This was Kuzan's first time visiting Fishman Island, and King Neptune had come out to greet them personally, accompanied by his three sons.
"Mr. Roy!!!" Fukaboshi was so happy he rolled on the ground with excitement.
"Hey there, I'm back again," Roy said, waving.
"You guys are this popular on Fish-Man Island?!" Kuzan asked curiously.
"Look up ahead and see for yourself," Namur said before Roy could answer.
Kuzan raised his gaze toward Fishman Island, its breathtaking scenery, the grand gate, and the massive pirate flag hanging from its pillars. On either side, bold words were inscribed:
[Those who cause trouble on Fishman Island will be hunted down and executed across the world.]
Beneath it, the Jolly Roger of the Whitebeard Pirates fluttered proudly. There was no mistaking it, Fishman Island was under Whitebeard's protection. It was their territory.
"So that's how it is. So you've turned a World Government-affiliated nation into your turf," Kuzan remarked.
"Now you understand why we're so welcome here," Namur said, a hint of pride in his voice.
He and Kuzan had become somewhat familiar with each other by now.
"Mr. Namur!"
Fishmen and merfolk on the shore called out to him, children pointing and declaring him their idol.
Namur waved back like a superstar.
"I wanna be like Mr. Namur when I grow up! Join the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"Me too! I'll be a division commander!"
"I want to be Vice Captain!!"
"I'll be the Captain!"
"Hahahaha!!!" Roy laughed heartily. "The Whitebeard Pirates don't discriminate. Once you're in, you're family. We stand as one."
"Heh. And what happens when Whitebeard dies? Can you really keep this 'family' together then?" Kuzan asked with a chuckle, sitting cross-legged.
Clang!
Two swords were suddenly pressed against his neck.
"Shut your mouth."
"Curse Pops again, and I'll kill you right now."
"Alright, alright, my bad."
"Enough, don't get so worked up," Roy said with a grin."Everyone dies eventually. If people didn't, the world would be in chaos. Just because of that, Celestial Dragons, immortal, and now the whole world's a mess because of it."
Neptune's eyes widened when he saw Kuzan. Upon recognizing him, he was even more shocked.
"A Marine Admiral here? What's going on?" he asked.
"He left the Marines. He's no longer an Admiral. He hitched a ride with us to the New World, and the Marines are hot on his tail," Roy replied with a laugh.
"Even if he left the Navy, they wouldn't hunt him down, would they?" Fukaboshi asked, confused.
"Ask him," Kuzan jabbed a thumb at Roy. "He's the one who told them I wanted to join a pirate crew."
"Uhh!!!!" Neptune and his three sons all tilted their heads in unison, tails flicking, four identical exclamation marks popping over their heads.
"Hahahahaha!!" Roy's laughter echoed on the ship as the four of them realized it was Roy who had screwed over Kuzan, cutting off his path back to the Navy.
"As expected of Mr. Roy."
"Truly devious."
"Mm-hmm-hmm." The three brothers crossed their arms and nodded in agreement.
Neptune wasn't even surprised anymore; it was Roy, after all. That explained everything.
That night, a grand banquet was held at Ryugu Palace. Princess Shirahoshi made an appearance.
"Mr. Roy…" she said softly.
Though her size rivaled that of a giant, she spoke in the gentlest voice.
It was Kuzan's first time seeing Shirahoshi, and he was stunned. He hadn't expected the Fishman Princess to be so enormous.
"What a fascinating race," Kuzan muttered, glancing between Neptune and Shirahoshi.
"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!" Neptune roared.
"N-Nothing!" Kuzan quickly stuffed meat into his mouth.
"Hmph!" Neptune huffed, folding his arms. "That's my daughter, my biological daughter."
"PFFT—HAHAHAHA!!!" Roy instantly understood. Given how Neptune looked, not one of his four children resembled him. But they were definitely his.
If Kuzan ever saw Queen Otohime, he'd realize just how eccentric this family really was.
The merfolk's reproductive methods were indeed unique. Before they turned 30, they lived more like fish and couldn't grow legs. After 30, they gained the ability to shapeshift and walk on land.
Kokoro had even married a human and had a child, but only after turning 30, when her legs formed.
Celestial Dragons prized mermaid slaves under 30; once they could grow legs, the "novelty" wore off, and they were discarded.
That's one reason why mermaid slaves were so expensive, not just because they were rare, but also because they had a short "desirable" window. Once they passed it, they were often discarded or abused by the Celestial Dragons.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, an axe came flying in. Kuzan turned to look as the weapon shot toward them. Shirahoshi was startled and almost cried.
Clang!
Namur leapt forward, opened his mouth, and bit into the axe, crushing it with his teeth.
"Bastard!!" Namur growled in fury.
"Go kill him," Roy said coldly.
"Got it, big bro!" Namur shouted and dashed off.
"Who did that? I didn't sense anyone," Kuzan muttered.
"He's too far. That guy's hiding outside Fish-Man Island. Plus, he's a Devil Fruit user," Roy explained.
Roy had wanted to take care of that pest for a while now, Vander Decken IX. His ancestors were originally human but interbred with fish-men, giving him hybrid blood. On top of that, he'd eaten a Devil Fruit.
Killing him outside Fish-Man Island wasn't easy. Since they were underwater, Roy left it to Namur to take care of him. It wasn't convenient for Roy to act for himself.
Whether it was Jinbe or the three princes, they'd all long wanted to get rid of that guy. Keeping him alive only put Shirahoshi in danger.
"Father, we're going to assist Namur!" the three brothers said in unison.
"Go ahead," Neptune nodded.
"Brother!!" Shirahoshi cried out in concern.
"Wait for us to return," Fukaboshi smiled.
"After this, you won't need to hide anymore," Ryuboshi reassured her.
"Just wait for good news!" Manboshi said excitedly.
The three princes followed Namur, while Roy calmly sipped his drink.
Back then, it had been hard for Namur to track down Vander Decken IX; he was always hiding.
But his Mark-Mark Fruit had a major flaw; it could only throw things in a straight line and was easily blocked. The last axe had flown in from the main gate, so his position had to be directly outside it.
Namur kept his course aligned with the front gate and shot out of Fish-Man Island using a bubble ring.
"That guy must be nearby. I can smell him. Found you!" Namur had judged correctly. He spotted a small bubble ahead.
....
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