Chapter 233: Fish-Man Island
The Heart Pirates' ship was a high-tech submarine, almost unheard of in this world.
But to dive to a depth of 10,000 meters, even this technology wasn't quite advanced enough—it still required coating.
"Will this really be enough?"
At the port, looking at the massive bubble enveloping the entire submarine, Robin couldn't help but feel curious.
"No problem. As long as the coating isn't attacked in multiple places simultaneously, the bubble won't burst from water pressure alone," Law explained. Having noticed the close relationship between Robin and Rhodes, he didn't dare be careless in his explanations.
The group boarded the submarine but didn't go into the cabin. Instead, they remained on the deck, which was also protected within the bubble coating.
Normal pirate ships required specific procedures to submerge, but this submarine obviously didn't need such formalities.
Before long, they were completely surrounded by seawater.
"I never expected the area beneath Sabaody Archipelago to be so beautiful," Robin said, watching the Sabaody Archipelago slowly rise above them, a hint of wonder on her face.
Rhodes was equally impressed. No wonder people in this world loved adventure—only adventurers had the opportunity to witness such unique scenery.
While the power of the Doa Doa no Mi allowed Rhodes to avoid the dangers of nature, it also caused him to miss out on these rare and beautiful sights, which was somewhat regrettable.
Of course, given the choice, Rhodes would still choose the convenience of the Door-Door Fruit.
The scenery was beautiful, but survival was more important.
Traveling the high seas, especially the Grand Line, meant that powerful enemies weren't even the most dangerous threat—the natural environment was.
In some seas, the magnetic fields were so chaotic that it became impossible to sense direction, and once you entered, escape was nearly impossible.
In other seas, the seawater itself boiled, and meteorites fell from the sky...
Sailing these waters meant death was always lurking nearby, and no one knew if they would return from any given voyage.
The Heart Pirates were well-equipped, and their navigator was highly experienced. Under his control, the submarine began its rapid descent.
Normally, pirate ships heading to Fish-Man Island needed to catch specific ocean currents, but this submarine had its own propulsion system, allowing it to avoid both the restrictions and the dangers of unstable currents.
It should be noted that 70% of the pirate ships that met disaster on their way to Fish-Man Island did so due to problems with currents.
The seabed was utterly silent, like a realm of death.
The surrounding sea was pitch black, cold, and eerie, with water pressure reaching incredibly terrifying levels.
At this depth, if the hull ruptured even slightly, the submarine would likely be crushed to dust instantly. Even a Marine Admiral might not survive in such an environment.
Rhodes could barely manage to escape using the Door-Door Fruit's abilities.
Fish-Man Island was officially recorded as being 10,000 meters below sea level, but in reality, the island was spherical with a diameter exceeding ten kilometers, meaning parts of it lay even deeper.
The "10,000 meters" was simply used as a reference for "extremely deep."
Time seemed to lose all meaning in the darkness.
Rhodes had stopped his idle drinking when, in the distance, a glimmer of light finally appeared.
Everyone on deck turned to look in that direction.
Within a giant double-layered bubble barrier, an island resembling a fallen star floated on the seabed floor.
"Finally... we've arrived. The legendary Fish-Man Island."
Robin stood not far from Rhodes, her eyes shining with fascination as the island came into full view.
The Poneglyphs... and the legendary Ancient Weapon, Poseidon!
Law, Bepo, and the other Heart Pirates came to the bow, gazing toward Fish-Man Island with expressions of profound amazement.
Like Skypiea floating thousands of meters above the clouds, Fish-Man Island thousands of meters beneath the waves was equally breathtaking.
Under the navigator's control, the submarine rapidly approached Fish-Man Island.
As they drew near, the soldiers stationed in the entry corridor leading to Fish-Man Island quickly spotted the approaching vessel.
"Unidentified ship, state your purpose! Otherwise, entry to Fish-Man Island is prohibited!" a voice called out through a communication transponder snail.
Law glanced at Rhodes, then explained in a low voice,
"Fish-Man Island is surrounded by two layers of bubble coating. If we force our way through, the outer layer will strip away our ship's coating.
And between the two bubble layers, there's no seawater—we'd fall directly into the void and be crushed."
Rhodes nodded, indicating he understood.
"Listen up!" Law called out. "Rhodes, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea! Connect the passage immediately and grant us entry!"
The fish-men in the communication corridor were stunned upon hearing this.
They hadn't expected the arriving visitor to be one of the legendary Shichibukai—moreover, the infamous Dragon Slayer Swordsman himself!
This was the madman who had dared to challenge even Whitebeard, Fish-Man Island's former guardian deity.
Now that Fish-Man Island had lost Whitebeard's protection, it was at its most vulnerable moment.
What was this Shichibukai doing here at such a time?
The fish-men guards trembled with apprehension.
"Captain, what should we do? Should we let the Dragon Slayer Swordsman enter?"
The fish-man captain's expression shifted through several emotions before he ordered one of his subordinates,
"Quickly inform His Majesty King Neptune and Boss Jinbe that the Dragon Slayer Swordsman has arrived at Fish-Man Island."
He then looked in Rhodes' direction, pondered for a moment, and decided,
"Connect the passage. We cannot refuse someone of his status."
With the order given, the bubble passage to Fish-Man Island was slowly extended and connected. Rhodes and his crew proceeded through.
After passing through the entrance barrier, they found themselves in an interior sea area. The submarine moved swiftly, and soon they surfaced and docked at the port.
Looking at this extraordinary island, Rhodes' expression grew contemplative.
This island didn't appear naturally formed. Both the artificial sky dome above and the two layers of bubble coating surrounding everything seemed deliberately constructed.
It seemed the history and mysteries of this world ran far deeper than most imagined.
Meanwhile, at Ryugu Palace,
Jinbe and King Neptune were in the midst of discussing Fish-Man Island's uncertain future.
In the original timeline, Jinbe should have been recuperating on Amazon Lily at this time.
But because of Rhodes' intervention during Marineford, Jinbe hadn't been as seriously injured.
So as soon as the war ended, concerned about the potential crisis Fish-Man Island might face without Whitebeard's protection, Jinbe had hastily bid farewell to Luffy and returned to Fish-Man Island to secretly oversee matters.
Having lost his status as a Shichibukai and having openly aided the Whitebeard Pirates during the Summit War, appearing publicly would only bring greater danger to Fish-Man Island.
"To protect Fish-Man Island from outside threats, we need someone at the Yonko level as our new guardian," Neptune said gravely.
Jinbe looked troubled. He was a straightforward warrior, not skilled at political maneuvering.
"The Yonko Charlotte Linlin seems to have a particular fondness for sweets, which we can provide in abundance. Perhaps we could approach her."
"Big Mom? But her reputation isn't exactly... reassuring."
As they continued their discussion, a soldier suddenly burst in to report Rhodes' arrival.
Jinbe's expression changed instantly.
Having personally participated in the Marineford War, how could he not understand the Dragon Slayer Swordsman's true power?
Neptune's face also grew serious as he quickly asked,
"Jinbe, are you confident you could handle him if it comes to that?"
Jinbe gave a bitter smile and said in a heavy tone, "Though I hate to admit it, this young man is extraordinarily strong. I might not be his match."
How could he be anything less? This was someone who could fight evenly with Whitebeard himself, and who had overwhelmed multiple division commanders simultaneously.
That ghostly speed had been a nightmare for everyone at Marineford!
"Regardless, I'll go meet him personally. Perhaps his intentions are peaceful."
(End of Chapter)
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