In the royal palace, Neptune was in the middle of handling affairs when a report arrived from the Neptune Army. They said that a group of pirates had appeared at the gates of Fishman Island, claiming to know him—and that they had come representing someone called Rayleigh.
Neptune froze for a moment. Rayleigh? Which Rayleigh?
But after thinking a bit, he suddenly remembered who Rayleigh was.
"Let them through," Neptune ordered after a pause.
In his mind, this was most likely some junior connected to Rayleigh, heading into the New World and stopping by to pay respects along the way.
Once the Neptune Army had gone to escort the group in, Neptune returned to his duties.
Before long, a squad of soldiers entered with a group of young men and women.
"Your Majesty, the pirates have been brought in!" one soldier reported, bowing respectfully.
"'Your Majesty'? Eh—so he's the king of Fishman Island?" Tiffany whispered curiously to Fang Yi.
Fang Yi chuckled, then stepped forward and offered a bow. "Your Majesty Neptune, it's an honor! I am Fang Yi, captain of the Dragon Wolf Pirates. These are my comrades."
Neptune nodded, smiling warmly. "Hello, young man. Tell me—what is your relation to Rayleigh?"
Though Neptune was king, he was a gentle man by nature, not quick to anger. Fishmen weren't prone to the same scheming as humans—they preferred to speak plainly. So he asked directly.
"Rayleigh?" Fang Yi smiled slightly. "He was my former vice-captain. We sailed together as comrades. After our crew disbanded, I formed the Dragon Wolf Pirates."
Neptune nodded in acknowledgment, about to exchange a few pleasantries—when suddenly he froze. His eyes snapped to Fang Yi.
"Wait—what did you just say? You sailed with Rayleigh? That means… You were a member of Roger's crew?"
"Yes," Fang Yi nodded. "Back then, I was just an intern. When Captain Roger first came to Fishman Island, I hadn't yet joined. The last time he came, I went with Shanks and Barrett to Mariejois, so I never came here with him."
"You're… that fool Roger used to talk about?" Neptune blurted out before catching himself. Seeing Fang Yi's embarrassed expression, he burst into hearty laughter. "Don't misunderstand! That wasn't an insult. I could feel how deeply Roger cared for you brats back then."
Back in those days, Roger was already gravely ill. And yet three kids from his ship had dared to sneak into Mariejois in search of a cure. When Neptune first heard of it, he was certain those reckless brats were doomed.
Though he didn't agree with the act, he couldn't help but respect the courage.
"I never imagined you'd actually survive that madness. Truly a miracle!" Neptune sighed, recalling the past. "Now, Roger has already been executed. They say he turned himself in. So I suppose your mission back then must have failed?"
"No." Fang Yi shook his head, his expression darkening. "We found the user of the Ope Ope no Mi, and we successfully brought him out."
"What? You really succeeded?" Neptune's eyes widened in shock. When he'd heard of Roger's execution, he assumed it was due to the illness taking its toll—that Roger had surrendered because there was no hope.
"That's right. But…" Fang Yi's voice grew heavy with guilt. "I overlooked something. The Ope Ope user was just an ordinary man. Against the Captain's overwhelming Conqueror's Haki, his powers couldn't even touch him. After everything we risked, after barely escaping from Mariejois—and with Barrett captured in Impel Down to cover our retreat—it all amounted to nothing. Captain Roger, to comfort me, even pretended his health had recovered…"
Neptune suddenly understood. The cruel irony was that Roger's strength itself had nullified his one chance at survival. Perhaps this was simply fate.
Now that he was certain of Fang Yi's identity, Neptune's attitude warmed considerably.
"So, are you planning to head into the New World?" he asked with a smile after some conversation.
"Yes. Back in Sabaody, we struck down a Celestial Dragon, and Admiral Sengoku chased us relentlessly. If not for Rayleigh's aid, we'd have been wiped out," Fang Yi admitted with a wry smile.
"You attacked a Celestial Dragon? And fought Sengoku?" Neptune's face twisted in shock. These youngsters were clearly no ordinary pirates.
"By the way, Your Majesty," Fang Yi continued, "I heard from your soldiers that Fishman Island has been suffering frequent attacks from pirates lately?"
Neptune sighed heavily. "Ever since Roger's last words, the seas have swelled with pirates. More of them set their sights on the New World—and more pass through here."
He didn't say it outright, but the meaning was clear: Fishman Island's troubles were the result of Roger's actions.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I don't believe Captain Roger ever intended for this. If he had known the consequences, he would never have burdened you so," Fang Yi said apologetically.
"Hahaha! That's not Roger's way," Neptune laughed heartily. "He'd never change his path just to avoid such consequences."
"You're right," Fang Yi nodded. "Captain Roger always did what he felt needed doing. Still, if there's any way we can help ease Fishman Island's troubles, please don't hesitate to ask. We'll do all we can."
Neptune smiled bitterly and shook his head. "This is not something you can fix. It's the tide of the times. No one can stop it."
Fang Yi thought to himself. In the original history, Fishman Island's safety was secured only after Whitebeard declared it his territory. What the island lacked now was such a deterrent.
But the Dragon Wolf Pirates didn't yet have that kind of power. They couldn't offer Fishman Island the protection it needed.
"Your Majesty Neptune," Fang Yi said after a moment's thought, "to keep lesser pirates from harassing Fishman Island, what's needed is an overwhelming deterrent."
Neptune blinked, surprised that Fang Yi would say such a thing.
"My Dragon Wolf Pirates are still new. We don't yet have the strength to deter others. But soon, we will. When that day comes—if you are willing—you may fly our flag here."
"Hahaha! I'll look forward to the day you become world-renowned," Neptune replied, amused though not fully convinced.
"By the way," Fang Yi added, "the Captain once told me there are two Poneglyphs here. May I see them?"
"The Poneglyphs?" Neptune nodded. "They're in the Sea Forest. I'll send soldiers to guide you."
"That won't be necessary—I'll go alone. As for my comrades, perhaps your soldiers could escort them around the island?" Fang Yi smiled.
"Hahaha! You're free to wander as you please. No need for escorts," Neptune assured him.
But Fang Yi shook his head. "It's better to send someone along. They don't know the way—and it'll prevent trouble."
"…Very well." Neptune waved to a soldier. "Assign men to accompany our guests."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the soldier replied.
"Tiffany, you and the others can go explore the island with the Neptune soldiers," Fang Yi told his crew. "It'll keep things simple. I'll head to the Sea Forest to see the Poneglyph. Anyone not interested in sightseeing can rest. We'll depart at dawn tomorrow."
"Then I'll take Tiffany and Jessica to stroll around. We should enjoy the scenery," Shanks suggested.
"Ooh—can I go sample the local food?" Lucky Roux's eyes lit up.
"Go ahead. Just stick together," Fang Yi said with a laugh. Then he turned to Barrett. "And you?"
"I'll go with you to the Sea Forest," Barrett answered after a pause.
Once they left Ryugu Palace, Barrett walked beside Fang Yi and asked quietly:
"Are you planning to make Fishman Island your territory?"
"Eh? Why do you ask that?" Fang Yi blinked.
"Otherwise, why did you tell the king what you did?" Barrett said bluntly.
Fang Yi was stunned, then gave a bitter smile. "Honestly, I had no such thought. I just felt guilty. What the Captain did—unintentionally—brought harm here. I feel responsible to try and make things right."
Roger is Roger. You are you, Barrett replied calmly. He may have been our captain once, but we're the Dragon Wolf Pirates now. We have our own will—not just Roger's legacy.