Bazel didn't bother watching Hanafuza and the corrupt marines battle it out.
His eyes swept over the fellow pirates who were watching him warily, finally landing on the golden-haired mermaid bound tightly in chains at the center of the crowd.
'Wait!'
Bazel suddenly froze when he got a clear look at the female mermaid's face.
'That face...'
'She looks familiar...'
"Is she someone you know?"
Toki seemed to sense the tension, clutching the man's arm tightly with both hands.
"No, but I can't say I don't know her at all. I never expected the mermaid these guys kidnapped to be her. Our luck is really something else."
Bazel bent down and picked up a flyer made from special animal skin from the ground.
[Not all humans are bad, we should embrace human culture!]
'Goldfish mermaid, the future Queen of Ryugu Palace, Otohime!'
"S-Sir, if you're interested…"
A bearded pirate approached, rubbing his hands together with an obsequious smile, "Hey, men, hurry up and bring that mermaid over! She's our gift to Bazel-sama!"
"Yes, Captain!!"
Bazel didn't immediately move to punish the group. Instead, he crouched down and reached his hand towards Otohime, right under Toki's pouting, increasingly sulky mouth.
"Mmph!!" The goldfish mermaid struggled frantically.
But Bazel's next move caused the onlookers watching the chaos to widen their eyes in shock.
The chains were snapped by hands wrapped in Haki.
Bazel removed the gag restraining the goldfish mermaid and said with a gentle smile, "You're safe now. Please step back for a moment. I will escort you back to Fish-Man Island after I deal with the matters here."
The bearded pirate knew things had gone terribly wrong the moment he saw Bazel untying the mermaid. His eyes remained fixed on Bazel, but his feet slowly retreated.
"Let's get out of here!"
"That madman wants to attack us! Tell everyone to prepare to retreat!"
"Yes, Boss!!"
"Boss Bazel, those guys are running away."
Babanuki, covered in blood, whispered a reminder to Bazel.
Bazel expanded his Observation Haki to confirm there were no other weak presences left on that ship. Then, several serpent spirits dropped from his sleeves.
"Awaken, Venom Vine Serpents."
The white serpent spirits affectionately nudged Bazel's ankle before swiftly slithering into the sea, heading straight for the pirate ship attempting to leave the port.
"They won't get away. The Venom Vine Serpents will take care of them completely."
Sensing that the Venom Vine Serpents had boarded the pirate ship and descended into the deep sea together, Bazel raised his right hand and made a grasping motion in the direction the enemies had fled.
Disintegrate, Venom Vine Serpents. Poison Heart.
"Arise, Poison Sea, Devour the Waves."
Immediately after, under the watchful eyes of the fish-men and mermaids hiding within Coral Hill, the purple seawater churned and surged, piercing the coating on the pirate ship's surface. Amidst waves of miserable screams, it completely engulfed the pirates who had tried to kidnap their fellow beings.
"You bastard human, release Otohime!!!"
But just then, Neptune, who had not yet become the King of Ryugu Palace, charged over with a troop of soldiers.
"You humans are the greediest demons! Even though Otohime has always wanted peaceful coexistence with humans, you… you!!!"
"Wait, Neptune!"
Before the trident could strike down, the goldfish mermaid, who hadn't yet developed legs, shielded Bazel.
"He saved me! If it weren't for him, I would definitely have been captured by those bad humans!!"
"It's our first meeting…"
Bazel stepped out from behind Otohime and looked up at Neptune.
"I am Bazel of the Beasts Pirates. As for saving the mermaid, please don't take it to heart."
"I am simply mortal enemies with human traffickers, gamblers, and drug dealers. It's either them or me, we cannot coexist."
"This…"
Neptune was utterly bewildered and couldn't formulate a response for a long time.
Only when Otohime walked over to his side did he finally snap out of it. Pulling his girlfriend aside, he asked in a low voice, "What exactly is going on, Otohime? I heard you were captured by humans during your speech at Gyoncorde Plaza and rushed over immediately."
"How did humans become our benefactors now?"
Otohime briefly explained the entire incident.
Then, she bowed deeply towards Bazel's direction.
"Thank you very much for your help. If possible, we would like to invite you to our home. Neptune and I will personally prepare a meal to express our gratitude."
Just then, Hanafuza happened to arrive with his subordinates. The formidable group of two hundred men was all stained with blood, some are their own, and some are their enemies'.
"Bazel, it's done. Another perfect job of mediation!"
Seeing Neptune pick up his weapon and go on alert again, Bazel didn't mind.
"Hanafuda, the Beasts Pirates will be staying here for a few days. You all can roam around freely, but…"
Bazel's gaze swept over those behind Hanafuda.
"You know what I despise. I hope you won't touch that gate leading to the depths of hell."
"Don't worry, Bazel-sama!"
"We are free pirates, fearless warriors of the Beasts, we would never become such scum!!"
"That's right, that's right! Pirates of the Beasts Pirates don't become scum or trash, we are guardians of the Beasts Pirates' honor!"
Bazel waved his hand, "Hanafuda, take your men and go have fun. Fish-Man Island is a place you don't get to visit often."
Hanafuda glanced at Neptune and the fish-man army behind him. He didn't say anything like telling Bazel to be careful.
He just nodded.
"I understand. Leave procuring supplies to me and Babanuki. You and Toki-san can go ahead and attend the banquet without worry."
"Men, let's go! The beautiful mermaid ladies are waiting for us!!"
"Ooh ooh!!"
The Beasts Pirates sheathed their weapons and followed Hanafuda, rushing en masse towards the bustling port town, Coral Hill.
"Please excuse them. Bazel-kun's comrades are a bit childish, but they are very reliable men when it counts."
Toki stepped forward, offering a polite smile to Otohime and Neptune.
"My name is Amatsuki Toki, Bazel-kun's beloved. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"I'm Otohime. If you don't mind, we can call each other sisters."
Otohime blinked, covering her mouth with a light laugh as she swam over to Toki's side, explaining quietly, "I won't steal your man, you know. Neptune and I are already partners."
Toki's face flushed slightly: "I-I wasn't worried about that at all!"
"My, no need to be shy~"
Otohime linked arms with Toki and headed in the direction of water road.
"Since I was born, I've had a special awakened talent… I can sense people's thoughts and emotions. Although I can't know the specific details, I can still sense superficial things."
"Neptune, invite our benefactor to take a Fish Taxi to Fishman Hills. I'll take Toki-nee to buy some fresh ingredients."
"Ah, Otohime, but I'm still on duty... what a bother."
Watching his partner who had already left on a Fish Taxi, Neptune could only look helplessly at Bazel.
"If you don't mind, I can give you a tour of Ryugu Palace. After my patrol duty ends today, I'll take you to my home."
Bazel naturally didn't refuse.
"Yare yare, my timing is really perfect."
Olga, riding her sea lizard, trotted up to Bazel, followed by the slow-moving Tom.
"We don't mind~ Getting to visit the super awesome Ryugu Palace is a great thing!"
"Right, Bazel?"
"She's Olga, King's little follower." Bazel introduced matter-of-factly.
Olga jumped up and punched Bazel's abs.
"That last part was unnecessary! I'm just worried about King, you stupid snake!"
"Hahaha~ What interesting humans."
Neptune had his soldier subordinates return to Ryugu Palace first. He himself hailed a Fish Taxi.
"Please get on, you two guests. As for this sea lizard..."
After exchanging a few words with Elizabeth, Neptune nodded and summoned a giant flounder with a large bubble attached to its back.
"Then you can ride my personal transport. Your body really isn't suited for a taxi."
Olga was stunned: (ｷ｀ﾟДﾟ´)!!
"The big fish-man can actually communicate with Elizabeth!?"
Just then, Tom, who had been slowly walking over, suddenly spoke, "Neptune, it's been a long time~"
"You are…"
Neptune was stunned at first, then his face lit up with surprise, "It's you, Tom! Didn't you go to the human world to learn how to build excellent ships!?"
"You're not planning to leave again this time, are you?"
Tom laughed and said, "I'm searching for a way to save Water 7, but before that, I'm participating in the great construction of an ideal country where humans and giants coexist!"
"Hahahaha!!!"
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