No. 302: Arrival

"...Don't worry. I just received word from the Marines. Marine Admiral White Hou is already on his way to Fish-Man Island."

Jinbe's eyes flickered. Big Mom's name hadn't frightened him.

Atlas couldn't remain on Fish-Man Island forever, but once he and the Marines put that plan into motion, things would change.

Not only would relations between Fish-Man Island and humans ease, but the island would also gain more ties to cushion its dealings with the World Government.

Besides, the Marines had just crushed the Whitebeard Pirates. Their sheer might would surely give that woman pause.

"White Hou... the young Marine who defeated Newgate?"

Neptune looked uncertain. As though something had occurred to him, he fixed Jinbe with a stare and said,

"I heard he had something to do with Fisher Tiger's capture. If so, how does he feel about Fish-Man Island...?"

"Where did you hear that? I thought the papers said Admiral Kizaru planned the whole thing himself."

Jinbe's heart sank, but his expression didn't change.

He distinctly remembered that Aladdin and the others had kept watch over the former members of Arlong's Crew as soon as they were released from Impel Down. Word couldn't have leaked out.

Unless...

"I only heard someone say it in passing. I can't even remember where, hahaha!"

Neptune laughed and put the matter out of his mind.

He trusted that Jinbe would never do anything to harm Fish-Man Island.

"..."

Jinbe's expression stiffened, then relief washed over him.

Neptune's stern look had nearly made him forget that the man loved riding Hoé around Fish-Man Island. He could easily have picked up some gossip along the way.

"You can rest assured. Admiral White Hou may stand with the Marines, but as a human, he holds no prejudice against Fish-Men."

Jinbe seemed to recall his conversation