10,000 meters beneath the sea, a dreamlike realm where light and shadow intertwine.
A massive double-layered coated bubble, like a radiant pearl, was embedded within the pitch-black ocean trench.
The roots of the Sun Tree Eve carried sunlight from the surface without restraint, granting this undersea island the miracle known as "daytime."
"Hey!! Everyone, look! It's land! There's actually land under the sea!"
The Thousand Sunny, burst through the final dark current and plunged into the warm, brightly lit inner sea of Fish-Man Island.
"So amazing!!"
Luffy clung to the figurehead at the bow, both hands gripping his straw hat tightly, his grin stretching ear to ear, eyes shining with excitement for the unknown.
"There are clouds! And a sun! So this is Fish-Man Island?!"
"Luffy, calm down! The ship's going to lose balance!"
Usopp clung to the mast. Though shouting, his legs trembled slightly at the breathtaking view.
"This is what it looks like 10,000 meters underwater… it's… unbelievable."
"Yohohoho, such a heart-stopping view! Though I don't have a heart."
Brook stood on deck, playing his violin as he marveled.
Nami, standing at the bow, immediately began observing the surroundings as the navigator.
This was the gateway to the New World, a mandatory stop for all pirates.
Logically, it should be filled with chaos, lawlessness, and violence.
Yet what she saw made her frown.
At the port, more than a dozen pirate ships bearing skull flags were docked, but each one was eerily quiet.
No drunken shouting. No brawls. Even the unloading of cargo was done cautiously.
And atop the most prominent tower, where the Ryugu Kingdom's flag should have flown, there now fluttered a black banner.
On it was a lazy white sheep's head, with two crossed golden lightning bolts beneath.
"That is…"
Nico Robin adjusted her sunglasses, her tone turning serious.
"The flag of the G-5."
"G-5? That Haiiroyo's unit?"
Franky pushed up his shades, a hint of wariness in his voice.
"Looks like the rumors are true. Even as a Marine, that guy's influence reaches 10,000 meters under the sea."
At that moment, a commotion arose from the shore. A tall blue figure approached quickly with several Fish-Man guards.
"Brother Luffy!!"
"Jinbe!!"
Recognizing him, Luffy stretched his arm like rubber and launched himself forward, clinging onto Jinbe.
"Long time no see! Jinbe! Hahaha!"
"Indeed, it's been a while, Luffy, everyone."
Jinbe caught him steadily, smiling, but soon his expression grew serious.
"Welcome to Fish-Man Island. But there are some rules you must understand first."
He stepped aside and pointed to a massive black stone monument at the harbor entrance.
Written in blood-red paint, in sharp and intimidating strokes:
{Fish-Man Island Security Iron-clad Rules}
{This area is under special protection by the G-5 branch.}
{Any acts of violence, looting, or destruction on this island will be considered a declaration of war against Admiral Renzo.}
{Consequence: Immediate execution.}
{G-5 Special Operations Unit, Fish-Man Island}
"So strict?" Usopp gulped.
"Immediate execution… Isn't that Renzo a Marine? Why does he sound like a mafia boss?"
"Because in these waters, only strength speaks."
Jinbe sighed. "After Whitebeard's death, this place fell into chaos. Renzo intervened and crushed all invading human pirates and slavers with overwhelming force. Now, that flag is Fish-Man Island's shield. Even if he's not here, the G-5 garrison is… no one wants to provoke the Haiiroyo."
"If it's a rule to protect friends, then I'll follow it!"
Luffy grinned.
"Jinbe, I'm hungry! Got meat? I want something good to eat!"
"Of course. I've already reserved a table at the Mermaid Cafe."
Jinbe smiled, "Let's go."
…
Mermaid Cafe.
The bustling heart of Fish-Man Island and a hub of information.
Today, however, the atmosphere felt unusually tense.
Because in the deepest corner sat a group radiating a terrifying aura.
At their head was a man in a dark red coat, fiery red hair standing upright, a mechanical arm replacing his left, goggles over his eyes, his gaze fierce and volatile.
He stared at his drink, fingers whitening from the grip.
Eustass Kid.
And beside him, his right-hand man, Killer.
"Damn it…" Kid muttered, glancing at the G-5 flag outside, fury burning in his eyes.
"That damn symbol is everywhere… Is that Marine bastard's shadow going to cover the entire New World?"
"Calm down, Kid."
Killer spoke in a muffled tone behind his striped mask.
"We're 10,000 meters underwater. We're not strong enough to face a Marine Admiral yet."
"I know that!"
Kid slammed his cup onto the table, liquid splashing.
"But it pisses me off! I'm a pirate! And I still have to watch my behavior because of Marines? What kind of joke is that?! That Renzo… and that fat subordinate of his back at Sabaody, I'll repay that humiliation a thousandfold in the New World!"
Back then, the overwhelming power of Rehn had shown him true despair for the first time.
Just as the tension around the Kid Pirates thickened,
The cafe doors burst open.
"Meat! Meat! Meat!"
A carefree voice shattered the silence.
Luffy charged in, followed by Nami, Zoro, and the others.
"Owner! Bring me all your best meat!"
He plopped down at the center table, completely ignoring the atmosphere.
In the corner, Kid's eyes sharpened.
Slowly, he turned, gaze like blades piercing toward the straw-hatted figure.
"Straw Hat… Luffy."
Kid's voice was cold, mocking.
"You're still alive, huh?"
Luffy, fork in hand, turned with a puzzled look, mouth full of ham.
"Huh? Who're you?"
"…Bastard."
Veins bulged on Kid's forehead.
Fellow member of the Worst Generation, and he wasn't even recognized?
"That's Eustass Kid," Robin whispered.
"A supernova with a higher bounty than you. Known for his brutality."
"Oh. Really?"
Luffy swallowed.
"Don't know him."
That casual dismissal ignited Kid's pent-up rage.
Suppressed by an Admiral at Sabaody. Suppressed by G-5's reputation ever since.
And now ignored by an idiot?
"Killer. Don't stop me."
Kid slowly stood.
The surrounding tables began to tremble.
Buzz… buzz…
Forks, knives, spoons, metal utensils rose into the air, drawn by an invisible force, grinding together with a harsh metallic screech.
"Hey, redhead."
Zoro, who had been quietly drinking, set his cup down.
His hand rested on his three swords.
His gaze sharpened like a drawn blade.
"Fighting's banned here. I don't mind trouble, but if you interrupt our captain's meal… I'll gladly deal with you."
"Banned?"
Kid burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Those are rules for the weak! I'm a pirate! Screw G-5! Screw Renzo!"
BOOM!
A powerful magnetic force erupted. The floating utensils twisted together, forming a massive metal arm above him.
"Straw Hat! Since we've met here, let's see who deserves to enter the New World!!"
"Two-sword style…"
Zoro's eyes narrowed as his blades slid free, gleaming coldly.
"Want to fight? I'd love to."
Usopp's face paled.
"If we fight here, we'll be-"
The air froze.
On one side, the surging magnetism of the Kid Pirates.
On the other, the tense Straw Hat crew.
The cafe's other patrons had already fled in terror.
....
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu