Chapter 184: Hody Jones
The blue current appeared in Hody Jones' eyes—that was the last thing he saw.
The powerful electrical current engulfed Hody's body, creating a pungent smell in the air, which was soon masked by a thick burnt odor.
Crash!
A charred object fell from the sky, shattering upon impact.
"I thought it would burn to ash, but it's still this big…"
Eric kicked the remains, "I don't think anyone could recognize it in this form."
Splash Eric kicked the large chunks of charred remains into the water.
[Ding… Monthly Task 11: Hody Jones killed, progress 1/6]
Eric carefully scanned the area with his [Mind Web], finding no other fish-men, before vanishing from the scene.
"Who are you? Dosun?"
"Bili bili!"
[… Dosun killed, progress 2/6]
"Can you see me?"
"Bili~"
[… Zeo killed, progress 3/6]
"Bite your flesh and eat it. Kekeke."
"Bip~"
[… Daruma killed, progress 4/6]
"Muhehehe, little one, you…"
"... die!"
[… Ikaros Much killed, progress 5/6]
"Gurgle, gurgle, hmm?"
"Shinei!"
[Hyouzou killed, progress 6/6, Task Completed]
[Monthly Task 11 Completed: Eradicate the evil seedlings.]
[Task Reward: Title "Invincible Wild King"; 3 Achievement Points; 3 Bond Points; Increased favorability with Queen Otohime and King Neptune]
The sun's rays dimmed; time was already late.
"Really troublesome. They're all so far apart, making me run around," Eric grumbled as he returned to the empty Fearless. "Where is everyone?!"
…
Using his communicator, Eric finally located the group at the largest restaurant on Fish-Man Island.
"You guys... is it just eat, eat, eat with you?"
Akame, chewing on a bone, pushed a plate of food toward Eric, "Eric, here."
"This tastes so good," Eric couldn't resist the allure of the food.
Lana, the mermaid, approached with food and asked, "Lord Eric, how does this taste?"
"Very good!"
"Lord Eric, what a shame," Lana said, resting her chin in her hand with a look of regret. "Some of my friends, having heard of your heroic deeds, were eager to meet you. Unfortunately, I didn't bring you to them today. They're so disappointed…"
Although Eric was eating, his ears twitched, especially at the words "eager to meet you," his ears stood up straight.
Mouth full, Eric stammered, "Oh, I'll go with you tomorrow to meet her and her friends…"
Lana clapped her hands, beaming with joy, "That's wonderful!"
Kurumi leaned forward, smiling as she asked, "Eric-, did you forget about tomorrow?" Her pale face was partly shaded by her hair.
"Tomorrow?!" Eric asked in confusion. Kurumi didn't look happy—maybe he had indeed forgotten an important promise.
"Hmph!" Kurumi flipped her hair, stomped her foot, and twisted her wrist.
Eric was attacked in three places at once.
His face was whipped by Kurumi's ponytail, his foot was stepped on by a small boot, and his waist was twisted by her fingers.
Eric, even if slow on the uptake, realized that Kurumi was jealous!
"Well, tomorrow is indeed important. Sorry, Lana-chan~"
Eric thought to himself, 'I really don't want to, I'd rather swim with the mermaid!' (Crying face)
"Ah... what a pity. When will Lord Eric have free time then?"
Kurumi, with a professional smile, helped Eric answer, "We're headed to the New World for something important. We won't be staying on Fish-Man Island for more than two days, so... sorry, Lana."
Lana's face fell. "Okay then, when Lord Eric returns, I'll introduce you to my sisters."
Eric responded in a tone full of regret, "Next time, next time, I definitely want to meet your friends..."
'The dream of swimming in the mermaid's arms is gone...'
…
"Lord Eric!" Just before departure, Queen Otohime came to the port to see him off. "I will do my best to improve the livelihood of Fish-Man Island and give my people the right to walk in the sunlight!"
"…Is that so." Eric didn't comment further. The people in this world had clear-cut personalities: frustrating yet admirable, willing to die for their dreams.
The three princes, whom Eric hadn't seen at the banquet, also arrived with their mother at the port.
"Prince Fukaboshi," Eric called out to her eldest son.
"Lord Eric, thank you for helping my mother. She's been so happy these past few days," though he looked fierce, Fukaboshi was quite polite.
"No need to thank me. But please, take care of Queen Otohime. Here," Eric handed Fukaboshi a magical bean.
"What's this?"
"A healing medicine, very rare. Queen Otohime will surely face assassins from those who are dissatisfied with her."
Upon hearing this, Fukaboshi furrowed his brow and his expression became serious.
Even though Eric had killed Hody Jones and his future cronies, there was no guarantee that other Jones-like figures wouldn't appear. Additionally, Vander Decken IX from the Flying Pirates was still around.
Fukaboshi only had a cooperative relationship with Hody Jones—he wasn't part of the New Fish-Man Pirates, and the system didn't count him in the task.
"Even with guards, there may be moments they can't help. Your mother's body is fragile, right? If Queen Otohime gets seriously injured and you cannot heal her, give her this medicine."
Seeing Fukaboshi's serious yet skeptical expression, Eric smiled, "If she's about to die, this medicine won't make things worse."
"Don't let your mother know—she'll surely try to save others with it! Don't tell anyone about this medicine's existence."
The last sentence was both advice and a warning.
Fukaboshi carefully stored the magical bean, "I understand. Thank you for your concern, Lord Eric."
"The farewell here wasn't as grand as Luffy's…" (Whispering)
"Hm? Eric-, what are you saying?"
"I'm saying, we're going to Cake Island to 'trick or treat'!"
"Sa~ BIG MOM! Are you ready for the tricking?"
Inside Cake Island, Charlotte Linlin seemed to sense Eric's provocation. "Coming, little brat?!"
In the huge room, her laughter echoed.
…
New World. Departing from Fish-Man Island, the fleet arrived within the floating range. There were over a dozen navy warships and several half-destroyed pirate ships burning fiercely. Torrential rain couldn't put out the flames.
Admiral Akainu, wearing a white cap, stood in the rain, his voice hoarse as he asked, "Still no sign of Eric's crew?!"
He had been waiting in this area for five days, planning to launch a full barrage as soon as Eric's ship surfaced!
These days, extreme weather like giant hailstorms and tornadoes had swept through. The heavy rain now made his mood even worse.
A G5 marine came up and saluted, "Admiral Sakazuki, your voice sounds hoarse. Would you like some medicine?"
Akainu glared sharply, furious, "This is my natural voice!"
Just then, a marine ran from the ship's control room and reported, "Report, Admiral Sakazuki! We've found traces of Eric and his crew near Punk Hazard!"
Akainu's bloodshot eyes widened. "What did you say?!"
(END CHAPTER)
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