Daren moved quickly.
After leaving the G5 base, he first went to an underground exchange, bought a small submarine and an Eternal Pose, and then set off for Fish-Man Island.
As for the submarine's engine, he dismantled it with his bare hands.
The high-intensity magnetic field would damage the engine anyway, so it was better to just remove it altogether, reducing the submarine's weight and increasing its speed.
"The scenery is quite nice 10,000 meters below the surface of the deep sea."
Through the periscope, Daren observed the scene deep beneath the sea.
Protected by the submarine, he had dived to the seabed and could see the mottled crust.
The ground was crisscrossed with fissures, and a deep crimson glow seeped from the cracks, serving as the only light source, dispelling the darkness and illuminating the surroundings.
Colorful corals formed bizarre and dazzling shapes, while various deep-sea fish swam gracefully, appearing breathtakingly beautiful through the periscope.
Seeing such a beautiful scene, Daren's mood lifted considerably.
The submarine silently passed through a cluster of underwater volcanoes and quickly approached the waters near Fish-Man Island.
When the magnificent, fairyland-like island gradually came into view through the periscope, Daren smiled, but his expression soon turned odd, as if sensing something.
"This feeling... Could it be..."
Daren raised his eyebrows, a cold smile slowly appearing on the corner of his lips.
"What a coincidence..."
...
Fish-Man Island, Ryugu Palace.
Banquet hall.
The rectangular, ornate dining table was filled with all kinds of deep-sea delicacies.
Sashimi made from sea shells, fist-sized raw oysters, golden, juicy roasted meat, fine wine brewed on Fish-Man Island, and a vibrant platter of deep-sea fish...
Looking at the extravagant spread before them, everyone in Roger's pirate crew couldn't help but drool, their eyes practically glowing green.
The whole world might fear the Roger Pirates, but only the crew themselves knew the truth—following Captain Roger meant going hungry three times a day.
Out at sea, they often made do with whatever they could find.
Sometimes, catching and roasting a Sea King with their bare hands was considered a luxury.
They had never seen anything as lavish as this.
Gulp...
Buggy and Shanks both swallowed hard, turning expectant eyes toward Rayleigh.
"Rayleigh..."
Rayleigh chuckled and said,
"Eat up. Don't waste King Neptune's kindness."
At his words, everyone finally lost their restraint and charged forward.
Roger, in particular, grabbed a chunk of roasted meat half the size of a person and shoved it into his mouth, making the scene absolutely ridiculous.
Neptune stared blankly at the group madly scrambling for food, the corners of his mouth twitching uncontrollably.
This was the legendary Roger Pirates?
...
Soon, everyone was stuffed.
The crew lay sprawled across the floor, "moaning and groaning" in contentment.
"So, King Neptune, why have the defenses on Fish-Man Island suddenly become so tight? What's going on?"
Rayleigh casually took a sip of strong liquor and asked.
Even King Neptune personally stationing himself at the entrance made it clear that something was wrong to anyone with half a brain.
Hearing this question, Neptune immediately fell into deep thought.
He hesitated for a moment, then slowly revealed the truth:
"Shyarly from Fish-Man Street recently made a prophecy: 'The gates of Fish-Man Island will be destroyed.' So, to be on the safe side, I ordered the defenses at Fish-Man Island to be strengthened and personally stationed myself there."
The gates of Fish-Man Island will be destroyed?
The Roger Pirates were stunned when they heard this, their expressions varying.
"King Neptune, do you really believe in prophecies?" Rayleigh asked incredulously.
Neptune sighed and gave a bitter smile:
"If it were anyone else, I wouldn't believe it."
"Shyarly is a very famous fortune teller on Fish-Man Island. Her predictions have never been wrong. Everything she foresaw has always come true."
"For that reason—and because the Sea Kings living in the deep sea have become unusually violent lately—the soldiers of Ryugu Palace have been extremely nervous as you approached Fish-Man Island."
"Now it seems the one who will destroy the gates of Fish-Man Island... isn't you."
Hearing this, the members of the Roger Pirates all turned their heads to stare at Roger.
If it weren't for Sunbell being around, their hot-headed, idiotic captain probably would've broken down the door already.
Roger scratched his head and laughed awkwardly.
Neptune: ...
"The Sea Kings are getting more and more violent."
At that moment, a childish female voice suddenly came from the entrance to the banquet hall.
Everyone was startled and turned to look.
They saw a petite figure standing there, her right cheek covered by short black hair, wearing a dark purple hooded cloak. She looked only three or four years old.
A dark blue shark tail gently swayed behind her. Though clearly a little girl, she carried a maturity and calmness far beyond her years. Combined with her pale skin and hood, she exuded an air of mystery.
"Shyarly, you're here."
Neptune smiled warmly when he saw her.
Shyarly!
Everyone in Roger's pirate crew immediately widened their eyes, their jaws almost hitting the ground.
This little mermaid, barely three or four years old, was actually the fortune teller Neptune had mentioned!?
They quickly turned to look at Neptune, their eyes full of disbelief, clearly thinking, "Are you serious?"
She's just a little girl!
You actually believe in a child's fairy tale?
However, Shyarly's next words, spoken in her tender voice, left them all frozen in shock.
"You came here for the ancient weapon... Poseidon, right?"
The expressions of the Roger Pirates changed slightly.
"Hahaha, little mermaid, how did you know?" Roger laughed loudly.
Everyone: ...
He just admitted it directly...
Shyarly waved her tail and slowly walked up to Roger.
She tilted her head up to look at the man towering above her. After observing him for a few seconds, she suddenly said,
"You're going to die."
Neptune's face changed drastically.
The Roger Pirates froze in place.
Roger, however, simply shrugged indifferently and laughed heartily,
"Yeah, that's why this is my last voyage."
He squatted down, reaching out to rub Shyarly's pale cheek, smiling as he asked,
"So, can you tell me what Poseidon is?"
Shyarly stared at Roger, momentarily stunned.
He was clearly on the brink of death, yet he seemed... completely unconcerned?
After a long silence, she slowly shook her head.
"You're too early."
"Poseidon... is the future mermaid princess."
"The Sea Kings have been so restless lately because they are celebrating the upcoming birth of the mermaid princess."
The mermaid princess... is the ancient weapon Poseidon?
But...
Everyone turned their heads in unison to stare at Neptune.
"Aren't you single?"
Roger looked suspiciously at Neptune, rubbing his beard.
"Don't you Fish-Man need to get married to have kids?"
Neptune's face instantly darkened.
Rayleigh and the others covered their faces in despair.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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