"Beast Pirates are recruiting? Is this real?!"
"I want to join! Once I join Beast Pirates, let's see who dares bully me again!"
"Don't be foolish! Everyone, don't be deceived by them! How could humans have good intentions? They just want to trick us into going to sea, then sell us as slaves!"
"Get out! We don't need human charity! Having Boss Hody's protection is enough!"
Two completely different ideologies clashed intensely above Fish-Man Street, voices creating chaos.
In midair, Kai took in the chaotic scene below, nodding secretly. Indeed, quite a portion of fishmen weren't opposed to going to sea—some even yearned to use powerful external forces to change their situation.
This number was even more than he had expected.
Kai lightly leaped down, landing in the plaza's center and instantly becoming the focus of all attention. Yamato and others followed closely behind.
Seeing Kai land, those fishmen eager to join immediately found their backbone, frantically surging forward.
"Kai-sama! Take me! I'll do anything! Let me board!"
These fishmen shouted frantically.
Their behavior immediately provoked strong displeasure from the other faction of fishmen.
"Bastards! Do you want to become humans' dogs?"
"We fishmen are supreme!"
Those extremists believing in "fishman supremacy" angrily glared at their compatriots willing to become traitors.
Their rebukes instantly ignited the battlefield. Both sides refused to yield, using vicious language to curse each other. In their excitement, some had already started shoving.
"Quiet down, listen to me!"
King Neptune shouted loudly, trying to maintain order.
However, Fish-Man Street's thugs only glanced at their king before dismissively continuing their shouting match.
Neptune's face showed considerable embarrassment. He had known his prestige in Fish-Man Street was low, but hadn't expected to be completely ignored to this extent.
At the critical moment, Jinbe stepped forward.
"All of you, shut up!"
The tall whale shark fishman didn't even need extra actions—just stepping forward made the fishmen unconsciously quiet down.
Jinbe's prestige in Fish-Man Street was evident.
Fortunately Neptune was broad-minded—if he were a petty king, he would probably already be suppressing Jinbe.
Just as Jinbe was about to speak, dense, chaotic footsteps came from the distance, accompanied by arrogant shouting.
Hody Jones led a large group of weapon-wielding, fierce-looking fishmen, aggressively approaching.
"Boss Hody!"
Fishmen respectfully greeted him, actively clearing the path.
"Brother Jinbe, have you fallen too?!"
Hody Jones took the initiative: "Have you forgotten how Brother Tiger died?"
Then he turned to Neptune, angrily cursing: "And you, Neptune! As Fish-Man Island's king, how long will you keep groveling to humans! You're a disgrace to us fishmen!"
Jinbe snorted coldly: "Hody Jones! You still dare show yourself!"
Previously, when questioned by Hody like this, Jinbe might have tried reasoning with him. But now, only boiling killing intent and rage remained in his heart.
He stared at Hody, voice ice-cold: "How exactly did Princess Otohime die? Do you dare repeat it in front of everyone?!"
Hody's heart jumped: They really knew?!
But then he calmed down. So what if they knew?
He wasn't the same Kingdom Army soldier from three years ago! He had numerous followers, controlled power!
Forget Jinbe—even that so-called great pirate Kai could be eliminated together.
Hody's face showed a savage sneer as he directly admitted: "What's there not to dare say! That foolish woman Otohime was killed by me!"
"Despite fishmen having far superior strength to humans, she kept groveling and wagging her tail before weak humans, fantasizing about peaceful coexistence?!"
"I could kill a hundred such idiots without feeling it's too many!"
Neptune's family trembled with rage, their eyes red. Their wife and mother had even wanted to forgive the murderer on her deathbed.
Yet the killer showed no remorse, even taking pride in it!
Hody wasn't satisfied, suddenly raising his trident and wildly shouting to his fanatical followers: "Fishmen are naturally meant to reign over humans! We must repay the sins of humans enslaving our compatriots ten-fold, hundred-fold!"
"Right!"
"Boss Hody, lead us!"
"Long live fishmen!"
Hody's followers were fired up with enthusiasm. They wished they could charge Dragon Palace immediately, seize Neptune's throne, and let Brother Hody sit on it.
"Preparing for a showdown?"
Kai watched coldly, imperceptibly scanning the surroundings. Many weapon-equipped fishmen had subtly moved positions, forming a loose encirclement.
Unfortunately, their supposedly secret actions were completely visible under Observation Haki.
"Bastard! You still don't repent!"
Jinbe stepped forward furiously.
"Repent? Ridiculous." Hody sneered: "I'm a man who follows Brother Arlong!"
Kai wanted to laugh. People feared comparison.
Though Arlong was a racist, he genuinely cared for his fellow fishmen, unlike Hody, who couldn't tolerate fishmen who opposed him.
Here, Hody could no longer contain his ambition and killing intent.
"Brothers, attack! Kill these pirates who want to enslave our compatriots! Leave none alive!"
Hody waved his trident, ordering the attack. His loyal followers immediately roared and charged at Kai's group!
This series of changes left other fishmen stunned. Wasn't today supposed to be Beast Pirates recruiting?
How did it suddenly turn into fighting?
On the other side.
"Indeed, in the end, the most direct method of 'persuasion' is still needed."
Kai's lips curved in a cold arc.
The next second, brilliant, emerald-like pure and powerful green light suddenly burst from his body! Under countless shocked gazes, his body rapidly expanded and transformed!
The next moment, the azure divine dragon descended to earth.
"Such a huge dragon!"
All fishmen present, regardless of their stance, gasped.
"Those willing to follow me, come to this side."
Kai's voice rolled like thunder.
The massive form brought incomparable oppressive force. The fishmen who had been shouting and charging at Kai all froze in place, cowering and not daring to advance.
But another group of fishmen who had originally yearned for powerful strength and change became completely excited.
"This is the power I want to follow!"
"Take us, Kai-sama!"
They cheered and surged toward Kai's side.
Kai said: "Robin, register them."
Robin nodded: "Understood."
This situation was perfect for her Flower-Flower Fruit. She gracefully crossed her arms over her chest, activating her ability.
The next moment, dozens of slender, flexible arms "bloomed" from flower petals on the hastily moved long table! Under Robin's control, these arms each held pens and registration books, operating like a highly efficient precision machine, nonstop registering information for enthusiastic fishmen applicants at dizzying speed.
"Damn it!"
Watching the plaza's suddenly changed atmosphere, Hody nearly ground his teeth to powder.
I'm staging a coup here—show some respect!
"Take the drugs!"
Now wasn't the time to hold back trump cards.
At Hody's command, several core officers including himself, pulled out sealed medicine boxes from their chests, taking capsules and swallowing them without hesitation.
The moment Energy Steroids entered their bodies, Hody and others' eyes suddenly became blood-red, their muscles swelling.
"Not good!"
Seeing this, King Neptune's expression changed dramatically as he cried out: "Careful, those are Energy Steroids—one pill doubles their strength!"
Only now did he understand who had stolen those Energy Steroids originally sealed in Tamatebako that mysteriously disappeared three years ago.
However, despite his panicked tone, Kai's group remained unfazed—those three kids were even smiling.
"Trash will be trash. No matter how much their power increases, they won't match Kai-aniki."
Jack crossed his arms, snorting disdainfully.
Even the usually battle-loving Yamato couldn't muster any interest.
"They're too weak."
She boredly pursed her lips. Compared to the enemies before them, that big ship outside attracted more of her attention.
Only Jinbe explained to his old friend.
"Don't worry, Neptune. Hody's group can't cause any trouble—they have no idea what Natural Disaster Kai represents—"
As if confirming Jinbe's words, the azure divine dragon in midair simply said two words like a gentle chant.
"Lightning Strike!"
Before Hody and others could even feel the pleasure of explosive power, much less react—
The next instant, countless bucket-thick lightning bolts precisely struck them.
Blinding lightning instantly consumed Hody and all officers who had taken Energy Steroids!
After the teeth-grinding electrical crackling, came deathly silence.
Thud! Thud!
Under Neptune and others' horrified gazes, Hody Jones and his officers maintained their charging postures, transformed into charred, smoking, unrecognizable lumps of coal that fell straight to the ground.
They died cleanly and efficiently, without drama.
The so-called Energy Steroids, so-called ambitions—before absolute power, they were as fragile as jokes.
"Boss Hody!"
His followers finally reacted, panicking as they tried to gather around.
"Careful! Don't step on the bosses!"
"Bastard! I said be careful! Who stepped on Boss Hody's right hand!"
"Ah! Boss Dosun's left leg—it broke!"
In the chaotic crowd, Hody and others' already carbonized, fragile charred bodies were trampled by their own people into scattered pieces, eliminating any chance of revival.
Seeing this, fishmen who had already planned to join Beast Pirates became more determined, their eyes full of fanaticism.
Boss Kai was the real deal! One move and complete destruction.
Originally hesitant, observing fishmen now had no more doubts, joining the queue that instantly grew larger.
Kai slowly descended, returning to human form. He briefly glanced at the queuing crowd, roughly estimating over a thousand people.
Speed, who had stayed on the ship, had already brought a team to help maintain order and register. Otherwise, Robin alone would probably need a full day to finish registration.
Jinbe directed the Kingdom Army to help maintain order while having people carefully collect Hody and others' remains. They were once fishman compatriots after all—proper burial was still necessary.
When he came over carrying a large box filled with charred fragments, Kai suggested: "Take Hody to Princess Otohime's grave to apologize, and let Shirahoshi see her mother too."
Neptune was stunned. Right, why hadn't he thought of that?
Neptune nodded repeatedly: "Thank you for the reminder, Kai-san. I'll return to Dragon Palace immediately and bring Shirahoshi to the Sea Forest."
Though Shirahoshi hadn't actively requested visiting her mother in a long time, Neptune knew that was only because his kind daughter didn't want her selfish requests to cause the guards to suffer Vander Decken IX's attacks.
She actually missed her terribly.
Acting immediately, Neptune took the three princes and part of the Kingdom Army, hurriedly returning to Dragon Palace to fetch Shirahoshi.
Meanwhile, a small-hat-wearing, multi-necklace-adorned, four-legged male fishman suddenly stopped his sneaky steps.
"Shirahoshi?"
Catching the keyword, Vander Decken IX's eyes lit up.
He had originally only come because Hody called him, planning to take advantage of the chaos, never expecting such tremendous fortune!
"My little treasure, you're finally coming out of that tower—hehehehe—"
Vander Decken IX rubbed his hands like a fly.
As long as he could touch Shirahoshi, he could directly throw her onto his pirate ship. Then, no matter how much Neptune searched, he would never find her.
One hour later, Sea Forest.
Gentle light filtered through Sunlight Tree Eve's roots and layers of seawater, dappling this quiet land.
Located northeast of Fish-Man Street, due to many sunken ships being carried here by tidal currents, it was also called "Ship Graveyard."
Simultaneously, this was Fish-Man Island's peaceful cemetery where Princess Otohime rested eternally.
"Thank you for your suggestion, Brother Kai. I can finally—finally visit Mother. Shirahoshi is so happy!"
The mermaid girl was so excited her tears wouldn't stop.
The three princes standing beside her, hearing their sister's tearful thanks, couldn't help but lower their heads shamefully, faces full of guilt and self-reproach.
It was all their incompetence. As older brothers, they couldn't eliminate Vander Decken IX, forcing their sister to hide in Hard-Shell Tower.
Even such a simple wish as paying respects at their mother's grave couldn't be fulfilled.