Chapitre 632: Inherited Stubbornness of the Shark Fish-Men
"Become her friend?"
"Yeah, teach her how to properly use her power, and not become a source of calamity."
These were the two things Otohime wanted to do. She hoped Mandrell could keep it a secret, and that Manaphy would become this guide.
Although the guide should ideally be human, Manaphy was neither Merfolk nor Fish-Men.
The power within him was beyond Otohime's understanding, making all marine creatures feel an affinity towards him. Like a child of the sea, who could communicate with the Sea Kings, Manaphy was the natural guide for Poseidon in Otohime's eyes.
Poseidon's strongest ability was to command the Sea Kings, and Manaphy could already communicate with them. To Otohime, this communication was superior to command. Such a being was the right one to guide the future Poseidon.
Most importantly, she could sense Manaphy's untainted heart, without any trace of evil. In her view, there was no more suitable candidate than him.
There is a clear way to identify Poseidon: the Mermaid Princess who could command the Sea Kings was Poseidon, but her guide does not.
Manaphy's ability fits too well, almost like he is a natural teacher for Poseidon.
Moreover, Manaphy was different from other Mythical Pokémon. Among all the Mythical Pokémon created so far, Manaphy has the lowest mental age, behaving and speaking more like a young child.
The guide was not just someone who will teach Poseidon but was a special companion who will live and grow together with her, so Otohime told him to become her friend.
Like attracts like. People are influenced by their surroundings and friends. Manaphy's pure character should lead Shirahoshi on the right path.
"Sure, I love making friends. I have many friends in the sea. I can introduce her to them."
Otohime and Manaphy quickly reached a consensus, but Mandrell looked a bit puzzled.
Manaphy wouldn't teach anyone to become bad, but he had an instinctive "evangelizing" nature. The most outstanding example was Setsuna. No one had intentionally preached to her, and she wasn't a fanatic, but she was firmly bound to Arceus' cause.
At that time, Setsuna was about the same age as Shirahoshi is now. Mandrell could already predict what things would be like in ten years.
"King Neptune, sorry to interrupt, but Boss Tiger and Boss Jinbe have brought the leaders of the rebels and have been waiting for a long time. Should I let them in?"
"Ah, quickly let them in, we need to handle this matter too..."
Otohime rubbed her forehead in distress; this was the last thing she wanted to face.
Jinbe and Tiger had high prestige on Fishman Island. They were honored guests even in Ryugu Palace. If it weren't for the matter of Poseidon, she wouldn't have kept them waiting for so long.
"Otohime, you should go rest first. Leave the rest to me. After all, your leg injury is not light."
Until now, Otohime has been using Bubbly Coral to move around. This is one of the few advantages of Fishman Island. The bubbles produced by Bubbly Coral can serve as a natural wheelchair, allowing even those with broken legs to float.
Because of this item, even after injuring her leg, Otohime could still move freely once it was bandaged.
"I can hold on a bit longer."
"Otohime, you should go rest. Shirahoshi had also been frightened. You can bring Sir Manaphy to get familiar with her."
"Alright, I'll leave this to you then."
Seeing that Neptune kept trying to urge her, she left with Manaphy to Shirahoshi's room.
...
Neptune had a reason for sending Otohime away. She was too kind and merciful. Even though Hody and his group's actions could have led to serious consequences, in Otohime's view, if they repent, they could still be forgiven.
Otohime's kindness borders on weakness, but she is not hypocritical; no matter who the person is, she treats everyone the same way.
Even though Hody wants to kill her, she would still forgive him.
But Hody and his group's rebellion was something that the royal family couldn't forgive. While the participants might be forgiven, the leaders had to be dealt with.
In the original timeline, two years later on Fishman Island, Hody and his group were imprisoned awaiting trial after they lost. But before the trial started, they aged rapidly due to the side effects of the Energy Steroids and had only a few days to live.
This time it was different. Jinbe interrupted Hody from taking the drug, so he didn't consume as many Energy Steroids. Moreover, the impact of his actions this time was greater in Neptune's eyes.
Attempted murder of the queen, intention to overthrow Fishman Island's regime, disrupting Mandrell's wedding, and provoking conflict between Fish-Men and humans—these were serious crimes that could not be overlooked.
Especially since he tried to create trouble during Mandrell's wedding. If he had succeeded, Beasts Pirates would surely retaliate. Currently, Fishman Island was still Whitebeard's territory, and a full-scale war between the two pirate crews could have broken out.
But given the previous battle, Whitebeard might not have the upper hand. Even if Fishman Island wasn't destroyed during their battle, losing their protection would return it to its former state.
Under the protection of Whitebeard's flag and the actions of the Beasts Pirates, there have been few incidents of kidnapping on Fishman Island in recent years, and the numbers of Fish-Men and Merfolks in the market have decreased significantly. If the island returns to the previous situation, it would worsen the plight of Fishman Island, leading to a catastrophe akin to genocide.
So, he couldn't forgive Hody for this matter. Out of sight, out of mind, sending Otohime away was the best choice.
...
Under Jinbe and Tiger's escort, Hody and his group were quickly brought in. With them watching, Hody couldn't stir up trouble.
"Hody Jones, do you plead guilty?"
"Guilty? Neptune, what crime have I committed?"
"Murder, rebellion, endangering Fishman Island's future. What do you think you were doing?!"
Seeing the disdainful look on Hody's face, Neptune's anger flared.
"Ha, future? Neptune, Jinbe, Tiger, you are the ones destroying Fishman Island's future! You're all sinners for getting closer to humans! Do you think mere chains can bind me?!"
Hody's muscles began to swell as he tried to break free from his chains. But in the next moment, his muscles deflated like a punctured balloon, his skin sagging and covered with numerous wrinkles.
In the blink of an eye, he transformed from a young man in his eighteen or nineteen into an old man in his sixties or seventies.
The side effects of the Energy Steroid were manifesting. Because he was young and hadn't taken too many, the aging was slightly less severe.
But even as an old man, Hody continued to curse Neptune and Otohime, as if he was greatly wronged.
He cursed the royal family, Jinbe, Tiger, Arlong, and even went as far as to curse Whitebeard and Mandrell.
"Hody, as the King of Ryugu Kingdom, I sentence you to death."
Death penalty is rarely given on Fishman Island, but Hody was an exception. He had gone too far this time.
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone