Chapter 129 Jinbei

Chapter 129: Jinbei

After the speech, Queen Otohime set up the customary box for collecting signatures in front of her.

The people on the plaza exchanged glances, and finally, a few children were the first to break the silence, eagerly handing over several sheets of signed paper.

Queen Otohime asked a bit anxiously, "Are the children trying to cheer me up? They won't take them back, will they?"

Those words were bittersweet. Before this, Queen Otohime had spent over five years collecting signatures. She had amassed a total of 100 sheets, each capable of holding ten signatures, which equated to the signatures of a thousand people.

However, Fishman Island had a population of five million.

Especially after news of Fisher Tiger's death spread, there had been incidents where people wanted their signatures back. Years of effort seemed to have been in vain.

But today, the situation was different. The children smiled as they placed the papers into the box. "No, Queen Mother, we won't! Mom said we should sign too!"

The children's actions seemed to signal the adults, who started to act as well.

"Queen Mother has gone to such lengths for us. How can we remain indifferent?"

"I don't know much about humans on the surface, but I trust the Queen Mother."

...

The sheets of signatures were submitted one by one, quickly filling up the small box. Queen Otohime looked at the rapidly filling box, her eyes brimming with tears, overwhelmed with excitement.

But the enthusiasm of the people didn't stop there: "Oh Queen, this small box won't fit anymore!"

"Do you know how many people there are in this country?"

"Quickly get a larger box!"

"Everyone..." Queen Otohime covered her mouth. Despite being skilled at public speaking, all she could do at this moment was express her thanks incoherently to those submitting signatures.

Thankfully, Minister of the Right, a seahorse merman, had soldiers bring in a larger box. "Please place the signatures here!"

The larger box prompted even more enthusiastic actions from the people, creating a scene reminiscent of a subway station during rush hour.

What added to the scene was a cute little kappa named Adrian, being pushed to the front by an unknown force. He then submitted himself along with the signed papers into the box.

Adrian saw this and quickly lifted Adrian out of the box, telling the Minister of the Right, "Send someone to maintain order. It wouldn't be good if someone gets hurt."

"Yes, yes." The Minister of the Right promptly directed a squad of soldiers to maintain order and sent more personnel from Ryugu Palace to assist.

After someone submitted one, they returned again: "Lady Otohime, I signed another one!"

Someone nearby reminded, "Each person can only sign once, duplicates are invalid!"

"Why like this? I'll go call my friends!"

...

Hearing these words, feeling everyone's sincere intentions, Queen Otohime finally couldn't hold back. Regardless of decorum, she sobbed uncontrollably, tears almost spewing out of her eyes.

It had been too long, she had waited for this day for too long. Day after day, she had given speeches all over the country, tirelessly aiding the unfortunate, teaching everyone about the surface world's knowledge...

All these efforts finally bore beautiful flowers on this day, and someday, they would bear sweet fruit.

Queen Otohime felt that things had been going unusually well lately. Not only did Queen Otohime safely return from Mary Geoise, receiving handwritten letters from world nobles, but she also made kind human friends. And today, she received so much recognition and support...

She even felt that all her lifetime of good luck had been used up in these few days.

Queen Otohime futilely wiped away her endless tears with her large sleeve, freely venting all the grievances and heartaches of the past few years. Having a day like this was truly wonderful!

Those by Queen Otohime's side watched her tearfully joyful appearance and genuinely felt happy for her.

But Adrian quietly said to Artoria, "Artoria, help keep watch."

"Huh?" Artoria looked at him with confusion.

Adrian explained, "While many support Queen Otohime's actions, there will definitely be staunch opponents. Some hate humans so much that they might resort to extreme measures."

Artoria immediately understood his point. "You mean assassination? Understood."

Adrian couldn't recall when Queen Otohime had encountered an assassination attempt. He couldn't directly accuse anyone, so he could only be cautious. He would need to remind them to guard against extremists.

At this moment, a chubby blue-skinned fishman and a slightly dark-skinned long-haired merman were watching the enthusiastic crowd from a corner of the plaza.

It was Jinbei and Aladine, the ship's doctor and vice-captain of the Sun Pirates.

Jinbei held a pipe and said, "Queen Otohime really nurtured hope through her own efforts."

Aladine crossed his arms, "If there are enough signatures, perhaps the fate of Fishman Island can truly change."

"If Queen Otohime's strong belief can touch them, even someone like Arlong will change." Jinbei sighed, "I really wish Fisher Tiger could see this day!"

Aladine, however, wasn't optimistic. Arlong was stubborn, and before Jinbei and him parted ways, they had a brawl due to differing ideologies. Well, actually, Jinbei unilaterally beat up Arlong.

Jinbei carried on Fisher Tiger's will, aiming not to kill anyone, while Arlong was fixated on making humans feel pain... oh no, making them feel fear.

Even Queen Otohime probably couldn't easily change Arlong's beliefs.

"Aladine, how do you view those people?" Jinbei was referring to Adrian's group.

"You know, Jinbei, I'm like many others who shared the same experiences with Fisher Tiger. Just like the Celestial Dragon tattoo that won't disappear, those of us who suffered as slaves, enduring inhumane torture, will never erase the hatred towards humans."

Saying this, Aladine looked at Adrian's group with a gaze that held no animosity. He was a fairly reasonable person, understanding who he should direct his hatred towards.

Jinbei was awakened by Aladine's reminder, "Maybe we should properly straighten out Fishman District."

Originally, Fishman District was a massive orphanage, but shortly after its establishment, chaos ensued. The administrators were powerless, and it became a gathering place for outlaws, turning into an uncontrollable area on Fishman Island.

Unlike Sabaody Archipelago's lawless zone, where the World Government deliberately left it ungoverned, Fishman District was more like a slum from a movie, and Ryugu Kingdom couldn't come up with a good solution.

Fisher Tiger, Jinbei, Arlong, and even Hody Jones all hailed from Fishman District.

For this reason, Jinbei knew that a lot of negative emotions had accumulated there, including hatred towards humans and discontent with the royal family.

Leaving it unattended could lead to serious consequences.

If they wanted to bring order, the only method Jinbei could think of was using his fists to subdue all those who resisted. Though it was addressing the symptoms rather than the root cause, it could at least temporarily prevent trouble for Queen Otohime.

This highlighted the difference between Fisher Tiger, Jinbei, and the efforts of the Heart Pirates. After defeating all the gangs and thugs under his control, Law's rule led to immediate compliance and a collective drive towards development, resulting in the creation of a paradise-like haven.

But after Fisher Tiger and Jinbei cleared out Fishman District, it remained chaotic and disobedient.

So, to be honest, I just don't understand where the greatness or brilliance of that person lies. Is it just because he cooked oden on top of his friend's remains?

Rear Admiral Kadar's first battle was against the Sun Pirates, and at that time, Fisher Tiger's order was to seize supplies without killing.

However, most of the fishmen, including Jinbei and Arlong, were ruthless. After all, their lives were at stake.

But after that incident, Fisher Tiger strictly forbade killing, making not harming anyone the bottom line.

Until Second Sister Koala joined the crew, Jinbei encountered all sorts of people. Influenced by her, his perspective gradually shifted. Only Arlong's group remained unchanged.