At that moment, it felt like everyone had just witnessed a miracle.
They were speechless—completely floored.
Princess Shirahoshi, once seen as a timid and cowardly mermaid despite her large stature, now radiated the terrifying power to destroy everything in her path.
The Sea Kings she summoned were beyond massive—so enormous they looked like living islands. As they surged in from every direction, everyone else seemed like nothing more than ants.
To these colossal beings, Fish-Man Island might as well have been a fish tank—and its people, goldfish.
Chiyu gave a small nod.
This was the moment he had wanted to see all along.
Nobody knew much about Uranus, one of the three Ancient Weapons, but now he had a clear picture of what Poseidon and Pluton could really do.
King Neptune, Prince Fukaboshi, and even Jinbe were all stunned.
"That... that's Shirahoshi's power?!"
"No wonder Poseidon is considered one of the Ancient Weapons. If that power can truly be controlled, it could absolutely change the world—it could go head-to-head with any force out there!"
It made sense. The Sea Kings were limitless in number, far beyond human understanding. Many were so massive, a single one could level an island.
If that power was unleashed at full strength, forget about pirates—the World Government itself might not survive.
Shirahoshi was just as shaken—but she knew what she had to do.
She began sending mental commands, directing the Sea Kings to stop Noah's Ark.
They heard her loud and clear. Within moments, they turned and swam toward the massive ark.
With their sheer power, stopping Noah—or even something many times bigger—would be easy. They could destroy a mountain range if they wanted to.
And just like that, a few Sea Kings intercepted the ark, even finding its reins and pulling it back to its original resting place.
Chiyu wasn't surprised—Noah was always meant to be towed by Sea Kings. This was just returning to its original purpose.
Crisis averted.
Shirahoshi was soaked in sweat, but she finally exhaled in relief.
All around Fish-Man Island, people erupted in cheers, shouting Shirahoshi's name.
She flushed with embarrassment, clearly overwhelmed.
"No... it wasn't me. If you want to thank someone, thank Chiyu-sama..."
"He saved my life and dealt with the biggest threat to our island..."
And with that, the crowd began chanting Chiyu's name instead.
Prince Fukaboshi frowned. "Father, isn't it dangerous for us to publicly thank a human—especially one who's wanted by the World Government?"
King Neptune smiled calmly.
"Whether this spreads or not, the World Government never treated Fish-Man Island with kindness anyway."
"So why should we care now?"
Jinbe added, "Let's be real—the reason we've had peace isn't because of the Government, but because of Whitebeard's protection. And now that Princess Shirahoshi's power is awakened, even they will think twice."
"And they'll have to deal with me, too."
Fukaboshi nodded. Deep down, he was the most grateful of all—Chiyu had saved his sister.
"Chiyu-sama," Neptune said, "you are the savior of Fish-Man Island. Please, come to Ryugu Palace. Let us throw a proper banquet in your honor!"
Chiyu shook his head.
"We don't have time for that."
Hinai sighed. "Your Majesty, we're truly grateful, but we're fugitives. The Navy could show up any minute. We can't afford to stay."
Nami added, "What a shame... This place is so beautiful."
Neptune and Jinbe looked at each other.
"In that case... how do we express our thanks?"
Franky chuckled. "I've got an idea. Our ship needs repairs, and I've heard the Sunlight Tree Eve is the best material out there. Your Majesty, could we get a little...?"
Neptune raised a brow. "And you are?"
"I'm Franky, shipwright from Water 7!"
"SUPER!"
"Ah, Water 7. The world's shipbuilding capital. No wonder you know your stuff."
"The Sunlight Tree Eve is what our island is built on—it channels sunlight and air from the surface. Some branches fall off and build up over time... I suppose we can offer them as a gift to Chiyu-sama."
Chiyu didn't say much, but Franky lit up like a Christmas tree.
To him, this was better than gold.
"Oh! And Your Majesty—do you have blueprints or any old notes about Noah's Ark? I'd love to study it!"
Neptune replied, "No blueprints, but we have scattered notes. I'll have someone copy them for you."
"That's amazing!"
Hinai and Nami shared a look.
"Franky's the only one who came out of this truly thrilled, huh?"
Once everything was in place, Shirahoshi turned to Chiyu.
"Chiyu-sama, thank you for saving my life... and giving me freedom."
"No matter where you go, I'll be silently praying for your safety."
Neptune nodded. "Fish-Man Island won't forget what you've done."
"Whatever happens in the world, you'll always have a home here."
Chiyu nodded.
"Poseidon's power might be awakened, but it's far from mastered. The World Government will both fear and desire it. Be careful."
Jinbe nodded as well. "Chiyu's right."
"But don't worry—I'll protect Fish-Man Island with everything I've got."
"Good."
With that, the Uchiha began to sail again.
Everyone on Fish-Man Island bowed as they watched the ship disappear into the distance.
…
Nami sighed. "Man... it's such a shame we didn't get to explore more. This place is like a fantasy."
Hinai smiled gently and patted her head.
"We'll come back someday."
"We have to."
"Yeah."
Crossing from Fish-Man Island to the New World is notoriously dangerous.
But for pirates—or fugitives like Chiyu's crew—there was no other choice.
Only around 30% of crews survive the passage.
But they made it.
Their ship was one of the Navy's finest. With Rayleigh's coating, fresh repairs, expert navigation from Nami, and top-tier sea charts, they pushed through the deadly currents and broke through the ocean's surface.
BOOM—
With a deafening roar, the Uchiha emerged from the sea. The coating bubble popped the moment it hit open air, revealing the warship in full.
They had arrived.
The New World.
The Red Line was behind them. The first half of the Grand Line was over.
Now came the final journey.
Their destination? Laugh Tale.
The place where the One Piece is said to lie.
The truth behind the Void Century.
The answers to everything.
But that wasn't Chiyu's real goal.
Or at least, not the only one.
His true purpose was to cleanse the world.
Pirates, Marines—it didn't matter. If they were rotten and corrupt, they were targets.
"We've finally made it… the legendary New World."
Nami said it with awe.
Hinai added, "The New World is ruled by the Four Emperors. If you want to survive, you either submit—or overthrow them."
"And no one who's tried has ever made it out alive."
"Even the World Government doesn't dare to wipe them out. They just hold them at bay."
"The Seven Warlords, the Four Emperors, and the World Government—those three powers keep the balance."
"But for now, the Emperors are the top dogs."
Chiyu nodded.
In the original timeline, the Navy moved its HQ to the New World after the war at Marineford, signaling a push into this chaotic region.
But that time hadn't come yet.
For now, the Emperors ruled supreme.
Nami glanced at the Log Pose.
"Chiyu-sama, where to?"
"It's pointing to three islands..."
Hinai checked the chart.
"Risky Red Island, Mystoria Island... and Raijin Island."
"Raijin Island's the worst of the three. Nonstop lightning storms, 24/7. Not even animals live there."
Nami gulped. "That sounds awful!"
"But…"
Her eyes lit up. "Chiyu-sama ate the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, right? That island might actually be perfect for him!"
Chiyu nodded. "Raijin Island."
Hinai frowned, then smiled.
"You're right. With Chiyu-sama around, lightning is just child's play."
"I guess I was overthinking it."
She gave the order, and the Uchiha turned toward Raijin Island.
Chiyu's journey into the New World had officially begun.
…
Meanwhile…
Fish-Man Island received an unexpected visitor.
The NEO Marines had arrived—hoping to ally with Chiyu, only to find he was already gone.
And leading them was none other than former Admiral "Black Arm" Zephyr.
Jinbe and King Neptune were shocked and rushed out to meet him. After all, Zephyr was now a wanted man—a war criminal in the eyes of the World Government.
But Fish-Man Island had no interest in clashing with someone so dangerous.
Zephyr smirked. "Jinbe. King Neptune."
"Relax. I'm not here for your island."
Jinbe narrowed his eyes. "Then what do you want, Zephyr?"
"Where is Uchiha Chiyu?"
Neptune's face darkened.
"He's already gone. We tried to stop him—but we weren't strong enough."
"Zephyr... you're wanted too. What are you after?"