touchnovel Chapter 205 205: Jinbe Is Entrusted with a Heavy Responsibility
Chapter 205 205: Jinbe Is Entrusted with a Heavy Responsibility
Davy Jones showed an intrigued expression and asked,
"An alliance of pirates? Why should I ally with them? What can they offer me?"
Jinbe repeated the terms that Ace, Marco, and the others had discussed beforehand.
"They wish to form a pact of mutual defense with you. If you choose to strike at Kaido, Charlotte Linlin, Doflamingo, or Teach, they are willing to lend their aid. In return, they only hope that your offensive might relieve some of the pressure on their side."
Davy Jones nodded slightly, then looked at Jinbe, his demeanor cooling.
"The matter of alliance can wait… Tell me about yourself instead. Did you return to Fish-Man Island merely to act as their envoy?"
The tone in Davy Jones's voice told Jinbe that the proposal had failed.
He felt a twinge of disappointment at being unable to persuade him.
But indeed, he hadn't come back solely to deliver a message.
After Whitebeard's funeral, "Red-Hair" Shanks was the first to leave — hurriedly, at that.
Then came Sabo and Ivankov of the Revolutionary Army.
They also took the newly awakened "Straw Hat" Luffy with them, saying that in time he would be taught Haki by an outstanding teacher — that entering the New World now would be premature for him.
Luffy and his crew, the "Straw Hat Pirates," would disappear from the world for about two years to strengthen themselves.
Once those people had left, the "Whitebeard Remnants" immediately found themselves under ferocious assault from all sides.
Not to mention their distant territories — even Whitebeard's homeland, where his tomb now stood, was defended only at great cost and sacrifice.
Witnessing such bloodshed, Jinbe couldn't help but think of his own homeland — Fish-Man Island.
He did not know what kind of tragedy might have befallen it now that the "Whitebeard flag" no longer offered its protection.
Thus, he had hurriedly left the territory of the Whitebeard Remnants, gathered what remained of the Sun Pirates, and set out for Fish-Man Island.
His original plan was to protect the island, stabilize the situation, and then seek out Davy Jones to discuss an alliance.
Unexpectedly, Davy Jones was already on Fish-Man Island — and the island had already submitted to him.
So much had changed in just over a month.
Seeing this, Jinbe chose to go with the flow. He quickly returned to the island, found Davy Jones, and that was how their current conversation came to be.
As for what else he wanted beyond serving as Ace and Marco's envoy — he had already decided that long before returning.
Looking at Davy Jones with sincerity, he said:
"Captain Davy Jones, I must once again thank you for protecting Fish-Man Island. I wish to say this — the path chosen by Fish-Man Island is also my path. Please, allow me to serve under you."
For a moment, silence hung over the stone table.
Then Davy Jones smiled.
"Now this is how one properly repays a favor — by becoming my capable subordinate, or offering something of equal value — not by making empty promises like Ace and Marco."
Jinbe looked awkward. Now he understood why Davy Jones had shown little interest in an alliance with the Whitebeard Remnants — they had yet to offer anything tangible in return.
An alliance of pirates, after all, would only burden him if it lacked balance of benefit.
Davy Jones clearly had no intention of getting dragged into a losing arrangement.
Jinbe felt compelled to defend them.
"Captain Davy Jones, I believe Ace and Marco are simply too busy. You know how it is — they must face—"
"Enough, enough," Davy Jones cut him off. "Let's not speak of them today. Instead, let's celebrate — 'Knight of the Sea' Jinbe joining Davy Jones's ranks, and his appointment to guard Fish-Man Island."
"Guard Fish-Man Island?!"
Jinbe's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You… you mean to say, you want me to act in your stead—"
Davy Jones nodded. "That's exactly what I mean."
Jinbe was stunned.
He had never imagined Davy Jones would entrust him with such a weighty responsibility — especially when he had just joined his ranks.
At best, Jinbe had only hoped to serve as one of Davy Jones's ship captains — and he would have been satisfied even with that.
Davy Jones's decision to entrust Fish-Man Island to Jinbe was, of course, because he was preparing to advance into the New World — and he needed a strong general to hold his rear line.
Jinbe fit that role perfectly.
He was known far and wide for his loyalty and sense of honor — a man who nearly sacrificed his freedom in Impel Down for Ace, and who would do anything for the safety of Fish-Man Island.
As for strength, one recognized as a former Warlord of the Sea was certainly formidable enough.
And his renown among the island's people would surely help Davy Jones fully secure control over Fish-Man Island.
In every respect, there was no better candidate.
And this general — Jinbe — was moved.
Indeed, he could not refuse a mission to protect Fish-Man Island. It was what he had always desired to do.
Jinbe stood solemnly, then half-knelt before Davy Jones.
"Captain Davy Jones, rest assured — I will never betray your trust."
"Good," said Davy Jones. "Rise."
At that instant, Jinbe felt a strange sensation — as if a chain had passed straight through his heart.
It was only for a moment, almost like an illusion.
His expression flickered. He looked up at Davy Jones, then slowly stood.
Davy Jones was about to speak when he was interrupted.
A "brrip-brrip-brrip" sound rang out — the voice of a Den Den Mushi.
Davy Jones paused for a moment, reached into his coat, and drew out a small snail.
"Captain, should I excuse myself?" Jinbe asked, ever mindful of propriety.
"There's no need."
The voice on the other end was Crocodile's.
He first reported their progress: they had seized three major islands, linking the surrounding seas into a substantial territory.
Then Crocodile mentioned the latest news.
Law, Buggy, Perona, and Porche's forces had clashed with a small detachment from Charlotte Linlin's crew.
The 25th son of Charlotte Linlin — the lowest of the Four Sweet Commanders, Charlotte Snack — had been killed by Law's hand.
Most of that enemy detachment had been annihilated; a few survivors were captured.
Those prisoners revealed that Snack's mission was to bring Fish-Man Island under Big Mom's control.
Though none had escaped to report back, Snack's disappearance and silence would speak for themselves — Charlotte Linlin would soon realize what had happened.
And Charlotte Linlin was not one to take such a loss quietly.
Her wrath would be directed straight toward Davy Jones's entire domain.
Crocodile was already preparing for battle — but he needed Captain Davy Jones himself to come to the front lines.
"Big Mom" was one of the Four Emperors, after all — no ordinary opponent.
Jinbe hadn't expected that mere moments after being entrusted with guarding Fish-Man Island, he would hear such alarming news.
The lowest of the Sweet Commanders, Snack, had fallen to Davy Jones's subordinate — the "Surgeon of Death" Law!
Jinbe had thought the structure of Davy Jones's organization was something like this: Davy Jones at the top, Crocodile second, followed by Law and several other officers, then Porche and the rest.
But now he wasn't so sure.
Perhaps among Davy Jones's subordinates were fighters whose power could rival even Crocodile's — perhaps even those of Warlord level.
Still, it was the consequences of this battle that most concerned Jinbe.
They would likely be at war with Big Mom very soon!
Davy Jones, however, remained calm. He had long foreseen this day — he just hadn't expe
cted it to arrive in such a roundabout way.
"Jinbe," he said with a faint smile, "it seems I have yet another reason to sail for the New World."
Please drop some power stones support me at my
PS: Access the complete/finished chapters/series at Patreon: NanamiTL