Werther understood at last: the Dragon People had brought her to this Island.
"Then how have you lived for two hundred years? An ordinary mermaid couldn't possibly live that long."
The woman smiled eerily.
"Those Dragon People trapped me in the underground hot spring. I couldn't leave to find food.
"When I was on the verge of starving, I developed an ability I called Blood of Desire. It lets me absorb the blood of humans I've enchanted.
"Later, I discovered that it not only gave me plenty of energy but also slowed my aging. If you hadn't come to this Island, I could have lived for hundreds more years."
"But none of that matters now. Humans live only a few decades. When he dies, I'll follow him. I drank those people's blood only because I had no choice."
Werther regarded the mermaid with interest, then gave a cold laugh.
"You're lying. I don't believe those Dragon People kept you trapped here for over a century. Once their search failed, they would've left. Who would seal off this place forever over one slave? There'd be no point. They probably thought you'd escaped.
"And that ability does more than keep you alive and slow your aging, doesn't it? It gives you other feelings too. Why else would you stay on this Island? It's become your hunting ground. Am I right?"
The mermaid stared at Werther impassively and gave a cold laugh of her own.
"Except for him, humans are food."
Aokiji and Garp looked even more troubled. They had felt some sympathy for the Fish-Man, but this reversal was enough to give them whiplash.
"I think I've got the gist of it. You made that Rainbow Powder with your ability too, didn't you?
"And this Town Chief surprises me. You hate humans