Chapter 676 Chess Pieces! (2 in 1)

The great battle that took place in Ryugu Castle was not known to many people. Although the noise of the battle affected the entire Fishman Island, except for those in the navy, ordinary people did not dare to approach there.

The fish people have lived on this island for so long and have seen too many disputes. They understand that some excitement can be watched, but some excitement cannot be watched.

After all, life is your own.

However, the people of Fishman Island were soon able to feel that Fishman Island had changed again.

After the great battle that shook Fishman Island, the navy soldiers who often patrolled the streets have all disappeared.

Magellan, Sabo and others took their subordinates away from Fishman Island overnight and returned to the Navy Headquarters. They did not even stay on Fishman Island.

King Neptune, who had disappeared from the public's sight for many days, reappeared in the public's sight and made a brief appearance in the square in front of the Dragon Palace, calming the people's unstable hearts.

A few days later, news spread from Ryugu Castle that Princess Otohime and the two princes, Huangxing and Fanchexing, had passed away.

Neptune concealed the true cause of death of his family members from the people, and announced that his queen and two princes died of illness. He did not disclose what the Celestial Dragons had done in Ryugu Castle.

This behavior is not difficult to understand. Neptune does this to maintain his dignity as the "king".

If the people of Fishman Island knew that Neptune's own queen and prince were killed by outsiders under their noses, then Neptune as the king would have no face or dignity at all.

A king without dignity cannot rule the people.

However, this approach of covering up the truth cannot be considered correct.

Princess Otohime had a very high reputation in Fishman Island. Many people were very sad after hearing the news. They spontaneously gathered in the square in front of the gate of Ryugu Palace to mourn for Princess Otohime through this rally.

Once people gather together, they can't avoid communicating with each other. Amid the collision of ideas, a conspiracy theory about King Neptune is also rampant.

Some people speculated that King Neptune killed his wife and two children in order to control power, and colluded with the World Government and the Navy Headquarters to liquidate the new navy on the island, trying to use this method to regain his own authority.

This conspiracy theory actually sounds ridiculous. Neptune is respected as the "Great Knight". Since he became the king of Fishman Island, he has always been conscientious. Integrity and generosity are synonymous with his way of dealing with people.

Moreover, after marrying Princess Otohime, the relationship between the couple was very harmonious, and there had never been any major conflicts.

Those familiar with Neptune scoff at such conspiracy theories.

But there are some things that you won’t be speculated in that direction just because you are doing the right thing.

After careful consideration, this conspiracy theory is actually in line with human nature, isn't it? ? This rumor can be widely spread across the island, and the people do not think that such a thing is groundless.

And
Princess Otohime, who had always been in good health, and her two sons suddenly died of illness. Combined with the huge chaos that had previously occurred on Fishman Island, this also increased the people's suspicion of King Neptune.

Everyone on the island saw that among those who hunted down the new navy members, in addition to the CP agents directly under the World Government, there were also the Ryugu Castle guards directly under King Neptune.
As the rumors spread throughout the city, King Neptune, who was at the center of the storm, was preparing for the funeral of his wife and two sons.

At this time, he was still immersed in the pain of the death of his family and had not yet recovered. Moreover, the Dragon Palace Castle had previously suffered a bloodbath from the Celestial Dragons, and some ministers loyal to King Neptune also failed to escape the massacre.

The Dragon Palace City has also reduced its control over the public voice to the lowest level, and because of this, it has not taken any measures to prevent the spread of rumors.

As for Jinbei
After he was rescued by Yoshiichi Tsugakuni, he did not return to the deserted Fishman Island branch, but followed Yoshiichi Tsugakuni back to Zephyr's ship for a short rest and recuperation.

This incident was a huge blow to Jinbei. Although he was successfully rescued by Tsugakuni Yoshiichi, his subordinates who had always followed him were almost wiped out by the Celestial Dragons' plan.

The naval branch of Fishman Island is now in name only. Except for a few middle and high-level officers who were captured at the time, all the others were killed.

Jinbe's physical injuries actually recovered very quickly, as Tsugakuni Yoriichi's devil fruit ability had a very strong effect in repairing external injuries.

But after recovering from his injuries, Jinbei was in a very low mood. He looked listless and seemed to have completely lost his fighting spirit.

Their warships have entered Fishman Island and docked in a bay deep in the Fishman Forest. It is surrounded by dense woods, isolated from the world and sparsely populated.

During the day, Jinbei sat alone on the bow, staring in a daze in the direction of Fishman Street and Mermaid Bay.

In the evening, he returned to the cabin quietly without communicating with others.

Tsugikoku Yoshiichi and Zephyr have been with Jinbe these days. Neither of them expected that this incident would have such a huge impact on Jinbe. For a moment, they were at a loss and couldn't think of what words to use to persuade Jinbe.

Almost all of his subordinates who had lived and worked together for so many years were killed. Among these people were Jinbe's friends who grew up together in Fishman Street, the younger generation who admired him, Jinbe, and the new navy and joined the navy, and the young sergeants entrusted to him by his colleagues who died in battle.

These people are the most important people in the life of Jinbei, an orphan.

Now Jinbei's mentality is like Xiang Yu on the Wujiang River.

He doesn't want to live in the city of Fishman Island because he is afraid to face the friends and relatives of his subordinates. He doesn't know how he should face these people. Jinbei at this moment is extremely confused.

At this moment, he suddenly felt a little tired of his current life. He didn't want to continue to be a new navy officer, and didn't want to be the person who was entrusted.

He is afraid of other people's expectations of him, and he is even more afraid that his own abilities are not enough to meet other people's expectations.

Jinbei's condition lasted for three days, and the low pressure on him could be clearly felt by all the soldiers on the ship.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi had been silently observing Jinbei for several days. He originally thought that Jinbei needed some time alone to digest the emotions in his heart, but after several days passed, he found that Jinbei still couldn't get out of it, and Yoriichi couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

Yoriichi rarely shows such emotions. In fact, Jinbe and Yoriichi Tsugakuni didn't spend too much time together. Not long after they met, Jinbe was sent to Fishman Island.

However, Jinbe is one of the generals that Tsugakuni Yoriichi truly values. It is because of Jinbe's existence that Tsugakuni Yoriichi can so confidently hand over Fishman Island to him for management.

Strong, gentle, loyal, and more importantly, Jinbei, who comes from Fishman Island, has no prejudice and never believes that there are any irreconcilable contradictions between fish-men and humans.

Moreover, as he was born in Fishman Street, he was able to balance the relationship between Ryugu Castle and the New Navy very well. It can be said that the current stability and prosperity of Fishman Island is closely related to Jinbe's efforts.

In the new navy, no one is more suitable than Jinbe to manage Fishman Island. Even Tiger is slightly inferior.

Because Tiger's strength is slightly inferior to Jinbe's, the external pressure that Fishman Island needs to face is actually very great. Yoshiichirō is not at ease with Tiger's level of strength.

"Teacher Zefa, this won't work."

"Jinbei has been unable to get over that emotion for so many days. If it continues for a while, I'm afraid he will become decadent and depressed."

"You have been in the army for many years, so you must have seen things like this before, right?"

"Can you enlighten him?"

Tsugikoku Yoshiichi and Zephyr were standing on the observation deck, looking at Jinbei who was sitting in a daze on the bow, their faces full of worry.

Tsukuni Yoriichi has clearly sensed that the aura emanating from Jinbei is undergoing a drastic change. He knows that he cannot let Jinbei continue to be stubborn and must intervene. However, Tsukuni Yoriichi is not good at this kind of thing. Helplessly, he can only find Zephyr, hoping that his teacher can provide some help to Jinbei.

In the eyes of Yoshiichi Tsugumi, his teacher Zephyr is an extremely strong person.

His life also suffered tremendous changes. His wife and children all died at the hands of pirates, but Zephyr managed to come through. Yoriichi felt that someone like Zephyr should be able to help Jinbe.

"."

However, Zefa shook his head slightly after hearing this, then raised his head and looked up at the sky, muttering:

"For this kind of thing, it will be useless for the two of us to persuade them."

"Jinbei has to figure it out himself."

"If he can't figure it out himself, nothing anyone else does will help."

"I understand how he feels, but Yunyi, none of us can make the choice for him."

"Whether it's you or me, no matter how powerful you are, there are some things you can't do."

Zefa's words seemed to have a hidden meaning. Upon hearing this, Tsugikoku Yoshiichi also fell silent.

Zephyr was talking about Jinbe, but at the same time, he was also giving advice to Yoriichi Tsugakuni.

This time, Tsugikuni Yoshiichi acted alone. Although he successfully killed three of the Five Elders and forced Im to kill one of the Five Elders himself, the result was undoubtedly very successful.

However, Zephyr became even more worried about Yoshiichi Tsugikoku.

Yunyi is too strong, so strong that he can solve many, many problems by himself.

But absolutely powerful strength will change a person, make him blindly confident, make him paranoid, and make him feel that he can solve everything by relying on his own abilities.

And this is also the beginning of the downfall of the strong.

"Yuichi, relax a little."

"After you came back, I suddenly felt that something had changed in you."

"I feel like I can relax a little bit and not have to control everything."

"You can let Jinbei make his own choice, whether to continue to sink or to be reborn in adversity, this is his life."

Zefa patted Tsugakuni Yoshiichi's arm gently, and then did not stay in the observation tower any longer. He turned and left, leaving Tsugakuni Yoshiichi alone.

"."

"Are you talking about Jinbei or Luffy?"

"Teacher Zefa"

Ji Guoyuan didn't understand the purpose of Zefa's words for a moment. Was he using this method to subtly persuade himself?
When it comes to Luffy, Yoriichi Tsugakuni actually has a clear plan.

He had no intention of guiding Luffy to the new navy. From the moment Luffy left the navy headquarters and chose to go out to sea to become a pirate, Yoshiichi Tsugakuni had already realized that Luffy was not someone he could change.

However, he needs Luffy who has eaten the Nika Fruit, and he needs to guide Luffy to stand against the World Government.

Regardless of whether he could eradicate the Celestial Dragons completely, this was something he had to do no matter what.

As for the method, Tsuchikuni Yoshiichi already had an idea in his mind.

Their new navy has been managing the New World over the years and has obtained three red road sign historical texts.

Tsugikoku Yoshiichi planned to give Luffy some experience first, and then "guide" him to the holy land to find the great secret treasure he had been thinking about.
Although Zephyr didn't know the whole plan, he understood that Yoriichi Tsugakuni was planning for the Straw Hat Pirates.

On the way to Fishman Island, Tsugakuin Yoshiichi had already told Zephyr tactfully and clearly that he would not kill Luffy who caused trouble on Fishman Island, but in return, Luffy would have to pay some price for it.
Luffy is a very important chess piece for Yoriichi Tsugakuin to fight against the World Government.

"Bam—"

On the calm sea, the water suddenly surged up and formed a huge "sea bag".

The next moment, the sea envelope broke, and a large, brightly colored ship emerged from the sea. The bottom of the ship slammed heavily on the sea surface, stirring up waves.

"Oh ho——"

"Finally out!"

The Sunny was bathed in bright sunshine, and a rainbow appeared in the sky with the water vapor.

Luffy stood at the bow, opened his arms and howled loudly, in a very good mood.

Although the underwater world made him feel extremely novel, for someone who loved novelty like him, the underwater journeys during this period had already made him feel bored.

Luffy was naturally very happy to be able to leave the dark deep sea and return to the sun.

Of course, what is more important is that they have officially left the first half of the Grand Line and successfully entered the New World.

This also means that they are one step closer to the great treasure, and that Luffy is one step closer to the throne of Pirate King.

For the pirates in this world, Fishman Island is an insurmountable hurdle.

After crossing this hurdle, what awaits them is the so-called "sea of ​​stars".

"I will definitely be the Pirate King!!!"

Luffy, in a good mood, shook his arms and roared towards the sky, venting his emotions.

His words of "being ignorant of the immensity of the world" also made the crew members behind him smile knowingly.

No one in this world would believe that a kid like Luffy could become the Pirate King one day, and those who believed that Luffy would become the Pirate King were now on the Sunny.

(End of this chapter)