"Oh no, it must be mermaid traffickers... I'm sorry, I have to go after them..."
Seeing this, the Shark Fish-Man didn't bother with manners and was about to rush out of the bubble to chase the ship shooting upward. Yemu grabbed him and held him back.
"Don't rush... Erik, stop enjoying the tenderness. It's time for you to step up."
Erik's face flushed red at being called out, but he didn't hesitate for a second. He turned to the beautiful blue-haired mermaid beside him.
"I'll save your people!"
He sprang into the air and pulled out a coral-like device.
It was something they had bought at the Sabaody Archipelago.
Erik pressed it, and a bubble instantly formed around him, enveloping his body.
Already used to maneuvering inside it, he leapt off the ship. As if running on air, he sped toward the ascending vessel.
At the same time, he drew his twin swords and slashed toward the ship.
"Shinto Sword Style: Mizugokoro Sea Current Slash!"
The moment his blades cut through the water, the surrounding currents surged violently. A massive spiraling torrent formed, twisting into a water dragon that shot straight at the ship.
Boom...
With a single strike, the enormous vessel was drilled straight through by the roaring vortex.
The bubble around it shattered. Under the crushing pressure of the deep sea, the ship broke apart piece by piece. The mermaid traffickers inside rolled their eyes back and floated upward, unconscious.
"So strong!"
From atop the massive sea beast, Jinbe watched with blazing eyes.
The sight reminded him of the swordsman who had once visited Fish-Man Island.
He turned and saw the faint smile on Tiger's face.
In that instant, Jinbe—who had grown to loathe humans over the past few months because of the increasingly rampant mermaid traffickers—found his feelings shifting slightly.
Toward Tiger's human companions, he felt something new.
Respect for strength.
Just then, Tiger asked coldly,
"Jinbe, have there been a lot of mermaid traffickers around Fish-Man Island lately?"
They had only been back for a few hours and had already run into two groups. That alone showed how bad things had become.
"Yeah."
Jinbe nodded, fists clenched tight as he spoke through his anger.
"In the past few months, more and more pirates have been coming to Fish-Man Island. The mermaid traffickers followed. At least one or two people go missing every day. Relying only on the strength of the fish-men and mermen isn't enough to stop them anymore. Tiger-san, that's why I agreed to join King Neptune's Royal Army with Aladdin and the others."
"You did well, Jinbe. You've grown. You didn't disappoint me. Leave the rest to me."
Jinbe froze. Before he could react, Tiger had already jumped down from the sea beast and landed back on the deck.
Though he felt uneasy about boarding a human pirate ship, Jinbe followed.
Then he saw the elder brother he respected asking a human for help.
"Captain, about Fish-Man Island… do you have any solution?"
The sight made him uncomfortable.
The brother he had always admired was turning to a human for help…
Aladdin and Arlong beside him also frowned.
As for Yemu—
He hated human trafficking, whether the victims were humans, fish-men, or any other race.
"Don't worry, Tiger. There's a solution. But we can't handle this on our own. Let's talk after we meet King Neptune."
Just as Yemu finished speaking, a deep rumble echoed in the distance from the keyhole-shaped entrance of Fish-Man Island.
The gate was opening.
Rows of seahorse fish-men clad in golden armor emerged to the sound of ceremonial music. Holding tridents, they lined up in two neat columns. Behind them came musicians in formation, playing long horns, organs, drums, and gongs, their music echoing through the sea.
At last, a massive black whale slowly swam out.
Seated atop it was a man, with a woman standing beside him.
The merman wore a crown. His body was far larger and sturdier than that of ordinary merfolk, towering like a giant. Thick, fluffy orange-red hair and beard framed his face. His arms bore flame-shaped tattoos, and his body was covered in coarse hair. In his hand he held a finely crafted trident.
The mermaid was petite and slender, with wavy, shoulder-length hair and a long robe patterned like fish scales.
They were the King of Fish-Man Island, King Neptune, and Queen Otohime.
As the enormous black whale, comparable in size to the Twin Goddesses, approached the ship, every mermaid and fish-man aboard knelt in unison.
"King Neptune! Queen Otohime!!!"
"Rise."
King Neptune's voice rang out. His gaze swept over the Sky Pirates, who remained standing, before finally resting on Yemu and Tiger.
"My apologies to the esteemed members of the Sky Pirates. We may have fallen short in our courtesy. I ask for your understanding."
Yemu returned the courtesy calmly.
"You are too polite, King Neptune."
It was respect for the ruler of Fish-Man Island—and also for Tiger.
King Neptune nodded politely.
"Then please accompany me to Ryugu Palace. I have prepared a banquet there in your honor."
"We're grateful for your hospitality."
Under King Neptune's guidance, the Twin Goddesses slowly sailed through the entrance…
…
A world of dazzling brilliance unfolded before them.
Colors seemed to blend together, forming a breathtaking, dreamlike realm.
Beneath an enormous Eastern dragon sculpture stood Ryugu Palace, the heart of Fish-Man Island. Even the word "magnificent" felt insufficient to describe its splendor.
The banquet hall, once filled with seawater, had been drained and replaced with air, leaving the space dry and spacious.
Massive shell- and coral-crafted tables were laid out, covered with an array of exquisite dishes.
"My apologies. I hope the food suits your tastes."
King Neptune and Queen Otohime sat upon their grand throne. Below them, the Sky Pirates led by Yemu occupied one side, while on the other stood the Royal Army, led by Neptune's retainers and Jinbe.
Perhaps concerned that the seating arrangement might offend the Sky Pirates, King Neptune spoke with deliberate humility, lowering his posture as much as possible.
Yemu, naturally, did not take offense.
"You're too kind, King Neptune. The cuisine of Fish-Man Island is excellent."
"Hahaha, that's wonderful to hear. Please, enjoy yourselves."
Everyone could tell this was little more than a formal social banquet. King Neptune's lavish reception of Yemu and his crew did not necessarily mean he truly welcomed them.
If King Neptune was merely being diplomatic, Queen Otohime beside him made no effort to hide the coldness in her gaze. Despite Neptune's subtle reminders, her expression never softened.
But that was no longer important.
At that moment, Tiger spoke.
"King Neptune, Jinbe told me that recently there have been many fish-man traffickers on the island..."
"Well..."
King Neptune looked troubled, clearly reluctant to dwell on the subject.
Before he could continue, Queen Otohime raised her hand slightly, her refusal plain.
"I'm sorry, Tiger-san. This is a matter for Fish-Man Island. Since you have chosen to become a pirate..."