Although Fish-Man Island had become a member of the World Government 200 years ago and paid a heavy tribute every year…
When it came to treatment, they were not considered "humans," but merely "fish."
The mermaid trade in the Sabaody Archipelago was thriving!
"I understand, I…"
After serious consideration, Jinbei agreed to the condition.
But just as he opened his mouth, a soldier rushed in.
"King Neptune! Straw Hat Luffy and his crew have landed near Mermaid Bay! His Highness Fukaboshi is leading them to the Palace!"
"What?" Neptune was stunned.
Of course, it was impossible for him to be unaware of such a grand event as the Paramount War. Just like Jinbei, Luffy had once been a Warlord of the Sea, yet his bounty stood at 3.5 billion.
That great pirate had come here as well?
"Straw Hat!?" Jinbei was shocked. "What is he doing here?"
"Sightsee—"
The soldier had only uttered the first word when Katakuri calmly finished his sentence:
"Sightseeing. That's what he said."
As he spoke, a red light gleamed in Katakuri's eyes.
His Observation Haki immediately spread outward from the palace.
---
Meanwhile, below the palace.
"This is a giant flounder, responsible for transporting foreign visitors. Please, everyone, get on," Fukaboshi explained to the Straw Hats.
The Straw Hats looked surprised.
Suddenly, Luffy lifted his head and stared toward the palace.
"What's wrong, Luffy?" Vivi noticed his expression and asked with concern.
"Who's using Observation Haki on me?"
Luffy's eyes narrowed slightly as he quickly spread his own Observation Haki to find out.
Whoever it was… they were strong!
Anyone who could reach that level was truly formidable.
Moreover, he didn't sense another familiar breath.
[Is that you?]
A wave of thought flashed through.
---
The Ballroom.
[Is that you?]
The voice suddenly rang in Katakuri's mind, making his expression shift slightly.
So strong!
He had only spread his Haki, and yet it was noticed instantly.
The opponent's Haki was no weaker than his own.
"As expected of a man worth 3.5 billion…"
Katakuri's face grew solemn. He narrowed his eyes, thinking of how to deal with this.
---
Not long after.
The Straw Hat crew, led by Fukaboshi, entered the banquet hall.
The moment Luffy stepped inside, he immediately shouted:
"Spying on others so casually—you're too rude, son of Big Mom. Do you want to start a war with me?"
Even though he himself often spied on others.
"..."
Katakuri lowered his legs from the table, stood up, and faced Luffy, speaking calmly:
"I am Charlotte Katakuri. This is our first meeting, Captain of the Straw Hats, Monkey D. Luffy."
Charlotte Katakuri—the greatest masterpiece of the Charlotte Family, one of the Four Sweet Commanders of the BIG MOM Pirates.
A bounty of 1,057,000,000 Berries!
Luffy chuckled lowly, and in the next instant, his Conqueror's Haki surged toward Katakuri with overwhelming majesty.
Black and red lightning-like tendrils clashed against his opponent.
BOOM!!
The banquet hall shook violently—tables, chairs, chandeliers, wall decorations, everything trembled.
Katakuri's expression shifted.
He immediately unleashed his own Conqueror's Haki.
The collision of their wills created a storm of wind inside the banquet hall in an instant.
Everyone was forced to retreat, while King Neptune was thrown from his throne, raising his arms to shield himself against the violent waves of pressure.
"Wait… wait!!" he shouted urgently. "Straw Hat, Katakuri, stop! You'll destroy this place!"
But Luffy ignored him, continuing to push his Conqueror's Haki further.
Level 2!
Level 3!
BOOM!!
Katakuri's Conqueror's Haki was forced back. He staggered two steps, his expression changing drastically.
So strong!
Level 4!
Level 5!
A heavier pressure slammed down.
Katakuri's heart wavered—it felt almost as if he were facing his mother herself.
"Straw Hat! Do you intend to become an enemy of the Big Mom Pirates?" Katakuri's voice strained under the crushing pressure, his eyes clouded.
By now, even a fool could tell.
It had only been an Observation Haki probe; there was no need to escalate into war.
But the other side had clearly used it as an excuse to stir up trouble, ignoring his mother entirely.
"Enemy?"
Luffy smirked. "Katakuri, if I capture you, how much do you think Charlotte Linlin will pay for your ransom?"
Katakuri's heart sank.
The atmosphere in the banquet hall suddenly grew tense.
---
Beside the Merry.
Franky hammered at the hull with a wooden mallet, repairing the damage.
Lucci and Kaku were forced to help as well. As prisoners whose hearts had been stolen, they had no way to resist.
Kalifa and Blueno carried wood and iron ingots.
At that moment, a group of fish-men appeared one after another.
The ones in front looked particularly strange.
"You're the Straw Hat Pirates?"
The fish-man who spoke looked drunk. The upper half of his body was human, while the lower half resembled an octopus, tentacles trailing. In one hand he held a samurai sword, and in the other, a wine gourd.
"Huh?" Franky glanced at him. "What's your problem?"
"Oi~ You there… are you a shipwright?"
The octopus hiccuped before speaking again: "I'm from the New Fish-Man Pirates. My name's Hyouzou. Back in East Blue, your captain, Straw Hat Luffy, destroyed the former Fish-Man Pirates."
Franky looked utterly uninterested.
"Whatever, this must be about revenge." He closed his toolbox and went back to repairs. "Robert Lucius, take care of this drunken octopus clown."
"My name is Rob Lucci!"
Expressionless, Lucci dropped the mallet and stood up alongside Kaku.
In the next instant, both of them used Soru!
The two vanished on the spot.
---
(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."