"Neptune—because of your stupidity, countless members of our race were sold by humans… slaughtered."
"The humans of the outside world have never treated us as equals. In their eyes, we're nothing. They despise us."
"Today, I—Hody—will change that!"
"From this moment on, your era is over, Neptune."
"In hell, you'll witness the rise of the Fish-Man race—
and every human will become our slave!"
Hody stepped forward and drove a brutal punch into Neptune's abdomen, baring his sharp fangs, his face twisted with ferocity.
"Father! Are you alright?!"
Shirahoshi cried out in alarm, her eyes instantly reddening.
"Bastard… Hody… you will regret the choice you made today…"
Neptune's voice grew weaker by the second.
"You're all just as naïve and foolish as Queen Otohime was."
"Dreaming of peaceful coexistence with humans—how laughable."
"Today, your head will mark the beginning. At the next World Conference, the Fish-Men will be the ones to change the world! Hahahahaha!"
Hody threw his head back and laughed maniacally.
"Kill them!"
"Kill them!"
"Kill them!"
...
Tens of thousands of Hody's subordinates raised their arms and roared in unison.
"Father…"
Tears streamed down Shirahoshi's face.
"I'm sorry, Shirahoshi. Father failed to protect you…"
"I also failed Otohime's dream. I am a sinner."
With deep unwillingness, Neptune slowly closed his eyes.
"Time's up."
"Neptune. Shirahoshi. Take your ridiculous innocence to hell and reunite with Otohime!"
As his words fell, Hody raised his massive blade high above his head and swung it viciously toward Neptune's neck!
...
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
At the very instant Hody struck—
Yunan arrived!
A massive fireball roared through the air, hurtling straight toward Hody!
BOOM!!!
Caught completely off guard, Hody had no time to dodge. The scorching flames swallowed him whole, and the violent shockwave blasted him straight into the air—his great blade flying from his grip.
"Whew… that was close. Almost showed up too late."
Yunan exhaled, a lingering sense of fear still on his face.
"King Neptune, Princess Shirahoshi, princess—are you all alright?"
Camie jumped down from Yunan's back and hurried over.
...
"Damn it—why is there a human here?!"
"Captain Hody! Are you okay?!"
Yunan's sudden appearance threw the entire plaza into chaos.
"A human?!"
"Why would he save us?"
Neptune stared in shock.
"Camie… is he your friend?"
Shirahoshi asked, her mouth slightly open as she stared at Yunan in disbelief.
"Yes, Princess. He's my lifesaver—and my friend."
Camie nodded, then began looking around, trying to figure out how to undo the chains binding everyone.
"Camie, step aside."
Yunan walked forward calmly.
He reached out and gripped the arm-thick iron chains with both hands.
A faint glow of chakra slowly rose around his palms.
Then
Yunan exerted force.
CLANG!
The massive chains binding Neptune, Shirahoshi, and the others snapped instantly, crashing to the ground in a heap.
"Are you hurt, Little Shirahoshi?"
Yunan smiled warmly at her.
"I—I'm fine… Thank you, Lord Yunan, for saving us…"
Shirahoshi blushed lightly, her tail swaying as she thanked him softly.
"Brother Yunan… why did you come to save us?"
"We shouldn't have any prior connection."
Neptune looked at him in confusion.
"No real reason."
"I came to save Little Shirahoshi."
"Saving the rest of you was just convenient. No need to thank me."
Yunan waved his hand dismissively.
"..."
Everyone's lips twitched at once, momentarily speechless.
BOOM!
Suddenly, Hody burst out from the rubble where he had been blasted.
"A human? Interesting. Looks like you're tired of living."
"Perfect—your life will be buried alongside this foolish, naïve Neptune royal family."
Hody's expression darkened, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
Just a moment ago, Neptune's head should have been rolling on the ground
Yet it was all ruined by this sudden human.
Rage surged violently within him.
"KRK-KRK-KRK!"
"I'll crush your bones with my teeth, you stupid human!"
At that moment, one of Hody's subordinates stepped forward
The smallest Fish-Man among them.
Daruma.
His razor-sharp teeth ground together with a chilling crack-crack sound.
"Lord Daruma, kill this ignorant human!"
"Lord Daruma's teeth can pierce walls—he'll be torn to pieces!"
"Let everyone see what happens when you offend the New Fish-Man Pirates!"
Seeing the officer Daruma step out, the Fish-Men erupted with excitement.
In their minds, Yunan was already being ripped apart.
"Where did this short runt come from?"
"Scram, or I'll boil you and eat you."
Yunan stood with his hands in his pockets, staring at Daruma with complete disdain.