RNP Chapter 100 Which side are you on?
Chapter 100 Which side are you on?
Chapter 100 Which side are you on?
The incident occurred in a warehouse area in the southeast corner of the port.
When Norton arrived with Nami, the place was already crowded with people.
Although it's called a warehouse area, it's actually just a few rows of low houses built with coral reef stones, which are usually used to store goods transported from various places.
At this moment, dozens of people—no, they should be called dozens of fishmen—were crowded together in front of those houses.
They stood on the other side of the street, facing off against the crowd on the opposite side.
Opposite them were the Norton Pirates, about twenty or thirty pirates gathered there, holding swords and clubs, their eyes all red.
Standing at the very front of the crowd was Ah Jin.
The taciturn man was expressionless, his two canes drooping slightly, their tips stained with dried blood.
At his feet lay a corpse—a massive shark-man with its head twisted at an eerie angle, clearly killed with a single blow.
There were three corpses lying around, all of them members of the Norton Pirates.
Norton's gaze swept over them.
They were all unfamiliar faces, probably the original members of the Krieg Pirates.
Their bodies were covered in wounds; some had been bitten, others had been smashed beyond recognition by blunt force. On the stone pavement beneath them, dark red blood had congealed.
Standing among them and those fish-man thugs was a line of Sea King soldiers.
There were about twenty of them, armed and with solemn expressions.
They stood in the middle, preventing the thugs from rushing over and the pirates from getting past.
The leader was the same fishman warrior riding the sea beast whom they had seen in the Neptune Army squad before, and his face was extremely ugly at this moment.
"Admiral Norton is here!"
Someone shouted.
The pirates all turned around at once, and their eyes lit up the moment they saw Norton.
"Admiral!"
"King, you've finally arrived!"
"King, you have to stand up for us!"
Several pirates rushed over, shouting all at once. Some had tear stains on their faces, while others were covered in blood, making it impossible to tell whether it was their own or someone else's.
"Quiet."
Norton's voice wasn't loud, but the moment those two words left his lips, everyone instinctively fell silent. He walked through the crowd to Arkin's side.
Ajin looked up at him, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she said nothing. She just lowered her head and gripped her cane tightly.
Norton didn't rush to speak; he first looked down at the fishman's corpse on the ground.
That guy was indeed burly, a size larger than the average fishman, and covered in all sorts of messy tattoos; he was clearly not someone to mess with.
"These are the guys who killed people?" Norton's voice was calm.
Akin nodded, and Norton remained silent for a moment before raising his hand and patting Akin on the shoulder.
"You didn't do anything wrong."
Akin was stunned.
The pirates around them were also stunned. Some opened their mouths as if to say something, but were pulled back by the people next to them.
"But..." Ah Jin's voice was a little hoarse, "You said you wouldn't let us cause trouble."
"I said don't go looking for trouble," Norton said, his tone still calm. "But when trouble comes knocking, I never told you to cower like turtles."
Ajin remained silent and did not speak.
Norton withdrew his hand and turned around. Across the street, the thugs from Fishman Street were eyeing them menacingly.
They outnumbered the pirates by a great margin, standing in a dark mass, each face bearing undisguised hostility.
When they saw Norton's gaze sweep over them, they all subconsciously took a step back.
Norton ignored them. His gaze passed over the group of thugs and landed on the middle row of Neptune soldiers.
The lead merman warrior's expression became even more complicated when he saw Norton looking at him. He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.
Norton spoke first: "Akin was just avenging his men."
In this tense open space, every word was clearly heard by everyone.
"Your men killed my men, and my men killed your men. A life for a life."
One of the thugs tried to say something, but was pulled back by the person next to him.
"If you feel this is unfair, you can point it out." Norton looked at the Sea King's army, a faint smile playing on his lips. "If you want to fight, I'm ready anytime."
The Neptune Army members looked at each other in bewilderment.
The leading merman warrior's face turned red, but he couldn't utter a word.
What could he say?
They said your people shouldn't fight back and should just let us beat them to death?
He couldn't bring himself to say such a thing.
But if this matter is simply left unresolved, the thugs of Fishman Island certainly won't agree. Although they are usually unruly, they are still Fishmen after all. If the Sea King's army doesn't take responsibility for the deaths, they won't be able to maintain their foothold on Fishman Island in the future.
dilemma.
Just then, a commotion arose from the back of the crowd.
"Make way, make way!"
Several Neptune soldiers were pushed aside, and a familiar figure walked quickly from behind.
It was Steel Hand. A hint of urgency crossed her face as she quickly walked to Norton's side. Her gaze swept over the corpse on the ground, then at the menacing thugs opposite her, and her brow furrowed.
"What brings you here?" Norton asked.
"I rushed over as soon as I heard the news." Steel Hand's tone was somewhat helpless. "You've made quite a commotion."
Norton didn't reply, he just looked at her.
"Which side are you planning to take?"
Steel Hand paused for a moment.
The question was so direct that she didn't know how to answer it for a moment.
She came with Norton, so logically she should be on Norton's side.
However, she has a past relationship with Fishman Island and is also an old friend of King Neptune. If she sides with Norton, it means she will be going against the entire Fishman Island.
Everyone around them was watching them.
The pirates stared at Steel Hand with expectant eyes.
The thugs opposite her looked on with schadenfreude, as if they were waiting to see what she would choose.
The silence lasted for a few seconds.
Steelhand took two steps forward and stood behind Norton. At the same time, he lowered his voice and leaned close to Norton's ear.
"Don't make a big fuss."
Norton's lips curled slightly upward, but he did not answer.
Just then, a commotion suddenly arose in the distance.
"It's Jinbe!" someone exclaimed.
"Boss Jinbe is here!"
The crowd parted to both sides like a tide, making way for a passage.
A burly merman strode in from the other end of the passage.
He was taller than all the fishmen present, his broad shoulders almost hitting those on either side. His blue skin gleamed darkly in the sunlight, and he had two sharp fangs protruding from his mouth, along with piercing eyes.
But what's most eye-catching about him is the robe he's wearing that has the words "Seven Warlords of the Sea" printed on it.
Jinpei.
One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, captain of the Fishman Pirates, known as "Knight of the Sea".
Several fishmen followed behind him, who appeared to be his crew. But Jinbe was too fast, and the crew members couldn't keep up at all, so they could only jog to catch up.
Jinbe walked straight to the middle of the two opposing sides, his gaze first sweeping over the fishman's corpse on the ground, then over the dead pirates on the other side, and finally landing on Norton.
The two stared at each other for a few seconds.
"Admiral Norton."
Jinbe's voice was deep and resonant, carrying the ruggedness unique to the fish-men.
"I have long admired your name."
Norton looked at him without saying a word.
Jinbe didn't seem to care and continued, "I've heard about what happened. It was the people from Fishman Town who struck first and killed your subordinate."
The thugs on the other side changed their expressions when they heard this.
"Boss Jinbe!"
How could you say that!
"It was clearly those humans."
"Shut up!"
Jinbe shouted, and the thugs immediately fell silent.
He turned around and looked at Norton.
"Fishman Street has always been a lawless area. As the boss, it's my dereliction of duty that I failed to discipline those people." Jinbe said, bowing slightly to Norton. "I apologize to you for this."
The thugs opposite were dumbfounded. They never expected that their boss would bow down to an outsider for the sake of a few dead humans.
Norton remained silent.
Jin Ping stood up and continued, "The murderer has already paid the price with his life. Your men killed him; a life for a life. This matter ends here."
He paused, looking into Norton's eyes.
"If you still have any anger, feel free to take it out on me. Furthermore, if you want any compensation, just ask, and I, Jinpei, will not refuse."
After saying that, he stood there calmly, waiting for Norton's reply.
There was silence all around.
Everyone was looking at the silver-haired man.
Even the pirates who were just moments ago filled with righteous indignation unconsciously held their breath.
The fact that the Seven Warlords of the Sea personally apologized and were willing to take full responsibility shows them considerable respect.
If we continue to pursue this matter, it would be tantamount to completely severing ties with the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Everyone wanted to know what Norton would choose.
Norton smiled, which, amidst the tense atmosphere, made the surrounding air seem to relax a little.
"Jinbe is indeed worthy of his reputation." Norton's tone carried a hint of admiration.
"I've heard of a man among the fish-men known as the Sea Knight, a man of great loyalty and integrity, whose word is his bond. Meeting him today, I can confirm it's true."
Jinbe remained silent, simply waiting for him to continue.
Norton's smile faded, his gaze sweeping over the thugs opposite him, then back to the dead pirates on the ground.
"But one"
He paused.
"My people cannot die in vain."
Jinbe's eyes narrowed slightly.
"This time, it was you merfolk who started the trouble. My ship was perfectly fine, parked there without provoking anyone," Norton said calmly. "And the result? Three dead and more than a dozen wounded."
He looked into Jinbe's eyes.
"I demand that everyone in Fishman Street involved in this personally apologize to my crew."
"Furthermore, the compensation must be paid in full. My housekeeper will discuss the specific amount with your people."
Jinbe was silent for a few seconds, then nodded.
"Can."
This answer surprised many people.
The thugs from Fishman Street stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with disbelief.
"Boss Jinbe?!"
"How could you agree to such a condition!"
"Apologize to humanity? Are you kidding me!"
Jinbe ignored the voices and just looked at Norton.
"Any other requests?"
Norton looked at him, a smile playing on his lips again.
"There's one more thing."
"explain."
"You must have seen my plans in the newspaper, right?"
Jinbe's brow furrowed slightly.
Of course he knew about what was in the newspaper.
Norton's commotion had already spread throughout the world. Morgans' newspapers reported extensively that this suddenly appearing silver-haired admiral was doing something unprecedented: subduing the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
"I've been recruiting the Seven Warlords of the Sea recently," Norton said calmly, as if he were just saying the weather was nice. "I've recruited two so far, Moria and Crocodile."
Jinbe's eyes changed.
"If you are willing to become my third Shichibukai and submit to me—" Norton looked at him, "then I can turn the page on this matter completely."
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell into a deathly silence.
This was followed by a massive wave of riots.
"Are you kidding me!"
"To make Minister Jinbe submit to humanity?!"
"dream!"
"Kill him!"
The thugs of Fishman Street completely rioted.
Those thugs who were initially observing now had bloodshot eyes and grabbed their weapons to charge forward.
The Neptune Army tried desperately to stop them, but with dozens of people going berserk at the same time, how could they possibly hold them off?
"Kill this arrogant human!"
"Avenge our fallen brothers!"
"Charge!"
Akin instantly gripped his cane and stood in front of Norton.
The pirates also raised their weapons, ready to fight.
Just as the two sides were about to collide, someone shouted, "Stop it, both of you!!!"
A loud shout rang out like a thunderclap.
Jinbe's massive body stood between the two groups of people, his arms outstretched like a wall.
His face was expressionless, but the oppressive aura emanating from his eyes made everyone instinctively stop in their tracks.
"Boss Jinbe..."
'
"Didn't you hear me say stop?"
Jinbe's voice was deep and authoritative, carrying an undeniable power.
Although the thugs were full of resentment, they dared not take another step forward.
Jinbe turned around and looked at Norton.
His gaze was complex, containing scrutiny, solemnity, and a hint of deeply hidden...admiration?
Do you know what you're saying?
"Of course I know," Norton said calmly. "I'm inviting you to join my pirate crew."
"invite?"
Jinbe chuckled, but there was no mockery in his smile, only helplessness.
You're talking about surrender.
"It's the same thing." Norton shrugged. "Moria and Crocodile are both on my ship now, doing very well. You've probably heard that I don't mistreat my men."
Jinbe remained silent.
The people around didn't dare to breathe.
After a long while, Jinbe finally spoke.
"I can agree to this condition."
"Boss Jinbe!!"
The thugs were completely panicked.
"But one—"
Jinbe raised his hand to stop the commotion behind him, his gaze fixed on Norton.
"If you want me to submit, you'd better prove you're worthy."
Norton raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean is, I have to test your strength," Jinbe said. "I know you're strong, strong enough to defeat a legendary figure like Garp. Logically speaking, I shouldn't be a match for you at all."
He paused, then clenched his fist.
"But I am a fishman, the boss of Fishman Island, and one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. I cannot bow down and submit like this."
"At least, let me try."
"Let me see just how strong you really are!!"
Silence fell again. Everyone looked at Norton, awaiting his answer.
Norton stared at Jinbe for a long time, then smiled. That smile was more genuine than any he'd ever shown before.
"interesting."
He took two steps forward and stood face to face with Jinbe.
"Your failure is inevitable, and so is your surrender."
Jinbe didn't say anything, but simply assumed a fighting stance.
Norton suddenly changed the subject, "However, I value your sense of responsibility and character. You are courageous and accountable, willing to humble yourself for your subordinates, and also willing to stand up and challenge someone stronger than yourself for their dignity."
"So even if you fail, I won't pursue this matter any further."
"All I need is for those people from Fishman Street to apologize to my crew and pay the compensation as promised."
As for submission...
He paused.
"Let's talk when you can withstand one of my moves."