"What?! What did you just say?!"
Hody Jones's body nearly sprang up as he strode over to the Fish-Man before him.
Grabbing the man by the collar, he lifted him straight up to eye level, his voice filled with disbelief. "Say that again!"
The Fish-Man being held swallowed hard, terror in his eyes as he looked at his captain. His lips trembled as he spoke:
"Lord Vander Decken has been killed. Ryugu Palace has already posted the announcement. I-it was done by the Thunder God!"
The moment the words fell, the entire hall erupted in an uproar.
Members leaned toward one another, whispering in hushed voices.
"How is that possible? That was…"
"The captain of the ghost ship?"
"…Even hiding in the deep sea wasn't enough to escape him? That's terrifying~"
"..."
"The Thunder God?" Hody Jones casually tossed the Fish-Man aside, then returned to the sofa in a daze and dropped into it.
After a long moment, he suddenly raised his head. His vertical pupils, brimming with savage light, swept across everyone present as he roared in fury:
"When did he arrive on Fish-Man Island? Why did no one notify me?!"
"C-captain… Ryugu Palace sealed off the information earlier, so…"
The Fish-Man who had been thrown to the ground glanced around nervously. Gritting his teeth, he finally spoke in a low voice.
The instant he finished, the temperature around him plummeted.
When he looked up, he saw Hody Jones's cold, bloodthirsty eyes had already turned toward him at some point.
"What other information is there? Say it all!"
"Y-yes! Based on Ryugu Palace's movements, the Thunder God hasn't been on Fish-Man Island for long. Earlier, he even had a brief clash with Ace of the Whitebeard Pirates."
Already kneeling on the ground, the Fish-Man poured out all the intelligence he had just gathered.
Hody Jones looked absolutely terrifying right now. Having followed him for so long, this was the first time he had ever seen his captain like this!
"Hoo~" Letting out a long breath, Hody Jones leaned back against the sofa and slowly closed his eyes.
"So that's how it is! In that case, everything makes sense now~"
He recalled how he had once explained his plan to everyone. Hammond and the others had probably kept it in mind.
During their patrol, they ran into the Thunder God's group and acted on their own initiative—only to get captured or killed?
A bunch of idiots. They hadn't made full preparations before provoking a powerful enemy. They got themselves killed and even dragged everyone else down with them.
At that thought, Hody Jones suddenly opened his eyes and issued an order:
"Immediately vent all the air out of Noah. Not a single bubble is to remain!"
"Captain?"
The short-statured Daruma looked at Hody Jones in confusion. Why was he acting so jumpy all of a sudden?
This base had been chosen since they were young. It had never leaked its location.
Outsiders couldn't possibly find it—certainly not some Thunder God.
"Idiot. Of course we're doing this to refuse the Thunder God's visit!"
The chameleon Fish-Man, Zeo, seated at the other end of the sofa, spoke up at this moment. His arms were crossed, his expression proud.
As if, without their permission, no one could ever enter Noah.
Hody Jones glanced at the companions beside him, friends he had grown up with. The corner of his mouth curled slightly as he spoke with faint disdain:
"What Thunder God? In the end, he's just a lowly creature that can't even breathe underwater~"
"Keh keh keh… When the time comes, we'll drag him into the sea and chew his flesh to pieces!"
As if finally realizing something, Daruma began hopping up and down like a frog in excitement.
In his mind, he had already come up with a hundred and eight ways to eat the Thunder God. Drool unconsciously leaked from the corner of his mouth.
Seeing that his companions' expressions hadn't changed much, Hody Jones nodded to himself.
As long as they weren't frightened by a name alone, it would be fine. Otherwise, the challenges ahead would only grow worse.
As seawater surged back into the hall, the tension in Hody Jones's face finally eased a little.
On the surface, he showed extreme disdain toward Leno, but in his heart, he was wary of him to the utmost degree.
This hero, spoken of in the same breath as Fisher Tiger—Hody Jones had been hearing his name since childhood.
He had once thought about trying to recruit him. Now, that was clearly impossible.
Since they were already enemies, the only option was to do everything possible to tarnish his image in the hearts of the Fish-Men.
What's more, this guy had killed quite a few Fish-Men. The group led by his idol, Big Brother Arlong, had been killed by him!
If this information was used properly, stirring up a war with humans would be child's play.
...
"Indeed, it was child's play. Hardly any effort at all."
Leno took a light sip of fruit wine, then nodded toward Neptune across from him.
Honestly, someone like Vander Decken could be beaten until he was crawling on the ground by Chopper alone.
"No matter what, Lord Leno truly helped us immensely this time!"
Neptune's face was lit with joy as he repeatedly clinked glasses with Leno. Ever since receiving the news, the smile on his face had never faded.
"It's been so many years—today is the happiest day of my life! My daughter will finally no longer have to live in fear!"
"Father, this is all thanks to Lord Leno~"
Beside the table, Shirahoshi held a wine jug and continuously poured drinks for Leno. Her cheeks were flushed red, and her eyes blinked as if they could speak.
At this moment, the eldest prince, Fukaboshi, who was accompanying them at a nearby table, suddenly spoke up as he looked at Neptune.
"Father, shouldn't we properly thank Lord Leno?"
"Absolutely! Lord Leno may ask for anything he desires. As long as Ryugu Palace has it, he may take it!"
Holding a massive wine gourd, Neptune waved his hand grandly and made the promise with great generosity.
What could possibly be more important than his daughter's life? Moreover, Leno was the benefactor of Fish-Man Island.
No reward would be excessive!
Leno truly didn't care much about it. Besides, he lacked nothing at the moment. He casually waved his hand and said:
"You're being too polite. I didn't really—"
"Really? King Neptune?"
Before Leno could finish refusing, he was directly interrupted by Nami, who had just returned from shopping.
She dumped the large bundles she was carrying onto Leno, then stepped up to Neptune, rubbing her hands together with a radiant smile.
"Then can I go take a look at your treasure vault?"
"Of course! Even if you take the entire vault with you, that's fine!"
Neptune looked down at Nami, froze for a moment, then replied indifferently.
They were just external possessions anyway. He didn't really have any use for them.
If Leno and the others liked them, he might as well give them all away!
"That's great! Thank you so much! ( $ _ $ )"
"..."
…
…