"So handsome~!"
The mermaid ladies on the street erupted into a symphony of cheers and squeals.
Mike just smiled and gave them a casual wave, the sea breeze brushing against his face.
'Ah, this damn charm', he thought with a smug grin.
'It's almost turning me into a superstar'.
The intense, adoring attention was a little intoxicating.
'Still… this feeling isn't bad at all.'
[Ding!]
[Host enjoys the feeling of being the center of attention. Happy Points +500]
Mike suppressed a chuckle.
He had to get used to this.
This kind of scene was going to be the new normal.
He pulled his gaze away from the cheering crowd and looked towards the approaching figures.
Leading the way was the mountain of a man, Whitebeard, followed by King Neptune and the commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates, with Jinbei walking among them.
As they got closer, the surrounding merfolk and fish-men gradually fell silent out of respect.
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard's thunderous laugh boomed out.
"Kid, you sure know how to make an entrance. For a second there, I thought someone was attacking Fish-Man Island!"
"Hahaha," Mike chuckled. "Well, since Fish-Man Island is my territory now, I figured I had to show off a little, right?"
"Heh—" Whitebeard snorted. "You call that thing a 'little' display?"
That massive submarine was a true steel behemoth.
In all his years on the sea, he'd never seen anything like it.
'Where in the world did this kid get his hands on something like that?'
Jinbei and Neptune exchanged a quick glance, the same profound shock mirrored in their eyes.
'If that was just a 'slight demonstration' of his power,' they both thought,' what would it look like if he actually went all out?'
Neptune took a slow breath, calming the turmoil in his heart.
No matter how shocking, this young man was now Fish-Man Island's new pillar of support.
He broke the silence, his voice warm and regal. "
Greetings, Captain Mike. I am Neptune, King of Fish-Man Island."
He studied the young man before him with a flicker of admiration in his eyes.
He had striking features and an extraordinary presence.
It was no wonder the mermaid girls were so taken with him.
With a warm smile, Neptune extended his hand.
"Welcome to Fishman Island. We've prepared a grand banquet in your honor."
"King Neptune, the pleasure is all mine," Mike replied, his voice deep and smooth.
He observed the undersea monarch with respect.
King Neptune was a brave and beloved ruler, a good king and a good father.
Having his support would make things a lot easier.
Mike's plans for this place were ambitious: foster harmony between the races, launch his "Deep-Sea Gold Rush Project," and maybe enjoy a few romantic encounters with the lovely mermaid maidens along the way.
At the thought, a genuine smile touched his lips.
"After such a long voyage, I must admit I'm rather hungry. I've been looking forward to trying Fish-Man Island's cuisine."
"Then, Captain Mike," Neptune said with a gentle smile, "please, follow me."
Guided by the king, Mike and his companions made their way toward the Ryugu Palace.
The scenery along the way was breathtaking.
It was like walking through a living painting.
Vibrant coral reefs, glittering schools of fish that moved like living batik patterns, and sunlight filtering down from the surface, scattering like countless tiny gems.
"This scenery…" Mike murmured in admiration.
Not long ago, he was soaring ten thousand meters in the sky.
Now, he was ten thousand meters below the sea.
'And Old Man Kizaru is still stuck at headquarters working overtime!' he thought with a laugh.
The doors to the banquet hall swung open, revealing a dreamlike scene.
The tables were laden with the most exquisite deep-sea delicacies, their enticing aromas filling the air.
"The banquet…" Neptune announced with a grand gesture.
"Begins!"
*****
Meanwhile, on the surface of the Grand Line, a ship cut through the waves, heading for Alabasta.
Inside the cabin, Doflamingo sat at a table, restlessly tapping his fingers.
He picked up a Den Den Mushi and dialed.
"Pururu~ Pururu~"
"Hey, Doflamingo?" A low, annoyed voice came from the other end. It was Crocodile.
"What do you want?"
"Crocodile…" Doflamingo's lips curled into his signature grin.
"I have something to discuss. I've run into a bit of trouble and need to make a trip to Alabasta."
"Coming to Alabasta?" Crocodile's voice turned wary. "What for?"
"A certain… important figure has requested my presence," Doflamingo said cryptically.
"To… learn and observe."
"What? An important figure? Learn and observe?" Crocodile repeated, his suspicion growing. There was a pause, and then his tone shifted dramatically.
"You don't mean… Captain Mike, do you?"
"Fufufufufu!" Doflamingo burst into a wild, manic laugh.
"That's right, Crocodile!" He shot up from his chair, his eyes gleaming as if he had just solved the world's greatest mystery.
"I initially thought that thank-you letter was something you forced Cobra to write," he muttered to himself, pacing the cabin.
"But now it's clear! It was under Mike's order all along! That means all the changes in Alabasta… it's all connected to him!"
Crocodile was just a pawn, like him. Mike was the one pulling all the strings.
'In that case… things just got a whole lot more interesting'.
Only the victors get to define "Justice."
And following a hidden monster like Captain Mike meant becoming a victor.
It meant he might finally get his chance to turn the world ruled by the Celestial Dragons upside down.
Doflamingo's eyes darkened with a confident smirk on his face.
He picked up the Den Den Mushi again.
"Crocodile, what do you say?" he purred.
"Interested in teaming up for some chaos?"
"???"
"!!!"
....
On the other end of the line, in a quiet room, Crocodile stared steadily at the man sitting across from him—Dracule Mihawk.
His mind reeling from Doflamingo's insane proposal, he finally voiced his own doubt.
"You… with me?"
----------------------------
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