Chapter 226

Last time I came in a hurry,

I never got a proper look at the beautiful sights of Fish-Man Island, especially Sanji—he still hasn't seen the mermaid ladies he'd been dreaming of, or the mermaid Princess.

What Sima Di didn't expect was......

At the spot they had to pass through at the harbor, he spotted a "blue fatty" sitting there.

It was none other than the former Shichibukai "Jinbe"!

Jinbe also spotted the Straw Hat Pirates. He stood up, leapt, and shot straight toward the Going Merry, landing on the deck.

"Shall I knock him down?" Zoro gripped his sword hilt, his gaze sweeping toward Luffy and Sima Di.

"He doesn't seem hostile, let him come over and we'll see." Luffy said.

Sima Di also gave a slight nod, watching Jinbe land on the deck.

He didn't expect......

The moment this blue fatty touched down, he made straight for Luffy.

"Lord Luffy, I've been waiting here for quite some time. During your stay on Fish-Man Island, I shall serve as your guide and accompany you throughout!"

Luffy: "???"

Sima Di: "???"

Although in the anime,

Jinbe was a steady, reliable big brother, repeatedly holding back the impulsive Luffy, always stepping up at critical moments, and ultimately becoming a member of the Straw Hat Pirates.

But because of Sima Di's appearance,

Luffy didn't go to liberate Impel Down—Teach was the one who did that—so Jinbe never appeared at the Summit War, and never had much interaction with the Straw Hat Pirates.

The only connection,

was getting to know Ace through a fight, being acquainted with Whitebeard, friends of friends in other words.

Coming up and offering to be their guide?

What in the......

World is going on?

The Whitebeard Pirates still stand, so Jinbe doesn't need to join the Big Mom Pirates to shelter Fish-Man Island—he should be a free man right now.

Sima Di couldn't quite figure out what Jinbe was playing at.

So......

"We already have a guide." Sima Di pointed at the three fish-men: "Just tell us straight—what exactly do you want?"

Can't figure it out, so cut straight to the point!

What do you want?

Jinbe was well prepared too.

"Because I defied the World Government's summons and refused to take part in the Summit War, I've become a pirate once more." Jinbe said in a deep voice: "Staying on Fish-Man Island would only bring trouble to the island, but I have no interest in founding a new pirate crew, so I hope to join your crew and become one of you."

So he's come to throw in his lot!

Come to think of it,

Jinbe's position is rather awkward. Stripped of his Shichibukai title, he's bound to be a key target for the World Government.

Otherwise, how would they deter the other Shichibukai?

Even with the Whitebeard Pirates' protection over Fish-Man Island, they could still send agents to arrest him in secret.

Happening upon the Straw Hat Pirates, a crew with real potential, wanting to join them is only natural.

Sima Di looked at Luffy, his gaze suggesting Luffy decide for himself.

"Huh? Di, did you get Crocodile in your eye?" Luffy asked curiously.

Sima Di: "......"

He'd forgotten this was an idiot who couldn't read the room.

"The man wants to join you. Are you taking him or not?" Sima Di asked.

"Ah... but I don't know him." Luffy scratched his head: "How about you decide, Di?"

Ever since the crew got its "brain," Luffy has grown increasingly unwilling to think.

Sima Di rolled his eyes and looked at Jinbe.

Jinbe is a reliable sort, his strength among the Shichibukai is above average—taking him in brings the Straw Hat Pirates nothing but benefit.

And besides......

As of now, the Straw Hat Pirates only have four non-DF users: Zoro, Franky, Usopp, and Vivi!

Naval combat is a fatal shortcoming for them.

—As for Sima Di? He's just freeloading, so he doesn't count.

Now a powerful fish-man shows up, filling that gap nicely.

However......

"I'm curious—the Whitebeard Pirates just passed through earlier, didn't they? Why did you choose us?" Sima Di asked.

"Whitebeard is old now; he only wants to live with his family. Becoming Pirate King is just what his children hope for." Jinbe said bluntly: "I don't believe the next Pirate King will emerge from the current Four Emperors. If a Pirate King truly is to appear... then it must be the Straw Hat Pirates!"

Sima Di raised an eyebrow at Jinbe, who met his gaze with a steady look.

These really were words from the heart, not flattery.

"That was great!" Luffy said excitedly: "You're the partner I've been looking for! Come on! I permit you to board!"

Anyone who believes Luffy can become Pirate King is his good partner!

"I will do everything in my power to help Captain Luffy become Pirate King!" Jinbe said seriously.

"I also believe I'll definitely become Pirate King! Hahahaha—" Luffy gloated, hands on hips.

This matter is settled then.

Since they're one of us...

Then Sima Di won't be polite about ordering them around!

He first tossed a Hearthstone over, then added him to the damage-sharing aura's list.

He pointed at three Fishmen and said: "You pick a few people, go take out their boss Hody. He's got a Long Gong secret treasure, a vicious drug E? on hand — pop one and your strength doubles, and it can stack multiple times. Don't give him a chance to pop pills, snatch them all."

"Oh? A Long Gong secret treasure? One that doubles strength?" Crocus perked up at the words: "Then count me in, perfect timing — my research just hit a bottleneck."

"Then I'll go with Teacher Crocus too." Chopper signed up.

"Take Usopp along too, give him some extra training." Crocus glanced at Usopp, who was still being chased.

That's about everyone.

Jinbe nodded steadily and said: "I'll be careful!"

As his first mission joining the Straw Hat Pirates, he had to pull it off beautifully!

Once Jinbe and the others hurried off, Sima Di also drifted down from the ship with the three women including Hancock.

"Everyone's free to act, if there's any..."

"Whoosh—"

A giant weapon flew over their heads and crashed toward the Long Gong at the island's center.

That reminded Sima Di — he'd almost forgotten about that guy!

Vander Decken IX, when Princess White Star Bai Xing was 6 years old, summoned Sea Kings with her crying voice. To obtain that ability and covet Bai Xing's beauty, he has long fantasized about marrying Bai Xing as his wife, using his power to coerce her over the years.

Of course,

Sima Di wasn't sticking up for Bai Xing — he had his eyes on Vander Decken IX's Devil Fruit ability — the Mark-Mark Fruit!

A Devil Fruit ability claims that any thrown weapon, unless shot down, will absolutely never lose its target!

Usopp would probably really like it, right?

No, wait!

With the Devil Fruit compatibility potion, others could use it too.

Sima Di suddenly thought of a top-tier combo!

Which is...

?

Basic update, designing brand-new climax plotlines, guaranteed to blow your minds!

Begging for auto-subscriptions, quack.

84. The Mark-Mark Fruit and the Flower-Flower Fruit! Finally meeting the Mermaid Princess!