The crew, frightened by Vander Decken's frantic state, hurriedly began operating the ship, attempting to flee this death zone.
However, at that moment, a calm voice seemed to bypass the resistance of the seawater and the massive bubble membrane, resonating directly within the soul of every person present.
The voice was not loud, yet it carried an undeniable, absolute will, like a divine decree.
"All Sea Kings near Fish-Man Island, heed my command."
"Slay every pirates currently in the waters surrounding Fish-Man Island!"
The moment the words fell, an invisible aura of death enveloped the Pirates' ship, freezing every pirate on the deck in place as if a pause button had been pressed.
Fear of death surged in their eyes!
Simultaneously, from the dark, silent trench beneath the Pirates' ship came a deep, earth-shattering roar that seemed capable of shattering souls!
Boom—
An indescribable, ancient pressure erupted violently from the depths of the sea!
The color drained from Vander Decken IX's face as he stiffly lowered his head to gaze at the water beneath his feet.
In the previously dark waters, two massive, crimson lights—brighter and larger than searchlights—lit up.
They were a pair of eyes!
A colossal beast of unimaginable size was rapidly ascending from the abyss!
Its enormous body churned the seawater, forming a vortex large enough to swallow an island.
The mere water pressure from its ascent made the massive Pirates' ship groan under the strain.
The next moment, a gaping maw capable of devouring an entire island burst through the darkness and, before Vander Decken IX's horrified eyes, swallowed the entire ship along with the surrounding seawater!
"This—this can't be!!!"
In his final moment before being consumed by endless darkness, Vander Decken IX couldn't help but exclaim.
"He can actually command the Sea Kings of the deep at Fish-Man Island! Could he be the true Poseidon?!"
The beast closed its mouth.
The world returned to silence once again.
Vander Decken and his pirate crew were reduced to the Sea King's meal in the blink of an eye.
...
Inside Fish-Man Island, before the Hard Shell Tower.
King Neptune, the three princes, and the ministers behind them all stared upward, dumbfounded by the fleeting apocalyptic scene outside the bubble membrane.
The Sea King had only revealed its head, yet the shadow it cast covered nearly half of Fish-Man Island.
The oppressive sensation, emanating from the deepest levels of life itself, left all fish-men and merfolk feeling suffocated.
Then, they watched as the colossal beast devoured the nightmare that had plagued them for years, then respectfully bowed its head toward Orion's direction before silently sinking back into the abyss.
The entire process happened in the blink of an eye.
So fast it felt unreal.
While everyone was still reeling from the immense shock, Orion had already returned to the Hard Shell Tower with Princess Shirahoshi.
He looked at the still somewhat shaken Shirahoshi, smiled gently, and addressed Neptune.
"The crisis has been resolved. Fish-Man Island can now begin preparations for the nationwide relocation."
"Yes! Yes!" King Neptune finally snapped out of it.
Looking at his unharmed daughter and then at the composed Orion, he was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes, his massive frame trembling slightly.
He stepped forward and performed a solemn, deep bow.
"Fish-Man Island will never forget the great kindness you've shown us, Fleet Admiral! To express our gratitude, I have ordered a banquet to be prepared. We would be honored if you and your trainees would grace Ryugu Palace with your presence!"
Orion nodded in agreement.
...
The banquet hall in Ryugu Palace was brilliantly lit, adorned everywhere with beautiful corals and pearls, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
Slim mermaid attendants carried various delicacies as they moved gracefully among the guests.
Luffy's mouth never stopped moving, the plates in front of him piled mountain-high as he ate with both hands, grease smeared around his lips.
"Mmm! This fish is delicious! Sabo! Ace! You've got to try this!"
Sanji was in absolute heaven, holding a wine glass as he elegantly moved among several beautiful mermaids, hearts practically dancing in his eyes.
"Ah, fair maidens, your presence outshines even the most brilliant pearls in the ocean! Cooking for such refined ladies is the greatest honor of my life!"
The enormous Shirahoshi, attending such a banquet for the first time, still appeared nervous and afraid, shrinking alone in a corner like a pink mountain.
Nami, Nojiko, and Koala exchanged glances before walking over with drinks in hand.
"Hello there, Princess Shirahoshi!" Nami looked up with a cheerful grin. "You're really huge! Don't be afraid, we're all the Fleet Admiral's followers."
Nojiko added with a smile, "The outside world is full of wonders. Soon you'll be able to see it for yourself."
Koala asked curiously, "Your Highness, I heard Ryugu Palace has many treasures. Is that true?"
Warmed by the three girls' enthusiasm, Shirahoshi gradually relaxed her tense body, quietly chatting with them, her enormous eyes slowly gaining sparkle.
The banquet atmosphere grew increasingly lively.
Brook took out his violin and played a cheerful rendition of "Binks' Sake."
"Yohohoho! What an honor to perform for everyone in this beautiful Ryugu Palace!"
However, he had only played two measures when a disruptive figure leaped onto the banquet table.
"SUPER!"
Franky, shirtless and wearing only his trademark speedo, struck his classic pose and began performing his strange dance on the table.
The entire hall fell silent for a moment before erupting in uproarious laughter.
"Franky, you idiot! Get down from there!" Usopp covered his face, feeling embarrassed enough to sink ten thousand meters under the sea.
"Don't ruin Brook's performance!"
In another corner of the banquet, the atmosphere was tense.
Sanji and Yonji stared each other down, sparks seeming to fly between them.
Just then, Reiju gracefully approached with two glasses of wine, smiling as she said.
"We're family. We shouldn't be like this."
"I don't have such inhuman family members!" Sanji snorted coldly.
"A failure like you isn't qualified to be my family," Yonji retorted with equal disdain.
Reiju sighed and had no choice but to play her final card.
"The Fleet Admiral values unity among comrades above all. If you two can't get along, you'll definitely be expelled from the Marine. Because the Marine doesn't need soldiers who disrupt unity now."
Hearing this, both Sanji and Yonji stiffened.
Extremely reluctantly, they picked up their glasses, clinked them together, then quickly downed the wine before turning away from each other, refusing to look at one another.
Not far away in a booth, Hawkins was quietly arranging his Tarot cards.
Trafalgar Law leaned back in his chair and couldn't help but comment.
"Still doing readings? With the Fleet Admiral around, your divinations are meaningless!"
Hawkins expressionlessly flipped over a card and said calmly.
"The meaning of divination isn't in the result, but in the process. Just like a journey - the scenery along the way is what gives meaning to the trip, not the destination."
...
...
Early the next morning.
The entire Fish-Man Island mobilized.
Under the leadership of King Neptune and with Jinbei's assistance, a massive nationwide migration officially began.
Meanwhile, Orion boarded the training ship with the trainees once again, heading straight for the New World.