"There's absolutely no need for that! That kind of thing!"
Sanji yelled at Jinbe, his face full of helplessness. Seriously, stop wasting time on these meaningless things, alright!
Everyone quickly split up and took action.
Orochimaru's progress was exceptionally smooth. As soon as he arrived at Ryugu Kingdom, he saw three people and a Starfish who had already rescued themselves. He picked them up and headed straight to the plaza to rendezvous.
At the same time, Luffy's side also managed to proceed according to plan.
After hearing Shirahoshi's tearful plea, Luffy somewhat violently burst out of Mekaro's body. Following that, Second Gear activated, and Luffy delivered a steaming kick, heavily striking Hody Jones and sending him crashing into the wall.
Thick smoke and dust rose around them due to the immense force.
When everyone from the sunny arrived at the plaza, they were met with a dense crowd of enemies.
Papagu saw Luffy and excitedly leaped from the ship, landing in Luffy's arms.
He then ceaselessly complained about those three, saying that if it weren't for his quick thinking, they would have long lost their lives.
At this moment, after Luffy kicked Hody Jones away, the group gathered together, chatting and catching up enthusiastically.
Orochimaru subtly sent out a Shadow Clone, which quietly departed.
The Shadow Clone carried a carefully prepared potion and, taking advantage of the pervasive smoke and dust, secretly approached the Fishman who was caught off guard due to his carelessness—after all, how could the arrogant Hody Jones pay any attention to a snake.
Luffy probably thought he had already dealt with this enemy.
The Shadow Clone Orochimaru acted at top speed, injecting the potion into Hody Jones's body.
This was Orochimaru's special anesthetic, capable of instantly knocking out Sea Kings (unscientific product, please do not scrutinize), making it an essential item for home travel! And for kidnapping people.
Moreover, this isn't human, and it didn't speak = dead fish, collectible.
Anyway, Hody Jones's ultimate fate was to become an Old Man due to the side effects of the potent drug, imprisoned for life. Why not dedicate himself to his scientific endeavors?
Furthermore, Vander Decken is also gone, the noah won't be thrown over, Luffy won't destroy the ark, Shirahoshi won't summon Sea Kings, so the remaining matters are meaningless.
Shirahoshi's ability will naturally be guided by Queen Otohime once she revives, so there's no need to trouble Luffy with it.
He truly is a considerate snake.
Hody Jones was already playing dead on the ground from Luffy's punch, smugly thinking about the potency of the potent drug. But this sudden, powerful potion instantly made his vision go black, leaving him unable to move.
Orochimaru's Shadow Clone, taking advantage of the smoke's concealment, quickly performed a sealing jutsu, properly sealing him away, and then dispelled himself with a satisfied smile.
After all, a Fishman who gains great strength by taking drugs is a rare treasure for Orochimaru.
At this moment, Orochimaru was being gently held in Shirahoshi's palm. After receiving the Shadow Clone's memories, his face was beaming with a happy smile as he patiently watched the noisy crowd around him, as if all this commotion had nothing to do with him.
Shirahoshi looked at the person in her palm, a little puzzled.
"Is Lord Orochimaru very happy?"
Orochimaru stroked Shirahoshi's head. "Yes."
Chopper blinked his eyes, looking at the group of Fishmen, feeling that something was off.
"Strange... their Captain was clearly defeated by Luffy, so why are these people so calm?"
Robin also frowned, looking at that group of things.
"It's really... very strange."
Nami approached Shirahoshi, handed her the Celestial Dragons' letter, and said softly,
"Keep this safe. This is a letter from the Celestial Dragons."
Shirahoshi carefully took it with both hands, her face full of joy.
"Thank you all so much. This was left to us by my mother, it's the hope of Fish-Man Island."
Luffy put his hands on his hips, speaking with a hint of complaint.
"But, coward Star, it was really too dangerous just now."
Jinbe nodded in agreement beside him: "Indeed, Princess Shirahoshi's capture was completely unexpected. The original plan was for her to escape alone."
Shirahoshi was a little surprised to hear Luffy's address. She gently placed Orochimaru on the ground and turned to look at Luffy:
"Lord Luffy, what did you just call me? You always called me a coward."
Luffy had a brilliant smile on his face.
"Hmm... although I'm not entirely sure about the specifics, you're not as cowardly as I previously thought, and your strength is also very great, so from now on, I'll call you coward Star."
Robin looked at Shirahoshi, her eyes full of admiration.
"Experiencing a tragic ordeal, and then hating the other party and venting anger, anyone can do that, just like that idiotic man who insulted you."
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru stumbled back a step, suddenly feeling a pain in his chest, as if he had been struck by an arrow.
Nami gently stroked Shirahoshi's tail and looked up, saying: "But to be able to endure that hatred and keep a secret alone, a coward could never do that."
"That's right, Princess Shirahoshi has indeed suffered these past years," Jinbe echoed.
Shirahoshi lowered her head slightly, apologizing in a somewhat subdued tone: "I'm very sorry, it's all my fault for keeping these secrets hidden in my heart."
Jinbe's tone was very solemn as he looked up at Shirahoshi.
"What does it matter? You are perfect just as you are.
Not letting resentment continue is the wish of great people.
This idea, inherited by the Princess, will sprout and one day spread throughout the entire island.
When everyone can think like you, all conflicts will surely disappear.
The rift between Fishman and humans will also vanish, won't it?
This tiny sprout that you have desperately protected day after day, let us protect it now."
As Jinbe's words fell, everyone looked at Shirahoshi with smiles.
Shirahoshi pursed her lips, on the verge of tears.
Seeing this, Orochimaru patted Shirahoshi's arm.
"Hold it in. Cry when Queen Otohime revives."
And the Fishman on the land above the plaza also seemed to be infected by this atmosphere, excitedly urging Luffy and the others to eliminate those New Fishman Pirates.
And everyone also realized the current situation, looking in the direction of the New Fishman Pirate Crew, ready to attack at any moment.
However, as time quietly passed, the members of the New Fishman Pirate Crew initially continued to feign composure, as if Hody Jones's disappearance had no impact on them whatsoever.
However, after five minutes, the smiles on some Fishman's faces began to become strained, and their eyes subtly revealed unease and doubt.
Ten minutes flew by, the pervasive smoke and dust had long dissipated, and they finally couldn't hold back, all turning to look at the large pit Luffy had created during their previous battle.
The pit was empty; there was no trace of Hody Jones.
Everyone exchanged glances, their faces showing expressions of disbelief, and then their gazes fixated blankly on that spot.
A moment later, someone weakly said, "Captain Hody? Did he run away...?"
This voice echoed in the silent plaza, sounding particularly abrupt, and plunged the New Fishman Pirate Crew into deeper confusion and panic.
Meanwhile, Luffy and the others tilted their heads in confusion, wondering why this situation felt so familiar.
⊙(・◇・)?
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