Lloyd, who had concluded his meeting with King Neptune in Dragon Palace City, was finally sent off with gratitude by Otohime and the others.
Just as he stepped beyond the city gates, Lloyd suddenly stopped and lifted his gaze toward the dark silhouette suspended above the bubble membrane.
That massive form was Noah, the legendary Ark of the Promise.
Otohime followed Lloyd's stare and asked,
"Saint Lloyd, are you looking at Noah?"
Lloyd glanced at her with a cool, neutral tone, "This ship is quite ruined, an eyesore more than an artifact."
Otohime forced an awkward smile. As someone of royal blood, she knew some ancient truths, such as how Noah had been built by Joy Boy eight hundred years ago in an attempt to help the Fish‑Men reach the surface. Why he had ultimately failed was still a mystery.
Her own ideals had been shaped in part by the legends of Joy Boy, so she felt a deep respect for his efforts. But now, with Lloyd standing before her — a descendant of one of the Twenty Kings, and one of the most formidable — she quickly decided it was better to act ignorant of Joy Boy's legacy.
After all, Joy Boy and the Twenty Kings were long‑established enemies. It would be strange if Lloyd felt fondness for what Joy Boy left behind.
As this realization struck Otohime, a chill ran down her spine. If Noah had been preserved all this time, did that mean Fish‑Man Island was dwelling on the legacy of a former dynasty?
Her moment of relief dissolved into fresh worry.
Lloyd continued to stare at the shadow of Noah for several long moments, then finally turned away and spoke to Tiger.
"Tiger, take me for a walk through Fish‑Man District. That should also count as part of studying the spirit of the island."
Before Tiger could respond, Otohime blurted out anxiously, "Wait, Saint Lloyd, you should not go there!"
"Why not?"
"The customs there are rather… intense."
"That is perfect, I enjoy places with fierce traditions."
"But…"
Lloyd looked at her without expression. Otohime swallowed hard, her mind stumbling, before blurting out, "Then Saint Lloyd must be careful!"
The instant the words left her mouth, she realized how foolish they sounded. It was the thugs of Fish‑Man District who needed to be careful — not him.
Lloyd regarded her calmly then nodded, "Mm, I will be cautious."
He set Shyarly gently on the ground and walked off without looking back.
Seeing this, Otohime grew frantic and urged Tiger, "Tiger, what are you waiting for! Go accompany Saint Lloyd at once! And Jinbe too! Most of the Fish‑Men there follow you. You two must keep them in line and do not let them anger Saint Lloyd!"
Tiger snapped to attention, pulling a still‑dazed Jinbe as they hurried after Lloyd.
Despite appearing to stroll leisurely, Lloyd's pace was swift. Tiger strained to keep up with him, breath shortening as they advanced at a surprising speed.
Before long they reached Fish‑Man District.
Compared to the regal splendor of Dragon Palace City, this district was a stark contrast. Even the street where Lloyd first arrived earlier was livelier and cleaner than this place.
The moment they stepped inside, a harsh, fishy stench assaulted the senses, mingling with various other foul odors.
Most Fish‑Men in the streets wore ragged clothing, some baring their torsos, others in colorful but grubby shirts. Their appearance was rough and unkempt.
As Lloyd entered, every pair of eyes in the district turned toward him. Some gazes held curiosity at his unfamiliar human face, but most were filled with undisguised hostility.
Lloyd paid them no mind. From the beginning, his focus had been on Noah; Fish‑Man District was merely the closest path to it.
He had intended only a brief visit, but the unpleasant environment left him uninterested in lingering.
Still, some could not resist confronting him.
Despite Tiger and Jinbe watching tensely, a young Fish‑Man suddenly stepped forward and pointed at Lloyd, shouting, "Human, this is not a place you should be!"
Tiger and Jinbe stiffened. Jinbe called out sharply, "Hody, fall back this instant!"
Tiger thought only, Hody will regret this.
But Hody remained in Lloyd's path, teeth bared, seemingly unaware of the fear in Tiger and Jinbe's eyes.
From what Tiger had heard, Hody was a born villain, reckless and cruel. Arlong had at least cared for his crew, but Hody was unpredictable, a feral dog with no loyalty beyond himself.
Lloyd did not even glance at him. He simply continued walking.
That slight of him only enraged Hody further. He gritted his jagged shark teeth, ready to bite Lloyd's leg to pieces.
Around them, many Fish‑Men watched like spectators, some cheering Hody on.
The distance between Lloyd and Hody closed. Hody's teeth ground together, a ferocious grin on his face.
In the next heartbeat:
Poof!
Hody's body exploded outward in a cloud of crimson mist, his limbs and flesh erupting like gouts of red smoke. Before the others could react, a series of violent bursts continued.
This time, those cheering on Hody suffered the same fate as him.
Fish‑Man District filled instantly with the scent of blood.
The blood of the slain Fish‑Men gathered into a dark orb within Lloyd's outstretched palm. Under the horrified gazes of the onlookers, Lloyd tightened his grip, and the sphere dissolved into droplets that splattered onto every Fish‑Man's face.
The already grimy streets now looked like the gates of an inferno.
Suddenly, pitch‑black wings unfurled from behind Lloyd, spreading wide before settling into leathery bat‑like wings. The Fish‑Men had never seen a human like him before, and they stood in stunned silence, unable even to swipe the blood from their faces.
With a powerful flap, Lloyd rose into the air, breaking through the bubble membrane above and stopping briefly before Noah.
He gazed up at the ancient wreck of the giant vessel. Slowly, he raised his hand, his palm swirling with shadows that pulsed like living ink.
____
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Pretty please (´ε｀ )