The next day, three thousand meters beneath the sea, two figures descended rapidly toward the ocean floor.
Jinbe led the way, pulling Lucien swiftly through the deep blue darkness toward Fish Man Island.
As they continued downward, Lucien removed the weight bearing enhancement from his body. Without doing so, even he would struggle against the crushing water pressure at this depth.
Lucien could breathe underwater thanks to Any Breath, so he did not require a bubble coating. Normally, a Devil Fruit user would lose all strength upon falling into the sea. Lucien was also a Devil Fruit user.
Yet for reasons he never fully understood, perhaps because of his unique constitution or the nature of his abilities, he only lost half of his strength in seawater.
That meant he could still fight, just at fifty percent of his full power.
It was enough.
His target this time was Shirahoshi.
At the same time, the Marines were conducting a worldwide draft. Everyone understood that a large scale conflict between the World Government and the Savior Group was inevitable. Both sides were gathering strength as quickly as possible.
Lucien's forces were expanding like locusts, infiltrating every corner of the seas and hunting for powerful individuals to recruit or crush.
After passing through long stretches of darkness and clusters of undersea volcanoes, a beautiful island finally appeared ahead.
Fish Man Island.
They broke through the massive protective membrane and entered the island itself. Lucien floated in midair, observing the unique architecture and the bustling life below. His amethyst eyes scanned the surroundings with interest.
Mermaids with human upper bodies and fish tails for their lower halves swam gracefully through the water.
Lucien was honestly moved.
These were real mermaids.
Some were breathtakingly beautiful, comparable to goddesses. Others were far less fortunate in appearance. Every race had its extremes.
"Jinbe, I heard that female mermaids only split their tails into legs at thirty years old, is that correct?"
Lucien's tone was casual as he flew across the sky. When passing Mermaid Cove, he saw countless mermaids bathing and playing in swimsuits. From youthful girls to mature women, from shy and delicate to bold and alluring, the variety was dizzying.
It was a paradise for men.
"Yes," Jinbe replied respectfully, hovering with geppo.
"What a fascinating world. What fascinating creatures."
Lucien left it at that and continued toward Ryugu Palace.
"Was that Lord Jinbe?"
"Who is that human? He can fly!"
Several mermaids recognized Jinbe, though none knew Lucien.
Guided by Jinbe, Lucien entered Ryugu Palace without resistance. The Fish Man guards greeted Jinbe warmly, clearly acknowledging his status and prestige.
Just as they approached the palace interior, an axe came hurtling from the deep sea in the distance, crashing into a hardened tower structure.
Lucien stopped and glanced toward the source before shifting his gaze to the tower.
Vander Decken IX.
A Paramecia user of the Mark Mark Fruit, obsessed and delusional, endlessly attempting to court Shirahoshi.
Lucien changed direction immediately and headed toward the Hard Shell Tower. Shirahoshi was hiding inside.
Jinbe followed silently.
"Open it."
Standing before the massive iron gate, Lucien looked at the two guards indifferently.
The moment he spoke, Law Following Speech activated. The guards' bodies moved against their will. Trembling, they pulled out the keys and unlocked the gate.
The interior was spacious yet dimly lit.
A large pink bed dominated the center of the room. Beneath a thick quilt, something massive trembled violently.
Outside, the distant thuds of Vander Decken's attacks continued.
"As expected, timid."
Lucien floated horizontally above the bed. A black thorn extended from his side, curling around the quilt before yanking it away.
A gigantic figure was revealed.
Shirahoshi huddled at the head of the bed, sobbing. Her wavy pink hair framed her tear filled blue eyes. She was pitiful, fragile, trembling like a frightened child.
"Quite large."
Lucien's gaze swept over her body without shame. For now, she was still just a young girl.
Her beauty was undeniable. The soft pink gradient of her tail, her delicate features, her generous figure, she truly possessed the potential to rival Boa Hancock in the future.
It was simply unfortunate that she was still immature.
"Lord Jinbe!"
Through her tears, Shirahoshi recognized Jinbe and forced a fragile smile.
"Shirahoshi!"
At that moment, Neptune burst in with his sons Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi, along with numerous guards.
"It seems you still have not awakened the power of Poseidon."
Lucien's tone was cold.
A black thorn shot forward.
Before anyone could react, it pierced straight through Fukaboshi's torso.
Hot blood sprayed across Ryuboshi's face.
Silence fell for two seconds.
Then chaos erupted.
"Fukaboshi!"
Neptune roared, his eyes bloodshot. Shirahoshi froze, staring blankly as her brother was lifted into the air, impaled and bleeding.
Lucien did not hesitate.
Pain was the fastest catalyst for growth.
A second thorn flashed out and severed Fukaboshi's arm. His scream echoed through the chamber.
"Do not move."
Law Following Speech spread through the room. Neptune, Ryuboshi, Manboshi, and the guards were frozen in place, forced to witness everything.
"No!"
Shirahoshi's scream tore from her throat as Lucien sliced cleanly through Fukaboshi's neck.
The head fell to the ground, rolling across polished stone and leaving a thick crimson trail before striking the corner wall.
The smell of blood filled the air.
The next moment, it was Ryuboshi's turn.
This time, Lucien dragged him closer, forcing Shirahoshi to watch at point blank range. The thorn pierced slowly into Ryuboshi's chest, inch by inch, until it reached his heart.
Blood splattered across Shirahoshi's face.
Her pupils dilated in horror.
"No!"
Her scream was hysterical, raw, breaking.
A massive will erupted from her body.
Lucien felt it instantly. His hair fluttered as the force washed over him.
It resembled Haoshoku Haki, yet it was different. Older. Deeper.
The will of a king.
Neptune, Manboshi, and the guards collapsed unconscious under the pressure. Only Jinbe remained standing, barely.
At the same time, terrifying presences rose from the waters surrounding Fish Man Island.
The sea churned violently.
Gigantic shapes emerged.
Sea Kings.
Colossal creatures surrounded the island, their bodies towering like mountains. Some were so large they dwarfed Fish Man Island itself.
Panic spread across the island. Citizens trembled as the massive shadows loomed beyond the barrier.
Lucien stepped outside.
Countless enormous eyes focused on him.
They were intelligent.
If any race could claim dominance in the world, it was these beings.
"Waaah…"
Shirahoshi's sobbing continued behind him.
"Be quiet. Come here."
Law Following Speech activated again.
Shirahoshi's mouth snapped shut, and despite her terror, she floated to Lucien's side. Tears the size of pearls continued to stream down her face.
Lucien looked at her, his amethyst eyes cold and merciless.
"If you do not want Neptune and your remaining brother to die as well, then control them properly for me."
He released Law Following Speech.
His voice turned glacial.
"Now."