With a single strike from Susanoo, the bird-headed Sea King's body shrank by a third. However, thanks to its immense vitality, it was only seriously injured—not dead.
But the beast had clearly learned its lesson. It slumped its head in submission, supported by two other massive Sea Kings, and didn't move an inch.
The remaining six Sea Kings all wore furious expressions, but when they saw the two long blades glowing with violet light in Susanoo's hands, they hesitated, not daring to approach.
Kaito sheathed both blades and sneered as he looked down at the massive beasts.
"What's wrong?"
The giant Sea Kings didn't reply. They simply glared up at Kaito, who stood atop Susanoo's head, their enormous eyes full of murderous intent.
Kaito had no interest in arguing with them. He simply dismissed Susanoo.
The massive purple giant, terrifying in the eyes of everyone present, vanished without a trace.
Even with Susanoo gone, the Sea Kings still dared not advance. Because they knew—what stood before them now was even more terrifying than that giant.
Those eyes—the Rinnegan—so small from their perspective, were like a living nightmare burned into their minds, staring down at them without a trace of emotion.
...
...
Kaito floated calmly in the water, arms crossed.
"I know you can understand me. I want you to bring Fishman Island to the surface. Are you willing or not? Nod if you are, shake your head if you're not."
Under the pressure of the Rinnegan, the pufferfish Sea King instinctively started to nod.
But just then, an eel-shaped Sea King interrupted, shaking its head and muttering in protest.
"No! It's not time yet! We must wait for the other king!"
Kaito didn't care what it was saying. He only needed to see that head shaking.
"Heh… looks like you still haven't figured out your situation."
As Kaito slowly floated upward, the nine Sea Kings gazed up in fear, following his ascent until he hovered in a position where they had to look up to see him.
With a sharp glare, a formless wave of spiritual pressure burst from Kaito's eyes, sweeping across the nine Sea Kings.
It was the same genjutsu technique Sasuke had once used in Naruto to control the nine Tailed Beasts: Rinnegan: Illusion.
The Sea Kings' eyes widened in shock. Ripples began to spread across their pupils, morphing into the Rinnegan's concentric rings.
Back when Kaito encountered the Lord of the Coast near Cocoyasi Village, he had used this technique once before. But that beast had been far too weak and was instantly killed by the overwhelming mental assault.
These Sea Kings, however, were far stronger than that low-level beast—both physically and mentally. They withstood the spiritual assault and were now little more than puppets under Kaito's command.
They were no different from Kaito's summoned beasts—just ones with no will of their own.
He commanded them to stay in place, then teleported back to the surface.
The moment Kaito appeared, Shirahoshi rushed over.
"Kaito-sama, what happened to the Sea Kings? I feel like I lost connection with them."
Kaito smiled and said, "They're fine. Soon, they'll bring Fishman Island up to the surface."
At those words, Neptune's eyes lit up. This was exactly what he had always hoped for!
He nearly shouted in joy, but held back for fear of disturbing Kaito, expressing his excitement instead through his trembling body.
Kaito didn't keep them waiting. A glint of violet light flashed through his Rinnegan as he issued a command to the Sea Kings outside Fishman Island.
The nine giant Sea Kings immediately swam toward Noah. They clamped onto its chains with their jaws and began swimming upward.
With Noah as their anchor, Fishman Island slowly started to rise.
Under Kaito's precise control, the nine Sea Kings moved in perfect unison. The residents of Fishman Island didn't feel even the slightest tremor.
But while the island was steady, their hearts were anything but. Everyone's gaze turned to Kaito. They all knew—this miracle was happening because of him.
Tears streamed down the faces of both Neptune and Jinbe. At that moment, their hearts held the same thought:
"Otohime… can you see this? Fishman Island is about to be reborn!"
But unlike Jinbe, King Neptune's mind went further.
Rising to the surface was indeed a crucial step, but there was still a major problem—how to coexist with humans.
Ever since Whitebeard allied with Shanks, he had pulled most of his forces close to his main ship, leaving Fishman Island more vulnerable.
Recently, more humans had come to the island seeking slaves. Only after hearing that Kaito was here did they flee in fear.
But once Kaito left, those slavers would return with a vengeance. And now that Fishman Island would be floating on the surface, it would be even easier for them to capture merfolk and fishmen.
The thought made Neptune's expression darken with worry.
Kaito noticed and asked,
"Your Majesty Neptune, you seem troubled. Don't you want Fishman Island on the surface?"
"Of course I do, Admiral Shikiryū. I'm truly grateful for everything you've done for Fishman Island! It's just that…"
"What is it?"
Neptune hesitated. To be honest, he didn't want to burden Kaito with his concerns. He felt Kaito had already gone above and beyond—this was his responsibility as king.
But he was too weak. He couldn't protect his own people.
He looked around at the merfolk and fishmen gathered in the square, their faces full of hope for a better future.
How could he let them fall into the hands of slavers and become chained once more?
Gritting his teeth, he made up his mind.
Compared to the people of Fishman Island, what did his royal pride matter?
Neptune voiced his concerns to Kaito, who listened carefully.
When he finished, Shirahoshi also looked worried and instinctively turned to Kaito.
But Kaito just shook his head and chuckled.
So that was it? He thought it might be something serious.
Worried about slaver squads?
Fishman Island was beautiful, and the mermaids were a sight to behold. Kaito had already come to view this place as his own domain.
And in his domain, he wouldn't allow such things to happen again.
Under Neptune's anxious gaze, Kaito's tone remained casual, but his words sent the king into ecstatic joy:
"Fishman Island is under my protection from now on. That kind of thing... will never happen again!!!"