Arlong's Tribulation

Bright and Jinbe followed the gathered Fish-men all the way.

They went all the way to the port of Fish-Man Island.

After today's chaos, all the human ships docked here had been seized, the gates of Fish-Man Island were completely shut, and the port had become a cage for humans.

By the time the Fish-men arrived at the port, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

Soldiers, who had long received orders from Ryugu Palace, blocked the Fish-men's path.

"Get out of the way! Soldiers!"

Someone among the Fish-men roared, "Since you can't save our kin, let us do it!"

The soldiers looked somewhat ashamed, as they indeed hadn't found the kidnappers.

But they didn't back down; these were the King's orders.

Behind them, at the port, the humans forced to stay on their ships were trembling with fear.

They were ten thousand meters beneath the sea; if the situation truly got out of control, they would have nowhere to escape.

Which idiot was causing trouble?

It was one thing to lure Mermaids who went out to sea, but they dared to act with impunity on Fish-Man Island. Did they think they were some New World Great Pirate?

Fortunately, it was at this moment that a man riding a whale appeared in the sky.

"Stop everything!! Residents of the Fish-Man District!!"

Riding on the back of a giant whale, Neptune, the King of the Ryugu Kingdom, shouted loudly, "The matter is not yet settled, do not resort to violence in haste!"

"They're finally here!"

On the roof of a house next to the port, Jinbe breathed a sigh of relief, watching King Neptune and the numerous troops float down from the sky.

However, the Fish-men's anger did not subside with the King's arrival.

To put it bluntly, the Fish-Man District was the place that most detested Ryugu Palace on Fish-Man Island. This street, which originally existed as an orphanage, had become what it was today precisely because of the inaction of the royal government.

"Get lost, Neptune! Are you going to grovel before humans again?"

"Leave the things you can't do to us!"

"We will absolutely not let go of these humans who dared to cause trouble on Fish-Man Island!!"

The Fish-men shouted loudly.

At first, it was just one person roaring, but it quickly turned into the roar of a crowd.

"I need to step in."

Jinbe took a deep breath and turned to look at Bright, "What are your plans?"

"I'm keeping an eye on that guy."

Bright stood at a high vantage point, his eyes fixed on the blue Fish-man at the front of the crowd. "He might be able to lead me to Hody."

He increasingly felt that Hody was behind this whole affair.

"Alright."

Jinbe nodded slightly, and his body shot out like lightning.

"Everyone, calm down!"

Jinbe's voice was exceptionally loud, immediately drawing everyone's attention.

Unlike Neptune, Jinbe had extremely high prestige in the Fish-Man District.

"No one wants to see the current situation. You're not the only ones who are angry; King Neptune is too. In any case, calm down first and listen to what he has to say."

Jinbe's words had an effect; the Fish-men quieted down a bit.

Neptune cast a grateful glance at Jinbe.

Then, he said loudly, "I have no intention of shirking responsibility. The current situation is indeed Ryugu Palace's negligence, and for that, I am deeply sorry."

"But please give us one day to find the culprit! We will definitely not let the culprit get away!"

There was no arrogance of royalty.

Bright thought to himself.

After all, it was a small country with a small population.

The Fish-men were moved.

The King himself had bowed his head.

"Alright, let's listen to King Neptune for now. We, the Sun Pirates, will also cooperate with the military in the search."

Jinbe said loudly, "Don't cause any more trouble at this critical juncture, or it will only make things more complicated."

With assurances from the two most important figures on Fish-Man Island, the Fish-men finally quieted down somewhat.

Those who had been inciting the crowd also shut up.

Bright even saw that the blue Fish-man began to shrink back towards the rear of the crowd.

Did you give up?

Alright, next, I'll catch your tail, Hody.

"I'm going to follow this guy, so Brother Aladdin,"

Bright looked at the current vice-captain of the Sun Pirates, "Can you send a few people to help protect the Mermaid Cafe?"

He couldn't rule out the possibility that Hody might capture someone to threaten him.

Aladdin nodded casually, "Of course, I'll have someone go right away."

"Oh, right, take a Den Den Mushi with you. That way, if something happens, we can contact each other in time."

After getting a Den Den Mushi from Aladdin, Bright leaped lightly across the rooftops, silently following the blue Fishman.

Above Fish-Man Island, in a certain water path.

"Jahahaha! So I was intercepted?"

Hody held a box under his right arm and a Den Den Mushi in his hand, laughing heartily as he communicated with someone.

"There's still not enough hatred!"

"Hody, what do we do next?"

Hody said calmly, "The goods are in hand. Those mermaids are no longer useful. Let them have one last burst of energy and get rid of them. Afterwards, I'll discover them as a soldier, killed by desperate humans."

"...Hody, won't this..."

"This is a glorious sacrifice!!"

Hody laughed heartily, "Where is Bright? If he's not here, how can I discover him colluding with humans to kidnap mermaids?"

"He left Fish-Man District with Jinbe. He should be evacuating people right now."

"Staying with Jinbe?"

Hody frowned, "It's not time for a full-scale attack yet. We need to lure him back to Fish-Man District."

"Hody, what are you planning to do?"

"Jahahaha! In that case, let's go punish the traitor first! Doesn't he want to try trusting Bright?!"

Bright had been following the blue Fishman.

After leaving the crowd, this guy didn't stop and headed straight out.

He moved forward, and several people met him along the way. Bright noticed that these were the guys who had been stirring up trouble in the crowd earlier.

Soon, Bright followed these guys out of the city. Although there were no longer buildings to provide cover, Bright had perception abilities. Following them from a distance, he wasn't afraid of being discovered.

Judging by the direction, these guys were heading towards Fish-Man District.

Hody, is he in Fish-Man District?

Fish-Man District, Arlong's residence.

"Waaah!"

A scream. Kuroobi was grabbed by the leg and slammed heavily onto the ground. The ground instantly cracked into a huge pit, and the entire house trembled.

"Weak! So weak!!"

The large hand holding Kuroobi's leg released him. The owner of the large hand laughed heartily, "Brother Arlong! Did you see? This is my current strength!!"

"You bastard!!!"

Arlong, holding a giant serrated knife, was almost spitting blood. "How dare you do this to our comrades!! Hody!!"

Around him, his companions lay on the ground.

Chuu's head was smashed into the wall, Hatchi was impaled by his own sword and pinned to the ground, and other Fish-Men were scattered everywhere.

And all of this was done by this bastard in front of him!!

He suddenly broke in and then suddenly attacked!

"I'll kill you!!"

His tensed muscles erupted with astonishing power. The giant serrated knife tore through the air. The sharp edge was about to slice Hody's body in half in the next moment.

"Jahahaha!!"

Hody laughed heartily and casually raised his left hand.

Thud.

A very faint sound.

Arlong's expression changed drastically, filled with disbelief.

Hody's hand had caught the blade of his knife.

The sharp serrated knife was now immobile!

What was this strength!

When did this guy become so powerful!

"What a shame, Brother Arlong!"

Hody casually yanked the serrated sword, causing Arlong to stumble forward. Hody seized the opportunity, opening his right hand and grabbing Arlong's face.

"If only you hadn't betrayed our dream! Then I could have shared this power with you!"

"This power that will truly let us rule the world!"

Arlong couldn't say a word. Hody's fingers tightened, Arlong's entire face contorted, and even his bones let out a scream.

"But it's fine. Since Brother Arlong betrayed us, I'll be the one to fulfill our dream."

Hody lifted Arlong up and then slammed him heavily onto the ground.

Cracks spread out in all directions. Arlong's eyes were wide open, blood gushing from his mouth.

"I will prove it! Fish-men are the race that should rule the world! Humans are only fit to be our slaves!!"

Hody laughed heartily and picked up the serrated sword Arlong had dropped.

This guy--

Arlong couldn't move and could only watch as Hody raised the serrated sword.

Was he the same as him?

"Goodbye,"

Tears streamed from Hody's eyes. "Brother Arlong."

The serrated sword slashed down.

Crack.

A bolt of lightning shot out, striking Hody's arm.

"Waaah!"

Hody cried out in surprise, his arm jerked, and the serrated sword flew out of his hand.

"How pathetic, Brother Arlong."

The previously sealed door had now burst open, and Bright walked in. "But it seems I've arrived just in time."

"Bright!!"

Hody turned his head, his face a mixture of ferocity and excitement. "Jahahaha!! I was wondering how to get you here, and you just walked right into my trap!"

Bright withdrew his gaze from Arlong and looked at Hody. "If I didn't come, how would I be able to defeat you?"

Alright, let's get through this part quickly.