Chapter 300: Stay Your Hand
“Tch, I got it.”
Hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Mien flicked both hands, shaking off the bloodstains on the blade, then sheathed the sword.
He glanced at Jinbe, who was half-kneeling on the ground; the other’s entire body was now dyed red with blood, almost obscuring his original blue-green skin.
Still inexperienced, he was ultimately no match for a Vice Admiral like Mien with Admiral Candidate strength, even if the robe woven for him by La protected most vital spots; the gap in strength couldn’t be bridged by such external aids.
In the earlier battle, facing Mien who surpassed him in technique, battle experience, and Haki, Jinbe had almost no chance to fight back and was constantly on the defensive.
Mien’s sharp blade struck Jinbe’s body effortlessly every time, but Jinbe’s attacks mostly missed or were countered by the opponent exploiting openings to bypass Haki defenses.
However, even looking so battered, Jinbe’s eyes remained firmly locked on the enemy before him, showing no hint of retreat, as if he could keep fighting indefinitely.
“…”
Meeting those two resolute and fearless eyes for a moment, Mien eventually turned and looked away…
“Let’s go.”
“Eh? Not finishing off this Fish-Man right now?”
“If we wait a bit longer, that CP guy might not know either~”
Alberich was reluctant to let this person with deep ties to 【Underworld Princess】 go just like that; after all, they’d already made an enemy, what if they came for revenge later?
Ignoring the other’s question, Mien spoke one last time before turning to leave:
“What’s your name, Fish-Man.”
“…Jinbe.”
“Mm. Hope we don’t meet again, Jinbe.”
…
Mien took Alberich and left; following the white-clad agent’s instructions, they gathered subordinate soldiers while hurrying toward the west side of Fish-Man Island.
“Doesn’t want to meet again, huh…”
Watching the two fading figures, Jinbe’s vision grew increasingly blurry; once he confirmed they’d left, he, already at his limit, finally collapsed to the ground.
…
“So, why did you let that Fish-Man go?”
After contacting his subordinate officer and instructing him to redeploy forces westward, Alberich asked curiously.
“Nothing, just felt like this guy isn’t someone you can take out quickly.”
Battle-hardened and experienced against all sorts of foes, Mien knew well that someone with eyes like that couldn’t be easily killed.
“Besides, he hasn’t committed any crimes, right? At least not a registered pirate.”
“Eh~ But that Fish-Man is with the Beasts Pirates, right~ Don’t you have a grudge against the Beasts Pirates?”
“But I have no grudge against him.”
“Judging by his age, he was just a child when that war happened. And…”
Mien didn’t continue.
In fact, after their clash, he sensed Jinbe wasn’t some villainous pirate… They say battle is the quickest, most direct way to know someone, and Jinbe’s impression convinced him the other wouldn’t become some great evil in the future.
Moreover, his revenge targets were those from the Beasts who participated in that sea battle back then, especially that golden monster… He didn’t want to exterminate a Fish-Man who was just a child at the time.
“Roar~ No grudge, huh~”
Alberich said, whether mocking or sighing:
“I remember you weren’t like this before, Vice Admiral Mien. You’ve changed quite a bit these years~”
“…”
“Perhaps~”
…
The westernmost part of Fish-Man Island, Beasts Pirates’ docking area.
Step~ step~ step~
A flurry of urgent footsteps drew the attention of the pirates spectating the card game, and one with a bad hand seized the chance to quietly swap cards.
“‘J’, now I have it. Hehe~”
Eyeing his completed strong hand, this pirate fantasized recouping all his previous losses… but Brother Burufaruto’s urgent voice shattered his plan.
“Everyone, pack up supplies and prepare to board immediately!”
“We’re leaving Fish-Man Island right now!”
Carrying his old friend over his shoulder and cradling the infant, Brother Burufaruto dashed right up to the group.
The pirates, suddenly hearing the order, were momentarily stunned.
“Eh?!”*n
“B-Brother Burufaruto, what exactly happened on your trip out…?”
Eyeing the large and small Fish-Man that Brother Burufaruto carefully set down, a Squad Leader asked curiously.
“Never mind that, get on the ship quick, or troublesome guys will catch up soon!”
“B-but the coating isn’t done yet…”
The Squad Leader pointed at the Coating Masters bustling on the ship.
“Hey! Master, how much longer?”
“At least half an hour more~ What’s up, in a hurry?”
The veteran Coating Master poked his head over the ship’s railing and asked.
“Yes! Can you speed it up? We’ll pay extra for the fastest job!”
Hearing “extra pay,” the Master Craftsman and his two young apprentices’ eyes lit up.
“You got it! Just sit tight, sir!”
With that, this catfish Fish-Man pulled out another brush from somewhere, switching to dual-wield mode, twirling both brushes with fierce vigor, no trace of age left.
“Whoa~ Got some real skill, this old man~”
Seeing the impressive technique, the onlooking pirates exclaimed in admiration.
“Alright, stop just watching. Check your weapons first; enemies might come soon.”
“Uh… enemies? Navy, Brother Burufaruto?”
“Not just Navy—could be World Government agents… or even Fish-Man Island’s Sea God Army.”
Brother Burufaruto wasn’t sure if King Neptune would deploy troops under Celestial Dragons’ pressure.
“Anyway, prepare for battle. Once the ship’s coated, we leave Fish-Man Island immediately!”
“Got it?”
“Yes!”*n
“…”
“Also, whoever among you has raised kids, go feed this infant some milk.”
“Uh…”
…
Meanwhile, on Fenrir Island.
“Eh?! You say Sister La isn’t here?”
In the small building by the warehouse for internal management, after searching the island without finding La, Aoxi finally asked Wright.
After all, as La’s nominal First Mate who actually managed many internal Beasts Pirates affairs, he was most likely to know her whereabouts.
“Yes, Miss Aoxi.”
“Miss La left Fenrir Island with Governor Kaido three days ago but didn’t say why.”
Given Wright’s status and position, unless his superiors Kaido and La volunteered it, he wouldn’t pry.
“I see~”
Learning La wasn’t on the island, Aoxi gave up seeking her out about the authority anomaly; the occasional faint palpitation had little effect anyway.
『Maybe just a normal reaction during body growth… After all, by apparent age, this body should be in—adolescence?』
Aoxi thought to herself.
“Uh… If it’s urgent, Miss Aoxi, you can contact them via Den Den Mushi.”
Seeing Aoxi keep her head down silently, Wright reminded her.
“No need, it’s not important anyway. Won’t bother Sister La.”
“I’ll go see Obei.”
