Chapter 22: Itachi's Strategy
When Itachi finished describing the chaos spreading across Fishman Island, Jinbe slowly sank to the seafloor, his expression unreadable.
Luffy had relaxed somewhat upon seeing Zoro and the others safe—but Shirahoshi's tears flowed anew.
"Father... my brothers are all there!" Her voice trembled. "I have to go to them! I HAVE to!"
Her sobs, combined with Itachi's report of the island's destruction, tightened the knot in Luffy's chest once more.
"HEY, JINBE!" Luffy's voice cracked with frustration. "I don't understand what you're DOING!"
"You idiot! You BAKA! What are you thinking?! Why won't you let me fight that Hody bastard?!"
"I TOLD YOU NOT TO GO!" Jinbe shot back, his own temper flaring. "How many times must I say it?! If you fight now, you'll only deepen the hatred between humans and fish-men!"
"Everything we've worked for—EVERYTHING—will be destroyed!"
His gaze shifted to Shirahoshi, sharp and commanding. "That includes YOU, Princess. You absolutely cannot go."
"Hody's targets definitely include you!"
Shirahoshi flinched under his fierce stare. "B-Boss Jinbe..."
While they argued, Nami quickly briefed Robin and Itachi on the situation—the centuries of hatred between humans and fish-men, the delicate peace Jinbe and Queen Otohime had fought for, and Jinbe's seemingly contradictory behavior.
"It's... complicated," Nami finished. "Jinbe has his own position. His own considerations."
Itachi absorbed the information silently, then nodded. "Understood."
He turned the question back on her. "And what is OUR position? YOUR position?"
The deliberate separation of himself from the crew was subtle but unmistakable.
"We..." Nami hesitated. "We want to help Fishman Island. But you saw Jinbe. He won't let us."
Itachi's gaze drifted to the arguing pair—Jinbe and Luffy, locked in stubborn deadlock.
"You clearly didn't get enough earlier!" Luffy was rolling up his sleeves.
"The old man thinks the same! You need another lesson!" Jinbe's veins bulged with fury.
Itachi spoke. Quietly. Clearly.
"Jinbe."
Jinbe's head snapped toward the unfamiliar voice. "WHO—"
He stopped. His eyes met Itachi's—calm, depthless, utterly unreadable.
"By the time you two finish fighting," Itachi said evenly, "the mermaid princess's father will likely have been executed."
Jinbe's blood ran cold. Beside him, Shirahoshi's sobs hitched.
"Who ARE you?" A bead of sweat traced down Jinbe's temple.
Itachi ignored the question, turning instead to Luffy. "This Jinbe seems deeply concerned about his people. He doesn't want you involved."
His tone remained perfectly neutral. "Since he doesn't want interference, why are you so determined to provide it?"
"Itachi!" Luffy's voice carried a note of reproach. "Don't say that! Jinbe's my friend, I—"
"But hasn't he been stopping you?" Itachi gestured minimally toward Jinbe. "With him here, can you successfully rescue the princess's father?"
He turned and walked toward the Sunny, his back to them.
"I imagine Jinbe has his own plan. He's a fish-man of this island. He knows its complexities. He probably has everything under control."
Itachi paused, half-turning.
"Luffy. Don't be sentimental."
His final words landed like stones in still water:
"It seems Jinbe and Fishman Island don't need us."
The silence that followed was absolute.
Jinbe's anger evaporated, replaced by something far worse—panic.
Everyone's eyes shifted to him.
"Jinbe." Nami's voice was sharp with sudden understanding. "What ARE you thinking? You won't let Luffy rescue Shirahoshi's father, but you're not acting yourself. What's your plan?!"
"Yeah, Jinbe!" Luffy demanded. "Have you lost your mind?!"
"Boss Jinbe..." Shirahoshi's tear-streaked face turned toward him, her trust visibly wavering.
Jinbe was sweating now. Dripping with it.
Robin watched the scene unfold, a small smile playing at her lips. She murmured to Itachi: "A masterful retreat to advance. You've put all the pressure on Jinbe—now he must either explain himself or admit he needs us."
Behind her, Nami flashed Itachi a surreptitious thumbs-up.
After a long, agonizing moment, Jinbe sat cross-legged on the seafloor. His fists clenched and unclenched. Beside him, Hatchan lay wounded, watching his old captain with anxious eyes.
Finally, Jinbe spoke.
"Hatchan. You haven't said who wounded you all this time." His voice was heavy. "But I know. It was Hody and his crew."
Hatchan trembled uncontrollably. "BOSS JINBE!"
Luffy's eyes widened. Hody had done THIS to Hatchan? His anger toward the fish-man deepened further.
Jinbe closed his eyes.
"The truth is... I know what Hody intends. He doesn't just hate humans—he hates any fish-man who befriends them. He's organized, systematic."
His jaw tightened. "That's why..."
He opened his eyes. Looked at Luffy.
And KNEELED.
"LUFFY!"
Jinbe's massive form bowed before the Straw Hat captain. "I believe you and your crew won't abandon Fishman Island! That's why—THAT'S WHY I NEED THE STRAW HATS' HELP!"
"JINBE!" Luffy was completely thrown. "Then why were you stopping me?!"
The corner of Itachi's mouth lifted—barely perceptible, but there.
Jinbe raised his head. "My plan requires you Straw Hats to appear as HEROES!"
"Heroes?!" The crew exchanged confused glances.
Luffy shook his head vigorously. "Heroes? Only idiots want to be heroes."
Jinbe's jaw dropped. "What's WRONG with being a hero?!"
Luffy explained with impeccable logic: "Heroes share meat with strangers. They make sure everyone eats. But I won't do that—I won't give meat to outsiders. So I don't want to be a hero."
Everyone tilted their heads in unison.
Luffy glanced at Zoro. "Zoro. Would you share your sake with a stranger?"
Zoro's eyebrow rose. "I don't follow your logic, but... no. Absolutely not."
"YOU TWO HAVE THE SAME BRAIN CELLS!" Usopp shrieked.
Jinbe looked thoroughly lost.
Itachi exhaled quietly and turned back to face them.
"Your plan."
Jinbe blinked. "Eh... what?"
"State your plan."
Itachi's eyes remained calm, depthless, seeing.
When Jinbe met that gaze, a chill ran through him. This man—this quiet, watchful man—had already seen through everything. Every consideration. Every fear. Every hope.
There was nowhere to hide.
(End of Chapter)
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