New Fish-Man Pirates

Fish-Man Island, Fish-Man Street.

Daruma clenched and opened his teeth, revealing a chilling smile. "The ground of the Ryugu Palace isn't anything special!"

"Captain Vander Decken IX, I've heard so much about you!" Hody Jones sat in his comfortable seat, his right hand leaning back, his gaze fixed on Vander Decken IX beside Daruma, a cold, emotionless smile on his face.

"You must be Hody Jones, the infamous villain of Fish-Man Street... Even though I'm at sea, I know Fish-Man Street has such a true scoundrel!"

Vander Decken IX's injuries had been slightly bandaged on the way here, and his strength had recovered considerably. He was not intimidated by being on someone else's turf.

"Hahaha--" Hody Jones laughed unrestrainedly, "I never imagined I'd become so famous!"

"So... why did you save me?" Vander Decken IX asked in a low voice.

Hody Jones sneered, "Because we have a common goal, don't we!"

Vander Decken IX was both shocked and furious. "You also want to pursue Princess Shirahoshi? No! I will never give up the one I love!"

"Ha ha!"

Hody Jones laughed, then his expression turned cold. "Of course not. My target is the royal family of the Ryugu Palace. It's because of their weakness and incompetence that our Fish-Man's lives are treated like dirt by humans, bullied by that filthy and despicable race. So... the best way is naturally to replace them. Those weak royals are simply not fit to be the rulers of Fish-Man Island. The only one who can truly change the future of Fish-Man Island is me... Hody Jones!!"

"Hehehe--" Vander Decken IX laughed sinisterly, "What a terrifying ambition. But since you're not after Shirahoshi, I'm relieved. So you want to cooperate with me and use my power, right?"

"I can spare Shirahoshi, but those arrogant royalty, I will personally execute them in front of everyone in Fish-Man Square..." Hody Jones stood up from his seat and extended his right hand. "Although the time is not yet ripe, that doesn't prevent us from cooperating ahead of schedule. What do you say... Captain Vander Decken IX?"

"Hehehe--Just hand over Shirahoshi to me, and you can do whatever you want with the rest!" Vander Decken IX Deckon laughed, extending his left hand. Only then did he realize that his right hand, which had touched Shirahoshi, had "broken the vow." He immediately burst into tears, muttering, "My hands, which haven't been washed for eight years! That damned human pirate, I won't let you return to the surface so easily! I will make sure you all perish at the bottom of the sea and avenge this day!!"

He then firmly grasped Hody Jones's right hand. "Hody Jones, I have one more condition. When that human Red Nose bastard leaves Fish-Man Island, we'll join forces and sink his ship to the bottom of the sea. You won't refuse, will you?"

"Of course," Hody Jones grinned maliciously. "Humans can only be slaves to us Fish-Man. How dare he point fingers at his master now... What kind of Shichibukai does he think he can do whatever he wants just because he has that title! Even if the World Government investigates, let that old bastard Neptune have his headache!"

"Hehehe--Happy cooperation!"

"It's a pleasure doing business with you!"

Click!

At that very moment, a very faint shutter sound rang out.

On the other side, somewhere atop a tower overlooking Fish-Man Street.

A photograph was developed from the multi-functional machine that Nilek carried with him, which resembled a briefcase.

In the photo, Hody Jones and Vander Decken IX are shaking hands and looking into each other's eyes, having reached an agreement.

Buggy took the photo in his hand and looked at it, then gestured slightly towards Neptune. "Neptune, now the evidence is conclusive, isn't it? Hody Jones is eagerly awaiting the deaths of you royalty. Do you still have any objections?"

Buggy knew that there was a rift between Fish-Man and humans. Even an extreme racist like Hody Jones was still a member of the Fish-Man race. As a human, Bucky was more or less an outsider. This was why Neptune was unwilling to get involved, fearing that the conflict between Fish-Man and humans would deepen and his deceased wife, Otohime, would suffer in vain.

However, this problem has now been solved; Hody Jones conspired with Vander Decken IX to commit nefarious acts.

As the leader of the expeditionary force, he could legitimately raise the banner of "suppressing bandits".

His reason for doing so was quite simple: now that Fish-Man Island had been brought under his control, he naturally needed to eliminate all destabilizing factors, especially Fish-Man like Hody Jones who liked to cause trouble.

Neptune, who had overheard Vander Decken IX and Hody Jones's conversation, took a deep breath. "I didn't expect Hody Jones to have been harboring such malicious intentions all along... I have no objection to your next move..."

"Dog, give the recording and photos to Neptune." Buggy's lips curled into a slight smile. "He knows how to appease his people."

Neptune sighed, took the recording device (similar to a pen) and photograph from Nilek's hand, and handed them to the Left Minister. "Go to the [Report Tower] in the Ryugu Palace and inform everyone on the island of Hody Jones's treason and collaboration with the enemy. Issue the arrest warrant as well!"

After Neptune made his decision, Buggy looked at the Fish-Man Street that stretched as far as the eye could see, "Men, prepare to move out! Take down all the villains of Fish-Man Street, don't let a single one escape. Anyone who resists... kill them without mercy!"

"Yes, Captain Buggy!"

The followers instantly sprang into action from all directions, surrounding Fish-Man Street from all sides.

"Cabaji, Mohji, Shuma, you guys go too."

Upon hearing Buggy's command, the three nodded and sped off.

Fish-Man Street.

Hody Jones had just discovered the unidentified lump on Vander Decken IX's body, initially assuming it was something the latter carried. However, upon questioning, he discovered it wasn't, realizing something was amiss. Just then, a Fish-Man thug rushed in, shouting, "Boss Hody, something terrible has happened!"

"What's going on?" Hody Jones frowned deeply and asked in a cold voice, a sense of foreboding creeping into his heart.

The Fish-Man thug was covered in sweat. "I... I don't know either. Suddenly, a lot of human pirates appeared on the street and are killing our brothers!"

"Humans..."

Although Hody Jones wasn't entirely sure why Buggy had suddenly attacked, his hatred for humanity ignited a burning rage within him. He angrily kicked over a table, grabbed his trident, and shouted, "Since they want to die, we'll grant them their wish! Men, execute all the scum who dare to trespass into Fish-Man Street!!"

Daruma grinded his teeth, his face grim. "Finally, I can make my move. I'm going to crush all the bones of those humans!"

"This wine... tastes good!" Hyouzou took a sip, but a clear-headed look appeared in his eyes.

The giant squid Fish-Man Ikaros, brandishing his spear, roared, "Dry them all! I'll dry them all!"

The Fish-Man Zeo crossed his arms and said, "Let these lowly people know the power of the nobles of Fish-Man Street."