Chapter 96: Gyoncorde Plaza

"No, that would only alert the enemy."

Neptune scratched his head. If they could find Vander Decken, would they even need Rear Admiral Karl’s help?

Ain poked Karl in the waist and whispered: "You have the most devious ideas; don't hold back. I don't want little Shirahoshi to be pestered by that pervert again."

Karl widened his eyes. What do you mean I have the most devious ideas? Don't you go framing a good man!

I have always acted according to regulations!

"Ahem, Lord Neptune, I have an idea that should be feasible."

Karl’s plan was to attack from two fronts. To get Vander Decken to come, he had to be given motivation.

Motivation one: This guy had pestered Shirahoshi for over a year and refused to give up. Even if the mark was gone, he would only be thinking of finding a chance to mark her again.

The Marines had just dealt with Hody Jones’s crew on Fish-Man Island. As long as Vander Decken wasn't stupid, he would never show his face while the Marines were still there. Therefore, as long as the Marines feigned departure, Vander Decken’s motivation to enter the island would be even greater.

After hearing Karl’s plan, Neptune nodded repeatedly, though he hesitated when it came to the part about him publicly seeking a husband for Shirahoshi in advance.

"This... Shirahoshi is still young. Is doing this really appropriate?"

Karl said dismissively: "It’s not for real, so won't it be fine to just explain it later?"

"But Shirahoshi is a girl after all. Won't this damage her reputation?"

Fukaboshi countered: "Father, this is for the sake of Shirahoshi’s healthy growth in the future. This small sacrifice is worth it. The citizens will naturally understand your painstaking efforts."

Neptune wasn't angry. After weighing it repeatedly, he nodded as if he had made a decision: "Very well, Rear Admiral Karl, we shall do as you say!"

"Alright, I’ll go back and prepare. As for what to say during the public execution of Hody Jones tomorrow, that will be up to you."

"That goes without saying. Rear Admiral Karl, you must be there!"

After returning, Ain took Karl’s place to explain their plan to all the Marine soldiers. It was quite simple.

After the public execution of Hody Jones, they would feign leaving Fish-Man Island, but in reality, they would just circle around outside and then head directly to the Dragon Palace via a hidden passage to stand by.

Everything was ready; all that remained was to wait for Vander Decken to walk into the trap.

The next day, Gyoncorde Plaza.

Since the death of Queen Otohime, few Fish-Man Island residents had gathered here, but today it was packed.

"I really didn't expect it! The true culprit behind the assassination of Queen Otohime was actually that bastard Hody Jones!"

"Queen Otohime was so gentle; how could he bring himself to do it! What a beast!"

"Shh! Stop talking, the Neptune Army is here!"

Several giant flounders carrying large bubbles flew through the sky, slowly descending around the execution platform in the center of the plaza.

King Neptune, Jinbe, the three princes, Karl, Ain, and Smoker stepped down from the flounders and arrived at the center of the execution platform together.

"My fellow citizens, I am King Neptune. Two days ago, the Fish-Man District thug leader Hody Jones directed his thugs to frame the Marines, but they were exposed, and the criminal group was captured by the Marines."

"However, besides directing his subordinates to frame the Marines, Hody Jones also committed another heinous crime!"

The residents of Fish-Man Island held their breath. Although they had heard rumors, hearing it directly from King Neptune was entirely different.

"The year before last, the assassination of Queen Otohime by human pirates was, in fact, an assassination operation meticulously planned by Hody Jones."

"The goal was to destroy the friendly relationship between humans and fish-men and to incite racial conflict!"

"And the person who assassinated Queen Otohime was not a pirate, but Hody Jones himself!"

The scene erupted in an uproar, the crowd filled with righteous indignation.

"Quiet!"

"Bring out the criminal Hody Jones!!!"

Under the angry gazes of the residents, a battered Hody Jones was brought before the execution platform by two Neptune Army soldiers and forced to kneel.

"Kill him! Avenge Queen Otohime!!!"

"Go to hell, Hody Jones, you bastard!"

"Hody Jones, you [expletive], [expletive] you!"

A few red-eyed, burly fish-men even wanted to rush up and give Hody Jones a few slaps to vent their anger, but they were stopped by the Neptune Army.

Smoker felt a lingering fear watching this. It was fortunate he had held back when he was being framed; otherwise, not only would he have met a bad end, but his good brother Karl would have been implicated as well.

"Hody Jones, do you know your crimes?"

Hody Jones raised his head arrogantly, looking with disdain at the furious residents of Fish-Man Island.

"Jahahaha~ Know my crimes? What did I do wrong? Humans are inherently inferior, evil creatures. That idiot woman licked the boots of the Celestial Dragons; it was truly incomprehensible!"

"Fish-men are the supreme race. You cowards, you show gratitude for the smallest favors from humans. Where is your pride as fish-men?"

Neptune shook his head. This guy was truly beyond reason and refused to repent.

"Hody Jones, for the assassination of Queen Otohime, inciting racial conflict, and framing the Marines, your crimes are unforgivable. As the King of Fish-Man Island, I sentence Hody Jones to... death!"

The onlookers cheered!

"Execute!"

"Jahahaha, come! Even if I die, my will shall be passed on. My will shall live forever!!!"

Swish~

Thump~ The fish head hit the ground.

The world was rid of one more scourge.

"Good riddance!" "Dying so easily is too good for him!"

After the crowd calmed down, Neptune looked at Karl and said loudly: "My fellow citizens, please be quiet and listen to me."

"We were able to root out Hody Jones this time thanks to Rear Admiral Karl. It was he who..."

In short, a heap of praise for the Marines and Karl, causing the favorability of the Fish-Man Island residents toward the Marines and Karl to soar.