"What? Establish a new Marine branch on Fish-Man Island? Isn't that thoroughly trampling the dignity of our Fish-Man race underfoot?"
Hearing Hody Jones's news, the fishmen present couldn't help but roar in anger.
"It's bad enough that Jinbe has become a running dog for the Marines, but now he wants to drag the entire Fish-Man Island into becoming a vassal of humans?"
"We will absolutely never agree to such a thing!!"
"That guy Neptune is simply ignoring our rage towards humans!!"
Most of these fish-men had grown up as orphans in the cold, unforgiving Fish-Man District. Extremism and darkness were their mainstream values.
Let alone having a grasp of the bigger picture, they were largely illiterate and completely ignorant of the current crisis facing Fish-Man Island.
Upon hearing that the Marines were about to establish a branch on Fish-Man Island, their immediate reaction was that the island was about to become the Marines' backyard.
And that this was the World Government's first step in annexing Fish-Man Island!!
Simple heads, simple thoughts.
"Rest assured, I will absolutely not let this happen."
Hody Jones coughed lightly, very satisfied with everyone's reaction.
This made him realise that he wasn't the only one fighting for the future of Fish-Man Island. Even if he, Hody Jones, were to die, there would be thousands more Hody Joneses behind him.
Just as he had inherited Boss Arlong's will!!
Life might cease, but the inheritance of will would never be severed!!
"Boss Hody, do you have a plan? Kaka~~"
A cookie-cutter shark fish-man wearing a helmet similar to those of ancient eastern warriors asked. His eyebrows were inverted, clearly indicating his extreme anger.
"Jahahaha! Of course, I have a plan. Since they want to cooperate with the Marines, we just have to find a way to destroy their relationship, right?"
Hody Jones laughed coldly. Seeing the listening expressions of the surrounding fish-men, the look of smugness on his face grew more intense. "What do you guys think of that bitch Otohime?!"
"..."
The surrounding fish-men were momentarily confused by this question. Weren't they talking about destroying the relationship between Neptune and the Marines?
Why had the topic shifted to Queen Otohime now?!
"She seems... seems okay?"
One fish-man tentatively ventured.
"Okay?!"
Hody Jones's eyes suddenly widened, staring ferociously at the fish-man who had spoken.
"Ah, no, I misspoke. That bitch Otohime is naturally very annoying!!"
Seemingly intimidated by Hody Jones's stare, the fish-man quickly corrected himself.
"Big Brother Hody, do you mean..."
Gradually, some fish-men picked up on the implication in Hody Jones's words and asked with uncertainty, "Are we planning to make a move on Queen Otohime?!"
"...But, although many people don't want to cooperate with Otohime's signature campaign because of what happened to Boss Tiger, her status in the hearts of the citizens is still lofty."
"If we attack her, won't we be drowned by the anger of the people on Fish-Man Island?"
A more rational fish-man analysed calmly.
The prestige Otohime had accumulated over the years on Fish-Man Island was even more terrifying than they imagined; even King Neptune and Jinbe likely paled slightly in comparison.
"Jahahahaha!! Of course, we can't do it personally!!"
Hody Jones took a step forward with an excited expression, his eyes turning increasingly crimson.
"As long as we arrange for someone to kill Queen Otohime in broad daylight and then frame it on a human... I believe that even if Neptune wants to cooperate with the Marines, then, under the fury of those foolish citizens, it will be absolutely impossible to achieve!!!"
"Furthermore, my plan goes far beyond just this!!"
Seemingly already envisioning the wonderful scene after the plan's success, Hody Jones's face showed signs of madness, especially when thinking about the item hidden in Ryugu Palace.
"Boss Hody, what plan are you referring to?"
Seeing that the surrounding fish-men seemed frightened by Hody Jones's bold plan, Dosun asked with a frown.
"It's the Energy Steroids!! The thing that can grant a person immense power!! Only with its help can Fish-Man Island operate under our will. We, the Fish-Man race, won't need to curry favour with humans; we will even be able to launch attacks against them."
"Energy Steroids? What is that?"
A fish-man asked with a confused look.
"It is a treasure passed down since ancient times in Fish-Man Island. It allows one to rapidly gain powerful strength. It's hidden somewhere in Ryugu Palace. If I hadn't accidentally seen it during a patrol once, it would have been truly hard to discover such a thing!!"
"However—"
Hody Jones suddenly brought his hideous face close to the fish-man who had just asked, grinning: "This power comes with a price. Life. Once consumed, it is like making a deal with the devil. While it gives you power, it also shaves away your life!!"
"But I am already prepared to pay the price at any time. Since I have embarked on this path, I have long had the resolve to lose my life!! Just like Boss Arlong!!"
"But, Ryugu Palace is heavily guarded. Even if you are incredibly familiar with the layout, Boss Hody, it's impossible to break through the guards' strength to successfully get the Energy Steroids, right?"
The group of fish-men laughed awkwardly.
Facing everyone's doubts, Hody Jones didn't hide his sneer at all: "Fools. With that bitch Otohime's prestige on Fish-Man Island, once she dies, it will definitely cause huge chaos. The guards at Ryugu Palace will be more lax than ever before."
"At that time, you just need to hide in the crowd and constantly fan the flames, while I simply need to sneak into the palace and steal the Energy Steroids."
"We can destroy the relationship between Fish-Man Island and the Marines, and also successfully obtain the Energy Steroids. It kills two birds with one stone!!!"
Reaching the exciting part, Hody Jones couldn't help but laugh heartily:
"At that time, the entire nation's rage will be ignited by us personally, and the Marines will have no choice but to scurry out of Fish-Man Island with their tails between their legs!!"
"And we, with the help of the Energy Steroids, will thoroughly crush Neptune's army and truly implement our rage within this country!!"
In front of his subordinates, Hody Jones unreservedly outlined the blueprint for the future.
"What a genius idea! Fish-Man Island will be truly liberated!!"
"Woo-oh—!! Woo-oh—!!"
Hearing the grand promises painted by Hody Jones, all the fish-men couldn't help but laugh aloud, seeming to already be immersed in imagining that beautiful future.
Inside Ryugu Palace.
Atlas and the other three, having just finished breakfast, slowly stood up. Surrounded by a group of soldiers, they walked side by side toward the palace gates.
"Sir White Tiger, since the specific details of the Marine branch have been settled, let us announce this good news to the residents of Fish-Man Island now."
Queen Otohime's face was flushed, her expression somewhat agitated.
Although everything for the Marine branch, from military funding down to personnel allocation, was funded by Fish-Man Island itself...
It might seem like they were just using the Marine name, but it signified a deepening connection between Fish-Man Island and humans. It was one step closer to Fish-Man Island truly setting foot on land.
After all, previously, although Fish-Man Island had joined the World Government as a member nation and completely escaped the fate of being classified as fish...
Until now, not a single fish-man had truly been included in the Marine establishment!!
It could be said that this was absolutely a milestone in the history of Fish-Man Island's liberation!!
"Otohime, there's no need to be in such a rush, is there? For now, let's take Mr White Tiger on a tour of our Fish-Man Island."
Neptune helplessly interrupted the excited Otohime.
He was afraid her actions would cause any annoyance to this young Marine. Although after talking over the past two days, he had a very good impression of the Marine before him.
However, in this world, parents might name their children wrong, but the world never gave the wrong nickname.
That murderous aura on his body, thick enough to be almost tangible—even he, whose Observation Haki was inferior to Otohime's, could clearly perceive it.
"Ah? Right!! I was too abrupt. I am truly sorry, Sir White Tiger."
Otohime was stunned, then a look of realisation flashed across her face as she belatedly apologised to Atlas.
"It's fine. I should be staying on Fish-Man Island for quite a long time anyway, so it doesn't matter if the tour is postponed."
Atlas waved his hand, saying nonchalantly.
But Neptune and the others didn't notice that the moment Atlas turned his head, a glint of crimson flashed in his eyes, as if countless scenes of blood and fire were reflected in his clear pupils.
"Heh~ Interesting."
Atlas murmured, his voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, practically inaudible. Only the smile lingering on his lips would make anyone feel chilled to the bone.
Fish-Man District, a dark corner.
Hody Jones, wearing standard Neptune Army armour, stood on a dilapidated trash can. He looked down coldly at the group of fish-man subordinates below, looking solemn like a general inspecting troops before a campaign.
"Presumably, you all know my plan by now, right?"
"We know, Big Brother Hody. Leave it to us; we will definitely buy you the maximum amount of time."
Ikaros nodded heavily, gripping the red-tasselled spear in his hand even tighter.
"Very good. I have already received news that the bitch Otohime indeed cannot wait to take the entire Fish-Man Island to curry favour with that human Marine!!"
Hody Jones stomped fiercely on the tin trash can. The can, already dilapidated and in disrepair, immediately let out a groan of being overwhelmed.
"I have already found the human. Assign a few people to keep a close eye on that guy. The moment he fires the gun and shoots Otohime, you must immediately tackle him and kill him, then loudly announce that the murderer is a human!!"
"I believe the expressions on Neptune and those Marines' faces will be quite spectacular then, right?!"
"Jahahahaha!!!"
"But, what if that human bastard doesn't execute it as you said, Big Brother Hody?"
Zeo couldn't help but raise a doubt.
"Besides, wouldn't grabbing a Marine to do this be more effective?"
Hearing this, Hody Jones's smug expression slowly faded. He looked at Zeo gloomily and said, "Resist? Do you think that guy Nois has the courage?"
Zeo was stunned, then he also laughed.
"So it's that guy Nois. Then I'm relieved."
Nois was merely a tool they had used to vent their desire for revenge some time ago. Who would have thought he was still clinging to life?
The fish-man criminal group led by Hody Jones held a hatred and paranoia toward humans that was unimaginable to others.
So, basically every so often, they would select a "lucky one" from the travellers or pirates coming to Fish-Man Island to serve as the object of their insane revenge against humans.
And that guy, Nois, had been abducted by them half a month ago. He had been suffering their beatings continuously. They thought he was already dead, but unexpectedly, he was still breathing.
"Jahahahaha!! That guy knows he is definitely dead. Coupled with our torture these past days, he must be full of resentment towards the Fish-Man race, right? To be able to drag the Queen of Fish-Man Island down with him before dying is surely something he would be happy to do."
Bang—!!!
Hody Jones jumped down from the tin can, then turned around and kicked the trash can fiercely with the tip of his foot. The immense force instantly dented and twisted the tin can.
"Besides, I originally wanted to capture a Marine to be the executor, but there is no way to approach that warship. The surrounding area is completely a vacuum zone. As soon as I get close, I estimate I'd be turned into a sieve by the fully armed Marine soldiers immediately."
"However, once I get the Energy Steroids, I won't need to care about the Marines at all. Under the crushing weight of absolute power, no matter how strange the Devil Fruit ability, it's nothing but a paper tiger!!"
"So, Big Brother Hody, do we start the operation now?"
Daruma, red all over, couldn't help but stand on his tiptoes. His interlocking fangs began to make a tooth-aching grinding sound. His wide eyes began to show massive amounts of bloodshot veins, and veins popped out on his neck.
"I can't wait anymore! I want to crunch those humans' flesh and eat them!!"
"Jahahahaha!! We move immediately. It's been a long time since my blood boiled like this!!"
Hody Jones laughed rampantly, kicking the completely deformed trash can by his feet far away, while constantly issuing orders after orders.
"Ikaros!"
"Here! Big Brother Hody!"
"You and Daruma go monitor that guy, Nois. After the deed is done, once he shows any sign of speaking, kill him on the spot!!"
Immediately after, Hody Jones turned his gaze to a Wobbegong fish-man covered in many black and white stripes, smiling:
"Your stealth ability is very strong. You will hide in the crowd, then constantly provoke the residents' anger. It's best to direct the spearhead at that group of Marines. I assume you know what to do, right?"
"Zeo!!"
"No problem, I will definitely complete this mission perfectly."
"The other brothers disperse among the crowd. Once a conflict arises, you just need to intensify the contradiction and directly attack the surrounding humans—preferably the Marines."
"At that time... Jahahahaha!!!"