Everyone’s level of development is different.; some can continue to grow taller even at the age of twenty, while others reach their limit at fourteen or fifteen. The sixteen year old Jack has already reached a height of eight meters, a true little giant.
With Mandrell’s height of over two meters, he looks like a child in front of Jack, making it easy for outsiders to mistakenly assume that Jack is the captain here.
Moreover, most Fish-Men have a fierce appearance, and Jack naturally exudes this fierceness.
Except for a few friends and his stronger Brothers and big sisters, his attitude towards ordinary pirates is not particularly friendly. However, he shows surprising gentleness towards his Alcremie.
The Alcremie on his head is not even as tall as a hat. Yet, even if Alcremie were to play trampoline there, he wouldn’t get angry.
This example of Mandrell struck his weak spot, and perhaps it struck a little too deep.
“Why are you using the Den Den Mushi?”
“Lord Arceus told me to listen to your opinion more. According to usual practice, when you are not a match to your opponent, you should ask for help.”
“There’s no need, Jack! You’re too hasty, and I only said ‘might.’ Most Underworld merchants dare not betray us.”
Mandrell was speaking the truth. Kaido and Charlotte Linlin almost occupy half of the underworld, and no one wants to offend them unless news of their death arrives. Otherwise, these people won’t dare to be too presumptuous.
Even if there’s money to earn, they need to be alive to spend it. The retaliation from these two is not something ordinary people can bear and neither do they want to try it.
It’s only when the benefits are so great that their greed can overcome their fear will such a thing happen. Surviving in the Grand Line’s Underworld requires a sharp mind; one piece of information isn’t worth risking their lives for.
—
Mandrell’s ship began sailing at full speed. After several days of continuous sailing, they arrived near Foolshout Island.
“Brother Mandrell, we’re almost there. If we haven’t caught up with them by now, they must have already landed.”
“Stop the ship. You all stay here. Jack, come with me to take a look.”
He wasn’t sure how many Marines have been sent, but he knew his rescue target was only Tiger. In other words, as long as Tiger didn’t die, the others weren’t his concern.
Plus, the Sun Pirates were all Fish-Men. Trying to catch them on the sea after they have abandoned their ship would be incredibly difficult. Sending their ship over would only add to the burden. Both Jack and he could freely swim in the water, making everything much more convenient.
“Pierman, you stay here and guard the ship. If things go south, retreat first. Don’t worry about the two of us.”
“Wait, Boss Mandrell, let us come with you too. We’re Fish-Men as well, so helping Boss Tiger is our responsibility too.”
Pierman accepted Mandrell’s order, but there were a few people on the ship who also wanted to go with them. This was the result of Mandrell spending a long time on Fishman Island; he had gained several Fish-Men under his command.
Those who couldn’t accept his identity left him and returned to Arlong or Tiger’s side. However, those who could accept it joined the Beasts Pirates and continued to stay by Mandrell’s side.
“As you wish, let’s go!”
With that, Mandrell jumped into the water first. Being similar to a Fish-Men, there were no issues with retreating. Before taking action, it was important to arrange a retreat route first, a habit he developed after the incident at Kuraigana Island.
Although Gyarados could fly, its flying speed was far slower than his swimming speed. The sea was his domain, and if he could swim, he generally wouldn’t choose to fly.
“Take care of it.”
Jack patted Alcremie’s head and left it temporarily with Pierman before jumping into the sea with other Fish-Men.
—
Jack appeared rather clumsy on land, but his swimming speed in water wasn’t slow. As long as he doesn’t transform, he retains the traits of Fish-Men in the sea.
Although slightly slower than other Fish-Men, Jack kept up with the team at the rear.
Dashing at full speed, they soon spotted the Sun Pirates’ ship.
By now, Tiger had already left the ship with Koala, while Arlong continued to preach his theories.
“Think about it carefully. What’s the point of that little girl telling people in the village that Fish-Men are good people? It’s as futile as Otohime’s efforts. Only when they understand the terror of the Fish-Men can…”
“Arlong, it’s been three years, and you’re still so ‘naive.’ Do you think you’re really strong?”
Before Arlong could finish, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice echoed from below the ship, followed by a blue “Dragon-Man” jumping onto the deck.
“Mandrell? Why is an imposter like you here?”
Arlong, upon seeing Mandrell, wasn’t pleased. He used to consider Mandrell a friend when he thought Mandrell was a Fish-Man, but everything changed when his human identity was revealed. To Arlong, Mandrell was just an imposter now.
“Of course, I’m here for a reason. Where’s Fisher Tiger?”
“Show some respect to Boss!”
Mandrell calling Tiger directly by name displeased Arlong even more. Coupled with his previous words and “deception,” his plethora of emotions made him want to fight Mandrell.
But it seemed he forgot that he couldn’t even match Mandrell during the Magikarp period, let alone now when he has mastered Mega evolution of Gyarados.
So, Mandrell easily pinned him to the ground with one hand.
“With your limited skills, you think you can bring terror to humans? You know nothing about true strength.”
“Mandrell, what are you doing here?”
Seeing Mandrell pin Arlong to the deck, the other Fish-Men around showed wary looks, and Jinbe also took on a fighting stance.
“Nyuuuuu, don’t be like this, there must be a misunderstanding here.”
Hachi tried to mediate between them, his six arms waving up and down.
“I’m not here to fight. We received information that the Marines are targeting Fisher Tiger. To be precise, I’m here to rescue him.”
“Rescue? Boss doesn’t need your help! Mere humans shouldn’t be so arrogant!”
Even pinned to the ground, Arlong remained stubborn, refusing to back down even though Mandrell’s single hand rendered him powerless.
“If Shyarly wasn’t your sister, I’d have beaten you so badly no one would be able to recognize you. Stop generalizing all humans every time you open your mouth. Not all humans are the same.”
Saying that, Mandrell threw Arlong next to Hachi. Although Arlong remained defiant, he was firmly held back by Hachi and the others.
At this moment, Jack and the others also jumped onto the deck; their speed was not as good as Mandrell, so they were slightly slower.
“Boss Mandrell, we saw warships on our way here. They’re surrounding this place!”
At the same time, gunfire rang out from the island. Even Arlong stopped struggling. It was clear that what Mandrell said was true.
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