Although he had misjudged Robin notoriety, it wasn't something important. After all, once they became Shichibukai, they hadn't planned on hiding Robin existence anymore.
So Sherwin introduced her to Jinbe. "Her name is Nico Robin. She been our companion since long ago, but her identity is a bit sensitive, so she had been disguised as a Felynes before. The big cat you mentioned was her."
"So it was Miss Robin. Hello."
Jinbe first nodded politely to Robin, and then suddenly reacted.
"Eh!? Nico Robin?!"
Judging from his reaction, he clearly knew the special circumstances surrounding Nico Robin.
At the very least, he wasn't like most people, who only thought she was an ordinary criminal wanted for destroying six warships.
Seeing Jinbe expression, shocked yet hesitating to speak, Sherwin shrugged and said,
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. Taking Robin in was part of my deal with the World Government from the beginning."
"I see. I was rude."
After calming down, Jinbe apologized to Robin. He no longer dwelled on her identity. Instead, he took out a conch and blew into it.
"Woooo—"
The conch let out a long, deep sound that echoed into the distance.
Soon, a massive royal ribbonfish swam toward them from afar.
Strangely, it floated in midair, swimming as if it were still in water. On its body were two large bubbles, and inside one of them was a structure resembling a ship.
Facing this sight that completely defied the physics of the surface world, Sherwin had already grown calm enough to accept it without much reaction.
The excited Felynes, however, were nowhere near that composed…
"Sherwin! Sherwin! Look! That fish is floating in the sky, meow!"
"Fat Fishman uncle, are we going to ride that flying ribbonfish later, meow?!"
"How is this done? I really want to study it, meow! Check-it!"
(ゝω)~☆
"Sherwin, Sherwin, can I shoot it down with a fish bone, meow?!"
"Absolutely not!"
Sherwin immediately suppressed the troublemaking Jinx, and the price was getting bitten several times by the little wild cat… complete with explosive effects.
Jinbe watched Sherwin and the cats interact, the corner of his eye twitching.
He suddenly felt that this newly appointed Shichibukai had it tougher than he expected.
Still, he dutifully explained, "It floats because of the bubbles on its body. The principle is similar to the bubble cars of the Sabaody Archipelago.
With some training, all of you can move freely through the air using bubbles as well."
He pointed toward several merfolk near the port, each with a bubble ring around their waist. A closer look revealed that they, too, were floating in midair.
Though still scientifically absurd, Sherwin and the others had at least witnessed Sabaody bubble culture, so it was easy for them to accept the explanation.
It just… How is such a huge ribbonfish surviving in a waterless environment?
Sherwin couldn't help silently complaining in his heart.
"By using this bubble coral, you can produce small and medium bubble films.
Since merfolk find it inconvenient to walk on their tails, they each carry one when they go out.
In addition, it can also serve as a diving suit for humans and Felynes."
As Sherwin quietly complained in his heart, Jinbe handed several pieces of coral-shaped items to Klee Meow and the others.
Then he reminded them, "Just like the bubbles on the Sabaody Archipelago, once they leave the environment around Sabaody or Fishman Island, they will lose their effect, so please be careful."
Under Jinbe guidance, the little troublemaking Felynes quickly wrapped themselves in bubbles and began flailing around Sherwin, "swimming" like headless flies.
Sherwin wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but whenever these little cats "swam" near him, their frantically paddling paws and swishing tails seemed to move faster and hit harder.
"Everyone, please board the tour vessel. We're heading to Ryugu Castle."
The cats stopped playing and followed Sherwin—who was now covered in claw marks—and Jinbe as they climbed onto the giant ribbonfish.
The ribbonfish then resumed swimming and headed upward toward a smaller bubble above.
…
Unlike Fishman Island main bubble, which was half land and half water, the bubble housing Ryugu Castle was filled entirely with seawater.
However, within the buildings, they used layers of bubbles and specially built walls to keep the water out, creating spaces where land-dwellers could move freely…
A system that, frankly, felt a bit redundant.
But because of it, Ryugu Castle looked far more fantastical. Schools of fish and other marine creatures glided through the structures, finally giving Sherwin and the others a sense that they were truly under the sea again.
"Waaah! Such a huge and beautiful palace, meow!"
(=`=)
Amid Klee Meow usual loud exclamations, Sherwin group followed Jinbe into Ryugu Castle, where Jinbe and King Neptune, as well as the three princes of the castle, had long been waiting.
Sherwin looked around and noticed that aside from those four, there were no other Fishmen or merfolk present.
"Hohohohoho! Welcome to Ryugu Castle. I am the king of this land, Neptune!"
"I am Shark Star."
"I'm the Royal Star~ Milai-do—"
"Red sunfish… sway and sway… I'm the Flip Star!"
Among the Fishman royal family, only Shark Star looked relatively normal.
"Meowhahaha! Sherwin, they're so funny, meow!"
(=`=)σ
Straightforward as always, Klee Meow pointed at the strange mermaid family and burst into laughter.
"Don't be rude." Sherwin gently patted her small head, then apologized on her behalf. "Sorry, Klee doesn't mean any harm."
Neither King Neptune nor the three princes minded such a small thing. Neptune waved his hand and said warmly, "How could I be angry at such a cute child?"
Jinbe twitched the corner of his mouth from the side. He had witnessed just how terrifying Klee Meow destructive power could be.
"As the king of Fishman Island, I want to thank you for saving my people." Neptune formally expressed his gratitude to Sherwin.
"If you have any requests, we'll do our best to fulfill them."
Then he added, "Also, regarding the destruction caused by Arlong pirates in the East Blue, I sincerely apologize. It was my failure as king to properly restrain my people."
"No, Arlong went to the East Blue because of me. I'm the one who should apologize." Jinbe stepped forward to take responsibility as well.
No wonder the Fishmen ended up so oppressed—both their leader and their strongest warrior had personalities that were far too kind…
Sherwin quietly complained in his heart, then shook his head.
"There no need to apologize to me. I just happened to be there. The ones who truly suffered were the civilians of the East Blue.
Besides, being raided by pirates is one of the most common things on the sea.
It has nothing to do with whether they're Fishmen or not. Even without Arlong crew, there would've been other pirate groups."
"Hohohoho! You really are just as Jinbe described—you don't discriminate against us."
King Neptune laughed joyfully.
Jinbe sighed beside him. "If only there were more people like you and Pops Whitebeard."
Having roamed the One Piece world for several years, Sherwin understood the Fishmen situation quite well. In truth, most people impression of Fishmen was actually quite normal.
In the four seas outside the Grand Line, very few had ever come into contact with Fishmen.
To them, Fishmen were more of a novelty than a target of prejudice. And for ordinary civilians who were constantly raided by pirates, their situation wasn't much better than that of the Fishmen.
In reality, far fewer people truly discriminated against the Fishmen. But most of those who did were the ones wielding significant power—like the Celestial Dragons or nobles of allied nations.
It was only now that Sherwin finally understood why Queen Otohime had insisted on fighting for the Fishmen rights through the "legitimate" path of the World Government. She understood very well exactly who held real authority.
It just that…
Her methods were far too gentle.
In truth, Otohime approach wasn't wrong. As the weaker side, the Fishmen could only hope for acceptance from the World Government if they took the initiative to let go of hatred.
But letting go of hatred alone wasn't enough—they also needed to show strength, not rely solely on the protective reputation of Whitebeard.
But whether it was King Neptune, Queen Otohime, or even Shirahoshi, an Ancient Weapon, all of them were far too gentle.
Or rather, too naïve. They seemed to genuinely believe that once they gained the World Government recognition, slave traders would no longer dare to target them…
Honestly, if not for the "Joy Boy" destiny hanging over them, with the personalities of the Fishman leadership, it would've been nearly impossible for them to change their situation.
Even if they moved to the surface, those who wanted to attack them would still attack them.
And according to the original story, a few years later King Neptune finally attended the Reverie,
yet what happened? Their proposals didn't even get the chance to be heard because a Celestial Dragon became obsessed with Princess Shirahoshi, and everything collapsed right at the start.
Sherwin shook his head again but didn't say anything to them. After all, it wasn't as if there were no radicals within the Fishmen. If the Fishmen truly wanted change, they would've made it happen long ago.
Besides, he wasn't some equality crusader. Even against the corrupt World Government, all he had done so far was secretly trip them up here and there.
There was no way he would pour effort into something like "Fishman lives matter."
And right now, King Neptune clearly still held hope in the World Government. Even if Sherwin tried to warn him, they probably wouldn't listen.
Perhaps only after they fully realized the true nature of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government would their mindset finally change.