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Chapter 167: Jack: Who's Hody?
🕑 Added 2025-09-03 14:08:01 +0000 UTCChapter 167: Jack: Who's Hody?
Hmm?
Hearing this, Shane was a little surprised and followed Smoker's gaze.
Sure enough, in the deep sea outside Fish-Man Island, a ship flying the Whitebeard flag was heading for the entrance valve of Fish-Man Island.
It was a small ship, about the same size as the Going Merry.
The moment it arrived at the entrance, it was immediately welcomed in by the soldiers of the Ryugu Kingdom and disappeared on the other side of the valve.
"Whitebeard? Sounds familiar. I think he's a very famous great pirate," Nami said, stroking her chin thoughtfully.
"Of course he's famous. Just like Kaido, whom we met in Water 7, he's one of the Four Emperors at the pinnacle of the New World,"
Robin said with a smile. "A legend from the old era who has endured to this day. It's no exaggeration to say that he is the leader of the Four Emperors. And he's the only living pirate with a bounty of over five billion Berries."
Perhaps only a flower raised in a greenhouse like Nami would be unaware of how terrifying Whitebeard's reputation was.
"Over 5 billion Berries?!!"
Nami was shocked. She had thought that her brother's billion-Berry bounty was the highest, but it could actually reach such a level?
How many times higher is that than mine!
Speaking of which, my bounty should have been treated fairly this time, right?
She had been sailing in the deep sea for the past few days, cut off from the outside world. She had no idea if the new wanted posters were out yet.
When they got to Fish-Man Island, the first thing she had to do was buy a newspaper.
"Why are Whitebeard's men here?" Nojiko couldn't help but ask.
"Who knows? But it's normal. Fish-Man Island is one of Whitebeard's territories, after all,"
Shane said casually, tossing the Fly-Fly Fruit, which was very similar to the Dark-Dark Fruit, in his hand.
The appearance of the Whitebeard flag had given him a mischievous idea for a bit of waste disposal…
"Territory?"
Nami was confused.
In her mind, a pirate who sailed the seas all day and the word "territory" could not be connected.
"That's right. The so-called Four Emperors, it's better to say that they are warlords who have carved out their own territories than that they are pirates at the pinnacle,"
Shane was always very patient with his sister when she wasn't causing trouble. He explained, "This has been the status quo for some years now, and it's also the biggest difference between the New World and other places."
"That is, the control of the World Government and the Marines here is very weak, almost no different from the Four Emperors. They are just a larger warlord."
"And Marine Headquarters doesn't dare to easily break this balance. They usually just monitor the movements of the Four Emperors' subordinates and rarely go deep into the New World. The Marines stationed in the New World are not even allowed to provoke the Four Emperors without the approval of the highest level."
The Marines don't even dare to fight the pirates directly?
That sounds so frustrating.
Smoker raised an eyebrow, a cigar between his teeth.
After graduating from the Headquarters' elite training camp, he had never been assigned to a branch in the New World.
He really didn't know much about these things.
Robin, on the other hand, blinked, a thoughtful look on her face.
Her attention was focused on the warlord theory. This was the first time she had heard such a thing, and when she thought about it, it seemed to be true…
"Then, Big Bro, when can we have our own territory?"
Nami asked excitedly, pumping her fist. "Just like those Four Emperors, to be able to protect so many people with just our name, and even the Marines wouldn't dare to provoke us."
"We haven't even officially entered the New World yet, and you're already thinking about that?" Shane was speechless.
But Nami had a point.
Since his ultimate dream and goal was to end this era, it was inevitable that he would have to establish a base and gradually build up his forces until he had the strength to confront the World Government head-on.
Previously, in the first half of the Grand Line, neither his strength nor the surrounding environment was sufficient for him to consider such a thing.
And from now on…
Shane's gaze was distant. He looked up at the space directly above Fish-Man Island. At a depth of ten thousand meters, and then another ten thousand meters above that, was the location of the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, a grin on his face. "Let's take it one step at a time. Don't be in such a hurry. There will be a day."
As he spoke, The Curtain Call had already arrived at the valve and was now in line with the other ships, waiting to enter.
According to the rules, all ships passing through had to do this. Otherwise, they would be considered illegal immigrants.
Of course, there were always some hot-headed fools who would try to force their way through the bubble.
But if they did, they would have to face the pursuit of the Ryugu Kingdom's army. And the double-layered bubble of Fish-Man Island was not just for show.
The moment they passed through the outer bubble, the ship's coating would be absorbed and disappear. And the space between the two bubbles was empty. A ship without a coating would fall directly into the deep sea.
In most cases, the only result would be the destruction of the ship and the death of its crew.
…
It didn't take long for The Curtain Call to pass through the valve and successfully enter the inner sea of Fish-Man Island.
They approached the shore and prepared to drop anchor.
There were already many ships docked here, some of them pirate ships flying black skull flags. When they saw The Curtain Call approaching, they immediately recognized the flag and hastily moved to the sides.
The crew was used to this and had no reaction.
In comparison, the scenery before them was much more eye-catching.
From the inside, the island was even more beautiful. The various buildings were arranged in a neat and orderly fashion, and the scenery was dream-like. From time to time, various fish, enclosed in bubble rings, would swim through the sky, making the island truly look like a fairy tale world.
"As usual, let's split up and explore for a bit. We'll meet up for dinner tonight,"
Shane gave the order and then looked at Nami. "Nami, you have an important task, within the scope of your duties. You haven't forgotten, have you?"
"I know!" Nami immediately raised her right hand. "Buy a newspaper!"
There were indeed newspapers for sale on Fish-Man Island. She could see a Fish-Man child selling them in a distant alley!
Although she didn't know how they were delivered…
"You really think of yourself as the News King, don't you!"
Nojiko chopped her on the head and roared, "You're a navigator! A navigator, you idiot! When we get to the New World, the old Log Poses won't work! We have to buy a few new ones specifically for the New World! Do you remember now?!"
"I know, I know,"
Nami said, clutching her head pitifully.
"Boss, are you going to look for that small ship from before?" Smoker asked, looking at Shane.
"Mmm, I sensed a noteworthy aura from that ship with my Observation Haki. I'm going to go and check it out,"
Shane said with a nod.
That aura was a little too strong, and it was not being concealed. It was almost as strong as the feeling he had gotten from Rayleigh in Sabaody. It was hard to ignore.
If he remembered correctly, Whitebeard's protection of Fish-Man Island was purely out of a sense of duty.
The old man had lent his name and his flag to Fish-Man Island, but he had never made any demands, certainly not like Big Mom, who would periodically collect a special "tax."
So, he was quite curious as to why Whitebeard's men were here, and why such a high-ranking officer had been dispatched.
......
Ten minutes later, the group split up at a street corner and went their separate ways.
Zeff, as usual, went to buy ingredients first, while Robin, who was interested in the history of this thousand-year-old underwater kingdom, went to explore.
As for Nami…
She had said that she would first fulfill her duties as a navigator, but she had immediately slipped into a nearby alley, acting all sneaky and not even letting Nojiko follow.
You could guess what she was buying with your big toe.
But the others just smiled and didn't expose her.
In fact, they were all just as interested in their new bounties. If they happened to run into a newsboy, they would also buy a copy.
They just weren't as desperate as Nami.
......
Food Street.
It was divided into two streets, north and south. The north was for the Fish-Men, and the south was for the Merfolk.
This was not to create a division. The Fish-Men and Merfolk on Fish-Man Island had no animosity toward each other. It was just that their tastes were very different.
The Merfolk, for example, didn't eat meat or fish at all. Their source of protein was various types of seaweed and shellfish.
The Fish-Men, on the other hand, ate everything. They didn't feel bad about eating fish just because they looked a little like them.
Jack was now at the north end of the street, a satisfied smile on his face. He put down the large pile of specialty snacks he had bought and sat down on a bench, picking up a giant takoyaki and taking a big bite.
He had grown up in the City of Gourmets and had never been to Fish-Man Island before. He had no special "hometown" feelings for this place.
But to see his own kind coming and going in the streets, it did give him a special sense of closeness.
And the food here was also to his taste. After walking down the food street, he had already started to like this place.
"Hey, have you heard? That Shane is already on this island!"
Just then, a deliberately lowered voice suddenly came from the depths of the alley behind him.
"Shane? Which Shane?"
another, somewhat high-pitched voice immediately followed.
"What do you think?! Who else could it be?! Of course it's the one that the boss has been so concerned about for the past few years! The captain of the Curtain Call Pirates, Shane!"
Jack's ears twitched, and he couldn't help but smile happily, continuing to eat his food.
As expected of Boss Shane. Even among his fellow Fish-Men, who lived ten thousand meters under the sea, there were loyal fans of the boss.
It gave him a sense of shared honor.
In the alley behind him, the conversation continued. "Are you sure?"
"Of course! So many people on the beach saw him! The news has already spread."
"Then what are you still doing here, eating?! You idiot! Let's go! We have to report to Boss Hody before anyone else! This is a great achievement! Haha, I can't even imagine how happy the boss will be when we finally have a chance to take that Shane's head!"
The sound of hurried footsteps quickly receded into the distance.
"..."
Jack's chewing slowed.
He put down his food and stood up, his face impassive. He turned and looked into the dark alley.
