After Shark Chili demonstrated his super transformation, Jinbei agreed to teach him for a while.
Although the duration was a little short, it was still good enough to use as a trump card. Besides, even in his normal form, Shark Chili might still be able to use Fishman Karate. He shared a trait with Jinbei—immense physical strength.
There was a time when Jinbei was famous for raw power alone. Looking at Shark Chili's strength, he thought it would be a shame if that power went unused without proper combat techniques.
So, for the next few days, Shark Chili stuck close to Jinbei, while Zhang Da Ye followed Princess Otohime across Fishman Island as she gave speeches and gathered signatures.
Every day, cartloads of signed petitions were sent back to Ryugu Palace.
And it wasn't just work—at each stop, they spent half the day collecting signatures and half the day sightseeing. Zhang Da Ye got to see many of Fishman Island's famous spots.
Besides the Dragon Palace ship, he even tried out the fish buses and fish taxis—ordinary fish fitted with bubbles to carry passengers.
It gave him a strange feeling, like being back in modern society.
As for Mermaid Cove, the most famous spot, Zhang Da Ye could confidently say it was nothing special. The scenery was prettier, the mermaids wore swimsuits, their voices were sweeter, their faces prettier, their figures better, and they were a bit more friendly…
But aside from that, he couldn't find many merits. When he left, he didn't feel even a tiny bit of reluctance.
Of course, they weren't just fooling around. While Princess Otohime gave her speeches, Zhang Da Ye and the others guarded her closely.
He had already warned Neptune that someone might not accept her ideals and could resort to reckless means. Neptune immediately sent more guards, including the promising soldier Hody Jones.
Zhang Da Ye couldn't help but sigh at Neptune's "wisdom"—it was like asking Tom to guard his family's pet canary.
Still, it made things easier for him and his group to keep an eye on Hody.
By their sixth day on Fishman Island, Zhang Da Ye felt it was almost time to leave. Staying too long was imposing. As for Princess Otohime's safety, he could leave that to Shark Chili. With training as an excuse, he could stay behind, and with his strength, he could block a bullet if prepared.
The weather was beautiful that day. Sunshine on Fishman Island always lifted everyone's spirits, Princess Otohime included. She brought her four children with her for the signature drive but had them stay a little ways back until she was done.
Guarding them were Jinbei and Shark Chili. At Shirahoshi's request, Zhang Da Ye had Tom keep her company.
Shirahoshi was especially lively when playing with Tom. Before long, she had put bubble float rings on both of them and was happily swimming in midair.
The people in the plaza smiled at their adorable princess. Meanwhile, Zhang Da Ye, Artoria, and Rui Meng Meng stayed at Princess Otohime's side, helping with the speeches and occasionally tidying the papers overflowing from the three giant petition boxes.
To improve efficiency, three boxes had been placed in front of the platform. People lined up in three neat rows to submit their signatures.
With the princess and her children present, security was tight. Inside the plaza, soldiers stood guard every ten paces, watching closely for anyone suspicious.
But at the outer edges, security was much thinner. While a few captains discussed manning positions, Hody Jones subtly guided them to overlook several spots ideal for snipers.
It wasn't really their fault. The plaza was surrounded by tall buildings. Without deploying thousands of men, it was impossible to cover every angle. And even for Neptune himself, it wasn't reasonable to deploy that many. This gave Hody room to maneuver.
Originally, Hody hadn't planned to act so soon. But Princess Otohime's campaign was progressing too quickly and too well. At this rate, within a month she'd gather all the signatures she needed. Killing her then would be meaningless.
She had to die now, and the blame had to fall on humans, reigniting the rift between humans and fishmen. Only then could he move forward with his plans.
And so, in the middle of the lively signature drive, three specially made bullets struck the three boxes almost simultaneously.
They were incendiary rounds. The instant they hit, flames erupted, devouring the papers at terrifying speed.
For a heartbeat, silence fell over the plaza. Then, panic broke out.
"It's on fire!"
"Put it out, quick!"
"What's happening?!"
Some people rushed to flee, others to help, but soldiers quickly directed the crowd.
Though the blaze came suddenly, the guards were well-trained. Some worked to evacuate civilians, others formed a bucket line to douse the fire, while another group clustered protectively around the royal family.
From so far away, no one had heard the gunshots. They couldn't yet confirm if it was an accident or deliberate. For now, ensuring the princess and the people's safety took priority.
Zhang Da Ye, however, was already scanning for the arsonist, wary of Hody Jones taking a shot at the princess.
The burning petitions didn't bother him much. They could always gather more. What mattered was keeping Otohime alive and catching Hody in the act.
But Princess Otohime thought differently. The moment she saw the flames, she rushed to the burning boxes to save the signatures that hadn't yet caught fire.
To her, these weren't just papers—they were the collective hopes of Fishman Island. In her panic, she didn't even consider the idea of recollecting them later.
Two soldiers quickly stepped in front of her.
"Princess, please remain calm! We must evacuate you at once!"
"No! Those signatures are precious! They must be saved!"
Ignoring her frail body, she slipped past the guards with surprising agility, hurling herself toward the blaze like a moth to the flame.
And just then, as she stepped out of the soldiers' protection, Hody Jones pulled the trigger from a high vantage point, his face twisted with malice.
A crisp metallic clang rang out.
In the sniper scope, a figure in a blue dress and silver armor appeared—Artoria. Her sword was already waiting along the bullet's trajectory. It looked less like she struck the bullet and more like the bullet had sought her blade, shattering harmlessly against it.
[Please give powerstones if you're enjoying the story.
500 stones = 1 extra chapter
patreon com/GuessMyName33 for advanced chapters]