Chapter 100: Cleaning Up The Garbage
Under King Neptune and the others' explanations, Shirahoshi grasped the situation. While innocent, she wasn't naive. Her limited social interaction made her slightly uneasy, but she understood. A powerful entity sought her allegiance, and other threats loomed.
"I understand, Master Luo Ning," Shirahoshi spoke. "After I agree, can I visit the surface?"
Her yearning for the surface world mirrored her portrayal in the original story.
"Of course," Luo Ning readily agreed. "We all live on the surface after all. Naturally, you'll visit there in the future."
"Then I agree!" Shirahoshi declared simply, surprising everyone.
"Is that all it takes? Just a trip to the surface sways you? That's a little impulsive." Luo Ning remarked, slightly dumbfounded. Shirahoshi's youthful innocence and uncomplicated nature made her incredibly easy to persuade. He barely needed to try.
"In that case, King Neptune," Luo Ning continued, "Shirahoshi will become my subordinate from now on. I won't force her into anything, but as a member of my crew, I can offer certain benefits to Fishman Island."
"You'll be allowed to fly the Impel Down flag, but remember, it's solely for self-defense."
Luo Ning even provided a banner as a symbol of protection, arguably more effective than Whitebeard's.
"Truly? Then my deepest gratitude, Lord Luo Ning!" King Neptune bowed, his title shifting. Though not directly subordinate to Luo Ning, his daughter's affiliation placed him in that role.
Since Luo Ning wasn't a pirate, there was no conflict with Whitebeard's protection. The only point of contention was Jinbei's Shichibukai status. But realistically, the World Government offered Fishman Island no real protection anyway.
"This means I can finally shed my Shichibukai identity!" Jinbei declared with relief.
His reason for becoming a Shichibukai was to leverage the World Government's reputation for Fishman Island's benefit, even though it proved minimally effective. Now, a more potent solution emerged.
Moreover, Jinbei possessed a far more admirable character design than the newly minted Shichibukai. Jinbei understood loyalty and defied unjust rules. Perhaps the title "Old Jinbei of the Four Emperors" would be more fitting?
"Free from the World Government, you can join Impel Down. Of course, the Fishman Island prisoners there will remain incarcerated for their crimes," Luo Ning clarified. Jinbei remained his preferred candidate; he saw no need for further recruitment.
Jinbei, unsurprisingly, readily agreed. Joining Impel Down held a certain prestige – a force many aspired to enter but few could. Only those personally invited by Luo Ning gained access. This exclusivity further elevated Impel Down's reputation.
Jinbei's acceptance came without reservations, though it applied only to him. His subordinates wouldn't be included.
However, his new affiliation would naturally extend protection to his subordinates.
"Speaking of which," Luo Ning announced, creating several clones before departing from the Hard-Shell Tower.
"Huh?" The group watched Luo Ning's clones disappear with furrowed brows.
"Aside from Vander Decken IX, there are a few other figures on Fishman Island who require attention," Luo Ning explained. "Hody Jones, for example."
Jinbei and the others' expressions darkened at the mention of that name. They harbored a deep disdain for Hody Jones, who resembled Arlong in personality. Hody held a strong prejudice against humans, believing them to be inferior and advocating for war between Fishman Island and humanity. Such a path was clearly unsustainable, and Jinbei, a Shichibukai, was Hody's most despised figure – a supposed "dog" of humanity.
"Did he cause you trouble?" Jinbei questioned, bewildered. They shared a strong animosity towards Hody Jones.
"Not directly," Luo Ning clarified, "but he did provoke you. Remember how Queen Otohime died?"
His words sent a shockwave through the Fishman onlookers.
"Wasn't Queen Otohime killed by humans?" Jinbei stammered, a sense of confusion washing over him. Was there something he was missing?
"Shirahoshi," Luo Ning said, directing his attention to the mermaid princess, "tell them. It's time for the truth to come out. Don't forget, Queen Otohime was your mother. Even if you seek peace, Hody Jones must be held accountable!"
After Luo Ning spoke, Shirahoshi, under the watchful eyes of King Neptune and the others, revealed what she knew from back then.
"Damn it! It turns out that Hody Jones, that bastard, was behind it! I won't let him get away with this!"
Fury erupted from the accompanying princes, Fukaboshi and the others. They originally believed Queen Otohime was killed by humans, only to learn now that she was slain by one of their own. This internal conflict, this fighting amongst themselves, was utterly outrageous!
"My clones will bring them all here," Luo Ning declared. "Then you can settle this matter yourselves."
Whether it was Vander Decken IX or Hody Jones and his crew, they were all beyond redemption. Luo Ning wouldn't even consider sending them to Impel Down. Undoubtedly, they would face a fate worse than death there.
However, this was an internal matter of Fishman Island, and he wouldn't interfere excessively.
Luo Ning's clone soon arrived with a rather disheveled figure – none other than Vander Decken IX. The man was utterly drained of energy. Luo Ning's clone had forced him to ingest a large amount of seawater, rendering him powerless to resist.
Upon finding himself deposited at the Hard-Shell Tower, Vander Decken IX was stunned. The prospect of his own arrest had never crossed his mind.
"He's in your hands," Luo Ning announced as he deactivated one of his clones.
King Neptune glared at the lifeless Vander Decken IX sprawled at his feet, a surge of murderous intent welling up within him. This wretched man was the reason his daughter had been forced to live a secluded life for so long.
Fukaboshi and his other sons didn't waste any time, immediately launching into a brutal beating of Vander Decken IX. They only stopped after the man lay there whimpering, fearing they might go too far and traumatize Shirahoshi with excessive violence. Otherwise, they wouldn't have hesitated to beat him to death.