As the light intensified, a spherical island gradually came into view.
"Wow! It's beautiful… is this the legendary Fish-Man Island? How is there still sunlight this deep underwater?" Lina's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Even Robin showed excitement. "How was this island formed? How far back in history does it date? I wonder if there are any poneglyphs here."
Nami's tone was tinged with anticipation. "I've heard the Mermaid Princess's beauty rivals even Hancock's. I wonder if I'll see her this time."
Lina quickly tugged Nami's arm and whispered, "Keep your voice down, or Rolan will hear you."
Rolan's lips twitched slightly. From the manga he had read in his previous life, the Mermaid Princess's beauty was indeed comparable to Hancock's. However, Shirahoshi's size made meaningful interaction complicated. He could be willing but powerless. Pretending not to hear was the safest option.
Robin, standing beside him, glanced at him with interest. "Really? You have no thoughts about the Mermaid Princess?"
Rolan reached out and pinched Robin's side. "If you keep teasing your husband like that, You'll regret it tonight when I enforce proper family discipline."
Robin's legs went weak. Despite Hancock having monopolized Rolan for days, the sheer intensity of his strength left her trembling. Three of her—or even more—could only hope to hold him in a drawn fight, victory impossible.
For a moment, Robin went silent, no longer daring to provoke him, turning her attention to Fish-Man Island, drawing ever closer.
"Humans! What are you doing at Fish-Man Island?"
A clear warning rang out as massive sea beasts appeared near the bow.
"Talking sea beasts! And so many of them! Are we going to be eaten?" Lina covered her eyes, panic written on her face.
Robin observed closely. "Why do elephants, lions, and giraffes exist under the sea? This is a magical underwater world."
"And each sea beast has a nose rope—domesticated," Rolan noted calmly.
He quickly recognized the figures—members of the New Fish-Man Pirates from Fish-Man Street.
"Hmph, are you the Ion Pirates?" Several fish-men with unusual shapes emerged from behind the giraffes.
Lina raised an eyebrow. "Our reputation spreads ten thousand meters underwater."
A sharp-toothed, fanged fish-man stepped forward, covering the Arlong Pirates' symbol with his webbed hand. "Hamon Hamon Hamon! We know of Rolan and his crew, the ones who defeated Captain Arlong."
Nami's eyes narrowed at the familiar symbol. Arlong's crew came from Fish-Man Street. These fish-men must be connected.
"Are you part of Arlong's Crew?" she asked cautiously.
The fanged fish-man replied, "We are the New Fish-Man Pirates, inheritors of Captain Arlong's will."
Lina understood immediately: these were enemies, not friends. Though sea monsters had intimidated her before, these fish-men were ugly enough to make her nervous. Flames flickered around her, ready to strike on Rolan's command.
Nami recalled Arlong's cruelty in Coco Yashi Village, and a chill ran down her spine.
Rolan shook his head. "New Fish-Man Pirates? I've never heard of them. Are they Fisher Tiger's leftovers?"
The mention of Fisher Tiger caused the fish-men's eyes to widen sharply.
"You… how do you know that name?" the fanged fish-man asked, disbelief evident. Fisher Tiger had been a great hero of the Fish-Man Pirates, climbing the Red Line and freeing countless slaves.
Robin murmured, "Fisher Tiger? The Fish-Man who climbed the Red Line?"
"Hamon Hamon Hamon! Captain Fisher Tiger met a tragic end because he trusted humans too much. We, the New Fish-Man Pirates, will not repeat his mistakes," the fish-man declared, weapon in hand. "Humans are despicable, inferior. Only Fish-Men are the gods of this world!"
Rolan listened, shaking his head. "Seems like there's still a long way to go before all races in this world can live in harmony."
With that, Conqueror's Haki flared from him. The sea beasts and fish-men instantly trembled, frothing at the mouth, collapsing unconscious in a single, overwhelming display.
Lina relaxed, retracting her flames, pointing toward the massive bubble ahead. "Rolan… is that Fish-Man Island?"
Rolan nodded. "Yes, that's Fish-Man Island."
"Let's go check it out. I've heard Fish-Man Island has the best fashion designers in the world," Lina said, excitement shining in her eyes.
Rolan ruffled her hair lightly. "Alright, we'll visit Fish-Man Island."
The ship surged forward at incredible speed, its Electromagnetic Barrier allowing it to pierce the giant bubble with ease.
Lina frowned slightly. "We're pirates… Won't this freak out the island?"
Rolan tilted his head, smirking faintly. "You're always so thoughtful."
He stored the ship in System Space, letting the crew land safely on a cloud above the island.
"Oh, right! Law and Bepo are still on the ship!" Nami exclaimed. She knew they were training, but the thought of leaving them behind unsettled her.
Rolan pinched Nami's cheek affectionately. "They're fine. Still training on the ship."
Nami smiled, trusting him completely. The cloud beneath their feet carried them swiftly toward Fish-Man Bay.
"Is this… Fish-Man Island? It's… breathtaking," Lina whispered.
Before them, sunlight filtered through azure water, scattering over the island. Coral structures intertwined, mermaids played, curious at the newcomers. Tubular waterways formed sky bridges, schools of fish weaving through them.
A deep voice boomed across the bay: "Ion, King Neptune invites you."
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