Chapter 183: Hody Jones
Queen Otohime, whose Observation Haki could sense people's hearts, exclaimed in surprise, "Lord Eric…"
"Queen Otohime!" Eric cut her off. "Some people truly can change their beliefs—they're worth saving. But others are beyond redemption."
The others at the table didn't know what Eric and Queen Otohime were discussing. They could only watch in confusion as the two debated.
"On one side are innocent, ordinary fish-men; on the other, heinous criminals who've left a trail of corpses. Who would you choose to save?" Eric didn't wait for an answer. "This isn't some fairytale where everyone gets saved!"
Queen Otohime immediately fell silent, but with her strong will, she wasn't ready to yield. She parted her lips, clearly ready to argue back.
"Let's start with how your people can escape poverty. First, you need to develop your island's quality goods…"
Hearing that there was a way for her people to prosper, Queen Otohime listened intently and didn't argue further.
After all, Eric couldn't let her give an impassioned speech—he might end up swayed by her influence.
Before leaving, Eric said seriously, "Simply collecting signatures is meaningless. You need to lead your people toward a better life. Only then will they stand firmly behind you."
'All the hustle and bustle in the world is for benefit, all comings and goings are driven by profit. If someone opposes your leadership then, the people will be the first to reject them.'
…
After leaving Ryugu Palace, the ever-perceptive Kurumi asked, "So Eric-, are you saying Queen Otohime's Observation Haki has a special ability?"
"Yes. She can sense another's thoughts and emotions, and transmit her own consciousness to others—affecting their minds, influencing their beliefs, and even altering their values."
"That kind of Haki could be used for brainwashing… Would be useful for training pets."
"My, we really should've asked Queen Otohime to rewire your battle-crazy brain. But I suppose that kind of Haki doesn't work on beings made entirely of combat lust?"
Esdeath ignored Kurumi's taunt and asked Eric seriously, "How do I learn that form of Observation Haki? I want to discipline my little cat."
"That's an advanced form—it can't be gained through training. It's innate."
"Tch, what a waste."
"My, what a pity."
"You two… Anyway, here's some allowance. Go explore Fish-Man Island. But be careful—a lot of fish-men still harbor resentment toward humans. Stick with one of our main fighters."
Then Eric turned to Lant and said, "Lant, go home for a bit. Let your family know you're safe before coming back. Don't make me look like some heartless capitalist."
Lant chuckled warmly.
Kurumi asked curiously, "Where are you going?"
Eric smiled. "Just taking care of a task. I'll be back soon." And in the next instant, Eric vanished.
"Ah, guess I'll head back to the ship for a nap. Hmm." Deidara yawned, uninterested in anything unrelated to his art.
Kurumi and Esdeath exchanged glances, just as a soft voice called out, "Aren't you Lady Esdeath and Lady Kurumi?!"
"Hm?" The two turned around.
"And Lady Akame! And Lady Perona too!"
"Eh?" Perona blinked in shock—it was the first time someone had ever called her 'lady.'
"You are…?" Esdeath rested her chin in her hand, observing the mermaid but couldn't recall who she was.
"You're the mermaid rescued at the auction house… Lana, right?" Kurumi asked uncertainly. The girl had barely mentioned her name at the time, and it had been over two months. Even the sharpest memory might not recall it.
"That's right!" Lana clapped happily. "Lady Kurumi remembered my name! I'm so happy!"
"I'm just glad you weren't kidnapped again."
"…" Lana's smile stiffened. It wasn't like she had some innate 'easy-to-kidnap' trait—she just had bad luck that day.
"I heard Lord Eric was invited to Ryugu Palace, so I realized you all had arrived on Fish-Man Island. By the way, where is Lord Eric?"
"He had something else to do."
"Oh…" Lana quickly understood not to ask too much. Cheerfully, she said, "Let me take you around some fun places on Fish-Man Island!"
The crew exchanged glances. None of them knew their way around, and having a local guide wouldn't hurt, so they gladly accepted Lana's offer.
…
Eric, now apart from the group, headed for the Fish-Man District. But then—
"It's underwater?!" Looking at the vast ocean ahead, Eric was full of regret. 'Should I go back and find someone? But how could I show my face then…?'
"What are you doing in the Fish-Man District?" A cold voice came from behind.
"Hm?" Eric turned around. Though he'd sensed someone there with his Haki, he didn't expect them to speak to him.
In front of him stood a tall fish-man dressed in Ryugu Kingdom military uniform.
Even though the man was covered, Eric recognized him immediately.
Hody Jones!
The future mastermind behind the rebellion, eleven years from now. Who would've thought he'd already infiltrated Neptune's army and become a soldier?
Why was Hody targeting Eric? Because he'd overheard Eric sharing ideas with Queen Otohime at the palace. If Eric succeeded in reducing fish-men's hatred toward humans, then what would happen to Hody's grand revenge plan?
He had to kill Eric first!
Having made up his mind, Hody had tailed Eric after he left Ryugu Palace. When Eric vanished, it took him quite a while to find him again.
"Ready to die?" Hody Jones grinned, brandishing his silver trident, baring his sharp teeth.
"No. You're too weak to be my opponent," Eric said casually, wearing a smug, infuriating expression. "Why don't you call your little thugs from the Fish-Man District and all come at me together?"
"!" Hody's eyes bulged like copper bells. "Inferior race—die!"
He lunged forward with the trident.
"So slow~" Eric leaned to the side with his arms crossed, dodging effortlessly.
"!" Hody didn't retract his weapon. Instead, he swept it horizontally toward Eric's head.
"Clang!" Eric raised his left arm and blocked the trident with one hand—completely still.
"You know why I didn't duck under that strike?" Eric didn't expect Hody to answer. He continued, "Because ducking would've been the same as bowing to you!"
Eric grabbed the tip of the trident, preventing Hody from pulling it back.
"I won't lose to a cunning lowlife like you. Relying on conspiracies, never training yourself, and depending on those Energy Steroids, yet pretending it's your own power—pathetic!"
'Though I do rely on a golden cheat myself…'
"What… are you saying?!" Hody panicked. He pulled with all his might, but Eric was holding the weapon with just one hand.
Fish-men were said to have ten times the strength of humans. Hody was already above average—even a capable soldier.
"This man—he's attacking a royal guard!" he shouted, playing the race card to call attention.
"Buzz~" Eric unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, and all nearby fish-men collapsed unconscious.
Hody Jones, being the closest, was overwhelmed by the sheer force. Cold sweat poured from his body.
"Who… what are you?!"
"Die." Eric grabbed Hody with one hand and hurled him upward. His body crackled with blue lightning as he launched him into the sky.
(END CHAPTER)
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