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Shimotsuki Town:
Here in this beautiful place where it's spring all year round, manga readers were about to dive into the new volume, as the story with the Straw Hat Pirates moved into the depths of the sea.
To the place where the Fishman race lives, king and people alike.
Seeing such a fantastical place that looks straight out of a fairytale made ordinary people here in the East Blue gasp in shock and awe, no less than they did during the Skypiea arc back in the day.
Same reactions or even stronger.
Among the readers, Zoro's family was one of the most attention-grabbing due to their high reputation.
After all, little Zoro was extremely famous in this place, more famous than Kuina, more than Koushirou, and literally more than anyone. After all, Zoro was the second man in the Straw Hat crew.
Zoro's current age was a year and a few months—still just an infant, after all.
"It looks like the crew is currently trapped inside Ryugu Palace. Do they think they're behind the kidnapping of the mermaids?!"
said Zoro's grandmother, Furiko, with a thoughtful expression as she watched the current manga scene.
Terra, Zoro's mother, looked at the trio of Usopp, Brook, and Nami as they defended themselves, refusing to surrender until they were thrown into jail.
"It's strange to see such a sudden change in the situation… What happened!?"
Arashi smiled after seeing the next scene, where Zoro intervened to stop Sea God Neptune, who was about to step in and subdue them himself.
"My son finally appeared~"
Gasps of shock and admiration echoed all across the art store in response to Zoro's great entrance at that moment.
"I heard the sounds of merrymaking… So I thought I'd come out and play!!"
That was Zoro's response to Usopp and Nami.
…
"The size difference is massive… But Zoro looks way scarier."
Kozaburo commented, referring to the clash between Sea God Neptune and Zoro.
Kozaburo was smoking his pipe when he suddenly froze at that scene.
"He looks just like him. Same face."
Kozaburo pointed at Zoro's smiling face, which looked exactly like someone he once knew.
He was likely referring to the current Daimyo of Ringo, Shimotsuki Ushimaru.
"No wonder, Furiko is his grandmother…"
Kozaburo cast a reflective look toward the nearby corner of the art store, where the Zoro family had gathered.
…
— — — — — — — — — — — —
Chapter's Events:
— — — — — — — — — — — —
[Fishman District 'Noah']
"You wait there, Wadatsumi." Vander Decken left his ship and his giant fishman subordinate behind before entering the lair of Hody Jones.
"Captain!! Vander Decken-sama has arrived!"
…
"This way!"
"Sorry, I'm a little late… Got caught up in a volcanic eruption. So… You're the one, right? The infamous fishman known as Hody Jones!! I know it!"
Hody Jones smiled at the newly arrived man and said: "You're pretty infamous yourself… Mad captain, Vander Decken!!"
"It'll be a pleasure working with you…"
He extended his hand for a shake, only to be surprised as the other started putting on a glove.
"Oh, you're after a handshake…?! Can't be having that… Hang on a second…!! That's better…"
"Oh, it's nothing…"
It turned out Decken was wearing a bubble to move freely underwater, being a Devil Fruit user who must stay separated from seawater.
After they shook hands, the alliance was declared.
"This alliance benefits us both!! Our goal is the same!!!" said Hody Jones.
"Bahohohoho!! The pleasure is all mine!! Hody Jones!!!"
"To crush that despicable army, who have none of the pride befitting their races!!"
"To take the head of Sea God Neptune!!!"
Hody Jones's followers cheered upon witnessing the alliance.
"…With this, there's nobody under the whole ocean to oppose us…!!"
"This sure is quite the gathering!! Kyakkyah!!"
Vander Decken and Hody Jones both declared with wicked expressions:
"And to bring about the total destruction of the Ryugu Kingdom!!!!"
— — — — — — — — — — — —
Back on Fishman Island, the readers gasped in shock as they saw such an evil alliance form so easily.
Suzan looked at both Hody Jones and Vander Decken as they shook hands with evil grins on their faces. She couldn't help but mock them.
"So many years and months passed that would've been perfect for such a rebellious move, but the right time is only when the Straw Hat Pirates arrive in Ryugu Kingdom?"
"Is this stupidity or bad luck!?"
"No, this is just another chance for Luffy to showcase how much stronger he's become."
Little Shyarly winked at her mother as she said that.
…
"They really want to destroy the kingdom… I wonder what caused all this hatred!?"
Neptune also looked at the scene with a suspicious expression.
He wanted to know Hody Jones's backstory and what had led to this extreme change in personality.
Trading his life for power to behead Sea God Neptune and cause chaos on the island—this was truly beyond reason, and it seemed the issue had shifted from hurting humans to harming his own race.
"But Vander Decken's goal for this alliance is already clear."
"Luckily, the Straw Hat Pirates are here, and it's very likely we'll see them fail in their plans miserably."
"Bftt!! What happened!?"
Neptune spat everything in his mouth when he saw the first scene of the next chapter.
He had just felt relieved by the Straw Hat Pirates' presence, but in the next moment, it was revealed that Zoro had defeated everyone and tied them up—even Sea God Neptune himself!
…
"Hahaha! Zoro really shows no mercy!"
Fisher Tiger laughed after seeing Zoro in what looked like a post-victory scene, where Neptune, his ministers, and his army were all bound.
"Hahaha! I really didn't expect a scene like this… Looks like Zoro has lost his mind."
Arlong said sarcastically.
"He's a pirate, after all. Why would he surrender for a crime he didn't commit? Clearly, the ones getting jailed in this case would be the weak side."
Jinbe said calmly.
"Neptune and his people were foolish. They deserve it."
After saying that, everyone present turned toward Hody Jones, whose counterpart kept embarrassing him over and over again.
"Don't tell me my counterpart and his allies are going to take advantage of Neptune and his army's current state to seize power?"
"I see the current development heading exactly in that direction."
Hody Jones's words made everyone think about the same idea with interest—it was entirely possible.
"Looks like the princes have already returned…"
Jinbe looked at the scene with an analytical gaze.
Seeing Zoro take everyone hostage, including threatening the princes in order to retrieve the ship, find the rest of the crew, and also ensure their departure, made Jinbe nod in acknowledgment.
"Zoro truly is the vice-captain. He's more focused on the bigger picture and doesn't care about anything else at all."
"Wait, looks like that prince named Fukaboshi holds great respect for your counterpart, Jinbe."
Fisher Tiger smiled as he said this.
"Even in a situation like this, where his father and everyone in the palace are being held hostage by the Straw Hat Pirates, he still wants to deliver your message to Luffy."
"I see it…"
Jinbe looked deeply at Prince Fukaboshi as he agreed to Zoro's demands and also conveyed Jinbe's message.
Once again, Jinbe and the others stared at Hody Jones, who no longer seemed bothered by their stares.
After all, Jinbe's first message to Luffy was: Don't fight Hody.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 927: The Beginning of the Attack.
Chapter 928: The Queen's Grave.
Chapter 929: You're not my type!
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