"What's going on?" Franky asked in confusion. "Where did that axe come from?"
If he wasn't mistaken, that axe was aimed at the Mermaid Princess.
Could it be that someone wanted to kill her?
"This was done by a guy named Vander Decken," Meiser explained. "He wants to marry Shirahoshi, but she doesn't like him, so he throws all sorts of things at her every day to attack her."
"There are really scumbags like that?" Franky exclaimed in shock.
Wasn't this the classic case of "if I can't have it, I'll destroy it"?
Meanwhile, Sanji exploded on the spot.
"What did you say?!" Sanji said angrily. "There's actually a bastard who dares to treat a lady like that?"
"I'm going to kick him to death!"
How dare some bastard do such a thing… That guy deserves to die!
"You're not the only one who wants him dead," Meiser said. "We both do too."
They had encountered at least twenty attacks along the way, so… they also really wanted to kill this troublemaking bastard!
But unfortunately… they simply couldn't find his location.
"Then just kill him!"
"We can't find where he is," Meiser said helplessly.
"That person is indeed quite hard to find," Jimbei added. "I've also searched for this guy many times, but he's too cunning, so I could never locate him."
He sympathized deeply with Shirahoshi's plight, so after receiving King Neptune's request, he had taken people to search for Vander Decken.
But unfortunately, they couldn't find him…
"Damn it," Sanji said irritably. "Don't let me catch him!"
If he ever caught that bastard, he would absolutely kick him to death!
Hearing this, Jimbei sighed, then turned to Shirahoshi and asked, "Your Highness, aren't you afraid of the danger?"
"Lord Meiser and Lord Luffy said they would protect me, so I'm not afraid," Shirahoshi replied with a smile.
"You really trust them, don't you…"
But after remembering what Meiser had done in the past, Jimbei understood.
Yes, even if Shirahoshi didn't know Luffy, she would know what Meiser had accomplished.
With someone like that promising to protect her… how could she possibly be afraid?
"Yes, I trust them completely!" Shirahoshi said cheerfully.
"Wait, hold on a second!"
Den floated down from the Thousand Sunny, looking at Jimbei with shock. "Who did you just say?"
"Meiser."
Jimbei pointed at Meiser. "Didn't you hear our conversation just now?"
"No…"
He had been inside the ship studying the Coating process earlier, so how could he clearly hear what was being said outside?
He had only noticed it was a bit noisy.
Then, Den turned to Meiser and asked, "Are you the hero who stormed Mary Geoise two years ago and saved our Fish-man brethren, Ōtsutsuki Meiser?!"
"That's indeed me," Meiser nodded, then added, "But forget about the 'hero' part. Just call me Meiser."
But unfortunately, these words had no effect on Den at all.
"You are truly a hero of Fish-Man Island!" Den excitedly approached Meiser, grabbing his hand and saying, "Thank you for your righteous intervention!"
Looking at the excited Den, a trace of helplessness flashed in Meiser's eyes. He knew it would turn out like this.
But this time, Meiser didn't dwell on it and simply accepted Den's gratitude.
"Leave the Pirate Ship Coating to me!" Den earnestly patted his chest and said, "I guarantee I'll have it done for you within two days!"
With his skills, he could handle the Thousand Sunny in just over a day.
So... leaving it to him was no problem at all!
"Then I'll leave it to you, Mr. Den."
"You're too kind."
After saying this, Den seemed to remember something and continued, "Don't worry, I'll keep your secret for you."
"Alright."
Hearing this, Den smiled and nodded, then picked up his tools and left, clearly intending to gather materials for the ship coating first.
"What a dedicated coating master," Meiser remarked with emotion.
"Indeed."
Sanji nodded in agreement, then glanced at Franky and said, "Where is he going to find the coating materials?"
"How should I know?" Franky shrugged and said, "This is my first time here too."
Like his companions, this was his first time visiting Fish-Man Island.
"It's right nearby," Jimbei pointed to a nearby area and said, "There are materials for ship coating over there."
"Coating materials are usually sourced from here."
"I see, that's quite convenient," Meiser said, stroking his chin.
"By the way, Meiser!"
Luffy, as if remembering something, turned to Meiser and said, "Did Franky's brother just say your name is Ōtsutsuki Meiser?"
Franky:
That was a mistake to answer like that just now.
"Yes, that's right," Meiser nodded and said, "That's what he said."
"So you have a surname," Luffy said in surprise. "Is it Ōtsutsuki?"
Meiser:
Was it strange for him to have a surname?
But after considering Luffy's way of thinking, he calmed down.
It seemed perfectly normal for this fool to think that way.
Then, Meiser said, "You could say that."
With the bloodline of the Ōtsutsuki clan flowing through his veins, calling himself Ōtsutsuki wasn't wrong.
Well, of course, if one day he could grow horns... it would be even more fitting.
"Huh?"
"This is the first time I've heard your surname," Chopper said, leaning closer. "Is this a ninja's surname?"
"It has nothing to do with being a ninja," Meiser shook his head and said.
At the very least, the so-called ninjas from the Land of Wano weren't qualified for that.
"I see."
Chopper nodded, then smiled and said, "Ōtsutsuki or something... sounds really cool!"
"Is that so? Hahahaha."
Hearing this, Meiser burst into laughter, then said with a smile, "There will be even cooler things in the future."
"Really?!"
"Yes."
"I'm so looking forward to it!"
Although he didn't know what Meiser planned to show them, Chopper was filled with anticipation.
Just then, Shirahoshi said, "I... I want to visit my mother's grave."
As soon as these words were spoken, the surroundings fell silent.
"Your mother's grave..."
Looking into Shirahoshi's eyes, Meiser immediately understood one thing.
Her previous tears... were likely because of this.
Thinking this, Meiser smiled and said, "Go ahead~"
"If anything else comes flying, we'll knock it away for you in advance."
"That's right!"
Sanji laughed, "Leave it to us, Miss Shirahoshi."
"Thank you... thank you all..."
"Don't mention it, Miss Shirahoshi!!!"
As he spoke, Sanji began wriggling his body again, his expression one of pure delight.
Seeing this, a drop of sweat rolled down Shirahoshi's face, but she didn't say anything more. Instead, she used a coral bubble to make herself a swimming ring, then swam toward the distant tombstone, soon entering a beautiful structure.
"Is that Shirahoshi's mother's grave?" Luffy said.
"Yes."
Jimbei looked at Shirahoshi chatting softly with her mother in the distance, his expression complex. "Her mother, Queen Otohime, rests there."
"It was not long after the queen's passing that Vander Decken began relentlessly pursuing Shirahoshi."
"Because of that... Princess Shirahoshi couldn't even attend her own mother's funeral..."
"Afterward, she lived inside the Hard Shell Tower for ten years, only leaving today..."
At this point, Jimbei paused, then sighed and said, "She must have so much she wants to say to her mother."
"Then let's leave this time to her," Meiser said softly.
Shirahoshi must have a thousand words to tell her mother right now, so... let her stay as long as she needs.
"That Vander Decken is such a scoundrel," Chopper said through gritted teeth. "Because of him, Princess Shirahoshi couldn't even attend her mother's funeral..."
"That Vander Decken truly deserves to die."
Sanji's eyes also flashed with anger; he hated bullies who targeted women the most.
"If we get a chance to find him, we'll definitely finish him off," Meiser nodded in agreement.
If that guy dared to appear before their Straw Hat Pirates, then... he was as good as dead!
Listening to their conversation, Jimbei murmured, "I wonder if Vander Decken will cooperate with Hody this time..."
If that guy teamed up with Hody, there might be a chance to take him down.
But...
"I really don't want to drag the Straw Hat Pirates into this," Jimbei thought with a headache.
Meiser had already done enough, so he didn't want to involve them in the turmoil of Fish-Man Island.
After all... it could end up hurting someone from the Straw Hat Pirates!
Thinking this, Jimbei's gaze grew resolute.
He would handle this matter himself!
Just then, a woman's voice came from the distance.
"Hey, you're here too?!"
"Nami?"
Hearing Nami's voice, Luffy was momentarily stunned, then smiled and waved at Nami and the others sitting on a Fish-Cart in the distance. "You came!"
"Yeah, we're here!" Nami laughed.
The others also waved, greeting the group below.
"Nami, do you see the person standing next to Luffy?" Camie pointed at Jimbei. "That's Jimbei."
"So that's Jimbei..."
Looking at the fish-man staring at her, Nami gradually furrowed her brow.
"Let's go and see what this guy has to say," Perona said, her smile fading. "If she dares to bully Nami, I'll make sure she regrets it!"
At that moment, Perona didn't care whether the other party was one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea; her mind was entirely focused on how to protect her good friend!
"And me!" Merry raised her small fist and declared.
Hearing their words, Nami felt a warmth in her heart and then said, "Let's hear what he has to say first."
"Okay!"
Soon, the fish-cart entered the parking area of the Sea Forest and dropped them off.
"The scenery here looks pretty nice," Merry remarked as she glanced around.
"It really does."
Camie smiled and said, "Beautiful surroundings, and the lovely Princess Shirahoshi..."
"Huh?!!"
Seeing the figure sitting inside the massive structure, Camie's eyes nearly popped out of her head in shock.
"Why is Princess Shirahoshi here?!"
Shouldn't she be inside the Hard Shell Tower?!
"So this is the Mermaid Princess," Perona said in amazement, looking at Shirahoshi's profile. "She's so beautiful!"
Even someone like her, who loved zombies and ghosts, thought this princess was exceptionally beautiful!
"No wonder people say the Mermaid Princess is the most beautiful woman on Fish-Man Island..." Nami said in astonishment. "Seeing her now, it really seems true."
At least so far, she hadn't seen anyone more beautiful than this princess.
By the way, why is Her Highness the Princess here?
"Hey, Nami!" Luffy walked over and asked, "Has the banquet started?"
"Banquet?"
Nami was taken aback for a moment, then shook her head helplessly. "What banquet? There's no banquet at all."
"After you two left, they attacked us."
Maybe that curly-haired uncle wanted to treat them to a meal, but given what happened afterward... well, forget about the banquet.
"So that's how it is..."
Luffy showed a disappointed expression. "I thought there would be Sea Beast Meat to eat."
If he had known things would turn out this way, he wouldn't have followed that curly-haired uncle to Ryugu Palace.
Wouldn't it have been better to just go with Pappag to eat Sea Beast Meat?
Just then, Sanji wriggled his way over, shouting, "Ladies, long time no see, I—"
"Bzzz"
After being passed through by a Negative Spirit, Sanji immediately fell to the ground, looking utterly dejected.
"I... I'm just scum..."
"Huh?!"
Chopper, who had just been marveling at Sanji's recovery, was dumbfounded by the sight.
Then, he looked at Perona in shock and asked, "Perona, why did you do that?"
"This guy seemed a bit off, so I wanted him to calm down," Perona said calmly.
Chopper: "..."
"But he had already recovered..." Chopper said, feeling a headache coming on.
"Huh?"
"Really?"
Perona glanced at Sanji in confusion. "But this guy still seems the same as before."
Getting excited at the sight of beautiful women... exactly the same as when he used to have nosebleeds all the time!
"That's just his nature..."
Perona: "..."
This nature is truly outrageous.
After shaking her head, Perona said, "I'll be more careful next time."
Since this guy was fine now, she wouldn't need to give him a zap every now and then.
Well, of course, if she felt displeased, she'd still teach this guy a lesson.
Hearing this, Chopper felt somewhat helpless—what kind of situation was this?
"Hey, Nami," Meiser said, "When we came out, we saw Brook carrying a tied-up person..."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "Have you already captured all those people?"
"Yes."
Nami nodded and said, "Including the curly-haired uncle, we tied up all the Fish-men inside Ryugu Palace."
"I see."
Meiser nodded. It seemed to be just as he had thought.
Come to think of it, with their level of strength, how could they possibly be a match for Zoro and the others?
"Wait, hold on!"
Jimbei came closer, looking dumbfounded at Nami and the others. "Who did you say you captured just now?"
"The people inside Ryugu Palace."
Jimbei:
What on earth have Luffy and the others done since arriving at Fish-Man Island?
Why would they take action against King Neptune and the others?
"Is there some kind of misunderstanding here?"
"There definitely is a misunderstanding," Nami said. "But they weren't willing to investigate. Instead, they tried to capture us first, so... we had no choice but to subdue them."
Upon hearing this, Jimbei fell completely silent.
What kind of mess was this?
"Can you tell me exactly what happened?" Jimbei asked. "If it's a misunderstanding, I can help mediate."
The people in Ryugu Palace were his friends, and Luffy and Meiser were also his friends.
So... if possible, he hoped to clear up this misunderstanding.
Hearing this, Nami exchanged a glance with Perona before saying, "Actually, we don't know much either."
"We only know that a mermaid girl was kidnapped, and they mistakenly thought we were responsible."
"Also, someone called Madam Shyarly believed Luffy was the one who would destroy Fish-Man Island, so..."
Although Nami didn't finish her sentence, everyone understood what she meant.
That was why the people in Ryugu Palace had attacked them!
"We kidnapped a mermaid girl??" Franky retorted. "How could that be possible!"
Leaving aside someone as unique as Meiser, just considering the members of the Straw Hat Pirates—they were all friends of Camie. How could they possibly capture a mermaid?
What were the people of Fish-Man Island thinking?
"Damn it, to falsely accuse us like this..." Sanji said through gritted teeth. "Don't let me find out who the bastard responsible is... How could a man like him ever kidnap a beautiful mermaid?"
This feeling of being wronged was truly infuriating!
"I also believe Luffy and the others wouldn't do such a thing, but King Neptune refused to believe it..." Camie said sadly.
As a mermaid who had experienced many things alongside the Straw Hat Pirates, she understood their nature well.
Now that her friends were being falsely accused by her own people, it made her very sad.
"I believe you wouldn't do such a thing either," Jimbei said with a solemn expression. "It must have been done by someone else."
The question was whether it was humans or some radical fish-men who had done this...
At this thought, a shadow of gloom appeared in Jimbei's eyes.
"What's the deal with that Madam Shyarly?" Nami asked, puzzled. "Why do the curly-haired guy and the others trust that woman's prophecies so much?"
"Because her prophecies are extremely accurate," Jimbei explained. "At least, they've never been wrong before."
"So that means..."
"Exactly. At least in everyone's eyes, Luffy is the one who will destroy Fish-Man Island," Jimbei said.
Meiser, who was treating Hachi, looked up at Jimbei upon hearing this and asked, "Do you think so too?"
"No, not at all."
Jimbei shook his head without hesitation. "I don't believe you would destroy Fish-Man Island."
If nothing else, given his relationship with Luffy and Meiser, they couldn't possibly destroy Fish-Man Island.
Even if some people provoked them, they wouldn't take it out on the entire island.
So there must be something here that hasn't been fully understood.
"It seems you're still a rational one," Meiser said with a smile.
"Rationality is one thing," Jimbei replied. "More importantly, I know what kind of people you two are."
Loyal, righteous, and clear about gratitude and grudges.
How could such people destroy Fish-Man Island for no reason?
Especially since Meiser is a hero to their Fish-Man Island... So he absolutely didn't believe the Straw Hat Pirates would destroy it!
"Uncle Jimbei really understands things well," Merry said with a laugh.
"Uncle..."
Jimbei was momentarily taken aback by Merry's address, then realized it wasn't wrong for her to call him that.
After all... he wasn't young anymore.
Thinking this, Jimbei smiled and said, "I'm just stating the facts."
At the very least, he didn't believe the Straw Hat Pirates would do such a thing.
Then, he lowered his head and said, "But this prophecy remains a problem..."
If this trouble wasn't resolved, the people of Fish-Man Island would harbor hatred toward the Straw Hat Pirates.
Although Meiser revealing himself could solve the problem, doing so... might lead to even more troublesome issues!
For example, the World Government might immediately send people to Fish-Man Island to pursue Luffy and the others, or even... use a Buster Call on Fish-Man Island—these were all possible outcomes!
So Jimbei thought it better not to take that approach, at least not now.
"We'll talk about the prophecy later," Nami said, staring at Jimbei. "Now, let's discuss what you wanted to say. What exactly did you call Luffy here for?"
"And what about that Arlong in East Blue..."
Hearing Nami's words, Jimbei's expression gradually grew complicated.
Then, he said, "This is also what I wanted to talk to you about."
At these words, Nami's face immediately darkened.
Could it really be as she thought?
"The people who stopped Arlong and his crew's tyranny in East Blue two years ago were you, right?" Jimbei glanced at Luffy and the others.
"I offer my sincere thanks to you for that."
Everyone remained silent, simply watching Jimbei calmly, waiting for him to continue.
Seeing this, Jimbei sighed quietly to himself before continuing, "While expressing my gratitude, I also ask that you accept my apology..."
"Could it be..."
Turning to glance at Nuo Mei, who was staring at him intently, Jimbei took a deep breath and said, "That's right. Eleven years ago, the one responsible for exiling that bastard Arlong to East Blue... was me."
Upon hearing this, Luffy and the others were instantly stunned. They had never expected it to be like this.
And the light in Nami's eyes... vanished in an instant.
Seeing this, Perona immediately furrowed her brow.
Although she didn't know what this matter had to do with Nami, judging from Nami's expression... this was definitely no simple affair!
So...
"Hey, blue fatty!" Perona said coldly, glaring at Jimbei. "You'd better give me a proper explanation!"
"If you dare bully Nami... I absolutely won't let you off!"
As soon as she finished speaking, several white Ghosts emerged from Perona's body, slowly floating around her with an intimidating presence.
Merry also drifted to Perona's side at that moment, sharing the same thoughts.
Seeing this, Nami felt a warmth in her heart. She then stepped forward, gently pulling the two of them to her side, and looked at Jimbei. "Jimbei, did you just say you were the one who exiled Arlong to East Blue?"
"That's right, it was indeed me."
"I've heard about this once before," Sanji said, lighting a cigarette for himself.
"Huh?"
Nami was taken aback. Why would Sanji know about this?
"Back in East Blue, Luffy and I heard Joseph mention the name of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea, Jimbei," Sanji explained. "He said that after Jimbei became one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea, he demanded the Marines release a pirate, and then that dangerous pirate was sent to East Blue..."
"I assume that person was Arlong."
"Did that happen?" Luffy asked, confused.
Why didn't he remember Joseph mentioning this?
"You probably forgot," Sanji shook his head helplessly, then continued, "Two years ago, when I saw in the newspaper that the three of you were acting together, I was very surprised. At that time, a doubt arose in my mind."
"That is... whether Jimbei here was the mastermind behind Arlong's crew."
If this guy really was the mastermind, things would become quite troublesome, especially since he was a friend of both Luffy and Meiser.
So... it would be best to let this big-headed fish explain himself.
Thinking this, Sanji looked seriously at Jimbei and said, "Jimbei, if you have anything to say in your defense, we're all ears. But watch your words."
"Let me tell you the truth—this beautiful Navigator, Miss Nami, her hometown was one of the islands ruled by Arlong!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Jimbei's expression changed instantly.
"Could it be..."
"That's right," Sanji said. "That bastard Arlong ruled those islands for eight years. During those eight years, the people on those islands lived a life worse than death!"
"And Miss Nami... was one of the victims!"
After saying this, Sanji paused, then frowned, staring intently into Jimbei's eyes as he continued, "So... if you want to explain yourself, choose your words carefully!"
"But if you try to make excuses or brush it off... I won't let you off!"
By the end, veins even bulged on Sanji's face.
His expression seemed to say: If you dare to brush this off casually, I will absolutely kill you!
"So that's what happened..."
Perona clenched her fists. No wonder Nami's expression had turned like that earlier... This blue fatso really deserves to die. "Even though you're Meiser and Luffy's friend, if you don't explain yourself properly, I won't forgive you either!" Merry said.
As she spoke, two madly spinning whirlwind drills even appeared directly behind the little girl, aimed straight at Jimbei!
Meiser and Luffy also stared at Jimbei, waiting to see how he would explain.
Taking all of this in, Jimbei silently sighed.
It was all his fault...
"Boss Jimbei..."
"Hachi, you're awake!" Camie exclaimed joyfully.
"Don't move around."
Meiser looked down at the now-conscious Hachi and said, "Even though I helped treat you, moving around before you're fully healed could cause your wounds to reopen."
"Thank you..."
Gasping for breath, Hachi nodded obediently, then looked up at Jimbei and said, "Boss Jimbei, what he said is true."
"The harm we caused this girl... even an apology wouldn't be enough to earn forgiveness."
Recalling the things their Arlong Pirate Crew had done in the past, tears of remorse welled up in Hachi's eyes.
They truly weren't human.
"You..."
Looking at Nami, whose body was trembling slightly, Jimbei fell silent for a moment before saying, "It seems you've suffered a great deal of misfortune."
Hearing Jimbei's words, Nami's body gradually calmed down instead.
Then, she raised her head and looked at Jimbei, saying, "Yes, I did suffer a great deal of misfortune."
"So no matter what happens, I will never pity that bastard Arlong!"
As if remembering something, a flash of anger passed through Nami's eyes, and veins bulged on her arms.
"Nami..."
Camie swam over worriedly, wanting to reach out and comfort her but unsure what to say.
Seeing this, the anger in Nami's eyes gradually faded. She then reached out and patted Camie, signaling that she was okay.
After doing this, Nami looked up at Jimbei and said, "Before arriving at Sabaody Archipelago, I couldn't understand at all why the Fish-Man race hated humans so much."
"It wasn't until the moment Camie was captured that I realized one thing... that even the powerful Fish-Man race can be persecuted by humans."
"Nami?"
Perona looked at Nami in confusion. Was she really forgiving that bastard called Arlong so easily?
"Me saying this doesn't mean I forgive them. I'm just stating what I've come to understand."
After speaking, Nami glanced at Hachi, whose eyes were filled with pain, and continued, "Hachi, Arlong Park was built based on the parks of Sabaody Archipelago, right?"
"Yes," Hachi struggled to sit up as he spoke. "We always admired that place, so we built the structures in that style."
"Hey, don't move. Your wounds will reopen," Meiser frowned.
"Please, let me finish..."
Gasping for breath, Hachi struggled to his feet, then immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed heavily to Nami, saying, "Big Brother Arlong... he really hates humans, despises them to the core."
"But... but when we were very young, we still yearned deeply for the world where humans lived."
"We... all felt that way..."
"That's also why Arlong Park was built to resemble the park on Sabaody Archipelago."
"Yet because of this, we ended up hurting so many people..."
At this point, tears of remorse welled up in Hachi's eyes, streaming uncontrollably down his face.
"Nami, I'm not saying all this to seek your forgiveness. I just want you to know why we did what we did back then..."
"Pfft!!"
Before Hachi could finish speaking, his body convulsed violently, causing his wounds to reopen, and blood sprayed out instantly.
"Hachi!"
Seeing the blood gush from Hachi, Chopper was stunned.
"You'd better lie down quietly," Meiser pressed Hachi back down while saying, "Otherwise, you'll bleed out and it'll be over."
This guy had already lost a lot of blood before receiving treatment. If he kept bleeding like this... he could very well die!
"Sorry..."