A Good Show

Although they were 10,000 meters deep in the ocean, completely surrounded by seawater, Buggy showed no sign of unease. He simply smiled and said, "Looks like you don't know what you're talking about, you idiot..."

"Scum of a human...who are you calling an idiot!" Hardman's face darkened.

"Fish-Man Island shouldn't be that isolated from the world... You should know that I am Shichibukai, and that the World Government is behind me, so what...?"

Buggy smiled faintly, but his tone grew increasingly aggressive. "Do you intend to oppose the World Government?"

Hardman paused, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty, and said, "If we kill you here, ten thousand meters below the sea, even the World Government... won't be able to detect it!"

Sitting to the side, Octopus Hyouzou's drunkenness subsided considerably, and he lowered his eyelids to look at the crowd below.

"Since I dared to say it, do you think... I wouldn't have a way to send out the recording of our conversation?"

Buggy said calmly, "You'd better think carefully... about whether you really want to declare war on the [World Government]. If you think a distance of 10,000 meters is safe enough, you'll pay the price for your thinking..."

Hardman's expression changed. The other party's arrogant attitude forced him to be cautious. Declaring war on the World Government now would be premature and would only ruin Boss Hody's plans...

Without hesitation, he immediately pulled out his Den Den Mushi (a type of Den Den Mushi) covered in bubbles, dialed the number, and inquired about the orders of Hody Jones, the captain of the New Fish-Man Pirates.

While Hardman was questioning her, Lilina, standing next to Buggy, whispered, "You didn't record anything, did you? Your lying skills... are getting better and better. I almost believed you!"

"Perhaps these Fish-Man aren't that strong, but confronting them head-on underwater isn't a wise choice..." Buggy said dismissively. "Since I hold the powerful card of [Shichibukai] in my hand, I should play it first. It's not just 'strength' that can threaten people; 'influence' can too. The World Government wants to use my 'influence,' and similarly, I can use theirs..."

Hardman quickly hung up the Den Den Mushi, his face filled with resentment as he uttered a harsh threat, "Buggy and his gang... I'll let you off this time, but the crimes you committed against Arlong Pirates... you'll pay double for them one day!"

After saying this, Hardman and his companions rode away on the herd of sea monsters, disappearing from sight.

Cabaji stared grimly at Hardman's retreating figure. "What an ugly face... Captain Buggy, let me chop that arrogant bastard to pieces!"

"Forget it, why bother arguing with a Fish-Man who knows nothing..."

Buggy was speaking when he suddenly changed the subject, "But speaking of which... what are your thoughts on the Fish-Man race?"

Although the others didn't understand why Buggy asked that question, they answered one by one.

Shuma: "Hmm, although it has a 'fish' attached, Fish-Man don't seem to be suitable as food..."

Mikuru: "Fish-Man look clumsy and ugly, but I've heard mermaids are all beautiful!!"

"Because they can live on the seabed, they are able to tame those enormous sea monsters," Nilek said. "That's their strength..."

Cabaji: "Fish-Man are ten times stronger than humans... We witnessed this back in Cocoyasi Village; this race does indeed possess some innate advantages."

"That's right. Fish-Man are naturally stronger than humans. In the sea, they are not limited like Devil Fruit users, and their strength is greatly enhanced..." Buggy looked at Fish-Man Island before him. "Perhaps... we can learn from their strengths and compensate for our weaknesses."

"Learn from strengths and make up for weaknesses..." Lilina said, "Make up for... the weakness in naval warfare?"

"Hmm... Fish-Man Island has lost the protection of the Whitebeard Pirates, Jinbe Knight of the Sea also given up his position Shichibukai... This seemingly peaceful Fish-Man Island is actually swaying in the wind. They probably desperately need a backer right now. Perhaps I can take over this position. Firstly, this is a necessary passage to the New World. If I can fly my flag, it will create a more direct deterrent to all pirates heading to the New World. Secondly, although the Fish-Man are somewhat lacking in land combat, they can be a good asset on the vast ocean."

шшш ★ттκan ★￠○

"But the Fish-Man seem to discriminate against humans..." Mohji thought of the events in Cocoyasi Village, "The grudges between them and humans are hard to reconcile..."

"It should be said that it's quite the opposite; it's always been humans who see Fish-Man as monsters, but the grudge between the two sides is indeed very deep... The reason why female fish-men are auctioned off is precisely because of long-standing discrimination, which ultimately stems from the trend set up by those World Nobles." As an intelligence agent, Lilina is very clear about the main conflict between humans and Fish-Man. She thinks Buggy's idea is good, but in this kind of environment, getting Fish-Man to willingly become her subordinates is easier said than done...

"No, this isn't a one-sided wish. Changing their environment has always been what these Fish-Man, who dream of living on the sea, have wanted..." Buggy didn't finish, pausing for a moment. "We'll decide on this later. Kitty, steer our ship to Fish-Man Island. Dog, send Den Den Mushi signal to the Ryugu Palace on Fish-Man Island to inform King Neptune that Buggy, Shichibukai, has arrived on Fish-Man Island ..."

"Wouldn't that be too flashy?" Nilek asked.

"Even if we don't notify them, with so many people landing on the island at the same time, they will definitely send people to investigate. Since they will find out sooner or later, we might as well take the initiative and see their attitude."

"Understood," Nilek replied, then went into the cabin to fiddle with the Den Den Mushi.

Ryugu Palace

"Your Majesty Neptune, King Neptune, something terrible has happened!" The Left Minister, holding a Den Den Mushi (a type of Den Den Mushi) cautiously, rushed into the King's bedroom.

"Father isn't here. He took Hoe to inspect Fish-Man Island ..." Neptune's eldest son, and also the country's Crown Prince Fukaboshi, turned to look at the Left Minister, whose expression seemed off, a sense of unease rising in his heart. "Left Minister ... has something happened on Fish-Man Island?"

"No... no..." The Left Minister had rushed here, and being quite old himself, he was already panting heavily.

Seeing that it wasn't something that happened on Fish-Man Island, Fukaboshi breathed a sigh of relief. "Tell me slowly, what exactly happened?"

"It's the King... Your Majesty... Shichibukai..." The Left Minister hurriedly patted his chest, panting.

"Is Jinbe back?!" Fukaboshi was stunned for a moment, a hint of joy appearing on his face, followed by some doubt, "But wasn't he already...?"

"No!" The Left Minister finally caught his breath. "It's the Shichibukai, the Buggy the Star Clown!!"

"What's he doing here..." Fukaboshi's expression turned serious. "Where is he now?"

The Left Minister said, "They're just Fish-Man Island, about to enter!"

"With Father absent, my second and third brothers and I will take care of that Shichibukai..." Fukaboshi said seriously. "If we let a pirate of this caliber roam freely on Fish-Man Island... who knows what he might do..."

Having said that, he instructed the Left Minister, "Notify the soldiers to retrieve the Phoenix Tail Ship; we'll head to the entrance to Fish-Man Island immediately!"

When all the ships in Buggy Grand Fleet approached the main entrance to Fish-Man Island, the three Fish-Man Island princes came out to greet them in their royal phoenix-tailed ships. Fukaboshi scanned the area and asked, "Where is Shichibukai, the Buggy the Star Clown?"

"Looking for me?" Buggy looked up at the figure on the phoenix-tailed ship. "I am Buggy."

"Please tell me..." Fukaboshi stared solemnly at Buggy, "You're not here to disrupt the peace of Fish-Man Island."

"Of course not..." Buggy smiled. "I was just passing through."

"Okay..." After receiving Buggy's affirmative reply, Fukaboshi nodded. "In that case, as our honored guest, please follow us!"

After saying that, he stood at the entrance of Fish-Man Island and led the seven pirate ships of Buggy Grand Fleet. Soon the seven pirate ships passed through the bubble membrane, and the colorful Fish-Man Island finally came into view. At first glance, it looked no different from a normal island at sea, with blue skies, white clouds, and bright sunshine.

The Big Top and six pirate ships followed the Phoenix Tail Ship in the inner sea of Fish-Man Island. In just a moment, they approached the shore. The island was full of Fish-Man, who were used to the arrival of pirates.

These people seemed different from ordinary pirates; three princes were leading the way for them. This caused the ordinary Fish-Man to whisper among themselves, wondering what kind of pirates had such a powerful background!

Upon closer inspection of the Buggy Pirates' flag, someone finally recognized it, their face showing shock mixed with a hint of fear, "It's the new [Shichibukai] Buggy!"

"What?! That guy is Buggy!"

"It's said that he's the one who replaced Jinbe as the boss!"

"Don't talk nonsense. Boss Jinbe gave up voluntarily. The Shichibukai are still not all here!"

The Fish-Man immediately began whispering anxiously, afraid of being overheard. Lately, the human pirates on the island had become much more rampant. Without the protection of the Shichibukai and the Four Emperors, even with daily patrols by kingdom soldiers, life on Fish-Man Island was becoming increasingly turbulent. Sometimes, these Fish-Man couldn't help but think to themselves, "If Jinbe Boss Jinbe were still here..."

It's not that there aren't pirate crews on the island; the New Fish-Man Pirates are stationed in Fish-Man Street. However, Fish-Man Street is full of thugs and hooligans, completely incomparable to Jinbe, who prioritizes chivalry. Naturally, these ordinary Fish-Man don't have any hope for them.

"I have already sent someone to inform my father," Fukaboshi said to Buggy on the ship next to him. "As your hosts, we will host a banquet for you in the Ryugu Palace. We hope you will not find it inappropriate."

"Of course not, we're not here to cause trouble." Buggy's tone was calm. "I witnessed Whitebeard's death with my own eyes, and I was also present Jinbe openly opposed the Navy. Although Fish-Man Island has lost the protection of these two, it's not completely at everyone's mercy. As the saying goes, out with the old, in with the new... Perhaps we can become [friends]."

Fukaboshi understood the hidden meaning in Buggy's words and was momentarily stunned, but he did not immediately express his opinion. He simply said, "Father will decide this matter. Please attend the banquet we have prepared for you first!"

Buggy didn't say much. The decision wasn't his to make, and even if it ended inconclusively, he wouldn't suffer any loss. Besides, lowering his status by mentioning it repeatedly would only make him, a Shichibukai, seem rather pathetic.

On the right side of Fish-Man Island, in a certain neighborhood.

A group of furtive human pirates lurked in the shadows of a corner, seemingly waiting for something.

The pirate with a black bandana wrapped around his forehead sighed, "What do we do?"

The pirate with a scar on his face said, "What else can we do... Captain Skook is imprisoned by that bastard Fish-Man, and even our pirate ship has been seized. If we don't do what he says, we'll never be able to leave this Fish-Man Island and reach the New World..."

The pirate holding the sack said, "Let's wait and see... This is the place those female mermaids are bound to pass through. That bastard Fish-Man promised us that as long as we capture them, he'll release them back to Captain Skook and our ship. Then we can sell these female mermaids on land. Maybe we'll turn this into a blessing in disguise and make a fortune!"

"Shut up, all of you!" the pockmarked man with brown curly hair snapped. The other pirates quickly shut their mouths and responded in a low voice, "Yes, First Promis."

"Hmph!" the pockmarked man sneered. "Since he wants us to capture the mermaids, we'll do as he wishes... I won't let a single female mermaid on this island go!!"

"They're here! They're here! A mermaid is coming!" The pirate who was observing from another corner quickly sent out the signal.

The pirates immediately held their breath and hid themselves even more concealed.

"Camie, the clams at that shop were really delicious~~ Let's go again next time?" Pappag walked along, patting his round belly and letting out a contented sigh.

"Great! It really tastes good. Let's go eat there again next time Madame Shyarly gives me a day off!" Before Camie could finish speaking, a burlap sack appeared out of nowhere and enveloped her completely!

She struggled frantically, but the sack was wrapped tighter and tighter, giving her a strange feeling of suffocation.

"What do you want to do! Let go of Camie!!" Seeing that something was wrong, Pappag frantically pounded on the pockmarked man's knees in a fit of anger and anxiety.

Feeling the painless attack on his foot, the pockmarked man snorted coldly, "Don't get in my way!"

He kicked Pappag against the opposite wall, and the latter immediately slumped his head and fainted.

"Well, we've got it! Should we continue guarding this place... First Promis?" one of the pirates asked.

"Of course..." The pockmarked man stopped mid-sentence, then suddenly changed his mind, "Wait a minute, let's call it a day. Let's see how these Fish-Man react. If they're discovered, we'll hide for a while. If they're not noticed, we'll continue hunting..."

After making up their minds, the pirates, under the command of the pockmarked man, retreated with the captured Camie. A minute later, a black and white striped Fish-Man covered in footprints emerged from the ground. He casually watched the departing pirates, saying, "That's enough. Now we just have to wait for the soldiers to close the net. Things should go as Hody predicted!"

Just as the pirates reached a maze of entrances, a squad of Fish-Man soldiers appeared in front of them, rushing towards them.

The black-banded pirate said anxiously, "First Mate, what should we do? Have we been discovered?!"

"What's the panic!" The pockmarked man pointed in a direction with his left hand. "You take the mermaid over there, I'll stay here..."

Before he could finish speaking, another squad of Fish-Man soldiers surrounded the direction he was pointing.

"Damn it! What's going on? We just succeeded, and these damned Fish-Man found out so quickly!!" The pockmarked man's face was gloomy as he pointed behind him, "You guys run that way, don't let them find out what we did, or we're all done for!"

The pirates, carrying Camie who was still struggling inside the sack, fled the way they came. From afar, they could hear the Fish-Man soldiers shouting, "Don't let these scum get away! They've kidnapped a mermaid!!"

The pirates were instantly terrified and fled in panic, but the Fish-Man soldiers behind them didn't seem in a hurry to give chase. They maintained a distance, like cats playing with Nezumi. The pirates were both frightened and anxious, afraid to put down the sacks they were carrying. Putting them down would mean the evidence was confirmed, and they would be doomed!

The pursuit by the Fish-Man soldiers and the panicked escape of the pirates quickly escalated, and countless Fish-Man civilians in the streets and alleys witnessed firsthand the actions of the human pirates... kidnapping mermaids!!

"Damn humans, they'll get their comeuppance sooner or later!"

"I actually thought I could try to make peace with them... That was such a huge mistake!!"

"Human hearts are dirtier than sewers! Why did God allow these bastards to dominate the sea and land?!"

Indignant voices emanated from the mouths of the Fish-Man everywhere, and even the "peace faction" influenced by Queen Otohime felt a deep sense of humiliation.

Neptune, who was riding on the ape Hoe, preparing to return to the Ryugu Palace to hold a banquet, stopped in mid-air, staring blankly at the scene below. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, his face becoming very heavy and sorrowful.

"Where do you humans think you're going...? Put down those sacks behind you!" Hody Jones, wearing a flat cap and dressed as a soldier, held a trident and blocked the pirates' path.

"This... this... Fish-Man..." The pirates were terrified, their words stuck in their throats.

A fleeting glint of mockery crossed Hody Jones's eyes as he roared with fervor, "Look! Humans are evil, filthy, greedy, and cunning! This lowly, sinful race will do anything for profit! They are utterly unworthy to coexist peacefully with us, the noble Fish-Man!"

"It was... it was you who made us do this!!" a pirate suddenly shouted in intense terror.

The surrounding chatter instantly fell silent, and all eyes were fixed on the pirate.

"I told you to do this?" Hody Jones burst into laughter. "Listen to what he's saying, ha ha--"

Cold sweat immediately beaded on the pirates' foreheads as they continued to confirm, "It's you, it's definitely you..."

Hody Jones' laughter abruptly ceased. He coldly stared at the group of pirates before him. "What I hate most are humans. Even your attempts at framing others are so utterly pathetic. I'm going to hang you all in the plaza and leave you to bake in the sun for three days and three nights... so that all my fellow countrymen will know just how ugly humans truly are!!"

The pirate carrying the sack trembled with fear. His grip loosened, and the sack fell to the ground, the rope coming undone, exposing Camie to the sight of all the Fish-Man.

"Die, human!!"

After a moment of silence, angry shouts and curses erupted all around. Hody Jones smiled faintly and walked over, trident in hand.

"Don't come any closer... don't come any closer!!" The pirate wearing a black headscarf immediately drew a small knife from his waist and pressed it against the defenseless Camie's neck. With a hardened heart, he declared, "If you take another step forward, I'll kill this mermaid!!"

"Then give it a try!"

Hody Jones showed no sign of stopping. He relished instilling in the humans he so vehemently hated a sense of despair, a slow, inevitable approach to death. This despair gave him immense pleasure. As for the mermaid... death might be even better. To be killed by humans in full view of everyone—what a perfect ending!

"Don't come any closer!"

Facing the terrifyingly powerful Fish-Man before him, the pirate couldn't help but scream. His dagger sliced through Camie's skin, leaving a bloody gash on her neck, from which blood dripped continuously.

"That's it, let everyone see your crimes!"

Hody grew increasingly excited. He was already anticipating the sight of all the Fish-Man displaying expressions of disgust and hatred towards humans. What a fruitful victory that would be! All his fellow fish-men would be united with him, standing on the same front to eliminate humanity!

Pfft!

Just then, a sharp object about one centimeter in diameter pierced the center of the forehead of the pirate who was holding Camie at a speed too fast for the naked eye to see. Blood gushed out like a geyser, splattering all over the ground, and his body slowly fell to the ground.

The pirates nearby, still unaware of what was happening, suddenly felt a tremendous force on their waists, and their spines snapped in two with a loud "crack!" The agonizing screams instantly echoed throughout the entire street!

A voice came from behind Hody Jones, "I hope the three princes won't object to what I'm doing?"

This is the longest chapter I've ever written, so I won't divide it into parts.