"Ying-ying-ying!"
On Creed's shoulder, the little Falkor was even more excited than he was—it had sensed Ain's presence!
Ever since it sprawled atop the Goro Goro no Mi (Rumble-Rumble Fruit) and absorbed some strange power and thunder-mark patterns, it had not only gained lightning control but also formed a faint spiritual link with the fruit's current master.
With its feedback, Creed confirmed: Ain was on Fish-Man Island.
That meant he didn't need to rush. First, rest outside Fish-Man Island and recover the stamina he'd burned through.
He hadn't expected that pausing to recuperate outside the island would attract a bunch of inexplicable enemies.
"Heh heh!"
"Baa—baa!"
Just as Creed turned to head back to his cabin, a vast shadow fell across the ship's bow.
"Whoa! Such a huge sea beast!" Perona yelped, but the others were unimpressed; massive or not, these beasts were nothing compared to Sea Kings.
The encircling giants included a sea lion, sea gorilla, sea giraffe, sea elephant, and sea rhino—each as big as a small mountain. In front of them, the Creed's ship looked like a toy; one slap or even a snort could smash it to splinters or flip it over.
"Which pirate crew are you?"
The shout came from atop the sea lion's head.
Everyone looked up. A slick, slightly curled-haired eel fish-man with a tuft of chin beard—dressed like a thug—was perched there.
Redfield and the others didn't recognize him, but Creed found the face familiar: wasn't this the guy who appeared first among the New Fish-Man Pirates in the original timeline? If he remembered right, the name was Hammond—who'd tried to strong-arm Luffy into joining them the moment he showed up, threatening to wreck the ship and kill people. A nasty piece of work.
Blocking passersby in broad daylight outside Fish-Man Island—clearly, this pirate group was done hiding and ready to wrest power from Ryugu's royal family.
Unfortunately for them, they'd met Creed's group today.
"I asked you a question! Why are you all standing there like idiots?" Hammond snapped when Redfield's crew merely traded looks without answering.
"Forget it, I'm too lazy to get mad. From now on, join the New Fish-Man Pirates and we'll let bygones be bygones! Otherwise…"
He scratched the back of his head, trying for a menacing tone.
"Otherwise what?"
The voice whispering at his ear nearly made him drop the sea lion's reins.
Just a heartbeat ago, the red-clad swordsman had been in front of him. Somehow, he was now at Hammond's back.
"I-I-I…"
Hammond tried to speak, but a crushing tide of sword intent slammed down on him, tangling his tongue.
Redfield didn't strike. He looked toward Creed instead. Creed thought for a moment—then a plan took shape.
Sneak into Fish-Man Island using the New Fish-Man Pirates as cover, rescue Ain first—that was the safest move.
After all, with Ain in the enemy's hands, he'd be forced to pull his punches.
Save Ain first. Then old scores and new would be paid in one go.
"Big Mom…"
Flames of anger flickered in his eyes.
An emperor of the sea—and she stooped to hostage-taking? Truly disappointing. No trace of a monarch's dignity.
Ryugu Palace sat at the sunlit apex of Fish-Man Island—a sprawling, opulent complex crowned by a coiling dragon. The royal family lived within.
Today, in Ryugu's guest hall, King Neptune—the Great Knight of the Sea—received a very special guest: Shiki the Golden Lion.
"Sir Shiki, I've already settled Big Mom's accommodations as you instructed. You can meet her at any time," Neptune said respectfully, his thick orange-red beard and mane flaring with each breath.
True to his epithet, Shiki's golden hair was so long it nearly swept the floor, like a lion's mane—though the ship's helm embedded in his skull did dent the majesty a bit.
"Mm. I'll see her later. By the way—have you made up your mind?" Shiki's tone was pleasant, but his brows pinched with the question.
"I will give you my answer tomorrow," Neptune replied, hesitation flickering in his eyes.
It was too important to decide rashly.
"Good. This concerns the well-being of every resident of Fish-Man Island. Think quickly. I won't linger here—once I've spoken with Big Mom, I'll be leaving. Who knows when I'll return." Shiki was dissatisfied but still gave Neptune time.
After sending Shiki off, Neptune paced the hall with his hands clasped behind him, brow furrowed.
Shiki had promised that, with the power of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi (Float-Float Fruit), he could relocate the entire Fish-Man Island to a suitable spot on the surface so every corner could bask in sunlight—no more relying on the Sunlight Tree Eve for meager rays.
"…Otohime, your dream might soon be within reach," he murmured, eyes misting at the memory of his late queen.
In life, Otohime had traveled tirelessly to secure migration to the surface and peaceful coexistence with humans—ultimately giving her life for that ideal.
But when he recalled Shiki's conditions, Neptune's face tightened again, and he sighed.
As the key price for moving the island, Shiki wanted Princess Shirahoshi to become his final disciple—to follow him across the seas.
Neptune knew exactly what kind of man Shiki was: a legendary pirate who had once stood shoulder to shoulder with the Pirate King Roger, who single-handedly assaulted Marineford and destroyed half the headquarters, who was captured and thrown into Impel Down—and who then escaped in an unprecedented breakout.
Could he really entrust gentle, delicate Shirahoshi to train under such a most-wanted pirate?
And faintly, he suspected Shiki knew something—something that made him wary. That was why he hadn't answered on the spot.
Just then, a guard rushed in with an urgent report. "Your Majesty—Admiral Aokiji entered Fish-Man Island five minutes ago. He's heading straight for Big Mom's quarters!"
"What?!"
Neptune's face drained.
(End of Chapter)
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