305. Darkness

"What? Creating a new Marine division on Fish-Man Island? Does that not utterly disrespect our fish-men community?!"

Upon learning about Hody Jones, the fishmen around couldn't contain their furious outbursts.

"Jinbei, even if he joins the Marines, is he trying to turn all of Fish-Man Island into human subjects?"

"We won't stand for it!"

"Neptune just disregards our resentment towards humans!"

Most of these fishmen grew up as orphans in the chilly Fish-Man District, and harshness and darkness are their main values.

Moreover, considering the big picture, he doesn't understand a single character, and he's clueless about the critical situation on Fish-Man Island at the moment.

Upon hearing that the Marines were planning to set up a branch on Fish-Man Island, their immediate thought was that the whole island was going to become the Marine's backyard.

This could also be the initial move for the World Government to take over Fish-Man Island!

Simple mind, straightforward thinking.

"Don't worry, I won't let that happen."

Hody Jones cleared his throat, quite content with everyone's response.

This made him realize that the future of Fish-Man Island isn't just his personal struggle. If he, Hody Jones, were to meet his end, there would be thousands more Hody Joneses after him.

It's as he inherited the determination of Boss Arlong!!

Life may come to a halt, but the legacy of determination persists!!

"Boss Hody, what's your plan?" 

A cigar-smoking cookie-cutter shark, donning a helmet resembling that of an ancient oriental warrior, inquired with raised eyebrows, clearly furious.

"Hahaha! Of course, I have a plan. If they want to team up with the Marines, why not find a way to break their alliance?"

Hody Jones sneered, glancing at the fishmen around him, their attentive expressions filling him with pride. "What about that Otohime?"

"..."

The nearby fishmen were puzzled by this question. Weren't they discussing disrupting the ties between Neptune and the Marines? Why bring up Princess Otohime now?!

"It seems... she is good?"

A fishman cautiously and tentatively inquired.

"Good?!"

Hody Jones's eyes widened suddenly, glaring fiercely at the fishman who spoke.

"Ah, no, my bad. I misspoke. That Otohime is naturally quite irritating!"

Appearing somewhat intimidated by Hody Jones's gaze, the fishman swiftly corrected himself.

"Brother Hody, what do you mean..."

Gradually, other fishmen in the vicinity picked up on something amiss in Hody Jones's words and inquired in an uncertain tone, "Are you considering an attack on Princess Otohime?!"

"...However, even though many folks currently disapprove of Otohime's policies due to Tiger Boss's matters, her standing in the people's hearts remains high."

"If we take action against her, we might face an overwhelming backlash from the residents of Fish-Man Island, right?"

A more level-headed fishman calmly analyzed the situation.

The reputation Otohime has built on Fish-Man Island throughout the years is more formidable than they anticipated. It's presumed that even King Neptune and Jinbei fall slightly short.

"Hahahaha!! Naturally, we can't handle it alone!!"

Hody Jones stepped forward eagerly, his eyes turning scarlet.

"As long as we arrange for individuals to publicly kill Princess Otohime and then pin the blame on humans, I believe that even if Neptune and the others intend to align with the Marines, they'll never be able to do so under the rage of those foolish folks!!"

"Moreover, my plan goes far beyond that!"

It appears he's already envisioning the spectacular aftermath of a successful scheme. Hody Jones's face takes on a mad expression, especially when he contemplates the mysterious element concealed in Dragon Palace City.

"Boss Hody, what plan are you referring to?"

Observing that the fishmen around him seemed alarmed by Hody Jones's audacious plan, Doss furrowed his brow and inquired.

"It's a potent concoction! The kind of substance that can bestow formidable power upon people!! Only with its aid can the entire Fish-Man Island operate under the guidance of our will, and we, the fishmen, won't need to bow to humans. We can even turn against them."

"Poison? What's that?"

The fishman asked, wearing a puzzled expression.

"That's a treasure passed down since ancient times on Fish-Man Island. It can grant people powerful abilities swiftly. It's hidden somewhere in Ryugu Palace. If I hadn't stumbled upon it during my patrol, locating such a thing would have been quite challenging!!"

"But--"

Hody Jones suddenly brought his fierce face close to the fishman who had just asked the question and grinned, "This kind of power doesn't come without a cost. Once taken, is like striking a deal with the devil, providing strength while simultaneously claiming your life!!"

"Nevertheless, I am prepared to pay the price at any moment. Now that I've set foot on this path, I've accepted that I might lose my life!! Just like Boss Arlong!!"

"Yet, Ryugu Palace is heavily fortified. Even if, Boss Hody, you're intimately acquainted with the lay of the land in Ryugu Palace, breaking through the guards and successfully acquiring the poison seems like an impossible task, doesn't it?"

All the fishmen burst into laughter.

Faced with everyone's skepticism, Hody Jones didn't conceal his sneer. "Fools! Considering the influence of that Otohime on Fish-Man Island, her demise will undoubtedly cause a massive stir. The guards at Ryugu Castle will experience an unprecedented laxity."

"At that moment, as long as you blend in with the crowd and continue to fuel the chaos, I only need to sneak into the palace quietly and pilfer the poison."

"It can not only sever the ties between Fish-Man Island and the Marines but also successfully procure the poison. Kill two birds with one stone!!"

In the height of excitement, Hody Jones couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter.

"At that moment, we will personally stoke the fury of the entire nation, and the Marines will have no choice but to retreat from Fish-Man Island in despair!!"

"And with the aid of the poison, we will utterly defeat Neptune's army and genuinely unleash our vengeance upon this nation!!"

In front of a group of comrades, Hody Jones painted a vivid vision of the future without hesitation.

"What a brilliant plan! Fish-Man Island will truly be liberated!!"

"Uh oh——!! Uh oh——!!"

Upon hearing Hody Jones's vivid portrayal, all the fishmen couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter, seemingly immersed in the allure of the vision.

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