Translator: PapaSmurf0700
The Sunshine Merry, with its remarkable three forms, could have simply flown over the Red Line and sailed directly into the New World.
But for hopeless romantics like Sanji and Brook, or an adventurer like Luffy who craved every possible experience, skipping a place as magical as Fish-Man Island was unthinkable.
Now, within the submarine form of the Merry, the crew gazed out through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the banquet hall, mesmerized by the deep-sea panorama. Compared to the endless blue they were used to, the scenery 10,000 meters below the surface was a different world entirely.
"Hahaha, this is amazing! A real underwater adventure!" Luffy pressed his entire face against the glass, practically drooling at the countless strange and wonderful sea creatures swimming past.
"The roots of the Yarukiman Mangrove... they reach all the way to the ocean floor. Their sheer scale is beyond words," Robin mused, her voice filled with quiet awe.
As the Merry dove deeper, Camie, the mermaid, began her briefing. "Fish-Man Island is located 10,000 meters beneath the sea, and it's the only safe passage into the second half of the Grand Line. The first requirement is to coat the ship, but the problems we'll face next are the most dangerous."
She explained, "Of all the pirate crews that attempt the journey each year, fewer than twenty percent arrive safely. The rest are lost to the darkness, undone by a faulty coating, or devoured by Sea Kings."
This time, with Camie and her master Pappag guiding them, the journey was far smoother than their original, frantic descent. Bai Ye had been concerned that Camie's strange misfortune—a bizarre tendency to be eaten by sea creatures—might affect their voyage. But as they ventured deeper without incident, he relaxed. It seemed the sheer collective luck of the Straw Hat crew was enough to counteract hers.
"Ten thousand meters under the sea..." Chopper said with a sense of wonder. "We once went to a sky island ten thousand meters above the sea. This is just as unforgettable."
"And don't forget, the Merry took us to the moon, too!" the ship's spirit, Merry, added proudly, puffing out her small chest. The comment made Brook sigh with regret for having joined the crew too late to see such a sight.
Meanwhile, Pappag, the starfish and renowned fashion designer, made a decision he would long regret after being expertly flattered by Nami: he offered her and Robin their pick of his new clothing line, free of charge. The brand, of course, was his famous "Criminal" label.
"Fish-Man Island..." Sanji sighed, exhaling a plume of smoke as a fresh stream of blood trickled from his nose. "I'm finally going to see more mermaids like Camie-chan. My dream is about to come true!"
"I thought your dream was finding the All Blue!" Usopp retorted. "You've changed your ultimate dream twice in the last ten minutes!"
"I wonder if I'll find a worthy opponent there," Zoro muttered, his hand resting on his swords. For him, a challenge to sharpen his skills was the only prize that mattered.
"Fish-Man Island..." Bai Ye was also lost in thought. He knew from his memories that this place was a critical nexus for the entire world. He intended to uncover as much information as he could during their stay.
Soon, the island itself came into view, a breathtaking bubble of light hidden in the crushing darkness of the abyss.
Though it lay at the bottom of the ocean, Fish-Man Island had its own sky and clouds. The colossal "Sun Tree" Eve, which grew nearby, channeled sunlight from the surface world all the way down, creating a natural cycle of day and night—a phenomenon the residents called "the grace of the sun." The island was protected by a massive, double-layered bubble, with a cushion of air between the two membranes. This was its first line of defense; if any ship tried to force its way through instead of using the official channels, its own coating would be stripped away and merge with the island's shield, leaving the intruders stranded.
Of course, the Straw Hats had no need for such forceful entry this time.
As the Merry approached the main gate, Luffy was already outside on the deck, waving excitedly.
"JINBE! YOU CAME TO GET US! HAHAHAHA!"
His voice, however, was completely muffled by the ship's bubble and the closed banquet hall doors. Soon after, under Jinbe's guidance, the massive Sunshine Merry passed through the gate and resurfaced in the island's waters, reverting to its normal form.
"JINBE!" Luffy shouted again, leaping from the ship to greet him. He excitedly slapped the fish-man's sturdy shoulders. "With you here, the whole crew is finally together!"
The others greeted him warmly as well. They had already celebrated his official joining back in the Rainbow Mist, so he was already a familiar part of the family.
"I wanted to come meet you on the surface," Jinbe said with a warm smile. "But King Neptune insisted on hosting a royal banquet in your honor, so I had to ask Camie to guide you." He turned to the mermaid. "Thank you, Camie."
"Hehe!" Camie just smiled and stuck out her tongue playfully.
"A BANQUET?!" Luffy's eyes lit up. "With really delicious food? Special Fish-Man Island food? I want meat!"
"Hahaha, of course," Jinbe nodded. "As a fellow Straw Hat, I made sure to prepare a menu perfectly suited for our captain."
Just as they were about to leave, a commotion erupted nearby.
"That's them! It's the Straw Hat Pirates!"
"It's Luffy, the one who wrecked the auction house!"
"And that's the Priest, Bai Ye! He's the one who exposed the World Government's disgusting trade!"
"Everyone, hurry! Don't let them get away!"
A massive crowd of merfolk and fish-men rushed toward them, not with weapons, but with overwhelming adoration.
"They are the great benefactors of Fish-Man Island! I want a photo with every single one of them to keep as a family heirloom!"
"Luffy-bro! Let your big sis give you a hug!"
"Ah, Priest-sama! You're even more handsome in person! Let me thank you properly!"