Boa Hancock and her two sisters once played innocently on the shores of Amazon Lily, unaware of the fate that awaited them. They were captured by slave traders, chained, and sold to the Celestial Dragons as property. On their backs remained the Hoof of the Celestial Dragon — a brand that scarred not only their skin, but their dignity. That mark signified enslavement under the "World Nobles," a declaration that the branded person was beneath even humanity.
For three long years, the Hancock sisters suffered humiliation in Mariejois … until the day the legendary Fisher Tiger scaled the Red Line with his bare hands, shattering the gates of the Holy Land and freeing every slave he could reach. In the chaos, the sisters escaped.
After wandering and receiving help from Rayleigh and others, they eventually returned to Amazon Lily. From that day on, their hatred toward the Celestial Dragons ran deeper than the sea itself.
So when Kaito killed a Celestial Dragon, it was, in a twisted way, vengeance for the three sisters. But even so — Hancock's enthusiasm about marrying him seemed … excessive.
No matter how he thought about it, Kaito simply couldn't understand it.
---
After securing someone to coat their merchant ship for underwater travel, Kaito and Issho set sail toward Fish-Man Island.
Fish-Man Island lies ten thousand meters beneath the sea — the gateway to the New World, known as the paradise under the waves. Two races live there: the fish-men, like Tiger, Jinbe, and Hachi; and the merfolk, whose upper bodies resemble humans and whose lower bodies transform into elegant tails. The beauty of the mermaids is renowned across the world, which draws pirates and poachers hoping to kidnap them and sell them for huge sums.
Though the island looks defenseless, Kaito knows better: the ancient weapon Poseidon — Princess Shirahoshi — lives here.
Peering through the ship's transparent coating, he admired the glowing seabed: forests of coral radiating color, schools of fish swirling like living ribbons, even massive Sea Kings drifting in the distance. This was no fantasy — through the ship's membrane, he had truly entered an underwater world.
A soft glow broke the darkness, revealing the luminous outline of Fish-Man Island. With a gentle pop, the ship breached the island's bubble shield, descending into the vibrant port. Kaito and Issho disembarked.
"Captain, weren't we heading straight for Bullet? Why stop here?" Issho asked, puzzled.
Normally, once a coated ship reaches Fish-Man Island, a special current carries it directly upward into the New World. Issho expected they would simply pass through. But Kaito had paused.
"Relax," Kaito said. "The Pirate Expo is close to the New World. Even if we leave later, at this ship's speed it'll take only half a day. We still have three days. Since we came all this way, we might as well look around."
Issho nodded. "Work and rest, then."
"Do you want to explore with me, or go on your own?" Kaito asked.
"I'll go alone," Issho replied with a warm smile. "I want to feel this underwater wonder by myself."
"Tomorrow morning — meet back here," Kaito said, then strolled into the city.
Pirates filled the streets. Thanks to Bullet stirring chaos, not only Sabaody but Fish-Man Island itself had become a gathering place for crews from all over. Many bore bounties in the hundreds of millions, yet none seemed to pay Kaito any special attention.
He made his way to the western edge of the island — the Marlin Shopping Center, the largest and busiest marketplace in the entire place. From a distance, the clamor of the crowds sounded like a festival.
Finding a quieter corner, the air around him shifted. From the warping space stepped Kaguya, dressed sharply in black-and-white office attire.
"This is the biggest mall on the island," Kaito said, a little awkwardly. "You can buy whatever you want here."
"Very well." Kaguya's voice was composed and cool. "But, Kaito-kun … about that woman, Hancock — what exactly is she to you?"
"I don't know her!" Kaito insisted. "Kaguya, you've been with me every step of the way. You know that. This is honestly the first time I've met her."
Kaguya stared at him intently, her pale eyes seeming to strip away every layer of his secrets. After a long silence, she finally nodded.
"I believe you. When we meet her again, I'll test her myself. If she truly cares for you … how will you respond?"
"I have nothing to do with her," Kaito said, tone sharp. Boa Hancock might be stunning, but he was hardly desperate.
"No," Kaguya interrupted. "Given your position, you must have a confidante … someone to attend to certain needs, and to help keep you grounded. Originally, I planned to assign that role to your admirer, Nami — but she joined another pirate crew."
Her voice was regal, absolute — like an empress issuing a decree. For the first time in this world, the chilling presence of the Chakra Ancestor settled around her completely.
Kaito tensed. His… partner was suggesting he take a mistress? What was he supposed to do with that?
He didn't respond quickly enough, and Kaguya assumed his acceptance. She snapped her fingers, and a stack of Berries appeared. She beckoned him as a queen would her attendant.
With a helpless sigh, Kaito summoned two shadow clones to accompany her shopping while he disappeared into the crowd alone.
Eventually, he found himself at a small café. Through its transparent windows, couples quietly conversed and sipped their drinks.
"The Mermaid Café … run by Shyarly?" Kaito narrowed his eyes. Should he go in and take a look?
After a moment, he shook his head. He wasn't here for leisure.
Beyond the plaza stood the Hard-Shell Tower — Princess Shirahoshi's residence, built both as a palace and as protection from Vander Decken IX.
Decken, captain of the Flying Pirates, possessed the Target-Target Fruit. Somehow, he had discovered that Shirahoshi is actually Poseidon, one of the three Ancient Weapons. When she was still a child, he terrorized her with his power, hurling weapons at her relentlessly in a twisted attempt to "claim" her.
Now, the massive doors of the tower were riddled with weapons — spears, axes, blades — buried deep into the shell-like walls. From top to bottom, the surface was almost entirely covered.
It looked unsettling in the manga … but seeing it with his own eyes was far worse.
Perhaps it was the righteous fury of every One Piece fan alive within him coming to life now.
---
A subtle current swept through the port, carrying the salty scent of the ocean and the faint hum of underwater life. Schools of luminous fish darted between the coral structures, their glow casting intricate patterns across the walls of buildings. Kaito's eyes scanned the area, noting the subtle glances of Fish-Men and merfolk alike, some whispering in awe at the strange new visitor.
The port itself was a mixture of elegance and defense: towering coral columns intertwined with reinforced structures of shell and stone. Merchants hawked their wares, some using bubbles to carry messages or prices, while children played near the edges of the docks, laughing as Sea Kings passed silently below.
Kaito took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the world above and below pressing around him. This was not merely a stopover — this was a realm of secrets, power, and the looming presence of Poseidon herself. Every step he took seemed to echo not only on the dock but across the very waters surrounding the island.
From the corner of his eye, a shadow flitted across a coral archway. A Fish-Man merchant gave a subtle bow, acknowledging his presence. Even in this world so alien, respect and caution marked the interactions of those who knew the dangers of drawing the attention of someone like Kaito.
The Hard-Shell Tower loomed larger with each step, its walls gleaming faintly under the filtered sunlight that pierced the ocean above. Kaito's mind raced, considering the consequences of approaching Shirahoshi and the potential conflicts with Decken. Yet, a spark of determination ignited within him: he had faced threats above and below the waves before, and this would be no different.
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