Chapter 221: Fish-Man Island
Just as Ace and Enel were leaving Onigashima by ship to rendezvous with Sakazuki, another coated warship was slowly navigating the undersea currents, heading toward Fish-Man Island under the azure dome.
Fish-Man Island, located ten thousand meters below the Holy Land Mary Geoise, is a mandatory stop for reaching the New World. It is also the birthplace of most Fish-Men and Merfolk, known as the "Undersea Paradise," a dreamlike haven.
Having been protected by "Whitebeard" for decades, it had long maintained a facade of peace.
But since Whitebeard fell in battle and the island lost the awe-inspiring protection that deterred the world, this azure island instantly fell into a power vacuum.
To avoid a total outbreak of chaos, Warlord Jinbe resolutely stayed to guard Fish-Man Island, doing his utmost to maintain order—
However, beneath the undercurrents he couldn't reach, slave trading, looting, smuggling, and pirate infighting had long been surging.
Weak mermaid girls went missing constantly, and ordinary merfolk were robbed. Jinbe was heartbroken over this but ultimately felt powerless.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Linlin of the Big Mom Pirates extended a hand to King Neptune, offering terms that seemed "benevolent": as long as Fish-Man Island provided a massive amount of sweets every month, she was willing to step in and "protect" the place.
Neptune and Jinbe were repeatedly discussing this matter. If they agreed, Fish-Man Island might avoid the immediate disaster, but it also meant completely falling under the influence of a "Yonko," becoming a part of "Soul and Appetite."
Fish-Man Island · Ryugu Palace · Council Chamber
"BANG—!!!"
The heavy palace doors were slammed open. A soaking wet Fish-Man soldier stumbled into the hall, face full of panic:
"Re-Report! Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral · Roy, has landed at Fish-Man Island Port!!!"
"What?!" King Neptune rose abruptly, his trident hitting the floor tiles with a THUD, pupils contracting violently.
Beside him, Jinbe's face also changed. He stood up abruptly, eyes filled with vigilance. "Is it that man... who defeated Pops Whitebeard and the Golden Lion?!"
"What is he doing here?!"
Fish-Man Island Port
"SPLASH—!!!"
A large coated warship burst from the water, docking at the port.
The solemn and austere atmosphere on the ship plunged the originally noisy port into dead silence. The pirates at the port exploded instantly.
"Oi, oi, oi—that's... Vice Admiral Roy?! That monster?!"
"Why are the Marines at Fish-Man Island?! Wasn't it said only Big Mom and the Warlords were interested here?!"
"RUN!! RETREAT, NOW!!!"
The moment the warship landed, the pier went into chaos. Panicked pirates fled like a receding tide.
Roy's gaze was calm; he didn't even spare them a glance.
He simply looked up slowly toward the towering, brilliantly shining structure in the distance—Ryugu Palace.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. "It seems... we arrived just in time."
"Law, take care of the pirates still remaining on Fish-Man Island..."
Law's gaze sharpened. "ROOM!" His figure vanished instantly.
Moments Later · Ryugu Palace · Council Chamber
King Neptune spoke in a deep voice, "Vice Admiral, may I ask the purpose of your visit?"
Roy retracted his smile, his gaze burning like a torch. "I heard Fish-Man Island has been... unstable recently?"
Jinbe stepped forward, tone guarded. "Fish-Man Island's affairs will be handled by us. No need for the Marines to intervene."
Roy didn't get angry. He simply responded indifferently, "Is that so? Then considering accepting Big Mom's protection... is also part of 'handling it yourselves'?"
Neptune was shocked, his face changing drastically. "You... how do you know about that?!"
Roy didn't answer. He just smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over each of them, tone leisurely but carrying invisible pressure:
"Massive amounts of sweets every month in exchange for a Yonko's 'protection'... sounds like a pretty good deal."
"But have you ever thought about it? Once you accept, Fish-Man Island will no longer be an 'independent' kingdom, but a vassal under pirate rule."
"Becoming her 'Cake Farm,' 'Dessert Warehouse,' 'Soul Contract Nation'..."
"Is that the hope you want to leave for your descendants? Or chains?"
Jinbe gritted his teeth, retorting in a deep voice, "...That's still better than letting those mermaid girls get snatched off the streets right now!! I have no way out!!!"
Roy's tone turned cold. "A stupid, cowardly choice."
He turned abruptly to face Neptune directly. "If you are unwilling to become a Yonko's running dog."
"Then cooperate with the Marines, and let Justice become Fish-Man Island's protection!"
The entire hall fell silent.
Cold sweat seeped from Neptune's forehead. His hands gripped the armrests of the throne tightly, knuckles white.
"The Marines... or a Yonko?"
"But that is the man who defeated Whitebeard..."
This thought echoed repeatedly in his mind, tearing at his will like currents crashing against rocks.
He subconsciously looked at Jinbe beside him, seeking an answer from the steady and reliable "First Son of the Sea," even if it was just a firm look.
However, Jinbe's face at this moment was even paler than his.
This "Knight of the Sea," who had weathered countless storms, had beads of sweat on his forehead, his eyes revealing unprecedented wavering and struggle.
"Jinbe... you are afraid too?"
Jinbe gritted his teeth tightly. In his mind, Hatchan's trembling whispers from his terrified memories at Sabaody Archipelago flashed back—
"That Fire Fist brat... killed Arlong..."
"The Arlong Pirates... were wiped out by Roy's little brother..."
And now, the older brother of the one who annihilated the Arlong Pirates stood before him: a true monster who defeated Whitebeard and the Golden Lion!
Suddenly, Roy's gaze swept over coldly, like a blade skimming the sea surface.
"BUZZ—!!!"
An invisible Haki pressure poured down like a mountain. The air in the entire council chamber solidified. Jinbe felt his chest tighten, breath hitching, sweat soaking his back instantly!
"Such strong oppression. This kind of aura... even when Pops Whitebeard was alive, he might not have been able to achieve this..."
"This guy... is a true monster..."
Seeing Neptune's hesitation, Roy raised his hand and waved—
"SWISH!"
Jinbe and all the guards vanished instantly from their spots, appearing outside the meeting room the next second!
"Wh... What?!!" Jinbe's pupils shrank. Reacting violently, he roared and charged toward the door: "KING NEPTUNE!!!"
However—
"ROOM."
A calm voice sounded, and a figure appeared instantly before the door.
Trafalgar Law, holding "Kikoku," tapped the scabbard lightly on the ground, blocking the door. "Big Brother Roy won't hurt the Fish-Man King."
"Just stay put."
"You!" Jinbe roared, throwing a heavy punch. Haki covered his arm, heavy as a mountain!
"BANG—!!!"
Blocked by Law's scabbard, the air exploded, the corridor trembled. Jinbe was actually forced back two steps, his feet leaving three arc-shaped scratches on the floor!
Jinbe was shocked. "This young man... actually has such strength?!"
Meanwhile, Inside the Council Chamber
Neptune faced the slowly approaching figure alone.
Roy's tone was indifferent, yet carried unquestionable authority. "Fish-Man Island has only two choices."
"Become Big Mom's slaves—"
"Or—"
He stopped, staring directly into Neptune's pupils, his tone firm: "Accept the protection of the Marines."
"I will personally guarantee your return to the sun."
Neptune shuddered violently, a storm rising in his heart. "Wh... What?!!"
"Return to... the sun?"
Roy nodded. "Correct."
"I will push the Government to pass a bill recognizing Fish-Man Island's legal right of residency, granting you independent autonomous status."
"Your descendants will no longer need to look up at the sun from the ocean floor, but stand truly on the same earth as humans."
"The beauty of merfolk should not be imprisoned in the corners of the deep sea."
Neptune's hands trembled, eyes wide, unable to recover for a long time.
Sunlight... land... freedom...
The scenes Queen Otohime had dreamed of countless times were now being depicted so clearly by this "outsider" before him.
He murmured to himself, "Otohime... do you hear this..."
"Our children... might really... have a chance to live under the sun..."
However, the next second, his expression tightened, tone turning cold. "But... Vice Admiral."
"You are so generous... what is your true purpose?"
♧♧♧
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
♧♧♧
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.patreon.com/c/Segais
(Just remove the hyphen to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you