One Piece : From Slave to Fleet Admiral Chapter 278

A faint scent of charring meat drifted from the deceased, a smell that these particular beings perceived as appealing, though it was likely only humans who found such an aroma pleasant.

To the fish-people, however, it signaled a perilous threat.

Seeing this, Jinbe's countenance grew grim.

Despite his desire to strike back at Jake, a recollection of the latter's background and past deeds compelled him to suppress his urge once more.

Otohime, on the other hand, fixed Jake with an angry stare.

"I implore you, cease these actions! Halt this barbarity immediately! Even as a Rear Admiral of Marine Headquarters, you possess no right to summarily execute the citizens of Fishman Island!"

A subtle smile graced Jake's lips as he issued his reply:

"Queen Otohime, it seems you've overlooked a crucial detail. My objective here is to eliminate any remaining ties to Fisher Tiger—this directive originates directly from the Holy Land Mariejois! You lack the authority to impede my mission!"

Jake had thoroughly prepared his rationale for purging the extremists within the Fishman District.

The Celestial Dragons had never forgotten Fisher Tiger's defiance, and using this as justification left no room for counterarguments.

A cloud of worry shadowed Princess Otohime's features as she made a heartfelt plea:

"Rear Admiral Jake, they were completely unaware of those events. I can personally vouch that they never departed Fishman Island during that time."

Observing her earnest expression, Jake let out an internal sigh.

Precisely as the original records had indicated, she was indeed a compassionate mermaid.

However, at times, an excess of soft-heartedness only invites catastrophe upon oneself and others.

For Fishman Island to truly usher in an era of prosperity, entrenched extremist bases like the Fishman District necessitated complete annihilation—a 120% certainty.

No amount of Otohime's pleading could alter this predetermined outcome.

The reason being, the moment Jake invoked the name of the Celestial Dragons, negotiations ceased; he was merely pronouncing sentences.

In the eyes of the Celestial Dragons, the termination of a few fish-people requires no justification whatsoever.

Jinbei glanced at Queen Otohime, who still seemed poised to speak, and after a deep exhalation, addressed her.

"Queen Otohime, I urge you to abandon this futile exchange. Rear Admiral Jake's current objective is undoubtedly to eradicate the entirety of the Fish-Man District, is that not so? Jake-san!"

Upon hearing Jinbei's words, Jake offered a slight nod.

He made no attempt to conceal his intentions, merely responding to Jinbei with a composed tone.

"If you possess any wisdom, you would recognize that the Fishman District's continued existence is detrimental—both to Fishman Island and to the wider world. To embrace a brighter future, the Fishman District must be dismantled."

"Whether the Fishman District embodies good or ill, it has invariably been a part of Fishman Island, a steadfast gathering place for our people. Its fate should not be determined by you."

"I understand that my actions might be difficult for you to comprehend, but your understanding is not required. History will ultimately judge the righteousness or fallacy of my deeds. Should you choose to oppose me, Jinbe, be prepared to face your demise."

Jinbei absorbed Jake's declaration.

After a moment's contemplation, he raised his head once more, his eyes gleaming with unshakeable determination.

"Then I must reluctantly cross paths with you, Rear Admiral Jake!"

"Fishman Karate · 5,000 Brick Fist!"

Facing a formidable combatant like Jake, Jinbe did not hesitate, immediately unleashing his full might.

As an immense power coalesced and pulsed through the air, Jake simply raised his hand, his form igniting with brilliant golden-orange lightning.

"80 Million Volts · Sacred Thunder Dragon!"

A colossal dragon forged from lightning, imbued with overwhelming light energy, materialized behind Jake.

With a piercing roar, the thunder dragon surged forward, directly towards the stunned fish-people, who watched in utter terror!

The fearsome thunder dragon appeared to carry the world's most dazzling force, brilliantly illuminating the sky.

Jinbe gazed at the descending thunder dragon, a cold sweat breaking out across his entire body.

This level of power—from a mere rear admiral?!

Has Marine Headquarters truly lost its senses?!

This singular strike alone eclipses the capabilities of most rear admirals!

Following Jinbe's execution of his 5,000 Brick Fist, the lightning dragon seemed to falter momentarily in mid-air, its luminous form showing minute fissures.

Yet, this minor disturbance was akin to a single drop in an ocean—utterly insignificant against the dragon's overwhelming might!

Just as the thunder dragon was poised to descend upon the assembled crowd, Jinbe's face contorted with fierce resolve.

But in the following instant, he noticed the dragon rapidly shrinking while still dozens of meters away, diminishing to a mere few meters in size.

Furthermore, the dragon's intended target had exclusively been himself; not a single other fish-person had been harmed.

A wave of relief washed over Jinbe as he spread his arms wide, his body solidifying with Armament Haki.

With a powerful exhalation, he seized the thunder dragon and bellowed.

"Water Heart · Ocean Current Shoulder Throw!"

In the subsequent moment, Jinbe forcefully redirected the dragon, hurling it back directly towards Jake!

His body bore minor burns from the lightning, but he had ultimately managed to deflect Jake's assault.

"Rear Admiral Jake, I am grateful that you chose to hold back and spare the innocent civilians."

Jake responded with a slight, soft smile.

"My objective was to secure a more prosperous future for Fishman Island. It is only natural that I would refrain from harming its ordinary inhabitants. I am a Marine – that is a truth that will never waver. Secondly, Jinbe, you intercepted the initial Thunder Dragon. However, what of the second?"

As Jake's words concluded, an even more massive Thunder Dragon descended from the heavens, its chilling, impassive gaze locked onto the fishmen below.

"I can block the second Thunder Dragon as well!"

Jinbe advanced, his form once again cloaked in Armament Haki, presenting an image of an immovable, unbreakable monument.

Jake, however, lifted his hand once more, his voice tinged with what sounded like despair to the fishmen as he softly uttered.

"Then what about the two hundredth?"

The instant Jake lowered his arm, a tempest of thunder erupted.

Fishman Island was immediately submerged in a divine, golden lightning, and an uncountable multitude of dragons materialized overhead, their frigid gazes intensely fixed upon the fishmen.