Fishman District.
This place was originally built as a large facility to house orphans. However, due to poor management by the Ryugu Kingdom, it eventually became a gathering place for criminal groups.
"Boss Jinbe!"
Jinbe strolled through the dilapidated streets of the Fishman District, smiling and responding to the fishmen who greeted him. His thoughts inevitably drifted back to the past.
This was also his birthplace.
It was here that he joined the military and quickly rose through the ranks, earning the favor of King Neptune.
Until the Fishman hero Fisher Tiger returned to Fishman Island after wreaking havoc in Mary Geoise.
Loyal to his principles, Jinbe chose to help Fisher Tiger, who also came from the Fishman District, resist the World Government. He resolutely left the military and joined the Sun Pirates, which Fisher Tiger founded.
At that time, Jinbe, having grown up in the Fishman District, was inevitably influenced by its prevailing ideology. He already harbored resentment toward humans for discriminating against fishmen.
Now that Fisher Tiger was being hunted by the World Government, Jinbe became even more extreme.
Whenever he fought humans, he would kill without hesitation. Soon, he earned a bounty of 76 million berries.
However, it was Fisher Tiger—who similarly despised humans and decided to sever ties with them—who stopped Jinbe from descending further into darkness. Fisher Tiger declared that fishmen were no inferior to any other race, and that fishmen should not treat humans the same way humans treated fishmen.
From then on, though Jinbe still disliked humans, he was no longer as extreme. Taking Fisher Tiger as his role model, he quickly became the second-in-command of the Sun Pirates.
After Fisher Tiger was fatally wounded in a trap set by the Marines during a slave liberation mission, Jinbe succeeded him as captain of the Sun Pirates. He later accepted the World Government's offer to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
"This old man..."
Jinbe responded warmly to the greetings of his fellow fishmen, though his heart was heavy.
Though he had already steeled his resolve to act as the blade that would carry out this purge—all for the sake of Fishman Island's dream of living under the sun—he still found it difficult to bring himself to strike down his own people.
Jinbe looked at the rundown houses lining the streets and the ragged clothing of his fellow fishmen. His expression hardened with determination.
The Fishman District could no longer be allowed to exist!
"Boss Jinbe, have you come back to lead us?"
A young fishman child ran up to him, looking at Jinbe with excitement and hope in his eyes.
"Hmm?"
Jinbe was taken aback but quickly realized the gravity of the situation.
Fisher Tiger, the hero of the fishmen, held the highest influence here. Nearly every child who grew up in the Fishman District dreamed of joining the Sun Pirates when they grew up.
However, to avoid provoking the World Government's sensitive nerves, the Sun Pirates were not stationed in the Fishman District but outside Fishman Island.
This also meant that Hody Jones and his crew's influence in the Fishman District had grown over time.
Yet, Jinbe's reputation here had not been overshadowed by Hody.
"Of course."
Jinbe laughed heartily and soon learned from the naive child that Hody and his crew were gathering people, seemingly planning something big.
With this crucial information, Jinbe hesitated for a moment before leaving the Fishman District.
Soon after, he found Reddy, who had been accommodated in the Ryugu Kingdom by King Neptune. As soon as they met, Jinbe shared the important intelligence.
"Hody and his crew are planning something major?"
Reddy's mind immediately recalled the event in the original story where Hody gathered 100,000 fishmen in an attempt to overthrow King Neptune's rule. He couldn't help but feel surprised.
Jinbe looked worried. "To avoid alerting Hody, I haven't been able to confirm what exactly they're planning."
"What else could it be?"
Reddy thought to himself.
Fishman Island was home to both mermaids and fishmen.
While the mermaids and some fishmen lived in relatively good conditions, most fishmen lived in the Fishman District, struggling in poverty. As a result, many had been swayed by Hody's rhetoric and joined the New Fishman Pirates.
Due to various historical reasons, the Fishman District had long become a powder keg, requiring only a single spark to ignite the darkness in the hearts of its impoverished inhabitants.
This was precisely why, in the original story, Hody was able to gather 100,000 fishmen to attempt a coup against King Neptune's rule.
"Dr. Reddy, let's act now."
On his way to meet Reddy, Jinbe had already made up his mind. He wanted to strike first. If the purge began early and the Fishman District was taken under control, Hody's plans would be thwarted, regardless of his schemes.
Moreover, Reddy had already assured him that only the most radical fishmen would be imprisoned, not executed.
"Oh, no need to rush."
Reddy had a bold idea.
Jinbe was willing to sacrifice his reputation in Fishman Island for the sake of the next generation.
But Reddy didn't want Jinbe, who had pledged loyalty to him, to make such a sacrifice. It simply wasn't worth it.
Since he had already guessed Hody's most likely course of action, he saw no reason not to use it to his advantage. He could complete the purge while preserving Jinbe's reputation.
...
"Your Majesty, there are many voices outside expressing dissatisfaction with Dr. Reddy's reckless actions."
The Left Minister reported to King Neptune with deep concern. "Even within the Ryugu Kingdom, similar sentiments have emerged. I fear..."
King Neptune was deeply troubled.
He didn't understand why, seemingly overnight, so many voices on Fishman Island dared to express dissatisfaction with the fifth emperor of the sea.
The purge plan had already been decided, but only he, his two ministers, his three sons, and Jinbe knew about it.
Clearly, these complaints were not directed at the purge plan.
The Right Minister looked equally worried. "I'm more concerned about whether Dr. Reddy might vent his anger on other residents of Fishman Island and expand the scope of the purge, harming innocent people."
King Neptune sighed. "I will speak with Dr. Reddy. Given the current situation, it may no longer be appropriate to proceed with the purge. I hope to persuade him to postpone the plan for some time."
"Your Majesty, let me go instead."
The Right Minister volunteered. As long as King Neptune didn't personally intervene, even if Reddy were angered, only the Right Minister would face consequences, not the entire island.
King Neptune could still step in later to mediate.
But if King Neptune went himself and the discussion went poorly, there would be no room for reconciliation.
King Neptune shook his head. "No, I will meet Dr. Reddy myself."
At this point, there was no room for hesitation.
Conventional political tactics didn't work on someone like Reddy.
His only hope was to persuade Reddy with sincerity to delay the purge until the current tensions subsided. Then, Fishman Island could proceed with its reforms in an orderly manner.
Soon, King Neptune met Reddy and tentatively suggested postponing the purge.
"I'm very busy."
Reddy frowned.
King Neptune's heart leaped into his throat. He quickly added, "Fishman Island has already decided to pledge allegiance to you. To demonstrate our sincerity, let the Ryugu Kingdom handle the purge."
"Hmm?"
Reddy's expression turned odd.
King Neptune grew even more nervous and hurriedly tried to explain.
Suddenly, Reddy smiled and readily agreed. "Fine. I need to go to Dressrosa. I'll return to Fishman Island afterward."
Hearing this, King Neptune breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't care why Reddy was going to Dressrosa and immediately arranged an escort to see him off.
As the procession passed through Gyogyo Square, Hody stood atop a distant reef, watching them leave. A sinister grin spread across his face.
"Inform Vander Decken IX. That man is leaving Fishman Island."
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