Jinbe, Hody

Bright woke up hungry.

His stomach rumbled.

He sat up with a yawn, noticing the dim light in the room.

"First, I'll go eat—"

Bright paused.

He should probably go ask Jinbe for money first.

He stood up and slowly walked out of the room. As he reached out to close the door, he remembered it was just leaning against the wall in the hallway.

"I'll get a new door tomorrow."

Bright abandoned the idea of putting the door back and went downstairs.

As soon as he stepped out of the apartment and onto the dilapidated street, a shout came from behind him.

"Bright!!"

The familiar voice startled Bright.

He turned around.

A blue blur lunged at him.

Bright was immediately enveloped in a tight embrace.

"That's great, Bright, you're safe, that's really great!!"

The whale shark Fishman, shorter but much more robust than Bright, was incredibly excited.

Bright was also very emotional. He raised his arms and gave the man an enthusiastic hug. "Long time no see, Brother Jinbe!"

The person was none other than the current captain of the Sun Pirates, the new Shichibukai, the Knight of the Sea, Jinbe.

Jinbe released Bright and examined him closely. "You've grown taller and stronger. It looks like this past year wasn't as difficult for you as I imagined."

"Many things happened by chance."

Bright smiled. "In short, it was a blessing in disguise. I still have to thank you, Brother Jinbe. Otherwise, regaining my freedom wouldn't have been easy."

"Hahaha, it's good that you're alright."

Jinbe patted Bright's shoulder.

From a very young age, Bright had followed them. To Jinbe, Bright was like a younger brother.

"By the way, Brother Jinbe,"

Bright said earnestly, "Could I trouble you for something?"

"Oh? What is it? Just say it."

Jinbe said heartily, "Your trouble is my trouble."

Bright rubbed his stomach. "Could you treat me to a meal? I'm starving."

Jinbe was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go. Consider it a welcome feast for you."

So, Bright followed Jinbe to the best restaurant in the Fish-Man District.

Although it was called the best restaurant, adding the qualifier "in the Fish-Man District" gave a clear idea of its quality.

Like most of the buildings in the Fish-Man District, the restaurant looked quite old and run-down, but it was doing good business, and it was almost full at this mealtime.

"Oh! Boss Jinbe!"

"Brother Jinbe is here?"

Jinbe had a lot of prestige in the Fish-Man District. As soon as he entered the restaurant, many Fishmen greeted him.

Some of Bright's acquaintances also greeted him.

While responding to his acquaintances, Bright and Jinbe found a table in a corner and sat down.

"Oh! Look who's back, bad boy Bright!"

The restaurant owner walked over with a grin. "The usual?"

"Of course! I've missed your cooking for a long time." Bright said with a smile.

The owner pouted. "Who are you kidding? You've always said my cooking is terrible."

"That's why I only said I missed it." Bright winked.

"You darn kid! Still as annoying as when you were little!"

The owner huffed and turned away.

"Boss, I'll have two portions."

Bright said, watching his retreating back.

The portion sizes from his childhood were no longer enough.

"Honestly, Bright, you..."

Jinbe's words were full of laughter, "You think the food here is bad but you still eat here all the time?"

"When I was very young, I always came here to ask the boss for leftovers," Bright said nostalgically. "The taste wasn't great, but it's hard not to like this kind of flavor."

Jinbe agreed, "In that case, there really is no food more delicious than that."

Soon, the food arrived.

Merfolk and most Fishmen do not eat fish; their source of meat on Fish-Man Island is various shellfish. In the deep sea, far beyond human reach, there are many giant shellfish that can provide enough food for Fishmen and Merfolk. Of course, there are also many Merfolk who cannot even accept shellfish meat; their staple food is various edible seaweed.

Bright, naturally, loved to eat meat. He immediately began to devour the food impatiently.

It's the same familiar taste. Truly nostalgic.

Bright wolfed down his food.

Jinbe watched Bright with a chuckle and said, "The Marines said you were sent to a secret base?"

"Mhm," Bright nodded, mumbling with his mouth full. "It was a secret research base. I met Vegapunk there."

"Vegapunk?" Jinbe exclaimed in surprise, "That world-class scientist?"

Bright nodded. "I got a Devil Fruit there, and with Vegapunk's help, I gained some strange abilities."

Jinbe was greatly astonished. "You mean you ate a Devil Fruit? Then how did you come back?"

"That's why I gained some strange abilities," Bright said casually, his mouth still full.

"..."

Jinbe was greatly shocked. An ability that allows a Devil Fruit User to overcome seawater is not a strange ability at all. Vegapunk is truly an incredible man!

"No wonder you said it was a blessing in disguise," Jinbe sighed.

"Oh, right, Big Brother Jinbe," Bright wiped his mouth and lowered his voice. "On the way back, I took care of the Marines escorting me."

"Eh?" Jinbe's eyes widened. He directly crushed a corner of the table, and even snot flew out of his nostrils. However, he quickly forced his voice down. "What happened?"

Bright roughly recounted his encounter with Hag. Jinbe frowned throughout the story.

"There will always be guys like that among humans," he said with disgust. "You did the right thing, Bright. We don't need to hate innocent humans, but when we encounter guys like that, we shouldn't show mercy!"

"What worries me now is that if this incident is exposed, it will bring trouble to you and to Fish-Man Island," Bright said. If he were alone, it would be nothing. But he had friends, a home, and a homeland. Damn Hag. He messed up my life plan.

"Since there are no survivors, it won't be easy for the Marines to uncover the truth," Jinbe mused. "How about this, I'll contact the Marines tomorrow and ask them why you haven't returned yet."

Bright's eyes lit up. "Big Brother Jinbe, you mean, as long as I disappear along with them, then it won't be my problem anymore, right?" Big Brother Jinbe, who looks so honest, is actually quite sharp.

"But Bright, this means you might have to lie low for a while," Jinbe said worriedly. "Stay quietly on Fish-Man Island and don't attract attention."

"That's exactly what I want," Bright said with a smile. "Right now, all I want is to stay quietly on Fish-Man Island."

"Really? It's hard to imagine those words coming from you," Jinbe said in surprise. "Back then, you were crying and begging to set sail with us."

"Because I've gone through trials, I've naturally grown," Bright said while eating.

"In that case, there's no problem," Jinbe nodded. "At least lie low for a while and avoid the storm. Don't worry, Bright, I definitely won't let anything happen to you."

"Perfect timing. While we have this time, Bright, how about you learn Haki?"

Bright looked up in surprise.

He had been about to ask for that himself.

"Taking down a Marine Rear Admiral so easily, you've truly gained an incredible ability, kid."

Jinbe said with a smile, "If it's you, surpassing me should be a simple matter."

"Sure."

Bright nodded readily.

He had long since resolved that only by becoming strong could he survive safely in this world.

"Very good!"

Jinbe nodded with satisfaction.

If it were the current Bright, perhaps he could truly possess the power of a Pirate Emperor.

In that case—

"Boss, two more servings!"

Bright shouted loudly.

"Huh? You're already done?"

Jinbe was greatly astonished. "You're that much of an eater now, kid?"

Bright smiled and said, "Because I'm growing."

Many organs were growing due to the formation of numerous abilities, and Bright indeed needed a lot of nutrition and energy.

Moreover, the Didom Giant Lanternfish had granted Bright the ability to enhance strength and endurance.

However, this reinforcement wasn't a direct boost. Even throughout history, there probably weren't many creatures whose inherent strength talent was greater than Bright's, who possessed the bloodlines of both a Megalodon and Kaido simultaneously.

This ancient lanternfish had the ability to store energy, much like a camel.

But unlike a camel, the Didom Lanternfish possessed the ability to unleash stored energy, converting it into strength or stamina.

Bright eating more was, in a sense, recharging himself.

Although it was negligible for now, abilities all grew stronger through training.

"Oh, right, Bright, there's something I need your help with."

Jinbe remembered something, and his expression turned a bit serious.

"Oh?"

After having dinner with Jinbe and borrowing a hundred thousand Berries from him for temporary expenses, Bright bid farewell to Jinbe.

But he didn't return to his home.

He went to another place in the Fish-Man District, a three-story building. Lights shone from the windows, and the sounds of revelry could be clearly heard from inside.

Bright sighed.

Big Brother Jinbe had really given him a troublesome task.

But he had no choice but to come.

Consider it a way to prevent a tragedy.

Bright reached out to push the door open.

But the door was pulled open before he could.

A man walked out.

He wore a uniform of the Ryugu Kingdom guards, had a bulging belly, sharp teeth, a pointed nose, and curly black hair.

Bright disgustedly called out the man's name, "Hody."

The Fishman named Hody also saw Bright. He was stunned for a moment, then spoke with equal disgust, "You're still alive? Half-breed!"

Thanks to 'Early Morning Young' for the 100-point reward, thank you, thank you!