Garp's smile faded, and his face grew serious.
"When I leave the Navy, I'll build my own ship, train some kids with potential, and teach them everything I know. The world still needs the power of the young."
"If you do that, you'll become a wanted criminal…"
"Hahaha, that's true."
Garp scratched his chin and said with a grin:
"The government doesn't allow other countries to have marines, and most countries can't afford to support them anyway. If I go through with this, I'll bring trouble to my hometown, won't I? Forget it, that's not what matters."
"Come with me!"
Suddenly, Zephyr smiled and made an unexpected offer:
"Let's build a new Navy together—one free from the government's chains!"
Hearing this, Garp froze.
He thought his own idea was insane, but this guy… this guy was even crazier.
A new Navy?
The World Government would never allow such a force to exist.
While it was small, maybe nothing would happen. But if it grew… then an attack would be certain.
And besides, how would they solve the problem of funding a military?
"Wait… you're leaving the Navy too?" Garp snapped back to his senses. "Why?"
"I've been thinking about it seriously," Zephyr said. "In the past, I was too weak. And for years now, countries outside the World Government's reach have had no protection at all. This world is irrational."
What he said stunned Garp.
"You're serious?"
"Of course. Join forces with me!"
"Hahahaha, you make it impossible for me to refuse."
"Then it's settled! By the way, what's the situation with your grandson? The malice the Five Elders hold toward him seems… unusual."
"About that, let's go have a drink somewhere."
The two veterans walked side by side and disappeared into the construction site.
---
Deep Sea.
Following Luffy's command, Laboon continued diving into the depths.
The seafloor was not flat—jagged mountains, trenches, volcanoes, and strange currents could be seen everywhere, along with bizarre and alien lifeforms.
The deeper you went, the thicker the darkness became.
The Sea Kings of the deep were entirely different from those of shallow waters.
Occasionally, they passed by giants dozens of times larger than Laboon.
There were glowing swarms of jellyfish.
There were also deep-sea fish with lanterns dangling from their heads, their jaws full of razor-sharp teeth.
But thanks to Luffy's Conqueror's Haki, nothing blocked their path.
As they neared the waters surrounding Fishman Island, the darkness finally began to thin, and light gradually appeared.
"This is…" Brook's jaw dropped in shock.
The three of them gazed from Laboon's left eye at the radiant land in the distance.
Beneath the Red Line, like an iron wall, a massive hollow cavity had formed.
At its center floated an island, encased in two spherical layers—narrow at the top, wide at the bottom.
Above the island, light blazed down like the sun.
"Unbelievable… in this deep sea, there's still a sun?" Brook muttered.
"It's breathtaking, ah! Although I have no eyes to see it, yohohoho…"
Franky's expression was equally stunned.
Surrounding Fishman Island were the glowing roots of an enormous tree.
"I've heard of it before, but seeing it in person…!" Franky exclaimed.
"That tree absorbs sunlight from the surface and releases it through its roots. Incredible… this is Fishman Island!"
In endless darkness, a single glimpse of sunlight was dazzling.
The island in the distance was wrapped in a massive double-layered membrane, completely isolating it from the seawater outside.
"But how do we get in?" Brook asked, doubtful.
"Simple."
Luffy grinned.
"See that big entrance near the bottom sphere? That's the airlock. Normally, ships can only enter after getting permission. But…"
Of course, they didn't need such formalities. For pirates, illegal entry was routine.
[Laboon, charge straight in!]
With sharp eyes, Laboon fixed his gaze on Fishman Island, swished his tail, and surged forward.
"Wait, Luffy—are those… Sea Kings?"
Blocking their path to the island, six enormous Sea Kings loomed.
Each looked bizarre—
a rhinoceros, an orangutan, a seahorse, a lion, an elephant, a bear…
All were reminiscent of land animals, yet each had fins.
Sensing Laboon's approach, the six Sea Kings grew hostile, their expressions turning fierce.
And on the head of one of them sat a fish-man.
Dressed in a black suit and black hat.
Seeing Laboon diving toward them, he adjusted his hat and frowned.
"Huh? An Island Whale? You've gotta be kidding me. How can an Island Whale make it this deep?"
After a pause, he grinned.
"Lucky day. Island Whale meat is a rare delicacy. They usually travel in pods, and hunting them is nearly impossible. Men—let's feast!"
Immediately, the six Sea Kings charged at Laboon together.
"Captain Luffy!" Brook shouted.
"These are the Fishman Pirates… no, the New Fishman Pirates."
Luffy's eyes locked on the six beasts.
[Out of my way.]
His kingly will surged forth.
At once, the Sea Kings froze, fear twisting their monstrous faces. Like startled birds, they scattered in every direction.
The fish-man atop the walrus roared:
"What are you doing!? Get back here!!"
But no order could control them.
The next instant, another pulse of Conqueror's Haki struck.
The fish-man's consciousness was smashed as if hit with a hammer. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed unconscious.
"Not again… damn it!!"
Before blacking out, those were his last words.
Again?
Luffy frowned slightly.
[Don't worry, Laboon. Keep going!]
Laboon let out a thunderous cry, vaulted past the scattering Sea Kings, and rammed straight into the bubble membrane around Fishman Island.
It was a double-layered barrier. After pushing through the first, there was only air.
Once he broke through the second, they truly entered Fishman Island.
Immediately, a magnificent sight unfolded before their eyes.
Unfortunately, it was no time to enjoy it.
They had likely chosen the wrong point of entry.
The moment Laboon broke through the second barrier, he found himself suspended in open air.
His eyes went wide, and his massive body plummeted toward the sea below.
Boom!!
The colossal whale, over 400 meters long, crashed into the water, sending waves towering high.
The commotion instantly drew the attention of Fishman Island.
Countless soldiers rushed toward the scene.
[You have arrived at a new island: Fishman Island.]
[Your reward: 10,000 Adventure Coins.]
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."