One Piece: Starting as a Marine Lieutenant, I Slack Off and Get Stronger

This is equivalent to Ain resetting Shirahoshi's body to an unmarked state, allowing Shirahoshi to grow normally for the rest of the time, unless Ain actively removes her ability or is marked again.

The price Bai Xing paid was that her physical condition became a year and a half younger; whether that was a blessing or a curse is still hard to say.

Neptune looked at Ian expectantly and asked cautiously, "Then... now?"

At this point, Ain didn't dare to make any boasts and could only say, "Let's observe for a few days first! We can't tell whether the mark has been removed yet."

"Sigh~ it seems that's all we can do!" Neptune sighed.

"It's getting late, Major General Karl, Miss Ian, why don't you stay overnight in Dragon Palace? Let me do my part as a host!"

Carl and Ian exchanged a glance and said with a smile, "Thank you so much, Lord Neptune!"

Goodbye, Shirahoshi! We'll come visit you again tomorrow! Remember to get a good night's sleep!

Shirahoshi smiled happily and said in a childish voice, "Goodbye, Sister Ain, Lord Karl!"

The next day, outside Fishman Island.

Vander Decken IX got out of bed and stretched: "Ah! Another beautiful day! Hehehe, Shirahoshi, accept my intense love!"

Then he picked up an axe from the side, stuck the love letter he had written beforehand onto it with his snot, gathered his strength, and fired!

The smile gradually disappeared from the corners of his mouth. Van der Deiken IX stared in disbelief at his pitch-black hands and nodded slightly.

That's not right! How could that be?

Unconvinced, VanderDeacon tried several more times and finally came to the conclusion that the mark on White Star's body had disappeared.

"No, no! No no no!!!"

"Boss, what's wrong?"

"The white star mark is gone! Gone!!!" Vanderdeken cried out in anguish.

The underling looked at VanderDeacon in shock: "Boss, did you not wash your hands? How could you disappear?"

Vanderdeken suddenly realized: "That's right, I didn't wash my hands. There must be a problem with Shirahoshi! I still have a chance, as long as I can see Shirahoshi one more time!"

"But boss, there are marines on Fishman Island now! Hody Jones got taken down, wouldn't we be sending ourselves to our deaths if we went there?"

Van der Decken took a few deep breaths and finally calmed down. The navy couldn't stay on Fishman Island forever!

We can just wait a few more days until the navy leaves.

Dragon Palace Castle, Hard-Shelled Tower.

Neptune and his sons watched nervously as the search of Hardshell Tower proceeded, only to be overjoyed upon confirming the absence of any new "love letters."

"That's great, Father! If the mark were still there, that guy Vander Decken would definitely have thrown some random stuff over there, but now there's nothing left. Little White is finally safe!"

"Yes! Thank you both so much! You've been a great help to me!"

Carl shook his head: "It was just a convenient thing to do, and White Star is only safe for now. To prevent permanent trouble, VanderDeacon must be dealt with."

Neptune understood this principle perfectly well. After a moment's thought, he said, "How about I immediately summon the Sea King's army and have them sweep through the area around Fishman Island to find the Flying Pirates!"

"Major General Karl, do you think this is feasible?"

Chapter 95 Kuala Lumpur Cotai Strip

"No, that would only alert them."

Neptune scratched his head. If they could find Vanderdeken, would they still need Major General Carl's help?

Ain nudged Karl's waist and whispered, "You have the most tricks up your sleeve, so don't keep them to yourself. I don't want Bai Xiaoxing to get entangled with that pervert again."

Carl's eyes widened. What do you mean I have the most tricks up my sleeve? Don't you dare frame an innocent person!

We always follow the rules and regulations!

“Ahem, Your Excellency Neptune, I have an idea that should be feasible.”

Karl's plan was to take a two-pronged approach: to get Van der Deiken to come over, he had to motivate him.

Motivation one: This guy has been pestering Bai Xing for over a year and refuses to give up. Even if the mark disappears, he will definitely only think about finding an opportunity to mark her again.

The Navy has just dealt with Hody Jones and his crew on Fishman Island. Unless Vander Decken is stupid, he would never come knocking on the Navy's door while they are still on Fishman Island. Therefore, as long as the Navy pretends to leave, Vander Decken will be even more motivated to enter the island.

After hearing Carl's plan, Neptune nodded repeatedly, but hesitated when he heard that he should find a husband for Shirahoshi in advance.

"Well, Shirahoshi is still young. Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Carl scoffed, "It's not true anyway. We can just explain it later, right?"

"But Shirahoshi is a girl after all. Won't this damage her reputation?"

Shark Star retorted, "Father, this is for Xiaobai's healthy growth in the future. This sacrifice is worthwhile, and the people will naturally understand your good intentions."

Neptune wasn't angry. After careful consideration, he nodded as if he had made up his mind: "Alright then, Major General Carl, we'll do as you say!"

"Alright, I'll go back and make some preparations. As for what to say when Hody Jones is publicly executed tomorrow, that's all up to you."

"Of course, Major General Karl must come!"

Upon returning, Ain took over Karl's role in explaining their plan to all the naval officers and soldiers; it was quite simple.

After publicly executing Hody Jones, he pretended to leave Fishman Island, but in reality, he just wandered around outside for a while before heading directly to Ryugu Castle through a hidden passage to await orders.

Everything was ready; all that was left was for van der Deiken to walk right into the trap.

The following day, Kuala Lumpur Kaut Plaza.

Since Queen Otohime's death, few fish-man island residents have gathered here, but today it's packed with people.

"I never expected this! The real culprit who assassinated Lady Otohime was that bastard Hody Jones!"

"How could he do such a thing to Lady Otohime, who is so gentle! He's a beast!"

Shh! Be quiet, the Neptune Army is coming!

Several giant flounders filled with large bubbles flew down from the sky and slowly landed around the execution platform in the center of the square.

Neptune, Jinbe, the three princes, Karl, Aion, and Smoker descended from the flounder and came together to the center of the execution platform.

"My subjects, I am King Neptune. The other day, Hody Jones, the leader of the Fishman Street gang, instructed his thugs to frame the Navy. However, the scheme was exposed and the criminal gang was arrested by the Navy."

"However, in addition to instructing his men to frame the Navy, Hody Jones committed another heinous crime!"

The inhabitants of Fishman Island held their breath. Although they had heard about it before, it was nothing compared to what King Neptune had said in person.

"The assassination of Queen Otohime by human pirates two years ago was actually an assassination operation meticulously planned by Hody Jones."

"The goal is to destroy the friendly relations between humans and fish-men and to incite racial conflict!"

"Moreover, the person who assassinated Queen Otohime was not a pirate, but Hody Jones!"

The scene immediately erupted in uproar, with the crowd becoming increasingly agitated.

"Quiet!"

"Bring the criminal Hody Jones up here!!!"

Amid the angry gazes of the residents, a furious Hody Jones was led by two Sea King soldiers to the execution platform and forced to kneel.

"Kill him! Avenge Lady Otohime!!!"

"Go to hell, Hody Jones, you bastard!"

"Hody Jones, you son of a bitch, you son of a bitch!"

Several burly fish-men with bloodshot eyes even tried to rush up and give Hody Jones a good beating, but they were stopped by the Sea King's army.

Smoker was terrified when he saw this. Luckily, he held back when he was framed. Otherwise, not only would he have met a bad end, but his good friend Carl would have been implicated as well.

"Hody Jones, do you know your crime?"

Hody Jones proudly raised his head, looking disdainfully at the furious fish-man island residents.

"Hahaha~ Acknowledge your guilt? What wrong have I committed? Humans are inherently inferior and evil creatures, yet that idiot woman shamelessly grovels and fawns over the Celestial Dragons. It's utterly incomprehensible!"

"Fishmen are the supreme race. You cowards are grateful for the smallest favors humans give you. What about your honor as fishmen?"

Neptune shook his head; the guy was simply unreasonable and unrepentant.

"Hody Jones, for assassinating Queen Otohime, inciting racial conflict, and framing the Navy, is guilty of unforgivable crimes. As the King of Fish-Man Island, I hereby sentence Hody Jones to death!"

The onlookers immediately cheered!

"Execution!"

"Hahaha, come on! Even if I die, my will will live on, my will will be immortal!!!"

shuh~

Thump~ The fish head hit the ground.

The world has one less menace.

"Good riddance!" "To die so easily is too good for him!"

Once the crowd had calmed down, Neptune looked at Carl and said loudly, "My people, please be quiet and listen to me."

"We were able to catch Hody Jones this time thanks to Major General Carl, it was him..."

In short, a barrage of praise for the Navy and Karl caused the Fishman Island residents' goodwill towards them to skyrocket.