At this moment.
Falling from a great height into the sea, it wasn't just Laboon himself who plunged into the waters, gazing up at the golden stars.
Brook and Franky, who were inside his left eye, as well as the people aboard the ship in his stomach, all felt dizzy and disoriented.
"Are you two okay? Laboon, are you alright?"
Luffy was far more worried about Laboon.
Falling into the sea from dozens of meters high would mean nothing to ordinary people, but for the enormous Laboon, it could feel terribly uncomfortable.
"Ahhh…"
Laboon let out a weak groan.
"You've worked hard, take a rest now."
Luffy bid farewell to the two, turned around, and went back into Laboon's stomach.
The moment they left the eyeballs, Fish-Man Island's soldiers began advancing one after another.
When they saw Laboon floating in the sea, their faces showed expressions of shock.
"Is… that an island whale?"
"Why would an island whale come all the way here?"
"I thought this was a pirate invasion… that scared me."
The soldiers muttered among themselves.
Holding a trident, a mermaid with a stern face and long navy-blue wavy hair stepped forward, standing on the shore with her brows furrowed, staring intently at Laboon.
"Your Highness, island whale meat is considered a very delicious ingredient. Why don't we—" a subordinate suggested.
"Hm?"
She frowned and immediately warned: "Stay alert, something's coming out!"
No sooner had she spoken than the dizzy Laboon began vomiting, spitting out several ships from his stomach.
"Wha… what is this?" she exclaimed in shock.
The soldiers' expressions gradually turned from surprise to dread.
Five ships floated upon the sea, all flying the same flag.
A pirate flag!
"T-those… those are the Straw Hat Pirates!!" someone shouted.
---
On the deck of the Merry.
"Ow, ow, ow… I hit my head on the mast! Chopper, please help me, I'm really going to die this time!" Usopp cried, clutching his forehead.
Sanji was speechless. When he turned his head to glance at the coast, he couldn't help but remark: "So this is the legendary undersea paradise? Doesn't really look like we're that welcome…"
Zoro silently gripped the hilt of his sword, ready to fight at any moment.
"A fish-man… no, a merman?" Nami muttered, old memories of fish-men surfacing unpleasantly.
"Their stares are really weird…"
Luffy climbed onto the bow, looking over the soldiers on the beach before finally setting his eyes on the towering, muscular shark merman with a broad chest and massive arms who appeared to be their leader.
The shark merman met his gaze as well:
"Straw Hat Luffy! I am Fukaboshi, the first son of King Neptune. What are you doing here? Depending on your answer, our actions will change!"
He shouted loudly.
Ordinary pirates would never receive such treatment.
Of those who had come down into the sea before, nine out of ten ships were sunk, and the survival rate was only about ten percent.
And those who managed to land on Fish-Man Island almost always did one thing:
Kidnap a mermaid.
With Whitebeard's name as their shield, the situation had improved somewhat.
"Don't be so tense."
Luffy laughed and jumped from the Sunny to the beach.
Many Fish-Man soldiers immediately raised their weapons, hostility clear on their alert faces.
Following their captain's example, the rest of the Straw Hat crew used Moonwalk one by one, landing on the shore with their own skills.
Bartolomeo made a gesture to activate his barrier ability.
But Luffy raised his hand to stop him and said with a smile:
"Just watch, don't do anything."
A pirate who neither speaks nor acts isn't very convincing.
Fukaboshi stayed silent for a moment before replying:
"I hope you are here only to sightsee. I'll take you to the palace to meet my father. Please, follow me."
As he spoke, he turned and led the way, discreetly signaling the soldiers around him.
The soldiers understood and quickly dispersed.
Nami and the others exchanged glances.
"Unexpected hospitality?" she said in surprise. "Could they be leading us to the palace just to trap us?"
"It's possible. Perhaps they'll prepare a banquet for us and then poison the food. Luffy's head alone is worth 3.5 billion." Robin calmly repeated the poison scheme.
"Please don't say such terrifying things, Miss Robin." Cold sweat dripped down Vivi's forehead as she asked: "Luffy?"
"Let's go, let's meet King Neptune first."
Everyone proceeded toward the palace, with Luffy arranging for someone to stay behind.
Franky volunteered to remain alone.
"During the impact, the Merry's hull was damaged. I'll stay and fix it up."
"Thanks for the hard work. Have the CP9s help you."
"Understood!"
After a brief arrangement, Luffy led his crew, following Fukaboshi toward the palace.
---
Fish-Man Island.
This country has a population of around five million. The current ruler is King Neptune, once famed as the "Great Knight of the Sea."
Located on the uppermost layer of Fish-Man Island, where sunlight can still be seen, stood a massive and luxurious palace, built from giant coral reefs, seashells, and other oceanic materials, crowned with a grand dragon-carved plaque.
The Ballroom.
King Neptune was entertaining a distinguished guest.
The name of this honored guest was… Charlotte Katakuri.
Tall, with short maroon hair, lean yet muscular legs, and a white scarf-like cloth covering the lower half of his face, his overall attire exuded a fierce black-metal style.
He reclined in his chair, legs stretched across the banquet table.
He idly tossed a coin in one hand, but his eyes weren't on the king—they were fixed on another man seated across the table.
Jinbe.
"These are the terms! You, Fish-Man Island, will receive the protection of Mama. And you… you are the price."
With Whitebeard's death, Fish-Man Island had instantly lost its greatest deterrent.
In the near future, this island—an essential stop for pirates entering the New World—was destined to fall into chaos once more.
At this moment, several Supernova pirates had already gathered here!
And now, BIG MOM's envoy had arrived, offering her protection—but the cost was steep: Jinbe and the pirate crew under his command would have to pledge allegiance to Charlotte Linlin and serve under her banner.
As for the Marines?
What a joke—Marines couldn't be relied on.
This place was 10,000 meters beneath the sea; the Marines would never come here willingly to deal with pirate harassment.
A 10% survival rate.
The same was true for the Marines.
---
(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."