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Taking into account the long-standing historical conflict between races in this world, especially between humans and fishmen, where the fishmen have always been the oppressed side, while humans were the enslavers, tyrants, and bullies, despite the difference in physical strength between the average human and the average fishman being tenfold...
That strength difference becomes practically irrelevant once humans master Haki, swordsmanship, or the mysterious Devil Fruit abilities. At that point, the racial physical advantage becomes nothing more than a temporary illusion the fishmen believe in… until they wake up from their daydreams to the reality of being violently beaten and sold at auction.
He'd be lucky not to be bought by a Celestial Dragon at that time.
Surely, not even a human would wish for such a fate—let alone a fishman—since those Celestial Dragons despised their own kind, separating themselves as "gods." They live in Marigoa, after all… let alone what they think of a race that resembles fish.
Readers' thoughts on this arc so far were unclear. After all, the deep-rooted hatred within characters like Hody Jones and his crew was clearly visible. Everyone agreed that it was racial hatred. But on the other hand, the peaceful King, Sea God Neptune, happily invited the Straw Hat Pirates to his palace. This stark contrast within the same race was eye-opening.
"Turns out the shark named Megalo is the Princess's pet… Buwahahahaha! Looks like my grandson's luck is still going strong."
Back in the Sorbet Kingdom once again, the Revolutionary Army members were, as usual, focused on the manga's details, while Garp simply read and laughed, not caring about the plot or any important events. All that mattered to him was what his grandson was doing.
"The Sunlight Tree Eve… What a magnificent tree. It can carry sunlight from the source down to 10,000 meters into the dark, cold ocean depths. Sunlight… Isn't that what the whole world needs!?"
Dragon stared at the manga page where King Neptune answered Nami's question about how the place was lit at such a depth underwater.
But that didn't stop him from linking this simple scene to the world he described as dark and cold, like the ocean depths…
"Enough with the drama. The world isn't as bad as it used to be. Now, rights are given to those who deserve them, and there's a defined world system. Though evil still lurks, they're powerless against an immovable mountain like Rob."
Garp spoke calmly while munching on cake, glancing at Dragon.
"As long as the World Government exists, I'll never relax. Until the darkness is completely gone, there must be someone capable of doing that. Otherwise, how do you explain why Rob hasn't taken a definitive step yet!?"
"I mean, there's nothing stopping him from doing it, is there?"
Kuma looked at Dragon, then at Garp, sighed, and tried to offer his own interpretation.
"Maybe he's waiting for the Sun God Nika to appear too… He wants to see the warrior of liberation take the lead in all this."
"Are you saying Luffy might be this Nika you always talk about, Kuma-yo?"
Garp wanted to know why Kuma was linking his grandson Luffy to a legendary god.
"That's right. It's just a feeling—no particular reason. But I chose to believe in it."
"Let's drop it for now. Looks like Neptune is living the life of a real king..."
Ivankov cut in as Ryugu Palace appeared on the page.
"Of course he is, you idiot. He is a king."
Crocodile crushed his cigar in frustration at Ivankov's stupidity.
…
— — — — — — — — — — — —
Chapter's Events:
— — — — — — — — — — — —
[Ryugu Palace]
"Whoa! It's pitch-black!!" Luffy opened the giant door slightly to find the inside completely dark.
"I guess this isn't the banquet hall…!!"
"But there is plenty of tasty smelling food…!!" The darkness didn't stop Luffy from locating the food whose aroma filled the air.
"… Is this like a big pantry, then? Oh, whatever! I'll just take some!"
"I'm too hungry to care!" Luffy ran toward what he thought was a big pantry… only to suddenly bump into something.
"Whoa!! What is this?!!"
He started feeling the object that stopped him.
"… There sure is a lot of coral around on this island!"
"What's this stuff?! It's so soooooft!!"
He began happily bouncing on what he assumed was jelly coral.
"Uu..uhhhhnnnnn…."
"Hmm? Did I just hear someone's voice? Ahahah! This coral is like jelly!"
But at that moment, the lights suddenly turned on, and a nervous female voice was heard: "Aahhh…! I-Is somebody there?!"
Luffy fell down as the owner of the large body stood up. It turned out to be a giant mermaid.
"Wh-what were you doing on top of my body…?!! Haa Haa"
"Who exactly might you be?! I - Identify yourself…!!"
[Princess of the Ryugu Kingdom, Princess Shirahoshi, (Giant Whiting Mermaid)]
"Whoaaaa!! It's a giant person… I mean, mermaaaaaid!!" Even Luffy was stunned.
The massive, beautiful mermaid looked at Luffy with teary eyes and asked:
"Are you here to make an attempt on my life as well?!! W-Well, I'm not scared at all!!!"
"I am the daughter of King Neptune!!! Why should I be…"
She immediately burst into tears right after, calling for help.
"Waaahhhhhh!! Somebody!!! Fatheeeer!!! Brotheeeer!!"
"Whoooa, whoooa! I haven't done anything!!!" Luffy had no idea what to do in such a situation.
— — — — — — — — — — — —
"What a goddess! Is this the mermaid princess!? My God, what stunning beauty!? She's even more beautiful than Boa Hancock!"
"Looks like Luffy's on his way to meeting another beautiful princess…"
"Man, I'm tired of these repeating scenarios!"
"But… this is Princess Shirahoshi, man! She's a work of art! Is there really a mermaid this beautiful and this huge!?"
"She seems super timid though. Why is she living in a dark room with so many weapons stuck in the door!?"
"Whoa, looks like there's a big story behind this princess…"
"Anyway, it looks like whenever Luffy looks for food, he finds a lot more than just that."
"He found the grand prize if you ask me…"
"She's Neptune's daughter..."
Readers all over the world were in shock at that moment—most of them felt blinded by Shirahoshi's dazzling beauty.
Her beauty was beyond words. They could see it, they wouldn't turn to stone, but in their hearts, they lost their sense of beauty. After all, it's impossible to consider anyone else beautiful now if you compare them to Shirahoshi.
Only the likes of Nami, Robin, and Hancock can compete.
…
From his daydream, Neptune woke up—he had nearly lost consciousness a few minutes ago, from the moment the giant mermaid's body appeared.
"Shirahoshi… that's my daughter…"
Neptune reached out and touched the face of Princess Shirahoshi, now clearly visible after the room's lights turned on.
"Why is she locked alone in this room!?"
He recognized that room, which was normally used for storage.
Why is a storage room being used as the princess's chamber!?
It was unthinkable!
Meanwhile, the right and left ministers were still staring at their counterparts in shock! Especially the scene where King Neptune was scolded twice by their counterparts in front of the Straw Hat Pirates.
…
On board the Oro Jackson, Baterilla shores:
As Roger read the scene with a soft smile, the moment the mermaid princess Shirahoshi appeared, a voice echoed from the depths of his memory:
"Will be born… Our ruler will be born…"
"Another will be born in a distant sea…"
"Even whales are happy to know that the two rulers will meet again one day…"
That day, when Oden was still aboard the ship, both of them had heard the voice of the Sea Kings. That's what they had said.
"So that's it then…"
Roger's smile widened as he stared at the scene of Luffy meeting Shirahoshi.
"So this is the meeting of the two rulers you foretold, huh?!"
…
In a far corner of the New World, here in Wano Country, which is no longer closed off.
Oden wore the same expression Roger had, but with deeper curiosity and wonder.
"Is this it!? Unbelievable!"
"Incredible!"
"Two rulers?!"
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 925: Vander Decken IX's Obsession!
Chapter 926: Hody & Decken Alliance
Chapter 927: The Beginning of the Attack.
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