Chapter 198: Otohime's Bitter Awakening
"Look at these scars," Zeo snarled, gesturing to the twisted wounds crisscrossing his body. "That damned mermaid slave trader did this to me. He eyed me like garbage from the start."
Otohime's face crumpled further, but Zeo wasn't done. He leaned in, twisting the knife. "And you think he only sells fish-men? Nah, he specializes in females. Grabs the orphaned fry from Fish-Man District—ones just old enough to fend for themselves—and ships 'em off like cargo."
He paused, a mocking grin splitting his face. "Heck, when it comes to protecting mermaids, you're not even in my league. Boss Tiger was off on his world tour back then, fresh out the door, when that monster showed up to Fish-Man District rounding up folks. He went after Shyarly, too. If I hadn't stepped in, she'd be chained up by now."
"But luck wasn't on my side," Zeo continued, rubbing a scar on his arm. "He nabbed me instead. Barely clawed my way out alive."
Otohime stared blankly, her mind reeling from the barrage. She knew Fish-Man Island had its shadows, but this? This was a nightmare she hadn't fathomed.
Ross shot Zeo a sidelong glance, surprise flickering in his eyes. Of all the thousands in Fish-Man District, Zeo knows Shyarly? Figures he'd run with Arlong's crowd... and Jinbe too. No wonder he called Tiger "Boss"—the guy still carried weight down there.
Ross hadn't dug deep into Zeo's backstory, just knew about his little fish-man gang. But this? It played right into his hands. Hitting Otohime harder than any lecture could.
A good start.
Ross let his restrained Conqueror's Haki fade, the subtle pressure vanishing like mist.
"My throat's parched from all this yapping," Zeo growled, flashing a toothy smirk as the tension eased. He lumbered toward Ross. "Your call now, princess. Or you wanna pay for your kind's sins with your blood?"
Ross's voice cut through, low and steady, meant only for Otohime. "Time to choose. Or he takes us both down."
Her body shivered. Deep down, she knew it. Zeo wanted Ross dead, her sold off. And talk? That ship had sailed.
I'm useless... Otohime sighed, shoulders slumping. "Mr. Ross... stop them. Just injure them. No more."
"Injuries it is," Ross replied with a light chuckle, no judgment in his tone. Kindness like hers wasn't the issue here. If anything, it'd just amplify her pain later.
Zeo's eyes narrowed as Ross lifted his head. A prick of warning shot through him—but too late.
Boom!
A tidal wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted from Ross, slamming into the room like a cannonade. The manor froze. Every fish-man crumpled to the floor, the old advisor included, blood seeping from their lips. Serious wounds, but nothing fatal.
Zeo alone stayed on his feet—Ross's doing, holding him upright under the crush. He couldn't twitch a fin, let alone speak.
Otohime swept her gaze over the fallen, a faint flush coloring her cheeks. "Every time I see you in action, Mr. Ross... it's mesmerizing."
Force like this? She'd always pushed for dialogue, for understanding to bridge divides. But watching them pinned, helpless... it shook her.
Are they really that fragile against real power?
Her ability stirred—Ross's subtle nudge reopening the channel. Fear poured in from the downed fish-men: raw, primal terror, the desperate will to live overriding everything.
She bit her lip. Her dreams of harmony suddenly felt childish. Maybe force isn't ideal... but it works. They're hurt, sure, but alive. And scared straight. Better than empty words about 'coexistence.'
Otohime's eyes clouded with melancholy. She glanced at Ross, but looked away fast when he met her stare. I was so blind. Preaching human-fish-man unity when even we can't get along among ourselves.
This mess needed fixing—starting now.
She straightened, locking eyes on Zeo. "Who is he? That mermaid."
Ross eased the Haki pinning Zeo's face, letting him breathe.
"Pfft, sell me to him? In your dreams," Zeo spat, defiance unbroken. Death was coming either way; might as well go out swinging. Tell her, and maybe she'll gut the bastard for me.
Otohime's voice softened, laced with that unyielding pull—her Observation Haki at work. No more wide-eyed royal; she was done playing naive. Sabaody had schooled her hard, but Ross had cracked the seal. She'd unearth every rotten truth.
"Tell me," she urged, gentle yet commanding. "And I'll make it right."
Zeo didn't hesitate. "Holp. Left Minister of Ryugu Kingdom. Older than King Neptune himself. Good luck avenging that."
No bluff in his tone—just cold certainty. A far cry from the snarling thug moments ago.
Ross eyed Otohime, then Zeo. Her Observation Haki's a monster. Not true mind control, but on the weak-willed? Brainwashing lite. Catch 'em young, hit 'em repeated, and only a freak like Luffy could shrug it off. The rest? Putty.
"Holp...?" Otohime's eyes widened. Of all people...
The Left Minister ranked just below her and Neptune, overseeing Fish-Man Island's core. Thirty years in the seat—veteran, respected. In a few, his son would inherit it.
And Holp? Always deferential around her, no hint of darkness.
But Otohime wasn't the fool she'd been days ago. Respect meant nothing if it hid rot. He knew her powers; if Zeo was telling the truth, the old mer just played his role too well.
Fish-Man Island... Ryugu Kingdom... I thought I knew you.
Even she didn't understand. Not really.
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