Shark's shrill scream instantly made him the center of attention on the island, drawing everyone's gaze.
Arlong and Jinbe—who had previously only half-understood what Chenos was talking about—now immediately grasped the situation.
That human named Chenos was trying to drag their boss into a plan to go after the Celestial Dragons.
To be honest, they wanted to do it too—just like Fisher had once stormed Mary Geoise.
But they also knew very clearly: that was nothing but suicide.
At present, the fish-men had no truly powerful leader.
Even Fisher, the strongest among them, was no match for a Navy Admiral—he might not even be able to handle some of the more formidable Vice Admirals.
The fish-men as a whole were no match for the Navy.
If the Navy were willing to concentrate its forces, they could even wipe out the fish-men entirely.
And the Navy—capable of doing exactly that—was only one force under the World Government.
As for the Celestial Dragons they were talking about killing?
They were the ones who controlled the World Government itself.
Trying to assassinate those who held the highest authority in the world was no different from throwing away one's life.
Jinbe walked up to Fisher and said gravely,
"Brother Tiger, this human is a liar. He's trying to trick us into killing the Celestial Dragons—that's sending us to our deaths.
And from what you just said, the Celestial Dragon everyone claimed you killed was actually killed by this human. Yet he let you take the blame, letting you be hunted by the Navy and the World Government, while he walked away without a scratch.
Brother Tiger, you treat him as a friend, yet he set you up like this. Now he even wants to drag you into killing Celestial Dragons and dying for it. His intentions are truly despicable!"
Arlong also stepped forward, glaring at Fisher.
"Big brother, this human is vicious and deceitful. I don't think his reason for coming here was pure to begin with. We should kill them now to eliminate future trouble—otherwise we'll get stabbed in the back and won't even know what happened."
After the two finished speaking, they stared murderously at Chenos and the others, already prepared to strike.
Shark hurriedly raised both hands.
"This has nothing to do with me! I'm a victim too! I was just tricked onto their ship—I don't know anything!"
After shouting that, Shark stood up and bowed ninety degrees to both Chenos and Fisher.
"Sorry, Chenos. I think I'll have to quit the Warriors Pirates. As compensation for quitting, I'll give you the ship. I just hope that when you get caught by the Navy, you won't tell them I built it.
And, Boss Fish-Man—could you spare me a small boat? I need to leave immediately. Please!"
No one responded to him.
Fisher looked at Chenos and asked seriously,
"Are you serious?"
Chenos nodded.
"Very serious. And ever since I escaped, I've been preparing for this…"
Just as Chenos was about to explain how he had already established contact with the great pirate Donquixote Doflamingo—
A sudden cannon blast echoed from the sea.
Everyone on the island turned to look.
"It's the Navy!"
"The Navy is here!!!"
"Everyone, get into the sea!"
"Hold the Navy back so Brother Fisher can escape!"
The fish-men leapt into the water one after another, preparing to fight.
In naval combat, they had never feared anyone.
Seeing the Navy's arrival, Arlong shouted at Fisher,
"Big brother, look! Before they came, the Navy didn't even know where we were! The moment they arrived, the Navy showed up—this has to be them leading the Navy here!"
Jinbe bent his knees and clenched his fists, gathering strength. As long as Fisher gave the order, he would charge in immediately.
Fisher stared at Chenos in disbelief.
Rationally, he knew Chenos wouldn't do something like this.
But the facts were right in front of him—Chenos arrived, and the Navy followed.
"You… Chenos, I need an explanation!"
Chenos frowned as he looked toward the Navy ships.
Just moments ago, Fisher had clearly been wavering.
If Chenos had been able to explain things properly, there was a real chance Fisher would have joined them.
But the Navy's sudden appearance ruined everything.
"I'll give you an explanation," Chenos said, leaving that sentence behind as he walked toward the shore.
Shark looked helplessly at everyone.
"Am I really this invisible? The Navy's already here—someone at least give me a boat so I can run!"
No one paid him any attention.
Fisher's focus was entirely on Chenos.
Using Geppo, Chenos kicked off the air and arrived above the Navy warship, unleashing a Rankyaku downward.
Navy Vice Admiral Kent swung the massive battle-axe in his hands, sending out an air slash that shattered Chenos's Rankyaku.
Seeing Kent, Chenos frowned.
He had seen this Marine at Sabaody before—the same Vice Admiral who had arrived after his battle with Doflamingo.
"Seriously troublesome…"
Chenos landed on the warship. Kent narrowed his eyes and said,
"Rokushiki… Who are you? Navy, or World Government?"
Chenos replied coldly,
"I'm a pirate."
Hearing that, Kent's expression relaxed instead.
"Hahahaha! I don't know why you know Rokushiki, but if you're a pirate, then this gets easy!"
With that, Kent charged straight at Chenos.
Kent stood nearly three meters tall, with a thick beard, a massive axe in hand, and a bulky, heavy build that looked terrifying.
Yet despite his size, his speed was astonishing—he rushed toward Chenos in a blur.
But fast as Kent was, Chenos was faster.
He didn't engage Kent directly—instead, he darted straight toward the Navy soldiers behind him.
The Marines following the ferocious Kent showed no fear either, raising their weapons and aiming at Chenos.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunfire erupted.
The Marines hadn't expected their bullets to hit—after all, in the pirate world, bullets rarely hit anyone.
(Except a certain future Straw Hat—if bullets didn't hit him, how would he bounce them back to clear mobs?)
Yet this time, they clearly saw the bullets strike Chenos's body.
But there was no blood.
Not even his clothes were torn.
Chenos smiled faintly.
"Thanks for boosting my combat power."
He raised his head and looked at the Marines.
"Now then—are you ready to welcome slaughter?"
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