Chapter 188: Who Threw the Axes?
Disguised and aboard a massive flounder equipped with a large bubble for transporting passengers, the group made their way to Ryugu Palace.
Upon arrival, Jack stood alone inside the flounder's bubble, watching the others roam freely through the water-filled halls of the palace. A strange pang of envy crept up his chest.
Once they reached the banquet hall, the flounder's bubble rapidly expanded until it encompassed the entire room. It was then that King Neptune entered, accompanied by an excited-looking merman.
If it weren't for the long fishtail below his torso, Jack might have mistaken him for a human. Like Jack, the merman bore no distinctly obvious Fishman traits.
"Brother!"
"Den!"
Tom and his younger brother, Den, embraced tightly. Despite the heartwarming scene, Jack couldn't help but suddenly feel like playing basketball.
"Jack-san…"
King Neptune approached Jack and asked softly, "Is what you just said true? Is the World Government really trying to kill Tom-san?"
"Ah, it's true, of course."
Jack raised his head reluctantly, meeting Neptune's serious gaze.
"Tom-san holds secrets that the World Government wants. If his whereabouts are exposed…" Jack paused briefly before continuing, "It wouldn't matter much to the Beasts Pirates, but as for Fish-Man Island..."
"I don't think I need to spell it out for you."
"...Sigh."
King Neptune nodded, letting out a weary sigh. "Ever since Queen Otohime's death, our people's hatred for humans has only deepened. Although we've managed to temporarily pacify them, that hatred won't simply disappear."
"The island's residents are extremely restless. Many Fish-Men now believe humans are inherently untrustworthy, and their attitudes toward humans have grown increasingly hostile. Some even wish to join the Beasts Pirates, hoping to use your strength to destroy humanity altogether."
"So, during this period, if Fish-Men express interest in joining your crew, you'd best be cautious."
With arms crossed, Jack scoffed dismissively. "Don't worry about that. No matter their attitude, anyone who wants to join us must first pass a strict test of character!"
"The Beasts Pirates may be powerful, but we don't tolerate lunatics. And when it comes to recruiting Fish-Men, our standards are even stricter—only the best qualify to join us!"
Tch! One drunken fool on the crew is bad enough. Now we're supposed to accept racist maniacs too? There's no way King would put up with that nonsense.
Hearing Jack's response, Neptune breathed a sigh of relief. Still, a flicker of concern crossed his face as he continued, "About the war between your Beasts Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates… Jinbe and I have chosen to remain neutral.
"I hope you don't misunderstand us. Whitebeard has done much for us—he's protecting Fish-Man Island even now…"
"Don't worry. As you said, Fish-Man Island is under Whitebeard's protection, and Kaido-sama has no issue with that."
"However…" Jack's gaze shifted to Tom-san, who was engrossed in conversation with his brother. His voice turned icy.
"Tom-san is of great importance to the Beasts Pirates. Fish-Man Island can't protect him. Not even the Whitebeard Pirates would risk opposing the World Government for his sake."
"So…"
Feeling the palpable killing intent in Jack's words, beads of sweat formed on Neptune's forehead, dripping to the floor.
"Hahaha! Relax!" Jack suddenly laughed. "The food is here. Let's enjoy the banquet!"
Jack and his companions indulged in food and drink, oblivious to Neptune's unease. Whether it was Jack, who had left Fish-Man Island at a young age, or Findle and the others who had lived there for years, their ties to Ryugu Palace were tenuous at best.
After eating their fill, they refrained from joining Neptune's conversation and instead focused on the music performance on the shell stage. For a moment, the atmosphere seemed harmonious.
But Jack, sensing something amiss, activated his Observation Haki to scan the palace. A faint vibration reached his awareness—not particularly strong, but enough to make him frown.
Clang.
Clang.
The rhythmic tremors he perceived through his Haki made him open his eyes, fixing Neptune with a sharp stare.
"King Neptune! Is there something you're not telling me? What's happening in that direction?" Jack pointed toward the source of the disturbance.
"What?!"
Neptune's face paled as he leapt to his feet and dashed out of the banquet hall.
The others exchanged confused looks before following suit, Jack included.
Neptune's urgency was clear—his large frame moved swiftly through the water, his long chest hair flowing like a wild current. Had Jack not locked onto Neptune with his Observation Haki, he might have struggled to keep up.
When Jack finally caught up, he found Neptune standing tensely beside a large door.
On the ground beneath the door lay several massive axes.
"Oi, King Neptune?" Jack called out, gesturing toward the marks on the door. "What's going on here?"
"Whoosh…"
"Jack-san, look out!"
"Hm?"
Jack turned his head, only for a large axe to strike the ground near his feet.
"What the…?" Neptune's jaw dropped, staring in disbelief at the axe and Jack, who remained unharmed.
"...Bastard!" Jack snarled, picking up the axe. His expression darkened as he roared into the depths of the sea, "Who the hell threw this?!
"If it had hit me, fine! But what if it had hit something valuable, like a flower or some plants, huh?!"
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Clang! Clang!
Several more axes flew from the darkness, striking Jack squarely. His veins bulged as his eyes turned crimson with rage.
Grabbing Neptune by the arm, Jack hissed, "I don't care how, but you're going to get me a ride to wherever those axes are coming from!"
"I'm going to find that bastard, and I'll beat the crap out of him!"
"Right away!" Neptune shouted, clearly relieved. "Prepare a coral bubble! Quickly!"
As Neptune's demeanor brightened, Jack's suspicion deepened.
Is this related to Queen Otohime's death? Or… did Neptune stir up some trouble elsewhere? Am I about to clean up his mess?
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg