Rolan noticed the gravity in Neptune's expression. He couldn't help but wonder why the King would make such a decision, especially since Fish-Man Island was traditionally under Whitebeard's protection.
Whitebeard, the strongest man in the world, had come closest to the Pirate King's throne. Yet instead of relying on the famed pirate for defense, Neptune sought his own protection. Was it too hasty?
Neptune seemed to anticipate Rolan's doubts. "There is something Lord Rolan may not know," he said. "Eight hundred years ago, the Mermaid High Priestess prophesied that a person would appear to destroy Fish-Man Island in eight centuries."
Rolan's eyes widened. This wasn't just a prophecy—it felt divine, far beyond the fortune tellers he had known on the Blue Earth. He suspected it might have been orchestrated by Joy Boy and his followers eight hundred years ago, a scheme passed down across generations to ensure the destiny of the rubber fruit would unfold, until the gears of fate finally began to turn.
Originally, this fate belonged to Luffy, but now, Rolan's transmigration had altered everything.
Neptune continued, "The prophecy also states that the one who destroys Fish-Man Island will be the one to lead it out of its suffering."
Rolan fell silent, realizing the divination stored in the crystal ball centuries ago was meant to make the current King yield to the prophesied figure. He looked to the sky, noting how his arrival had shifted many threads of fate.
"But Fish-Man Island is Whitebeard's territory. Placing my flag here… isn't that a betrayal? How will you explain it to him?"
Neptune smiled faintly. "Lord Rolan may not know, but our agreement with Whitebeard was simple. We asked only to borrow his flag to deter enemies."
Nami tilted her head thoughtfully. "So Fish-Man Island isn't truly his territory; he just lent you the flag?"
"Exactly," Neptune admitted. "The Four Emperors spend almost all their time in the New World, and Fish-Man Island is of little interest to them. Naturally, they leave it unmanaged."
Rolan nodded. That explained why Hody Jones's rebellion had been possible.
"But aren't you afraid of Whitebeard's wrath if you change the flag now?" Rolan asked.
Neptune shook his head. "No, I'll call him and explain."
He reached for a Den Den Mushi and dialed.
Soon, a voice answered: "Hello, this is the Moby Dick. Who is calling?"
Neptune swallowed nervously; the other party was none other than Whitebeard himself. Composing himself, he said, "This is Fish-Man Island. I am Neptune. I wish to change our flag."
A hearty laugh erupted from the Den Den Mushi. "Gurarararara! Change it as you see fit. The flag isn't important; I had nearly forgotten it."
Neptune exhaled, feeling the overwhelming aura of the Four Emperor even through the call.
"Fish-Man Island," Whitebeard's voice continued, "no matter whose flag flies, as long as you need us, the Whitebeard Pirates will support you."
Rolan felt a deep respect for this legendary pirate, even without having met him. In the original timeline, after Marineford, Fish-Man Island had raised Big Mom's flag, suffering under the weight of supplying sweets for her fleets. Whitebeard's magnanimity now was in stark contrast.
Robin rubbed her chin and commented, "Whitebeard seems surprisingly reasonable, much more than expected."
Lina spoke up, "Nami, Rolan, Ace is your disciple, right? He's now the commander of Whitebeard's Second Division?"
"Yes," Rolan said, memories flooding back. Would the plot continue as it had originally?
Neptune gasped. "Lord Rolan, you are the master of the Second Division Commander?"
Rolan didn't hide it. "Yes, I have two disciples. Ace is one of them."
Nami and Robin exchanged shocked glances. Ace, the so-called 'Gold Emperor' and Whitebeard's strongest fighter after the captain himself, was Rolan's disciple. The revelation would shake the seas if it became public.
Robin suggested, "Rolan, we should visit Whitebeard after entering the New World."
Rolan nodded. "Yes. First to see Ace, then Blackbeard."
---
Marineford.
"What? Are you sure you saw it clearly?" Sengoku's voice carried disbelief as he listened to a report from Sabaody Archipelago.
"Yes, I saw Rolan's ship sink to the bottom of the sea with my own eyes."
Sengoku put down the Den Den Mushi, a weight lifting from his chest. His white hair had grown six months' worth in stress over Rolan's antics. Now, relief flooded him—Lotta had finally gone to the New World.
Garp slapped his thigh, laughing. "Hahaha! Sengoku, one Rolan had you this scared? I remember you being so spirited!"
"Shut up! Garp, wasn't this kid from your East Blue? Did you manage it properly?"
Garp handed Sengoku a senbei. "Relax. Rolan's in the New World now, isn't he?"
Sengoku glared, snatched the bag, and shoved it all into his mouth. "Ah! My senbei!"
Tsuru shook her head helplessly at the bickering duo.