Chapter 52: Jimbei the Former Warlord
Luffy and Natsu reunite with some of their friends and fled to the sea forest. Some of Fairy Tail and Straw Hat Pirates continued to fight against Hordy Jones and his pirate grunts.
Back at the Palace Entrance.
Hordy Jones was seemingly unconscious.
The Fishman Pirates' grunts were baffled at what they saw.
"A human managed to cut one of us in the water!"
"How can that happen and to Hordy Jones!?"
Erza decided to step in. "Zoro, you fought hard, now swim to the surface, I'll hold them off," The famous pirate swordsman nodded in approvement and swam up.
"I shall be your opponent..." She declared.
"Stupid human woman...you think a red-haired like you can defeat us?"
That made the famous Titania's eyes narrow her eyes which made the Fishman pirate grunts flinch in fear.
"I don't think I know..." She then looked at her friends. "Usagi, Kagura, Lily, continue assisting the king and his men, I'll hold these bastards off!"
"Understood!" Usagi answered gesturing the others to follow him.
"Let's kill her!" A Fishman pirate grunt proclaimed.
"Water Magic!" Erza charged with her Sea Empress Sword releasing powerful whirlpools that caused the Fishman pirate grunts to spin around rapidly.
"I ain't done... She said with a confident smile holding her sword with the blade pointing up. "Sea Empress Sword Style: Water Slash!" She unleashed a projection that was the color of the water that cut several Fishman pirate grunts.
"She's strong!"
"She cut several of our guys in one attack!"
"Don't let up, she's just one human, if we surround her, she'll be defenseless!"
Neptune was informed of the danger and began to ponder the details of the battle. "This is strange my men are trained soldiers and yet they were overpowered by these thugs." He looked down while holding a few bubble corals. "Here take these and give one to your friend Zora!"
"It's Zoro!" Usopp comically snapped.
"Now grab on to my hair and hold on tight!" Neptune dived underwater and saw the Fishman pirate grunts blocking the entrance. "Ready yourselves my soldiers, I will make a path for us to escape!" He began to move his arms around and then grabbed the water somehow.
"Merman Combat..."
"Did he grab the water?" Akame thought.
"That's new..." Leone added.
Everyone got a bubble coating on their heads, however the moment that Usopp tossed the pink coral to Zoro, Neptune spoke again. "Ultra Marine!"
The merman king launched a mighty, extremely large torrent of water that blasted through the Fishman grunts sending them through the main entranceway.
"That's powerful!" Erza thought in surprise. "His attack reminds me of Juvia's water nebula."
The king began to feel a pain in his back but he kept his attack going. "Men, use the current to retreat, go now!"
The palace guards along with the two ministers as well.
One Fishman pirate grunt approached Hordy with an energy steroid. "Here, take this."
The king began to fall below. "Ow...my back..." He groaned.
"C'mon, what's going on?" Usopp asked.
"My back gave out...I can't budge an inch..." The king replied feeling helpless.
The Minister of the Right turned to see the king's condition. "Oh on, his majesty is hurt!"
Hoe then came out of nowhere much to the king's relief. "Hoe, we're saved!" He grabbed onto the whale's rope. "I owe you!"
"Talk about perfect time!" Makarov chuckled.
Akame couldn't help but find the whale cute.
Kagura felt the same way but, she kept quiet.
Erza saw her friend's reaction. "Aw, you think the whale is cute!"
That made her rival turn her head in embarrassment. "Shut up!"
"Hoe, we ow you." Usagi praised with a smile.
Temukai snorted with a huge grin. "Snort...snort...whale saved us, thank you."
The Minister of the Right was relieved at this. "Good, now, Hoe, bring everyone here!"
Suddenly something grabbed Neptune's tail which the king glanced at seeing the great white shark Fishman had him in a tight grip. The king of the sea realized the situation and let go of the rope.
The dark whale swam out of the palace and turned around.
"Damn at this rate, the king will be killed!" A guard panicked.
"Minister of the Right, we need to help the king!" Another suggested.
The seahorse merman was about to consider that until...
"I told you to retreat, we'll be fine, go on and find my sons, then we'll fight back when the time comes!"
Mest then appeared out of nowhere. "Makarov, Erza, everyone, I returned!"
"Mest!" Makarov shouted in relief.
"I'll get us all out of here with teleportation!" The former magic council member proclaimed as his magic energy began to circle his friends even the king.
The Minister of the Left was surprised at what he was seeing. "How is a human doing that?"
The palace guards were relieved. "Does this mean the king will safe!?"
"Alright!"
However, a Fishman swam swiftly towards Mest and took out a pair of handcuffs and Mest's magic disappeared. "What the hell?!"
Makarov was in disbelief. "Mest! What just happened?"
Mest didn't understand what just happened either. "My magic...I can't use it somehow!" He realized his hands were handcuffed. "What are-" He paused for a moment and realized what he had on his wrists. "Oh no, magic seal cuffs!"
"How did these Fishman pirates get their hands on something like that?!" Erza questioned in shock then it occurred to her there was only one explanation. "Tartaros..."
The Minister wasn't understanding what was going but it was obvious that things went downhill, he didn't want to leave the king however, he remembers his majesty's orders. "Let's retreat, we'll inform Prince Fukaboshi, Mamboshi, and Ryouboshi about this at once!"
Hordy Jones laughed. "Ha! you failed to save the king Mest, if only you didn't let your guard down you would've been able to save your friends and the king, how disappointing!"
The former magic council gritted his teeth. "Damn it..."
"That isn't all the magic seal cuffs I have, Fairy Tail pirates or should I say wizards, surrender now or die!"
Makarov saw how dire the situation was now. "My children...lower your weapons, we lost this round..." He along with some of the Fairy Tail wizards were soon handcuffed.
Leone and Akame were handcuffed as well, though they had their Imperial Arms their weapons wouldn't do any good in the water, so they had to surrender too.
Usagi threw his sword and stood still.
Temukai really wanted to continue fighting, however, there was nothing else to do but surrender.
At the front of Pappagu's mansion
The three princes were talking with a few Ammo Knights.
Elfman, Mirajane, and Pango continued on through the town.
"Man feels like we've been searching for the others for hours..." Elfman said wiping sweat from his forehead.
Mirajane sighed. "Yeah...that being said, our friends are still nowhere in sight."
Just then a mermaid citizen was walking by.
Pango walked up to her. "Excuse me, have you seen-"
"AahhhhhhH!" She shrieked in a panic and fled.
"What was that about?" The panda mink asked scratching his head with his finger.
Just the Ammo Knights approached the three.
"You guys are members of the Fairy Tail pirates aren't you!" One of them asked pointing at them.
"Yes, we are..." Mirajane answered. "Is something wrong?"
"Don't give us that, we got word that your friends and some of Straw Hat Pirates kidnapped some mermaids!"
Elfman was the first to react. "Huh!?"
"Hold on, why would you guys think we kidnapped these mermaids?" Mirajane asked the knights.
"We got word that some of your friends were there and then had to flee after fighting with Fishman Pirates!" The Ammo Knight replied. "So, we'll be taking your friends into custody!"
"That's right, so, if you surrender, we'll go easy on you!" Another spoke.
"Whoa I think there's been a misunderstanding, we would never kidnap anyone!" Elfman pleaded.
"It's no use..." Mirajane put her hand out. "It's obvious that these guys made up their mind though we don't have time to talk with them and we need to continue searching for the others."
Pango approached the Ammo Knights. "I usually don't fight unless I need to, however...giving the circumstances, I don't think we have any time to waste!" He leaped into the air and delivered a sidekick on one of the Ammo Knight's faces.
Elfman sighed. "I guess we have no choice..." His arm began to transform. "Beast Arm: Black Bull!"
"Capture them!" The Ammo Knights were charged with their tridents.
"Kung-Fu Electro Palm!" Pango thrust his left hand forward delivered an electric palm at the Ammo Knight and sent him crashing into a few others.
Elfman was surprised at the electricity that the panda bear mink used, however, he focused on the knights by punching and knocking them out with his transformed hand. "Manly!" He roared pumping his arms.
"Don't let down, we must capture them!"
More Ammo Knights showed up and they were angry.
Mirajane walked over to the incoming Fishman knights. "I think it's time we end this..." She had her usual smile on her and stopped, then her smile became wicked and her eyes glowed purple. "Satan Soul!"
The Ammo Knights stopped in their tracks and were greatly frightened by the white-haired girl's transformation.
She transformed into her demon form. "Still want to fight?"
Each of the Ammo Knights was sweating but then just a transponder snail was beeping into their pockets.
"Who is this?" He asked through his own snail.
A few seconds, the Ammo Knight gasped. "Men, let's go, water wheel Town is danger!" His men ran off while he took one last look at the three.
"We'll come back for you guys later!"
"What was that all about?" Elfman questioned.
"Sounds like there's trouble on the other side of the island," Mirajane presumed.
"Did you guys hear, the Straw Hats and some Fairy Tail pirates went off with the mermaid princess!"
There were some nearby citizens talking to each other.
"Mermaid princess..." Elfman wondered.
"Not only that, that pink-haired boy used fire attacks against Vander Decken!"
"That sounds like Natsu causing a racket..." Mirajane said with a smile.
"Yeah, the Straw Hat captain was able to fight despite he was tied up and that blue-haired girl Wendy was able to deliver a dropkick on Vander Decken with powerful force,"
"Luffy was able to fight being tied up...wait why was he tied up?" The she-devil user thought in confusion.
"Shirahoshi was taken away, I knew pirates were bad, they kidnapped her!"
"Kidnapped?!" Mirajane, Elfman, and Pango thought in shock.
"Question is, where are they going?"
"Perhaps, they're taking her to the Celestial Dragons!"
"I hope she gets to at least visit her mother's grave in the sea forest!"
"Yeah, considering that Vander Decken was the reason the poor princess wasn't able to attend her mother's funeral!"
The three remembered what Aquapad mentioned.
"Vander Decken is a Fishman that asked Shirahoshi to be his wife, however, she refused and he didn't take it too well, so from there on, the princess was countlessly attacked, so her family locked her up in the tower she lives in for her own safety."
"Sounds like the princess must've gone through a horrible time because of Vander Decken," Elfman growled in a low tone. "He's so unmanly!"
Pango nodded. "Yes, to think such a guy would sink so low,"
"Indeed, however, I suppose we must find a way to the sea forest, our friends must've made a deal with the mermaid princess and are offered to take to her mother's grave," Mirajane said earning a nod from the two.
"Good idea, but, how are we going to get there?" Pango asked with a shrug.
"Also, even if we ask for directions on how to get to the sea forest, I don't think the citizens will help us," Elfman added.
Then in the corner of Mira's left eyesight, she saw Aquapad, Lisanna, and Angel.
"You guys!"
"Elfman, Mira, Pango!" Lisanna waved at the three in relief.
"Glad you guys are okay!" Aquapad said sharing the same reaction.
"Anyway, what's going on here, we heard we're being accused of kidnapping mermaids," Pango asked.
"What, why would citizens think that?" Aquapad asked in shock.
"We were told that some of our friends were there a Mermaid Cover a few hours ago," Mira answered.
"That's right, I was there too, but, we had to leave because Sanji had a nasal spray accident," The Marlin Fishman replied.
Elfman, Mira, and Pango had deadpan looks on their faces.
"Nasal..."
"Spray..."
"Accident?!"
"Yes, we left due to the law of humans, and Fishman were forbidden to donate their blood to each other," The Marlin Fishman added.
"What, how could a law-" Elfman began to say until he was interrupted by Mirajane.
"Never mind that, Aquapad, do you know where our friends are now?"
The Fishman shrugged shaking his head.
Though their conversation came to halt due to the sound of footsteps coming their way.
There was Jula and Thorn coming toward them.
"Jula, Thorn!" Aquapad waved.
"Aquapad, Angel, we got some details about Straw Hat and some of the Fairy Tail pirates!"
A short time later.
Aquapad and the others were making their way to the bus that drives to the Sea Forest, what he learns from his two friends was still in his head.
"Princess Shirahoshi was with that Straw Hat and the Fire Dragon Natsu Dragneel along with other members of their crew, Megalo is with them!"
"On top of that, Vander was taken down too, I presume that they're heading for the Sea Forest which is where the queen's grave is."
"How is Hatchan though?"
"He's alright, though he was pretty injured, however, Wendy used her powers to heal Hatchan, and he looked extremely worried, Hordy Jones and Vander hurt him after he stood up for the Straw hats, anyway, go find Jimbei, he's at the Sea Forest, no doubt about it.
Aquapad continued to ponder what he was told, he was clearly angry. "I knew Hordy Jones was a jerk, but, think he would hurt someone like Hatchan..." He gritted his teeth in anger. "That bastard, I'll see to it that he and Vander Decken get a good ass-kicking."
Lisanna saw the angered look on the Marlin Fishman's face. "Aquapad..."
"Anyway, let's get to the Sea Forest, no doubt she'll be there with the others, also, someone else important will be there too."
A short time later
Eventually, the groups finally made it to the sea forest.
Everything was sunny, brightness shined through the forest like a beautiful sunny day on the surface.
"It's so pretty," Wendy cooed.
"I admit, I never thought there was a forest under the sea," Sting chuckled.
Juvia then wrapped her arms around Gray's arm. "Gray, this sight is perfect especially when I'm watching it with you!"
"Uhh...the others are here too," Gray sweatdropped.
Miyaka felt jealousy boil in her stomach.
"Meow, such a pretty sight, a kitty would like this," Milliana stated admiring the scenery.
"Look the Sunny!" Chopper pointed out.
"There's the Water Fairy!" Happy added.
Luffy saw a familiar cyborg. "Hey Franky, we're here!"
Franky heard the noise and laughed in delight. "Wow, look who has finally arrived!" He lifts his sunglasses at the massive mermaid. "Whoa, that's a mermaid I've never seen before, is she a lady friend of yours?"
The group went down to the ground.
"Let me introduce you, this is crybaby," Luffy introduced the mermaid princess.
"Seriously?" Rogue questioned.
"He's an odd captain," Sting added.
"She doesn't look like a crybaby to me," Franky chuckled slightly. "Tell me, sister, do you live up to your name?"
"Maybe...a little bit," the mermaid princess replied feeling a little awkward. "But you call me Shirahoshi."
Gray sighed. "I think what rubber boy was trying to say, that she's the mermaid princess,"
"Whoa, no way!" Franky exclaimed. "You're more pretty than Aquapad mentioned!"
"Anyway, did anyone else come here?" Fujika asked.
"Yeah, Robin did pass here, but she went off into the forest to find some ruins or something," Franky answered pointing at the forest.
Wendy was talking with Megalo. "Are you doing okay, Megalo?"
Chaw...chaw..." The giant shark replied.
"He says that he's doing okay," The sky dragon slayer translated.
"That's amazing, I never humans could talk with animals," Franky said clearly amazed. "Then again, we did see you talking with the big guy."
"Us dragon slayers have unique abilities, one is to sniff out a person's scent, so, even if our enemy was invisible or something, could sniff out their scents, and gets even easier if the enemies wear some colon or perfume." Sting explained.
"Though our weakness is motion sickness anything that's transportation, though, we can ride on animals that we consider our friends," Rogue added.
"That reminds me, I heard of that stud you guys pulled back at Water 7, that was insane, wish I was there to see it," Franky said with a grin. "I guess we're all crazy especially when we want to kick some ass!"
Natsu laughed. "Yeah! I enjoyed kicking the Celestial dragon's butt!"
"Don't forget I kicked the bastard's butt too pyro boy!"
"What'd you call me!?" The fire dragon slayer barked with an anime vein on his head.
"You got a problem, dragon boy!?" Gray asked clashing his forehead with his rival.
"Yeah, I got a problem with your face pervy popsicle!"
Luffy was laughing at the scene. "Those are funny, aren't they?"
Just then footsteps were coming their way.
There was the former warlord. "Luffy, it's about time you arrived."
The Straw hat pirate captain turned and a joyful smile formed on his face. "Jimbei!"
"That's Jimbei?" Gray questioned.
"He looks tough," Sting said really impressed.
Natsu smirked. "He looks like a worthy opponent."
"We're not here to fight him," Wendy sweatdropped.
"He does look tough, he might just as strong as Elfman," Happy commented.
"I see you brought some new company, other than I can tell you're even stronger," Jimbei praised.
"You must be Jimbei, pleasure to meet you," Sting said with a smile. "I'm Sting Eucliffe."
Rogue knew he didn't want to be left out. "I'm Rogue Cheney."
The two Sabertooth Exceeds decided to introduce themselves.
"I'm Frosch and Rogue's partner."
"I'm Lector and Sting's partner."
"I'm Happy and Natsu's partner."
Jimbei was surprised by what he was seeing. "Whoa, three minks are here!"
"Oh, you have it wrong, we're not minks, we're species of cats known as Exceeds," Lector corrected.
"Exceeds, I never heard of cats like that," Jimbei said putting his hand on his chin. "Anyway, nice to meet you guys,"
Yukino wanted to meet this respected Fishman and bowed. "I'm Yukino Agria, a pleasure to meet you, sir Jimbei."
The whale shark Fishman laughed at the introduction. "No need to be so formal, just call me "Jimbei"."
Natsu put his hand out. "Hi, I'm Natsu Dragneel..." Jimbei smiled and shook the pinkette boy's hand. "Nice to meet you, Natsu."
"Also, would you do the pleasure...of fighting me!?" He requested looking fired up.
Bonk
Carla was in her human form and delivered a kick to the pinkette boy's head. "Natsu, this isn't the time for that!"
Wendy giggled and walked up to the former warlord. "Hi, Mr. Jimbei, I'm Wendy Marvel, nice to meet you." She smiled brightly.
The whale shark Fishman smiled back. "Nice to meet you, Wendy Marvel."
Millianna walked up to the Fishman. "Hi, I'm Millianna, nice to meet you Mr. Jimbei,"
The former warlord chuckled awkward. "Just call me "Jimbei" but, nice to meet you."
Miyaka was a little nervous, considering she knows that Jimbei is a good friend of Fishertiger. "Umm...I'm Miyaka a former marine, I detected after seeing the nature of the navy."
That former warlord was not expecting this, but, to hear that she defected from the navy showed that this girl must've had a reason to do what she had to.
"Nice to meet you, Miyaka,"
"I'm Fujika, a former member of the Kuja Pirates, I decided to travel with the Fairy Tail pirates after they demonstrated courage, fighting spirit, and humanity." The former Kuja pirate was introduced.
Jimbei was surprised to hear someone from the Kuja Pirate had joined with a different pirate group, though, he realized that she must've had a reason to like Miyaka.
"Pleasure to meet you, Fujika," He then turned in Luffy's direction. "Anyway, Luffy, did you get my message?"
The rubber man tilts his head in confusion. "Message, I didn't get any from you."
Jimbei was a little puzzled at that. "Most peculiar..."
"Pleasure to see you again Jimbei, it's been ever so long," Shirahoshi interrupted looking down at the former warlord.
"Yes, what an unexpected meeting but a welcome one, for what do I owe the...WHHAAATTT!" He suddenly exclaimed in total shock. "Shirahoshi, why are you here, you're supposed to be in the palace!"
Chopper then was preparing to pick up Hatchan. "Franky, give me a hand over here with Sanji and Hatchan."
"Sure!" The cyborg as he manages to take the Octopus Fishman. "Whoa, you took quite a beating."
Hearing this, Jimbei was in total awe. "Hatchy!" He ran over to his old friend. "What happened to you, correction, what are you doing on the island?"
His former crew member looked up at him. "Jimbei..."
"I heard Arlong was captured so I assumed that you were as well," Jimbei continued.
"Franky, give me a hand with Sanji too!" Chopper called out.
However, the Straw Hat chef got back on his feet. "That's alright, I'm all better," He lit a cigarette and jumped off the shark's back, and landed on the ground. "The mermaid princess at last..."
Shirahoshi was a little confused at the blonde's words. "Huh?"
"She's standing right before me!" He swooned twirling around. "Such beauty than I thought she would have even with the colors in my heart I can't picture the beauty that you have!"
"He's back normal," Sting sweatdropped.
"He's even worse Blue Pegasus," Rogue added.
Juvia was a little creeped out. "This is reminding us of Lyon when we first met him."
"Pervert..." Gray thought.
Sanji wasn't done as he twirled around again and approached the Fairy Tail pirates, the female ones that are. "Fujika, former Kuja pirate, your purple hair matches your beautiful purple eyes!"
The amazon girl was flustered. "Uhh...thanks..."
"Miyaka, such a cute young girl you are, not to mention a female sniper that has a beauty that shot through my heart and filled it with love!"
The former marine was feeling awkward at this. "Thanks, I guess."
"Yukino!" Sanji continued. "Your beauty matches your pirate title like Lucy, your hair so white like the snow, such beauty melts my heart!"
The 2nd celestial wizard blushed slightly feeling despite feeling awkward. "I'm flattered...but..."
"Miss Juvia!" Sanji twirled around once more. "Such beauty and the water magic you use shine beautifully like the sunrise on the ocean surface!"
Juvia shivered a bit. "Juvia...flattered...but you remind of Lyon and Blue Pegasus."
Sanji then got on his knees and went over to Wendy. "Little Wendy, such a cutie you are, I have no doubt you'll grow up to be a lovely lady and that your beauty will be more than you can imagine!"
Wendy giggled awkwardly with a sweatdrop. "Thank you...I think."
Chopper was starting to cry tears of joy and relief. "He's being annoying but cool, he's back to normal...yeah!" He started to jump around while Sanji continued to swoon the girls, Natsu and Gray continued their childish brawl. "I don't how he's cured but it's awesome!"
"Wanna fight fire boy!"
"You bet ice boy!"
Millianna grabbed Carla and Happy in a tight hug. "Kitties! Such precious kitties!"
"Is something wrong, they're so noisy," Den wondered looking in the direction of the noise. "Huh, why princess Shirahoshi here?"
Luffy saw the merman. "Hey, the hell is that guy, that's my ship, get off!"
"Easy captain, he's my teacher's brother and rebuilding the coating for our ships," Franky informed.
Luffy was relieved to hear. "Oh, why didn't you say so, he's losing the Den and recoating your brother for ya, right?"
Franky didn't know how to respond to that weird reply, but he went along with doing a thumbs up.
Gin was searching around the town. "Man, this sucks, that bastard Vander Decken sneaks away, no doubt, he's returning to the Flying Dutchman, but I can't worry about that now." He went along through the town but then he caught a glimpse of some Fishmen storming through and wrecking everything they came across. "Who are they?"
He decided to follow but kept quiet and made sure to keep a low profile.
Saizou, Taron, and Jester continued to search around the town.
"Can hardly wait to have some fun with the female humans," Saizou chuckled evilly.
"Rhahahaha...I hope we come across this human too," Taron said holding a poster of Nami. "I heard this chick was the former navigator of Arlong's crew."
Jester smirked. "Who knew the old geezer would get a lovely woman on his crew, knowing him he must've forced her to somehow."
They saw Lucy, Cana, Camie, and Nami making their way through the town.
"Speak of the devil," A creepy smirk formed on Saizou's face as he licked his lips. "Let's proceed with the plan, our plan that is."
"Camie, how far is the bus?" Nami asked.
"Not too far, we'll see one soon," The green-haired mermaid replied.
"Man, I need a drink," Cana groaned.
"Forget the drink, we need to find the others at Sea Forest!" Lucy reminded with shark teeth.
Just then Fairy Tail's heavy drinker saw a bottle of sake. "Sake..."
Lucy saw the heavy drinker. "Cana, where are you going?"
"What is going on with her?" Nami asked.
"I'll get her, you two go on ahead, we'll catch up!" Lucy answered.
The two other girls nodded and went on their way.
"Cana, come here!" Lucy called following the heavy drinker.
The sake stopped at a few barrels. "Come to mama," Cana slurped as she prepared to open the bottle.
Lucy was caught up with her friend. "Geez, you got to be distracted by every drink."
Aquaius transformed into Esdeath and put her hands together which started to glow. "Mahapadma!" In a single flash, everything around her including part of the area came to a halt as time stopped. "Time for you to have torture, especially what humans like you did to Tartaros." She took two pairs of magic handcuffs.
Their mouths were gagged, then Esdeath knocked out the two Fairy Tail wizards by chopping the back of their necks.
Saizou, Taron, and Jester appeared from another alleyway. "Looks like our prey has arrived."
"Took think the human you absorbed into your body would come in handy," Jester cackled.
"Yes, let's do this, knowing Fairy Tail, they'll come looking for their friends," Saizou said as his face was close to Lucy's. "Slurp...such hot chick, I hope to hear her cries of her."
Taron caressed Cana's face. "Such a nice facial features this one has, her chest is nice." He smirked as he opened his mouth and drool dripped from his teeth.
"Damn, I was hoping to call dips on one of these primates," Jester groaned.
"Don't worry, I'll help you find a human plaything," Aquaius sighed then she turned her attention to the other two Fishmen. "Saizou and Taron take your prey back to the lair, I'll assist Jester in finding his prey," Aquaius said.
The two Fishmen chuckled with devilish smiles and left while carrying their prey in two bags.
Nami and Camie were already on the taxi bus and on their way.
"Do you think Lucy and Cana will catch up?" Camie asked a hint of concern in her voice.
"Don't worry about them, they'll catch up," Nami replied.
At the sea forest.
Shirahoshi goes to pay her respects to her mother's grave and was so happy to finally be there.
"Shirahoshi..." Wendy knew how it felt to lose a mother. Her mind was flowing with images of Grandeeny the sky dragon and her warm smile.
"I love you, Wendy..." Her mother's words echoed in her head.
Jimbei was shocked to hear that Luffy brought the princess out of the palace, though, he realized she wasn't scared.
Natsu and his friends explained to the former warlord about themselves and how they met the Straw Hats.
The whale shark Fishman was taken aback. "This...this...is too much to take in..." In all his years he never imagines meeting other people from different worlds.
Then a smile formed on Jimbei's face. "Though, I suppose anything is possible, that being said, anyone is a friend of Luffy's is a friend of mine."
"Glad to hear it," Natsu smiled brightly as he did a battle stance. "How about we brawl right now?"
"Moron," Gray muttered.
Carla delivered another kick to pinkette boy once again. "Natsu, this isn't the time for this!"
"Anyway, is it true that she hasn't been able to visit her mother's grave for ten years?" She asked the former warlord, who had an angered look on his face.
"Yes, not only that but the princess wasn't able to pro in her mother's funeral either,"
"That's horrible, that Vander Decken is a stupid jerk," Happy retorted.
"Yeah, he's a meanie too!" Wendy added.
"I can't imagine how that must've been hard for Shirahoshi," Yukino thought wishing her mother was like Otohime's.
Just then the taxi bus arrived with Camie and Nami.
"Hey you Luffy-chan, Natsu-chan, Wendy-chan!"
"It's Nami and Camie!" Luffy stated.
"See there, that's the boss Jimbei," Camie pointed out.
Nami's face became serious.
The full details of what happened back at the palace were informed to the others.
Camie was surprised to see Princess Shirahoshi and to find Hatchan is seriously injured, but she learned that his wounds will be healed by Wendy.
"Wendy-chan, thank you, I'm grateful to you," She bowed in gratitude.
Wendy waved her hands awkwardly. "No, no, it was my pleasure."
"To think that the new Fishman Pirates were able to infiltrate the palace, such a dire situation," Jimbei said looking troubled.
"What about everyone else, they're not hurt are they?" Luffy asked.
"The rest of our friends, what about them?" Natsu asked.
"Cana ran off after something and Lucy followed her, though, she said she would catch up later," Nami answered. "For the rest that was at the palace with us, I'm not sure, but, we should head back just in case."
Shirahoshi began to cry again. "To think...they would do something awful to my father..."
Jimbei realized that he should've shared an important detail with Luffy back then. "Luffy, I must tell you something important."
Everyone looked at the former warlord. "First off, I hoped you all would hear my message, it was to tell you not to fight Hordy Jones and his followers, in other words, I didn't want you to get dragged into our struggles."
"Struggles..." Wendy wondered in confusion.
"We must haste, but, humor me for a moment, there is something I should've told Luffy back but right now it means more than ever," Jimbei continued. "I would like to thank you, Luffy, and your friends for stopping Arlong from going wild in the East Blue."
"Arlong, I remember what Aquapad said about him," Natsu thought.
After the escape on Water 7
"Arlong was a Fishman that wanted to prove that the Fishman face was superior to humans and would have no qualms on killing humans, he was insane and Jimbei knew that very well,"
Jimbei continued on with his words. "So for that, I expression an overdue thank you, but, I also must apologize as well."
Hatchan realized what he was going to say. "Jimbei..."
"About eleven years ago was locked by the World Government and even though I knew what evil he was capable of..." Jimbei paused for a moment. "I freed him."
Everyone was horrified to hear that last detail.
Images of Arlong flowed into Nami's mind including the memory of her mother and what happened to her.
The Minister of the Right and Left escaped the palace with the guards.
"We left without getting the king, how can we call ourselves royal subjects!?"
"The king ordered us to, for right now, we must make find Fukaboshi, Ryouboshi, and Mamboshi right away!"
In the different parts of the town.
Merfolk and Fishmen citizens were being forced to step on pictures of the queen Otohime by the New Fishman Pirates.
Each of them was ashamed of being forced to do such a thing. "Stop on it!"
"You all need to leave the island!"
"Are you crazy, the surface isn't safe, and you know that humans will kill us!"
Deep in the sea forest, Robin continued wandering deeper and deeper. "I wonder if it's here." She pulled some branches aside and saw something in the clearing. "There is it."
Everyone was a little stunned for a moment.
Sanji prepared cups of hot tea. "Hot cup of tea for the ladies!"
Shirahoshi got one cup that was big. "Thank you."
"Sanji hasn't changed, but at least he's not having a nasal spray accident," Camie said.
Luffy took a sip of tea. "So good."
"Hey, that wasn't for you!" Sanji barked with shark teeth.
"This tea is good," Yukino praised taking a sip.
Wendy was enjoying her tea. "So delicious."
"It's good, however, I think it's time we get serious," Carla suggested.
"Agreed," Nami said as she walked up to Jimbei. "Jimbei, you said that you freed Arlong when you became a member of the Warlords and let him loose in the East Blue, correct?"
Hatchan was concerned about this. "Jimbei...wait."
"It's fine," The former warlord assured.
Sanji lit a cigarette. "I heard about that too, it was back when Luffy and I learned about the seven Warlords including the one that Arlong loose...Yosuke is the one that told us."
"He's a warlord and in exchange for him becoming one of the seven, he let a Fishman run wild in the East Blue,"
"Is that what he meant?" Luffy asked suddenly remembering the former bounty hunter's information.
"Surprise surprise, you didn't remember, well, anyway, when I learned that you and Jimbei were associating with each other...I didn't honestly know what to think of it," Sanji continued. "At first, I thought Jimbei was pulling the strings behind Arlong's rule."
The former warlord was offended but before he could say anything the blonde cook glanced at him with a glare. "So, Jimbei, I'll give you a chance to defend your reason, but, choose your words carefully."
His voice almost sounded threatening. "After all, your buddy Arlong turned our only navigator's life upside down."
Hearing that detail was new to Jimbei. "I...I...I..."
"Is that true, Nami?" Wendy asked.
"Yes..." Nami stuttered like she was remembering Arlong's invasion and the horrific stuff he did.
"Lowly humans...we're the supreme race, we'll rule over the world and kill every one of you primates!" Arlong's voice echoed in Nami's mind.
The memory of her map being discovered by Arlong flowed into her mind. "A child drew this..." He was impressed with the map. "Very good, she could be useful, bring her with us."
Nami remembered the cold act she pulled when she went to the talk to Genzo, Nojiko, and the rest of the villagers. She even remembered how she had to steal from other pirates in order to gather more money she could use to buy her village back and was pushed around by the Arlong Pirates.
"I'm sorry, you truly had a horrifying experience," Jimbei apologized.
"That's right and she's got you thank you for that!" Sanji accused angrily.
"That's enough!" Sting put his hand on the cook's arm. "Listen, I don't know Jimbei that well, but, I'm sure he has a reason for what he did."
"How can you say that!?" Sanji questioned still angry.
"Yes..." Everyone looked at Nami, who had her face lowered. "Arlong made my days hell, I would never change the way I think of him..." She then rose her head. "That said, I had no idea about two years ago while on Sabaody, I never knew that the strongest of Fishman were persecuted by humans."
She began to remember the day she and the others made it to Sabaody Park. "On the time we were trying to save Camie...I saw Sabaody Park...the spitting image of Arlong Park before it was destroyed."
"We all wanted a place to ourselves," Hatchan got up on his knees. "I'm not saying to get you to forgive us, but, Arlong hated humans probably too much than I thought."
Happy and Carla looked at the Octopus Fishman with pity, they could understand, that even their own race back on Edolas was having trouble becoming friends with humans.
"We urged to have placed on the surface which drove us to jealousy..." Hatchan started to feel the pain in his body.
"Fujika prepare some medicine again," Chopper ordered.
"Right." The amazon pirate prep some medicine again.
"From what I can also remember our race was only considered as fish...then about 200 years ago, the Ryuugu Kingdom became a member country of the World Government...even the king participated in the World Summit but despite that humans still had hate in their hearts." Hatchan finished as he laid back down.
Den had his piece to say. "The Great Pirate Era caused such dangerous problems...human pirates running wild through the island such much violence...our only safe place was taken over by humans too."
"Then one day, Whitebeard made his presence on the Fishman Island and claimed as its own," Jimbei added. "However, humans still became fearful towards Fishmen."
"That's right, Aquapad told about that, also after seeing the Celestial Dragons abusing their authority and using to strike fear into their people is the reason for that," Gray spoke.
"Correct, the reality was that shown by the Celestial Dragons, they resilient to change, even though that World Government broke the gap between Fishman and humans...the worst of them was the Celestial Dragons that should be leading by example," Jimbei continued.
"Does this mean the relationships between Fishman and humans remained the same?" Wendy asked.
"I'm afraid so," The former Warlord replied. "But luckily two individuals rose up on Fishman Island, two that would change the course of our history, the first one was Shirahoshi's mother queen Otohime,"
Hearing the same brought tears to the mermaid's eyes. "She believed our kind could co-exist with humans and the second person was Fishertiger, he set himself apart from humans by attacking the Holy Land and freeing the slaves, he formed a pirate group known as the Sun Pirates...there Arlong, Hatchan, and myself..."
He revealed a sun-like tattoo on his chest.
"Nice tattoo," Natsu praised.
"Seriously?" Gray questioned.
"Though we were known as Fishman Pirates and due to our actions, things got hard for Queen Otohime...she tried to navigate hardships for us and the same time Fishtiger threw his future away to free some of our kind...nevertheless they worked for our future, though, both of their lives in ended in tragedy."
While Jimbei begins to tell the history of Otohime and Fishertiger, the rest of the gang that's in different parts of the island fight the New Fishman Pirates. Saizou and Taron kidnap Lucy and Cana while Aquaius and Jester continue on finding one more prey.
Luffy: In the next chapter: History and Battle
End of chapter.