"Captain Hody, do we really need to avoid him? The sea is our territory—we fish-men rule these waters!"
Inside the hall, Dosun—the hammer-wielding hammerhead fish-man—asked in a muffled, rumbling voice. He truly couldn't understand his captain's decisions.
Venting water, keeping a low profile—none of this fit their usual style. He looked at Hody Jones with clear confusion in his eyes.
"That Thunder God is, at best, just a human who ate a Devil Fruit~"
"Idiot, that's exactly why we can't be careless! And besides, Jinbe is on Fish-Man Island right now. The captain's approach is the safest option."
Hearing this, Ikaros Much immediately shot back.
Wearing a steel helmet and gripping six long spears, he shot Dosun a sideways glare. The big oaf really spoke without thinking.
Did he really believe they were invincible just because they were in the sea? Naive!
Setting aside Jinbe's influence on Fish-Man Island, his personal strength alone was terrifying.
If Jinbe agreed to help, the Thunder God would very likely come after them.
They'd heard that man was the kind who never let grudges go!
Listening to the argument between his two subordinates, Hody Jones, seated on the sofa, darkened slightly as he muttered under his breath:
"Jinbe…"
That guy had secretly returned to Fish-Man Island as well—and with him was 'Fire Fist' Ace from the Whitebeard Pirates.
Their secrecy had been flawless. If not for Decken causing trouble, they'd still be completely in the dark.
But no matter what they were planning, it wasn't something Hody's group could afford to provoke right now.
The New Fish-Man Pirates were still in the phase of accumulating power. It was far too early to expose themselves.
"Tell everyone below to lie low for now. Once this period passes—"
"And what happens after this period passes?"
Before Hody Jones could finish, a mocking voice abruptly echoed through the hall, cutting him off.
As the voice rang out, the seawater inside the hall was rapidly forced away.
In no time at all, the entire hall was filled with a massive air bubble.
"Who's there?!"
Hody Jones' heart skipped a beat. He sprang to his feet, his eyes sweeping the room.
The officers beside him moved instantly, drawing their weapons and scanning their surroundings.
And at that moment, everyone realized—there was suddenly a human figure standing in the corner!
He casually tossed aside a gigantic bubble coral and walked step by step toward the main seat.
When they finally saw his face clearly, the hall erupted into chaos as eyes widened in terror.
"Th-Thunder God?!"
"Why is the hero of Fish-Man Island here?!"
"It's over…"
"We didn't provoke him, right? Maybe…"
"..."
The newcomer was none other than Leno.
To avoid any complications, he'd found an excuse after the banquet and headed straight for Fish-Man Street.
As he advanced, the crowd instinctively parted, all staring at the sudden arrival of this terrifyingly important figure.
Whispers filled the air, but no one dared speak aloud.
The instant Hody Jones recognized Leno, his pupils shrank violently. His body trembled despite himself.
Cold sweat slid silently down his cheek.
Leno was really here—and far sooner than expected!
As Leno drew closer, Hody swallowed hard several times, a plan flashing through his mind in an instant.
Play dumb!
Hody Jones stepped forward, letting out two dry laughs before speaking loudly:
"So it's the hero of Fish-Man Island—Lord Leno! Welcome, welcome~"
He glanced at the man towering over him, struggling to keep the fake smile on his face.
Leno didn't even spare him a look.
He strode right past Hody, walked over to the only sofa in the hall, and dropped into it.
He even crossed his legs—his attitude arrogantly overbearing.
Seeing himself completely ignored, anger flickered in Hody Jones' eyes, though he quickly suppressed it.
After signaling to those around him, he stepped closer and bowed slightly.
"May I ask what brings Lord Leno to our humble place?"
His tone was far more natural now, his attitude noticeably respectful.
"If there's anything we can help with, please don't hesitate to ask!"
There was no helping it—strength decided everything!
From the oppressive pressure he felt standing face to face, Hody knew one thing for certain:
This Thunder God was terrifyingly strong.
Stronger than anyone he'd ever encountered.
Any hidden schemes he'd harbored were completely cast aside.
Now he only prayed that Leno wasn't here to cause trouble—and that he could be sent away as soon as possible.
As his thoughts raced, the man on the sofa looked around the hall and suddenly asked something baffling:
"Is everyone here?"
Hearing this, a chill crept into Hody Jones' heart, but he answered honestly:
"That's right. Our little group was only recently established. Everyone's here right now~"
"Mm, good~"
Leno nodded, then seemed to recall something. He looked up at Hody Jones, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.
"I heard you're planning to seize Ryugu Palace and take over Fish-Man Island. Is that true?"
"?!!!"
The hall fell into dead silence.
The fish-men stared back and forth between their captain and Leno in sheer shock.
Rebellion.
That was the first thought that flashed through their minds.
Though they were used to acting lawlessly, they'd never even imagined something like that.
Was their captain really thinking this? Or was the Thunder God joking?
Hody Jones' eyes shook violently as he stared at Leno in disbelief.
He had entertained the idea—but according to his plans, it would take years before anything like that could happen.
He'd never spoken of it to anyone.
This Thunder God… was downright eerie!
Fortunately, he reacted quickly. Regaining his composure, he waved his hands frantically, feigning shock.
"Don't joke like that, Lord Leno! I've never had such thoughts!"
"Is that so?"
Leno slowly stood up, his gaze locking onto Hody Jones as he continued in a low, chilling tone:
"Didn't that thought already exist when you murdered Queen Otohime?"
"What?! H-how do you know that…?"
A panicked cry rang out.
Hody Jones staggered back several steps, his face turning deathly pale as he stared at Leno in disbelief.
The secret he'd hidden for so many years—exposed just like that.
His mind went blank for a split second, then snapped back to reality.
Run!
He had to run—far away!
Before more people learned the truth, he had to get out of here.
As long as he reached the sea, Leno wouldn't be able to touch him.
His body moved with his thoughts.
Like a bolt of lightning, Hody Jones shot toward the entrance.
As he was about to burst through the bubble and dive into the sea, the corners of his mouth curled upward.
As long as he reached the sea, there was hope!
As long as—
Just as he envisioned his future, a voice beside him sent his heart plunging into the abyss.
"Kowai ne~ Fish-men really are frighteningly fast!"
"?!!!"
…
…