Ryugu Palace
"Left Minister, how are things looking?"
The elderly man—wearing a formal top hat, a monocle over his left eye, and leaning on a horn-handled cane—gave a slight nod before replying.
"Your Majesty, according to the reports from our people, these Marines appear to be here purely as tourists. So far, they haven't done anything out of line."
"We've also asked several residents," he continued. "None of them heard the Marines mention any specific mission or purpose for this visit."
King Neptune stroked his beard thoughtfully, Shyarly's prophecy resurfacing in his mind.
Could she have been wrong this time?
After all, these were Marines, not pirates. No matter how unruly Marines could be, surely they wouldn't slaughter civilians for no reason.
"In that case…" Neptune said slowly. "Let's observe for a few more days. Maybe they'll leave on their own."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Noah — Fish-Man District
Built centuries ago by the people of Fish-Man Island, Noah—known as the Ark of Promise and the Ship Awaiting Its Mission—had long since fallen into neglect.
Now, it served as the hideout of Fish-Man District delinquents.
After Queen Otohime's assassination, Hody Jones, who had left the Neptune Army, made this place his base.
"Boss, we've got news!"
A tall, vicious-looking Fish-Man opened his bloodshot eyes, revealing rows of sharp teeth.
"Oh?" Hody sneered. "Let's hear it."
"It's the Marines. A group of them landed on Fish-Man Island today. Their purpose isn't clear—looks like they're just sightseeing. Other than touring around, they haven't done anything."
Hody let out a cold laugh.
"How bold. Those inferior humans actually dare to strut around Fish-Man Island like this."
"What about the merchants' reactions?"
"Hard to say. They seem… happy. Ever since Queen Otohime died, it's been a long time since this many visitors showed up."
"Tch." Hody clicked his tongue in disgust.
"A bunch of spineless trash. They heal and forget the pain—Otohime's death clearly taught them nothing."
He stood up, eyes filled with hatred.
Hody truly despised humans—even though he himself had never been directly harmed by one.
"Daruma."
A short, red Fish-Man suddenly popped out of the ground, grinning arrogantly.
"Boss! Want me to bite their flesh to pieces? Kakka!"
"Gyahahaha—no," Hody replied.
"I want the Marines to lose all credibility."
"Go injure a few of the residents living up above—and pin it on the Marines. You understand?"
"Leave it to me, kakka!"
With a whoosh, Daruma dove back underground, vanishing without a trace.
The Next Morning
Karl stepped out of the inn and stretched lazily—
Only to immediately notice something was off.
The way the Fish-Man Island residents were looking at him had completely changed.
Yesterday, they hadn't been friendly—but at least they were neutral.
Today?
Bare hostility.
Karl's expression darkened.
Something happened last night.
Ain soon joined him, instantly sensing trouble when she saw the surrounding stares.
"What's going on?" she whispered.
Karl shook his head.
"No idea."
Last night, Smoker had taken the soldiers back to the ship to rest and stand guard. Karl and Ain had stayed at the inn—separate rooms, obviously.
If anything happened, it definitely wasn't them.
Unless…
Karl's eyes flickered. Smoker's temper can be a bit explosive.
Suddenly, shouting erupted.
"It was you! You're the ones who injured my husband!"
"That's right! I saw it clearly last night—those Marines in white uniforms did it!"
"Humans are all scum! Get out of Fish-Man Island!"
"Yes! Get out of Fish-Man Island!"
The residents gradually surrounded Karl and Ain, voices rising in anger.
Karl immediately recognized the pattern.
This feels familiar…
He'd used this trick himself plenty of times.
What was it called again? Oh—framing.
"Everyone, please calm down," Karl said loudly.
"Last night, we stayed at this inn the entire time and never left. I have no knowledge of the incident you're talking about."
"I am Marine Vice Admiral Karl. Give me some time to investigate, and I promise to give you a satisfactory answer."
The Raven on his shoulder transformed into a long blade, landing steadily in his hand. Cold light shimmered along its edge as Karl looked at the crowd earnestly.
For a moment, the Fish-Men fell silent.
Karl couldn't help but sigh internally.
Fish-Man Island's folks really are… straightforward.
"Ain, let's go."
At the Warship
Karl and Ain quickly arrived at the dock—only to find the area already surrounded by furious residents.
Smoker stood there drenched in sweat, desperately trying to explain.
"I swear! Not a single Marine left the ship last night! How could we have injured civilians?!"
"What's the point of swearing?" someone shouted.
"You expect us to believe human lies?!"
That single line fanned the flames.
"Exactly! Humans have done enough evil already!"
"Get out of Fish-Man Island!"
"Get out!"
Smoker clenched his fists, completely at a loss. When he spotted Karl and Ain, he looked like he'd just seen a savior.
"You're finally here!"
Karl patted Smoker on the shoulder, signaling him to calm down.
"Tell me everything."
Smoker quickly explained.
That morning, the moment he woke up, he found the warship surrounded. Several injured Fish-Men lay on the ground, accusing the Marines of attacking them and demanding accountability.
Smoker, of course, denied it.
All Marines had been aboard the ship all night—no one was allowed to disembark. And more importantly, why would they attack civilians for no reason?
But the crowd wouldn't listen. Every time tensions eased, someone would immediately redirect the anger toward racial hatred.
Smoker's head was about to explode.
"No need to say more," Karl said quietly.
"I get it. Someone's targeting us."
Smoker nodded furiously.
"Exactly! Every time things calm down, someone brings race into it again!"
Karl rubbed his temples.
By now, he was almost certain—this was Hody Jones' handiwork.
This was likely the same tactic used after Queen Otohime's assassination.
Back then, the blame was shifted onto pirates.
This time, it was the Marines.
That Hody Jones… a hardcore racial extremist, through and through.
Looking at the enraged residents below, Karl felt a headache coming on.
Using force was absolutely out of the question.
The moment they did, guilty or not, the blame would stick.
Right now, the priority was clearing the Marines' name.
"Everyone, please calm down!" Karl called out.
"I am the commanding officer of this warship. If you have grievances, bring them to me."
"Give me some time to investigate the truth—please."
Without waiting for a response, Karl quickly walked up to the injured Fish-Men and crouched beside them.
"Tell me," he asked calmly.
"Last night—what time were you attacked?"
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage