"Well, look who's here! The high-and-mighty royals have actually deigned to visit our Fish-Man District!!!"
As soon as Xie Wen and the others drew near, someone in the Fish-Man District shouted sarcastically.
At his call, large numbers of Fish-Men emerged from every corner, most of them staring at Fukaboshi and his brothers with hostile expressions.
"What brings Your Noble Highnesses to our Fish-Man District?"
After giving Shirahoshi, Xie Wen, and the others beside them a curious glance, the Fish-Man who had spoken first continued to taunt Fukaboshi with pointed sarcasm.
But Fukaboshi, who wanted to avenge his mother, had little patience for idle chatter. He asked grimly, "Where is Hody Jones?!"
The moment Fukaboshi spoke, the Fish-Man facing him and some of the nearby onlookers all grew wary.
"What do the royals want with Boss Hody?"
"I told you, Hody and his gang kept preaching hatred of humans. Sooner or later, they'd be made to answer for it!"
"Helping humans deal with their own people? The royals really are just as Hody said. They lost their dignity long ago!"
"Just think about Queen Otohime! She wanted to live in peace with humans, only to be murdered by one!"
Noisy discussion rose around them. Although not every Fish-Man in the Fish-Man District agreed with Hody Jones's extreme views, they had even less affection for humans and the royal family.
"Enough!" Fukaboshi angrily cut off their discussion and demanded again, "Tell me! Where is Hody Jones?!"
Seemingly unused to seeing Fukaboshi so furious, the noisy Fish-Men around them soon quieted down. Before long, however, they went right back to how they had been, paying no heed to his words whatsoever.
Watching from the side, Xie Wen's mouth twitched. Fukaboshi had practically no authority as a prince in the Fish-Man District. No wonder