from Nami.
Yet Nami continued selling grain without limits, not only calming the panic among Loguetown's residents but even causing grain prices to drop slightly.
With prices at a low, merchants who had already hoarded large quantities of grain were even less willing to sell at a loss.
However, if they didn't store the grain bought from Nami in warehouses, the losses from spoilage overnight would be enough to bankrupt a small merchant.
What made them despair even more was that rising grain prices were an industry norm—and so were rising warehouse rents.
They had used the rules to wage war against Reddy, so they had to accept Reddy using the rules to fight back.
It wasn't that they didn't want to resort to underhanded tactics—the problem was they simply couldn't win.
Hamilton was decisive, but surrounded by incompetent allies, he immediately abandoned this strategy and switched to another approach.
The scene in the square gave him an opportunity, so he sent his subordinates to spread rumors and shake the locals' faith in Reddy.
This was just the first step.
Once the rumors grew and spread, he would move to the next phase, expanding from Loguetown to the entire world.
You want to develop Loguetown?
Dream on.
If everyone feared and despised you, who would dare come to Loguetown?
Wasn't this far more effective than brute force?
"Captain, we can't miss this chance!"
The CP4 agent disguised as a noble tourist was excited. After all, the sense of achievement from taking on an Emperor of the Sea was unmatched.
"No."
Hamilton coldly rejected his subordinate's request. "Don't overestimate an Emperor's patience. We're agents. We just need to start the fire—others will help us fan the flames."
After a brief pause, he gave concise orders. "Leave Loguetown immediately and await my next instructions."
Though reluctant, the agents didn't disobey. After listening to Hamilton's detailed arrangements, they split up and headed to different docks to board ships leaving Loguetown.
Hamilton watched his subordinates disappear into the distance before turning back to the town, a cold smirk curling his lips.
"Your biggest mistake was trusting these commoners."
In the square.
Shirahoshi had cried herself out. More than once, she wanted to turn around and return to the Mirror World.
This experience had left deep psychological scars. She no longer wanted to stay in Loguetown—she just wanted to go back to the Hard-Shell Tower and never come out again.
"Oh my, how pitiful."
A teasing voice, completely out of place, reached Shirahoshi's ears.
She opened her swollen eyes and saw a tall, stunning woman surrounded by a group of other women approaching.
"So beautiful!"
Shirahoshi was immediately captivated by Hancock's beauty, even forgetting about the person who had just mocked her.
"Are you Princess Shirahoshi?"
Hancock coldly assessed Shirahoshi.
When she heard that Reddy wanted to keep a mermaid girl as a pet, she immediately gathered the former Kuja Pirates officers to clarify the truth in the square.
She knew that even if Reddy wanted a mermaid as a pet, he would create a clone himself rather than force someone.
Shirahoshi was intimidated by the Pirate Empress's aura and nodded timidly, not daring to speak.
"You're not his type."
Seeing Shirahoshi on the verge of tears again, Hancock became even more convinced it was just a rumor.
"Huh?"
Shirahoshi blinked, not understanding.
Fukaboshi wanted to step forward again to explain for his sister, but Jinbe stopped him once more.
"Princess Shirahoshi needs to break through her limits."
A hint of amusement flashed in Jinbe's eyes. "But she needs a trigger. The Pirate Empress is perfect for creating that opportunity."
Fukaboshi hesitated but chose to trust Jinbe's judgment.
After all, this experience was harsh for the ten-year-old Shirahoshi. But she wasn't a commoner—she was royalty and had to bear far greater pressures.
Right now, Fish-Man Island needed Shirahoshi to fulfill her duties as a royal. Remaining this timid wouldn't do.
Hancock ignored Shirahoshi and walked up to Reddy, seriously reminding him, "There are rumors spreading in town that are harmful to you. I can help find the source."
However, Reddy's reaction left her stunned.
Reddy replied casually, "No need. People here are free to come and go."