Why would World Government officials or the Navy risk diving to Fishman Island?
Unless it's a mandatory mission, the Navy avoids Fishman Island like a plague. Devil Fruit users, in particular, dread the deep sea. A single crack in a ship's coating or hull means certain doom—no amount of awakened Fruit power can save you from the abyss!
Pirates, with no other route, have no choice but to brave the 10,000-meter plunge to Fishman Island, slipping through the undersea gap in the Red Line to reach the New World.
The Navy has another weakness: Conqueror's Haki is rare among their ranks. Among pirates, though, a supernova with that kingly spark emerges every few years, capable of intimidating Sea Kings in a pinch.
The Navy officers stared at the ceiling, avoiding eye contact, while the World Government official—sent by the Celestial Dragons—sighed in frustration. None of them wanted to dive to Fishman Island to intercept the notorious Hell Pirates!
Fishman Island was now Brook's turf. Taking on a supernova is one thing, but clashing with a New World overlord like him? That required serious planning. Without a airtight strategy, they wouldn't dare act.
A battle between top-tier admirals and overlords is earth-shattering, capable of obliterating entire islands!
While the Navy and government officials bickered, the Golden Ark touched down on Fishman Island once more.
...
Seeing their sweet, clumsy mermaid Ariel cowering in the Hard-Shell Tower, terrified, the Hell Pirates had already sentenced the culprit to a one-way trip to the underworld!
"Brook-sama, we're deeply sorry! We failed to protect Ariel and forced you to come all this way!"
King Mars and Prince Neptune bowed low, trembling with guilt. They'd expected Brook to send a lieutenant, not come in person—a New World overlord gracing their island!
"Take us to the Hard-Shell Tower first," Brook said, perched atop his Cloud Hera. "Ariel's been hiding for over a week—she must be miserable. How's her injury?"
King Mars, riding atop a whale, hurried to keep pace as Brook flew toward Ryugu Palace. Redfield, meanwhile, piloted the Golden Ark straight to the palace grounds.
"Ariel's shoulder was grazed by an axe," Mars explained cautiously. "It's not serious, but weapons kept flying at her. Our guards couldn't protect her around the clock, so we had to move her to the Hard-Shell Tower. We've investigated for days but found no clues. We're truly ashamed!"
Brook nodded, sensing the king's sincerity. Each time he met Mars, the king's awe grew stronger, a testament to Brook's ever-increasing presence.
...
They soon reached Ryugu Palace, its towering gates soaring forty to fifty meters high. Brook felt a jolt of awe. But what caught his eye most was the massive dragon sculpture coiled above the palace, stretching hundreds of meters long.
"King Mars," Brook asked, curiosity piqued, "who crafted that divine dragon sculpture? Has Fishman Island ever encountered a real dragon, or did your ancestors know a user of the Dragon Fruit?"
He glanced at Kaido, whose eyes gleamed. In the original story, Kaido's Azure Dragon form dwarfed even this sculpture, though the palace's dragon had a greenish hue, like Shenron from Dragon Ball, while Kaido's was a deeper blue.
Mars scratched his head.
"I… I'm not entirely sure. Our legends speak of a divine dragon carrying the island through the skies, a guardian deity of Fishman Island. That's why we named our kingdom Ryugu when the merfolk founded it. As for the Dragon Fruit, I don't know much about that."
Brook smirked, turning to Kaido.
"See that dragon, Kaido? That's the kind of Mythical Zoan you're destined for. Keep your chin up—I'll find it for you!"
Kaido's eyes lit up, his Oni blood surging with excitement and gratitude.
"Thank you! Even if it's not a dragon fruit, any Mythical Zoan would do. That octopus siren fruit we've got isn't half bad either!"
Brook's skull nearly rattled with exasperation.
"No ambition! Hold out for the real deal! Even if I have to snatch it from a Celestial Dragon, I'll get you that Azure Dragon Fruit!"
He strode toward the Hard-Shell Tower, leaving Kaido torn between awe and indecision. The crew marveled at Brook's bold declaration—taking on the Celestial Dragons was back on the table!
...
Before they reached the tower, an axe hurtled through the air, slamming into the Hard-Shell Tower with a resounding clang!
Brook and Redfield's eyes narrowed, scanning the direction the weapon came from. Moments later, a sword streaked through the sky, aimed at the tower.
"Redfield," Brook ordered, "track it down. Your Fruit's electromagnetic Observation Haki can handle this. Tom, Tiger, go with him. I bet this coward's hiding outside Fishman Island—take some coating materials!"
"Got it!" Redfield replied, his voice sharp with purpose. He, Tom, and Tiger raced off, following the weapon's trajectory.
Brook stepped into the Hard-Shell Tower.
"Brook! You're finally here! It's been so scary!"
Ariel flung herself into Brook's arms, sniffling but wiping her tears to stay strong.
"There, there," Brook soothed, patting her golden hair. "That creep's about to get a one-way ticket to hell. Attacking our star orator? Unforgivable!"
Nearby, Prince Neptune watched their closeness with a pang of jealousy, like a kid whose favorite toy was snatched. But he kept quiet. Ariel was Brook's crewmate, and their bond was tight. Besides, Brook had plenty of admirers—surely he wouldn't wait for Ariel to grow legs at 30, right?
Neptune clung to hope. Mermaids should marry mermaids—then we can have babies sooner!
-----------
+300 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg