One Piece : From Slave to Fleet Admiral Chapter 281

Hody's eyes burned crimson, his mind clearly fractured. Drool cascaded from his lips, his muscles spasmed uncontrollably, and he gasped for air as red pills spilled from his pockets. Jinbe's face contorted in shock upon seeing them: "Those are the Energy Steroids! Hody! Where in the blazes did you get those?!"

"Hahaha! Jinbe, some things are better left unknown! You're not our leader anymore—you're just a traitor who sold out Fishman Island and Fisher Tiger! Now, tell that damned Marine to back off and kill yourself, or else… Queen Otohime dies today! And so will I! But mark my words, if she dies, the spirit of rebellion in Fishman Island will never truly die! Right, Queen Otohime?!" Hody guffawed maniacally, his voice ragged as he fixed his gaze upon the assembled crowd. The steroid's effects had reduced his sanity to tatters. Thick blood oozed from his lips as he let out a sneer.

Jake, meanwhile, observed Jinbe with a detached calm before speaking deliberately. "It appears the promise you just made me is now impossible to fulfill. It's evident the extremists within Fishman Island have spiraled beyond your command. And now, you require my assistance—shall I dispatch him for you?"

Hearing Jake's words, Jinbe felt a heavy conflict settle in his heart. Hody Jones was practically someone he had watched grow from childhood. He hadn't been like this before—back then, Hody Jones had aspired to become a distinguished royal guard... But no matter how rosy the memories, as Jinbe looked upon the current Hody Jones before him, he recognized this was no longer the Hody Jones of the past. He cast a glance at Jake, hoping to appeal to Hody Jones one last time, but Jake offered no such window. Instead, he simply raised his hand.

The instant Jake lifted his arm, Hody Jones bellowed: "Lower your hand, human! Or I'll twist Queen Otohime's head right—" Before Hody Jones could utter another word, silence descended. The reason was straightforward—his limbs and head had already been disintegrated into dust by the terrifying lightning strike unleashed from Jake's hand. Gazing at the grotesquely swollen torso that had collapsed onto the ground, still hemorrhaging blood, Jake turned to Jinbe and spoke softly. "Queen Otohime's fate is intertwined with too many elements. This is no longer a matter for you or me to decide. You witnessed his mental state—dangerously unstable. If we allowed him to persist, he might instigate something unpredictable. Therefore, his demise was necessary."

Absorbing Jake's pronouncement, Jinbe released a long, drawn-out sigh and responded. "I comprehend, Jake-sama. So, what are your intentions moving forward? Will you proceed to raze the entirety of Fishman District?"

"No. I've already neutralized the majority of extremists dwelling within Fishman District. What remains are merely ordinary citizens. I shall not bring them harm. The paramount objective now is for me to convene with King Neptune and oversee a measured transition and transfer of authority concerning Fishman Island."

"Transfer?! You intend for our royal lineage to cede a portion of its authority? That is simply too—" Before Jinbe could conclude, Jake interjected, his tone firm and resolute. "The fish-folk have no alternative. This is a concession you must accept. Trust me, Jinbe—sometimes, relinquishing power that never truly belonged to you can prove advantageous in the long run."

Jinbe wished to voice further objections, but Queen Otohime intervened. Addressing him, her voice resonated with an assuring tone. "Jinbe, these affairs hold little genuine consequence. Please, do not feel burdened by them. Deep within, haven't we always acknowledged that Fishman Island would be better served if this authority were entrusted to another?"

Upon hearing Queen Otohime's words, Jinbe sighed and shook his head. "Perhaps you are right. In that case, permit me to escort you both to meet His Majesty the King." Jinbe offered a slight bow toward Jake, who responded with a nod and a smile. Then, under the guidance of Queen Otohime and Jinbe, Jake proceeded towards the royal palace of Fishman Island.

Concurrently, his Observation Haki, which nearly encompassed the entire island, detected another clandestine presence—Vander Decken IX, a man consumed by a deranged fixation on the mermaid princess Shirahoshi. However, in truth, he harbored no genuine affection for her. What he truly sought had always been the legendary Ancient Weapon—Poseidon! Amidst the recent pandemonium, he had managed to brush against Princess Shirahoshi's arm. As a user of the Mark-Mark Fruit, even a solitary touch meant that any projectile he subsequently hurled would strike the young princess with absolute precision. He had already begun envisioning her succumbing to the relentless pressure and eventually agreeing to marry him—a truly idyllic future! But just as he attempted to depart amidst Jake's momentary absence, a bolt of lightning suddenly descended from the heavens, striking him squarely. The overwhelming surge of electricity left Vander Decken IX momentarily incapacitated. Without even a sliver of opportunity to resist, he collapsed, unconscious, onto the ground.

With a gaze heavy with concern and doubt, Jinbe observed the unfolding event, his attention laser-focused on Jake. "Jake-sama, could you explain what is happening?"

Queen Otohime, her expression a mask of rage, directed her furious voice towards Jake. "Jake-sama, we were already in the process of handing over command to you. But why this spectacle? Is your intention to frighten us? If you wish to unleash your anger, then focus on me, not these defenseless people!"

Jake let out a sigh, noting their responses, and gestured towards the form of Vander Decken IX sprawled on the ground. "That individual is hardly an innocent bystander. He surreptitiously made contact with Princess Shirahoshi's arm moments ago, and the sheer malevolence emanating from him was palpable. Examine him closely—do you know who he truly is?"

As Jinbe and Queen Otohime drew nearer, a guard suddenly inhaled sharply, a flicker of recognition crossing his features. "It's Vander Decken IX! He possesses the power of the Mark-Mark Fruit!"