One Piece : From Slave to Fleet Admiral Chapter 282

"The user of the Mark-Mark Fruit? What exactly does this ability entail?"

Monet turned to Jake, intrigued by the guard's words, and instinctively posed the question.

She had always relied on Jake for explanations of things she didn't understand.

This instance was no different. Jake responded without a moment's hesitation.

"The Mark-Mark Fruit bestows the ability to mark a target with a mere touch. Once marked, any projectile thrown by the user will automatically home in on the target, continuing its trajectory indefinitely unless intercepted or blocked. Even if the target reaches the final island, Laugh Tale, while you remain in a starting town, your throw will still find its mark."

"Frankly, if I possessed this power, I'd simply hurl a ship into the sky and ride it—that would reveal Laugh Tale's coordinates to everyone!"

Jake's words elicited a chuckle from Monet, who nodded in agreement.

"But why did that individual just touch Princess Shirahoshi?"

Queen Otohime's expression clouded with gravity as she heard Monet's question.

With a sigh, she inclined her head slightly towards Jake.

"My sincerest apologies, Jake-sama. I acted impulsively earlier. Today, we are truly indebted to you. Had it not been for your intervention, Shirahoshi's future might have been fraught with peril."

Jake simply offered a smile in response.

"It is quite alright, Queen Otohime. Given the extensive sacrifices already made by Fishman Island, it is only fitting that we Marines show some consideration. By the way, if you would permit it, I would like that scoundrel to shake my hand. This action would effectively neutralize the future threat to Princess Shirahoshi."

"However, Jake-sama, if we do that, you might subsequently be affected by that fellow's..."

Before Queen Otohime could complete her sentence, Jake interjected with a smile.

"Rest assured, Queen Otohime. For me, that individual's attacks will not pose a burden—they will, in fact, serve as a means to apprehend him. I hold a certain interest in the legacy passed down by his ancestors."

"Should we capture him here and now, he certainly would not reveal the truth. It would be more advantageous to allow him to depart for the moment. It is when he is unable to resist and prepares to attack Princess Shirahoshi that we shall apprehend him completely."

Jinbe appeared somewhat perplexed by this statement.

He turned to Jake and inquired softly.

"You intend to let this dangerous individual go free for now? Is that not somewhat... problematic?"

Jake approached Vander Decken IX, who lay unconscious on the ground, and extended his hand to grasp the man's.

"There is no cause for concern. Please do not worry. Furthermore, ensure that everyone else present maintains silence and refrains from divulging any information."

"You may be assured on that matter. They are all devoted followers of Queen Otohime. As for those in the Fishman District, they remain frozen and unaware of the events that transpired here."

Jake nodded upon hearing this.

After receiving repeated expressions of gratitude from Queen Otohime and the young Princess Shirahoshi, the party finally reached the royal palace of Fishman Island.

King Neptune regarded Jake, who stood before him, with a complex mixture of emotions in his eyes.

The human standing there appeared physically insignificant, yet the power radiating from him was more than sufficient to obliterate Fishman Island in a remarkably short span of time.

Moreover, this individual's standing was far more exalted than his own.

The future Admiral of the Marines—and perhaps even Fleet Admiral—held a position, by any measure, far superior to a mere king of Fishman Island like himself.

Consequently, King Neptune felt an overwhelming sense of powerlessness when confronting Jake.

It seemed that any demands or conditions Jake might propose left him with only one course of action: compliance.

Jake, while acknowledging the king's subdued demeanor, found himself at a loss for words.

He had no desire to leverage his authority to intimidate others, yet it was evident that certain matters lay beyond his personal preferences.

Fishman Island had to be brought under firm control by the Marines.

Only then would the objective of eradicating all pirates in Paradise stand a chance of success.

This constituted Jake's primary strategy for the upcoming three years.

Following the establishment of control over Fishman Island, Zephyr would be permanently stationed there, reinforced by a minimum of two Vice Admirals, ensuring that henceforth, Fishman Island would not contribute even a single recruit to the New World.

With the New World's situation largely stabilized due to the de facto alliances with Whitebeard and Red Hair, it was feasible to redeploy some naval forces appropriately, leaving only Kizaru—who exhibited little ambition for military accolades—to maintain a relaxed presence.

Naturally, to preempt any unforeseen eventualities, Jake and Sengoku had mutually agreed: Garp's primary vacation destinations would be situated within the New World.

This arrangement not only appeased Garp but also maximized the utilization of his formidable combat capabilities.

Furthermore, Kizaru would be assigned a technologically advanced armed contingent, sufficient to quell the majority of uprisings in the New World.

The remaining naval forces—including Sakazuki, Kuzan, Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru, Jake, various other vice admirals, Monet, and more—would dedicate their efforts to the Paradise region. Their objective was to annihilate over ninety percent of the pirates operating within that area.

Through the strategic elimination of pirate recruitment sources, Jake envisioned the complete eradication of half the world's pirates within a span of a few years.

The subsequent period would be allocated to a collaborative effort with Whitebeard and Red Hair, aiming to decisively eliminate the major pirate factions that still held sway in the New World.

It was highly probable that Whitebeard had anticipated this outcome, or perhaps even tacitly consented to it.

Following Jake's exhibition of numerous islands that had been brutally ravaged by pirates, Whitebeard's profound disappointment with the pirate community had been significantly amplified.

He gradually came to the somber realization that the vast majority of pirates were indeed detestable, with only an exceptionally rare few—such as himself and Roger—truly embodying the spirit of legendary figures.

Considering this, why should Jake not be permitted to bring about the definitive end of the Great Pirate Era and thereby herald the dawn of a new epoch of lawful exploration and adventure?

At that point, the lives of ordinary civilians across most regions would undoubtedly experience a substantial improvement.

While Whitebeard had grasped this truth some time ago, his declining health and the unyielding harshness of reality had left him incapable of taking decisive action.

However, with his health fully restored and the circumstances now dramatically altered, to remain idle would be nothing short of outright cowardice!

Following his interactions with Jake, Whitebeard embarked upon the most pivotal decision of his entire existence.

He would personally bring a definitive conclusion to the Great Pirate Era, the very era that his cherished friend Roger had initiated.