Ch. 25- Thank You
One Piece © Oda
Blizzard, Moon, Joe, Maxine, and Alorna © Me
Priscilla and Dante © coloneljoe from Deviantart
A few minutes after Queen Otohime's death, the Neptune Soldiers, plus Jimbei and Megalo, who wasn't Shirahoshi's pet at the time, are trying to find the culprit behind the sniping. They went up to the coral above the plaza, since Hody said he had spotted the assassin standing there and taking aim at Otohime. Soon, BANG! BANG! Two more gunshots were heard, followed by Hody shouting "I've found the assassin! It's him! I know it is!"
Soon, Jimbei and the other soldiers came to see for themselves.
"Who is it, Hody?!" Jimbei asked…but then he got a good look. His eyes went wide in horror and he backed away a couple of steps.
It was…a human pirate…with a gun in his hand.
"…Hide him," Jimbei said, his eyes hooded.
"What?!" Hody questioned.
"Big Boss Jimbei, what are you saying?!" asked one of the soldiers.
"We can't show this to the people!" Jimbei said. "What will become of the queen's dream?! It's…it's just too cruel!"
"But it's the truth, Jimbei," Hody said as he picked up the pirate by his throat.
"No! He's just a pirate!" Jimbei snapped.
"But it's reality!" Hody argued. "We can't keep living in a fantasy world!"
With that, Hody pushed his way passed Jimbei and held up the pirate for everyone down in the plaza to see.
"No! Hody!" Jimbei barked. "DON'T YOU DARE!"
It was too late.
"IT WAS A PIRATE WHO SHOT OUR QUEEN~!" Hody bellowed, dangling the pirate above the plaza. "OUR QUEEN'S LIFE WAS TAKEN…BY A HUMAN~!"
The crowd gaped in absolute horror as they saw the bloody pirate within Hody's grasp. Shirahoshi and her brothers looked up, still in tears as they realized the horrible reality.
A human…had killed their mother.
"No…!" Joe whispered in shock.
"It…it just can't be!" Alorna cried. "It's…too cruel!"
"DAMNATION!" the Minister of the Right cried as he threw his fists to the ground. "Why did this happen?! What did we ever do to deserve such a thing?! A human…our will to live amongst the humans in peace…has been crushed!"
The citizens soon dropped to their knees in despair.
"A human has taken the life of our beloved queen!" cried Dante.
"Killing you won't bring Otohime back, you filthy human!" shouted a Triggerfish Fishman.
"…there's no justice in this world," the Minister of the Left said, holding his hand over his eyes. "This world…is just too cruel!"
XXX
Later, at Ryugu Palace…
"The king is still inside the Shell Tower?"
"Yes. He said he needs time to cool down."
Earlier today, Neptune, who'd just found out about Otohime's death, had told everyone to lock the gate to Shell Tower with him inside. He was so angry, that he was just about ready to attack anything in his sight, but knowing the harm he would cause to his men, he told them not to let him out until he felt like he had calmed down enough.
Right now, the Minister of the Left had paid him a visit.
"The culprit…had a gun, Your Majesty," he told Neptune, who was sitting behind the gate, "so a soldier shot him. It was…a human."
"…Minister of the Left," Neptune said, sitting curled up against the gate. "I won't lie to you-jamon. If I were there…and if I had seen him…I would've slain him on the spot, whether he was armed or not."
"…" the Minister of the Left was silent.
"…but…I know Otohime wouldn't have wanted that," Neptune said, his eyes tearful and his nose runny. "Now…no one will ever know what started this chain of vengeance-jamon. Killing someone only makes you a part of the cycle of murder…and the children who witness it will be effected. My mind understands Otohime's trauma…but…my heart…my heart is took broken-jamon!"
He then let out a heart-wrenching sob.
"Why?!" he asked. "WHY AM I NOT ALLOWED TO KILL THE ONE WHO MURDERED MY BELOVED WIFE?! THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND-JAMON!"
"…Your Majesty," the Minister of the Left whispered, trying to fight back tears.
"As a warrior…I have killed a great many to avenge my fallen brethren!" Neptune said. "I…I've also killed many human invaders! That's why I had no right to help Otohime with her cause! So I just stood by and watched over her-jamon." He sobbed again as he put his hand against his forehead.
"Why did an innocent die while I lived?!" the king asked, tearfully. "If I took over Otohime's project, now…then I'd be a hypocrite-jamon! The hearts and minds of men continued to change. They are full of contradictions, whether they be Fishmen, humans, or otherwise…and there are some things…even a warrior cannot protect."
XXX
The next day, it was time to go to Otohime's funeral. Neptune, as well as the Ministers, the Princes, and the Neptune Soldiers were dressed up in black suits, but just when they were about to leave…
"Your Majesty! Something strange is happening!" said one of the guards.
"What's wrong-jamon?" Neptune asked.
"Look!" Shirahoshi said as she swam up to her father, holding a tiny piece of paper in her hand. "Wherever I go, I keep getting this strange letter!"
"And it's the fifth, Father!" Fukaboshi said.
Neptune took a look at the letter's contents.
"Shirahoshi-
I've fallen in love with you, I think.
Now marry me!
- Vander Decken IX"
"A love letter?!" Neptune questioned. "But Shirahoshi is only six! Who is this 'Vander Decken', anyway?!"
"He's the latest in a long line of pirates by that name," a guard answered.
"I see," Neptune said. "My children mustn't take part in the funeral-jamon. If the sniper has any accomplices, they may still be around."
"But Father!" Fukaboshi argued.
"Also, capture this Vander Decken person, at once!" Neptune ordered.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the guards answered.
XXX
Later that day, the citizens of Fishman Island were attending Otohime's funeral in the Sea Forest. Among them were Neptune, the Ministers, the Neptune Soldiers, Jimbei, Aladdin, Joe, Maxine, Alorna, Dante, and Priscilla. Everyone stood before Otohime's grave, a giant picture of her surrounded by thousands of flowers around it.
"…Mom? Joey?" Maxine asked. "Why did the queen die?"
"…I wish I knew, Max," Joe answered.
"We don't have the answers all the time," Alorna said as she gently pet Maxine.
Priscilla sniffled and wiped her eyes while holding Dante's hand.
Suddenly…
"BZZZT…Attention citizens of Fishman Island!"
The crowd suddenly looked up upon hearing the voice of Fukaboshi.
"The Prince?" Joe questioned.
"Where's it coming from?" asked Alorna.
"Look! Up there!" Dante shouted, pointing to the bubble that surrounded the Sea Forest. There, a monitor came on…revealing Fukaboshi's face.
"Prince Fukaboshi?!" the citizens questioned.
A pause, but then, Fukaboshi began to speak.
"In her last moments…Mother said that soon…we would see the real sun!"
Everyone seemed to gasp silently at this.
"The next Reverie is in two years. Maybe that's a bit too soon for your hearts and minds to become one as one, but there will be another Reverie in six year, and another in ten."
On the monitor, Ryuboshi, Manboshi, and Shirahoshi stood behind their eldest brother.
"Ryuboshi, Manboshi, Shirahoshi, and I will realize our mother's dream, even if it takes the rest of our lives."
"…Princes…Princess Shirahoshi…!" the Minister of the Right whispered.
"I know that some…if not most of you may've had a change of heart because of this tragedy…but fear not! We will discard all the signatures that have survived the fire…and start anew! One day…when the wounds on your hearts have healed…"
Fukaboshi's eyes began to well up with tears at this point.
"…let us dream of the sun…once more!"
Soon, the crowd burst into tears…their hope returning once again.
Flashback end
"That was ten years ago," said Jimbei to the Straw Hats. "The Princes, Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi led the way. Together, with King Neptune and Princess Shirahoshi, they call upon the citizens of Fishman Island. Thanks to their hard work, the signatures are flowing in, once more. And that, my friends…is the story of our island's battle against prejudice over the last sixteen years…and the origin of the Fishman Pirates. The responsibility for Arlong's reign of terror in your homeland…rests entirely with me as his sworn older brother."
Jimbei, Blizzard thought in surprise.
Luffy just sat there, arms folded across his chest and cross-legged.
"…Miss Nami…it was my intention to stop Arlong if he were to run amuck," Jimbei said, "but…he bribed the local Marine officers and made sure the information didn't reach Marine Headquarters."
"…all right, then," said Sanji. "Now slice open your stomach, you no-good bastard! It won't undo the crime you committed, but at least Nami will feel a little better from your death! Now do it! GO ON!"
"SANJI!"
Sanji turned to look at Nami, who looked at him sternly.
"Sanji, that's enough," she said.
"But, Nami-" Sanji began.
"I said 'enough'!" Nami barked. "Look. Jimbei didn't mean any harm, okay?"
"Please, Miss Nami," Jimbei said. "I will take any punishment you have for me to atone for my crime."
"And that's enough from you, too!" Nami said. "It's not you, I hate. It's Arlong."
The navigator sat down on some coral.
"I'm just glad that you weren't an accomplice to his atrocities," she said. "After all…you're Luffy's friend, aren't you?"
"…" Jimbei just stared at Nami in surprise.
"It's true, I did suffer terrible because of Arlong," Nami said, "but…I met some great people of that…including the man I love. And Sanji, NO, I don't mean you."
Sanji slumped at this.
"It's all connected, now," Nami said. "I can't hate you just because you're a Fishman."
Jimbei's eyes went wide upon hearing Nami say this.
"So…you can stop apologizing to me about my life," Nami said. "It's not all that bad. I'm having tons of fun now with Luffy and all my friends."
"Nyuu…Nami…!" Hachi sobbed.
Camie just silently smiled, as did Joe, who wiped a tear from his eye.
"Your navigator sure is amazing," Moon said to Blizzard.
"Why do you think Luffy fell in love with her in the first place?" asked Blizzard.
"…your words," Jimbei said…sniffling, "touch me deeply."
The Whale Shark Fishman let out a sob as tears spilled from his eyes.
"Thank you!" he said, bowing before Nami.
Chopper sniffled and wiped his eyes, giggling happily, while Franky was bawling his eyes out, as usual.
"I TOTALLY GET YOU, BRO!" Franky cried. "YOU'RE A MAN AMONG MEN, JIMBEI! THAT TIGER GUY AND OTOSHIME OR WHOEVER! I LOVE YOU FISHMEN GUYS!"
"Oh, shut up, Franky!" Sanji snapped.
Nami watched as Jimbei sniffled and sobbed with happiness.
His conscience must've been eating away at him, Nami thought. In a way…I think it's good that he let Arlong run rampant in the East Blue.
She then looked back at Luffy, who is still sitting silently.
If Arlong never showed up…I guess I wouldn't have met you…huh, Luffy?
All of a sudden, FWUMP! Luffy fell backwards and sprawled out on the ground, much to everyone's surprise.
"Luffy? Are you okay?!" Nami asked.
A pause, but then…the sound of Luffy snoring filled the air.
"WHAT THE HELL!?" everyone except Shirahoshi questioned as Luffy snored, a snot bubble in his nose.
Are you kidding me?! Blizzard asked mentally. Way to ruin a moment!
"Hey, dumb-ass!" Sanji shouted. "Wake up, will you?!"
BAP! He kicked Luffy in the face, causing him to wake up with a yawn.
"Good nap," he said before he looked at Jimbei. "Huh? Jimbei? What are you crying about?"
"Huh?" Jimbei asked before he wiped his eyes. "W-what are you talking about? I'm not crying!"
"Oh…okay," Luffy said, but then he suddenly lit up. "Oh, wait! What happened to the robber guy that Crybaby's mom caught?"
"YOU FELL ASLEEP AT THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY?!" Blizzard questioned. "COME ON LUFFY! GET WITH THE PROGRAM!"
"Hey!" Nami called to Shirahoshi. "You're Shirahoshi, aren't you?"
"You can call Sea Kings?! Wow!" Chopper exclaimed, eyes sparkling.
"Nami-chin! Chopper-chin! She's the princess!" Camie cried.
"Oh, Camie, just leave them be," Joe said.
"Huh?" Shirahoshi asked as she looked at Nami, wiping tears from her eyes. "Oh…y-yes. I-I'm sorry, it's just…I can't help but cry when I think about my Mother."
"…she must've been a very great mother," Nami said.
"Yes! She was!" Shirahoshi answered, happily. "I know we just met….but I feel so at peace around you, Lady Nami-chin."
"Uh, actually, Princess," Camie said, "Nami-chin is just her nickname and-"
"Really?" Nami asked. "Well…I guess we have some things in common…don't we?"
Shirahoshi smiled and nodded.
"Ahem!" Jimbei cleared his throat. "Sorry that took so long. So, here's what happened so far at Ryugu Palace. Hody and his men attacked and have taken the King and his army hostage. Also, four of your friends are missing. That's all the information we have for right now."
"That's right," Luffy said.
"Nyuu~! Jimbei," Hachi moaned. "If Hody's scheme is working, then the entire kingdom should be falling into disarray as we speak."
"Ah, yes," Jimbei said. "You were at the Fishman District, too, weren't you, Hachi?"
"That means you know about Hody's plan, don't you?" Joe asked, and Hachi nodded in response.
"After that man left the army," Jimbei began, "I knew he must've been plotting something, but he never acted on it front of me."
"I know," Hachi said. "Hody hates the human race even more than Arlong does. He's the embodiment of the pure accumulated hatred of all Fishmen…but there's one way he's different from Arlong."
"What's that, Hachi?" Joe asked.
"Even though Arlong despised humans," Hachi began, "he never attacked his fellow Fishmen…but Hody…Hody will kill any Fishman or merfolk who are friendly with humans…in cold blood!"
Everyone stared in shock at this.
"This year is the year of the Reverie," said Hachi. "We have more than enough signatures for the petition! This year…King Neptune intends to tell the world that the people of Fishman Island want to emigrate to the surface."
"Are you saying that Hody intends to prevent that?!" Jimbei asked.
"Well…not just that," Hachi answered. "Hody intends to-"
"AAAAAAAH!"
Blizzard looked up upon hearing Chopper scream.
"Chopper! What's wrong?!" he asked in concern.
"L-LOOK!" Chopper cried, pointing to a giant Transponder Snail, slithering out of the forest. "IT'S A GIANT TRANSPONDER SNAIL!"
"That's a Video Transponder Snail!" Den exclaimed. "And look! The monitor's coming on!"
BRRZZZZTZZT! The monitor appeared on the bubble surrounding the Sea Forest…revealing Hody's face.
"Testing…testing…1, 2, 3...is this thing on?" he asked.
"Hey! That's him!" Nami exclaimed. "That's the guy who took over the palace!"
Grrr~! Blizzard and Moon both growled viciously at Hody's face.
"Hody!" Jimbei shouted angrily while Luffy stared up at the monitor in intrigue.
"Attention, all citizens of Fishman Island. Can you hear me? I am the Captain of the New Fishman Pirates…Hody Jones!"
TO BE CONTINUED…
Wow! That's...three chapters of this uploaded this month, I think! I'm on a roll!
Review, please!