-Broadcast-
Night had settled over the Thousand Sunny as the Straw Hat Pirates began their individual routines before sleep. The Sky Screen continued its broadcast overhead, but after hours of revelations about Devil Fruit development, even the most dedicated viewers needed rest.
In the women's quarters, Nami had curled up in her bed with Arashi coiled gently around her waist. The small serpent had become her constant companion since their adventure in Fish-Man Island, capable of growing to massive proportions when needed but preferring to remain pocket-sized during peaceful moments.
Robin sat at her desk, illuminated by a single lamp as she absorbed herself in a leather-bound tome acquired during their recent visit to Fish-Man Island. The book contained maritime legends she'd never encountered before—stories that might hold fragments of the true history she'd dedicated her life to uncovering.
The ship's massive aquarium, originally designed for Luffy's occasional captured sea life, now served as sleeping quarters for their newest crew member. Marlin, a blue-skinned fish-man with distinctive white spots, preferred the underwater environment to the cramped human sleeping spaces. The aquarium provided ample room for him to swim through the night, his gills filtering oxygen from the water with practiced ease.
Tony Tony Chopper emerged from the infirmary, his medical duties complete for the day. Despite his small stature, he had no trouble with the oversized bed in the men's quarters—if anything, the extra space meant he could roll around without fear of falling off.
Sanji had undergone the most dramatic transformation of any crew member during the 5 years separation. His time in Kamabakka Kingdom had changed more than just his fighting style. Tonight he wore pink silk pajamas that would have scandalized his pre-timeskip self, complete with a privacy tent around his bunk to muffle the sounds of his snoring crewmates. Clean tissues blocked his nostrils—a necessity when sharing quarters with Luffy and Usopp after their respective training regimens.
The sleeping arrangements had required adjustment since their reunion. Usopp's intensive 5 years training regimen had transformed him from a scrawny sniper into a powerfully built warrior whose weight could no longer be supported by the upper bunk. He and Luffy had switched positions, though the captain's restless sleeping habits meant he often ended up sprawled across his muscular friend anyway.
Brook's skeletal form remained stationed on deck, his violin producing gentle melodies that drifted through the ship's corridors. 5 years of continuous practice had eliminated his need for sleep entirely, leaving him free to serve as the crew's nighttime entertainer and informal guardian.
Franky had evolved beyond his original cyborg design during his time with Dr. Vegapunk's research team. Now more machine than man, he required no rest to maintain his energy systems. Instead, he conducted methodical inspections of the Sunny's various mechanisms, ensuring everything remained in perfect working order while his crewmates slept.
High above in the crow's nest, Roronoa Zoro had claimed the watchtower as his personal training space. Even while lifting massive weights, his Observation Haki blanketed the entire ship in a protective web of awareness. Since rejoining the crew, he'd voluntarily assumed the role of night watchman, understanding that their increased notoriety made constant vigilance essential.
The Sky Screen's continuous broadcast had been running since dawn, and even the most dedicated observers were beginning to show signs of fatigue. Watching pirates sleep held limited entertainment value—though some viewers lingered hoping for glimpses of the crew's female members.
Morning came with the gentle sounds of the crew stirring to life. Those who had maintained vigil through the night reached for notebooks, ready to record any new revelations the Straw Hats might provide.
"Breakfast time, little Marlin," Robin called softly, her voice carrying the maternal warmth she'd developed for their aquatic crewmate.
The compact fish-man launched himself from the aquarium with athletic grace, though his landing sent a cascade of droplets across Robin's morning reading attire. Instead of annoyance, a faint blush colored her cheeks—she'd grown genuinely fond of their unconventional new member, perhaps even more so than Chopper.
"Sorry about that, Robin-chan," Marlin said, shaking excess water from his spotted skin as they walked toward the galley together.
"Marlin," Robin observed, "I haven't seen you carry your trident lately. Don't you need it for combat?"
"Ah, that old thing?" The fish-man grinned, revealing sharp teeth. "I stored it in the mouth of a Sea King. When I need it, I just summon a shark to retrieve it. Much more convenient than lugging it around everywhere."
The galley was already filled with enticing aromas when they arrived. Sanji had embraced his post-Kamabakka aesthetic completely—black dress, white stockings stretched over his hairy legs, pink high heels that somehow didn't impede his cooking, and carefully applied makeup that would have made the okama masters proud.
"Sister Robin!" Sanji called out with exaggerated femininity, "what can I prepare for your beautiful morning? The usual, or shall I tempt you with something new?"
"Coffee and sandwiches will be perfect," Robin replied diplomatically.
"And for me, some sashimi if there's any sea fish left in the refrigerator," Marlin added.
Sanji's culinary skills had expanded dramatically during his time in Kamabakka Kingdom. Beyond simply filling stomachs, he could now prepare dishes with effects that bordered on miraculous—healing properties, energy enhancement, even temporary physical augmentation through specialized recipes learned from the okama chefs.
As the rest of the crew filtered into the galley, they watched with familiar fascination as Marlin consumed his breakfast. Despite witnessing it countless times, seeing a fish-man eat fish remained surreal.
In the world of One Piece, neither mermaids nor fish-men typically consumed fish. Their diets consisted primarily of sea vegetables, shellfish, and human foods when available. Fish were generally considered distant relatives rather than prey.
"I've explained this before," Marlin said, noticing their stares, "I was raised by humans, and I inherited the authority of Poseidon. I don't consider sea fish to be my kindred—the same applies to most creatures in the Ryugu Kingdom."
He moved his plate closer to Robin's position, using her presence as a shield against the curious gazes while savoring Sanji's expertly prepared sashimi and accompanying sauces.
"Our entire crew consists of monsters," Luffy declared with characteristic directness, settling into his seat. "Why would we judge you for being another kind of monster? Sanji! Make me a sashimi sandwich—your captain is starving!"
The acceptance in Luffy's voice was absolute. He'd never cared about his crewmates' unusual traits, only whether they were interesting enough to deserve a place on his ship.
Robin sipped her unsweetened black coffee, observing the easy interaction between Luffy and Marlin. During their time in Fish-Man Island, these two had displayed an almost supernatural coordination, as if they'd been working together for years rather than days.
"It's fortunate you're our captain, Luffy," she mused aloud. "Otherwise, Marlin would have had to swim all the way back to his lighthouse duties after helping us reach Sabaody. Fate works in mysterious ways."
Nami entered the galley with Arashi draped around her shoulders like a living scarf. "Without Marlin, we never would have found little Ashi. Sometimes Luffy's bizarre thought processes lead to incredible luck."
Her eyes suddenly transformed into berry symbols as she continued, "And Marlin opened the Sea God's Treasury for us! If we hadn't been in such a rush to leave Fish-Man Island, I would have emptied that entire vault."
"That was my first time seeing a literal mountain of gold and silver," Franky added, his mechanical frame barely fitting through the galley entrance. "It would take a full year to transport all of Sea God's accumulated wealth. Even taking just one large bag each would be worth over a billion berries—enough to fund our adventures for decades."
Zoro shuffled in, exhaustion evident despite his disciplined routine. His night watch duties were taking their toll, but he refused to compromise the crew's security. "It's the cook's fault I missed out on that blade—Tenseiga," he grumbled. "A sword that can't kill anything in this world—what kind of paradox is that?"
-Real World-
The casual mention of Sea God's Treasury sent shockwaves through viewers worldwide. Even King Neptune of the Ryugu Kingdom looked bewildered, turning to his advisors and sons with questioning eyes. As the sovereign of Fish-Man Island, he should have known about such a legendary vault, yet this was the first he'd heard of Poseidon's hidden treasure.
The implications were staggering. If the Sea God truly maintained a secret treasury accessible through specific fish-man authorities, it suggested layers of Fish-Man Island's history that had been lost even to its current rulers. The Straw Hats had apparently stumbled upon secrets that predated the current kingdom entirely.
Watching from across the seas, various pirates began making calculations. A treasury vast enough to require a year of transport, containing weapons with impossible properties—this wasn't just wealth, but potentially world-changing artifacts that had been hidden beneath the waves for centuries.
The revelation raised uncomfortable questions: What other secrets lay hidden in Fish-Man Island's depths? And more importantly, what was Marlin's true connection to these ancient powers that allowed him to access treasures that even the current royal family knew nothing about?
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