"How much further?" Noah asked, dragging his feet across the deck.
"I don't know," Emma replied.
Noah's stomach growled loudly.
"Amy… I'm starving."
That's when it hit all three of them—they hadn't bought any supplies.
"WE'RE GONNA DIE!" Noah screamed.
Emma smacked him on the head.
"Shut up, moron."
"I'll check the kitchen," Amy said, walking inside.
Noah looked over the rail. Schools of fish 🐟 drifted by, an octopus 🐙 squished itself against a coral rock, and even a shark 🦈 circled lazily.
His stomach growled again.
"That's it. I'm catching these fish."
"Are you crazy?!" Emma shouted. "You have Devil Fruit powers! You can't swim! And don't you dare think about using that sword again!"
Noah sighed dramatically.
"This place sucks…"
Amy returned moments later.
"All we have is rice. 🍚"
"I don't want rice! I want meat! Give me me—"
KONK!
Emma slammed her fist on his head.
"Shut. Up."
Noah groaned and flopped onto the deck.
"I hate it here… We've been sailing for hours under the sea and Fishman Island still hasn't shown up…"
He rolled onto his back.
"Wake me up when we get there…"
💤 He fell asleep instantly.
Amy chuckled softly.
"Our captain hasn't changed at all."
Emma leaned on the railing.
"I just hope everything goes well this time."
Amy lowered her voice.
"His dream is crazy… but admirable. I'll go anywhere he goes."
Emma smiled faintly.
"It does seem impossible. You know… when I first met him, I was just a merchant on a trade ship."
"You? A merchant?" Amy blinked.
"Yeah. My captain back then saved Noah from drowning. One thing led to another, and he asked me to join him. I bet you know exactly what I told him."
Amy laughed.
"You sure don't miss being a merchant?"
"Not even a little." Emma replied.
They kept talking until Emma suddenly froze.
Her eyes widened.
"Amy… look."
Floating ahead was a massive shimmering bubble, glowing softly like a giant pearl in the deep sea. Inside it...an entire island could be seen.
Fishman Island.
As they sailed closer, the bubble grew larger and more breathtaking. The entrance tunnel came into view...a swirling gateway of water.
Amy walked over to Noah and poked his cheek.
"Captain, we're here."
Noah slowly opened one eye… then the other.
The sight in front of him stole his breath.
"Whoa… it's beautiful."
Their ship drifted through the entrance and headed towards a docking port made of coral and smooth stone.
The ship touched down gently.
They had finally arrived at Fishman Island.
After docking, Noah and his crew stepped onto the coral streets of Fishman Island, taking in the glowing lamps, colorful buildings, and schools of fish swimming overhead like birds in the sky.
"This place is insane…" Noah whispered with stars in his eyes.
Emma admired a swirl-shaped coral tower.
"It's beautiful…"
Amy pointed at a group of mermaids passing by.
"Look! Even the people here look amazing."
But before they could continue sightseeing, armored footsteps approached.
A group of royal guards surrounded them.
The lead guard stepped forward.
"His Majesty, King Neptune, requests your presence immediately."
Noah blinked.
"Eh? The king wants to see me? What did I do?"
Emma elbowed him.
"Probably nothing good…"
Amy sighed.
"Let's not keep the king waiting."
They were escorted to a gigantic palace built from white coral and shimmering pearls
The throne room doors opened with a deep creak.
Inside, the place was massive...but something felt off.
Emma looked around slowly. Parts of the floor were cracked. Pillars showed splintered marks...as if a huge force had smashed into them.
"This place looks like it was struck by something…" Emma whispered.
Amy quickly grabbed her arm.
"Shhh! Don't just say that out loud! We're in the royal palace."
Emma blinked innocently. "What? It's true."
Amy groaned.
"You're just like your captain…"
Noah puffed out his chest proudly.
"See? My personality is spreading."
Emma and Amy slapped him from opposite sides.
"Ow!" Noah rubbed his cheeks.
"Team attacks now? Seriously?"
Before they could argue more, a deep rumbling voice echoed through the hall.
"So… you are the humans who wished to enter our island."
A towering figure emerged from behind the throne...King Neptune himself.
Noah straightened up.
"Uh—hi. I'm Noah. Captain. Totally not here to cause trouble."
Emma facepalmed.
"Smooth…"
King Neptune studied them closely.
"There have been… incidents on our island these past weeks. Rebel attacks and you arrived during a very delicate time."
Amy lowered her head respectfully.
"Your Majesty, we apologize if our arrival caused concern."
Noah nodded quickly.
"Yeah! We're just passing through. I swear."
The king's gaze softened slightly.
"Perhaps. But I would like to understand who you are… and whether you are allies or enemies."
Noah gulped.
Emma and Amy both stepped behind him at the same time.
"You're the captain. You answer," Emma whispered.
"Yeah, captain," Amy added.
Noah sighed.
"Why is it always me…"
Noah stepped closer to the king.
"Your Majesty… what exactly happened here?"
King Neptune let out a long, heavy breath.
"Two weeks ago, Fishman Island was struck by chaos. A group of rebels tried to overthrow the royal family… They wanted to enslave humans in retaliation for past crimes. The destruction you see in this palace is from their attack."
Emma's eyes widened.
"So that's why the place looks beat up…"
Amy gave her a sharp elbow.
"Emma. Volume."
Noah nodded slowly.
"I see… and how did it end?"
Neptune's face softened with gratitude.
"A young pirate named Luffy intervened. He defeated the rebels and saved this country from collapse. Because of him, we stand here today."
Noah kept a straight face.
(Noah's thoughts)
Yeah… I know all of that. But pretending not to know anything has worked great so far, so let's keep that going.
He cleared his throat.
"Luffy is a friend of mine, actually."
The entire throne room froze.
Guards blinked.
Neptune leaned forward.
"You know Straw Hat Luffy?"
"Yep," Noah replied confidently. "We're pretty close."
Emma groaned softly.
Amy sighed.
Emma leaned toward Amy.
"Well… that explains some things."
Amy nodded.
"Yeah. One idiot recognizing another."
Noah's vein popped.
"HEY! We're not idiots!"
Emma raised an eyebrow.
"Noah, you and Luffy once tried to race seagulls."
"I only saw Luffy once at Sabaody… but from the five seconds I watched him, I could tell you two are the same type." Amy added.
Noah pointed at her.
"YOU DIDN'T EVEN TALK TO HIM!"
Amy shrugged.
"Didn't need to."
Emma nodded.
"She's right."
"I CAN HEAR YOU TWO!" Noah shouted.
Both girls looked away innocently.
Noah turned back to Neptune, trying to regain dignity.
"Anyway… Luffy and I go way back."
Neptune stroked his beard.
"That is very interesting… Captain Noah."
Noah blinked.
"…Wait. How do you know my name?"
The king stared at him as if the answer was obvious.
"Everyone knows you and your crew."
Emma and Amy straightened, impressed for a moment.
"Oh?" Amy asked.
"They do?" Emma added with a small smile.
"You are the Rogue Pirates. The crew known for annihilating entire countries… and anyone who stands in your way." Neptune said.
Emma and Amy froze.
Noah choked.
"WHAT?!"
He grabbed his head dramatically.
"WHAT KIND OF RUMORS ARE THE MARINES SPREADING ABOUT US?!"
Emma held up a finger.
"Well… you did destroy Enies Lobby."
Amy nodded.
"And you did almost destroyed Sabaody."
"I WAS FIGHTING TO SURVIVE!" Noah shouted.
Emma shrugged.
"Rumors don't care, captain."
Amy patted his shoulder.
"Look at it this way… at least the whole world knows you."
Noah dropped to his knees.
"I DON'T THE WHOLE WORLD TO KNOW ME YET! I DON'T WANT TO SOUND LIKE A NATIONAL DISASTER!"
Neptune coughed politely.
"Regardless of your… reputation… I have summoned you because I believe you may be able to help us."
Noah looked up, confused.
"Help… with what?"
The king's expression darkened.
"The rebels are not gone. They are regrouping. And something far more dangerous is stirring beneath the island."
Emma tensed.
Amy frowned.
Noah sighed…
Then smirked.
"Fine. Tell us what you need."