Ah Long couldn't defeat Jinbe, his influence was inferior to Jinbe's, and his character was not on par with Jinbe's, yet he refused to be convinced by Jinbe.
In the past, when they were on the same front, Ah Long still somewhat respected Jinbe, but as Jinbe's views changed, the two also parted ways.
Now, under the influence of Tiger and Mandfeish, he also underwent some changes and accepted some of Tiger's teachings, but he couldn't accept Jinbe's preachings.
As for Jinbe's strength, he was seemingly fearless. No matter how unpleasant things got, Jinbe would just beat him up, and in most cases, Jinbe wouldn't even lift a hand. Over time, he got used to this approach.
In the past, when he heard Jinbe speak like this, he had countless ways to retort, but this time was different. Just as he was about to speak, he found himself unable to, and in the end, he said nothing and walked directly toward Fishman Street.
"Brother Jinbe, you're too lenient with that guy Ah Long. He shows you no respect at all."
Some fishmen nearby couldn't bear to see it, as Jinbe's position as a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea granted them the freedom to return home.
Without this status, they were very concerned about whether their pirate identity would affect Fishman Island's future. Even if they missed home, they chose to bide their time, drifting on The Sea.
With the Warlord's status, however, it was different. As a legal pirate recognized by the World Government, Jinbe reached some agreements with them, and the basic clause was not to pursue their past actions.
With this assurance, the concerns of the Sun Pirates members naturally lessened, and Jinbe, bearing all this, earned their respect.
Even without this, as the second-generation captain of the Sun Pirates, Jinbe's strength and responsibility earned the respect of the fishmen.
"It doesn't matter. That guy was like this to begin with, and he's already changed. Change is a good thing. Go ahead and prepare things; Brother Tai will be back in a few days."
Jinbe led several members of the Sun Pirates toward the shopping street of Fishman Island, preparing to purchase some supplies for a banquet, but the appearance of a soldier from the Sea King Army altered their plans.
"Boss Jinbe, Princess Otohime wants to discuss something with you. Do you have time now?"
Not only was he the current captain of the Sun Pirates, but he was also a former army leader of the Sea King Army, and many there still called him Boss Jinbe.
"It's no big deal, I'll go with you right now. Aladine, you and the others continue with the shopping."
....
Jinbe did not ask the soldier what Otohime wanted. Since the soldier didn't mention it, he probably didn't know, and what Otohime discussed took him by surprise.
"A wedding?"
"Yes, a wedding between a mermaid and a human. Isn't this a very meaningful event? The amusement park by Mandfeish brought joy to many, and people's prejudices have reduced quite a bit.
I remember it's his private territory, and people often go there, which is quite disturbing. We don't have much to help them with either. I heard they plan to hold a wedding on Fishman Island this year, and I want it to be grander."
Though struggling, Fishman Island is a nation with a population of five million, and on the Grand Line, it's considered a large country. A wedding organized by Otohime herself would naturally be more grand than an ordinary wedding.
On one hand, it's her way of repaying Mandfeish's help, and on the other, she wants the island's residents to see the good side of human and mermaid relations, that not all humans are the villains they imagine.
"Such matters... Princess, you and King Neptune can decide yourselves, right?"
"Otohime thinks this is easy, but I find it quite difficult. After all, there are still quite a few within Fishman Island who are very resistant to humans. Planning such activities hastily could end up pleasing neither side.
You've spent more time sailing outside and know more about Fishman Street, so we decided to consult your opinion."
If done well, other people's life events are all well and good, but if a mess is made, it's asking for trouble. Neptune thinks Fishman Island isn't yet suitable for such events, but he and Otohime each have their own views, hence why they sought an outsider.
"Indeed, hatred doesn't disappear that easily. My suggestion is to keep it low-scale, inviting only citizens willing to give their blessings. It's not time to take too big a step now.
Brother Tiger will also return in a few days, so there won't be any trouble from Fishman Street."
Jinbe's suggestion was more moderate, but still inclined toward Neptune's stance. Yet, what he said made sense, and after consideration, Otohime decided to heed their advice.
However, none of them noticed that a nearby soldier's expression was not very good.
They weren't discussing secretive matters, so there was no need to disperse those around. It was normal for there to be guards on duty in the Sea King Palace, but the problem was, this guard's name was Hody Jones.
Also from Fishman Street, 19-year-old Hody joined the Sea King Army to train himself, but he was an even more extreme racist than Ah Long.
Ah Long hated humans but wouldn't harm his kin. Facing the Fishman Race, he was always close, but Hody was different; his mindset was much more crazed than Ah Long's.
To him, any mermaid and fishman close to humans should be eradicated.
On Fishman Island, most people highly respected Otohime, but Hody was an exception. To his eyes, Otohime was Fishman Island's greatest sinner, and the ideas she advocated were entirely wrong.
As a member of the Sea King Army, he occasionally appeared beside Otohime, but Otohime's Observation Haki didn't detect his inner thoughts. This was connected to Otohime's personality; she had no interest in delving into others' minds and seldom used that ability.
If she had enough ambition, that ability as powerful as the "Kotoamatsukami" would surely have a greater impact.
To Hody, mermaids and fishmen close to humans should be eliminated, not to mention Otohime, who wanted to organize Mandfeish's wedding, and Rushaka, who was marrying a human.
He didn't show this in front of those people, but today was his day off. When he returned to his residence in Fishman Street after his shift, his face was already filled with resentment.
Until a figure appeared in his view, bringing a trace of joy to his face, because he had seen the person he admired most - Ah Long.
"Brother Ah Long!"
"Hmm? You're Hody, right? What's the matter?"
Hody looked around, took Ah Long to his stronghold, then said with a bit of excitement, "Brother Ah Long, you've finally returned. Those guys are all crazy.
Jinbe too, and Otohime as well. Their attitudes towards humans are way too intimate. They're even planning to hold a wedding for a human and a mermaid, those kinds of people should just be eliminated!"