Rolan stretched out his hand and lightly stopped the massive axe mid-rotation. It hovered in front of him, the red rose etched onto its blade still visible.
"What… what is that?" Nami muttered, staring at the axe in disbelief.
The weapon, hurled toward Ryugu Castle at tremendous speed, carried a clear killing intent. It was no display—it had been thrown by someone intent on attacking.
The three princes of Fish-Man Island—Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi—frowned, their expressions tightening with anger. They had been hunting for Vander Decken, but the elusive pirate always slipped away at the last moment. Even bounties failed to capture him.
Vander Decken was like a shadow in the depths, constantly stalking Princess Shirahoshi. Unlike Hody Jones, who sought control over Shirahoshi to dominate Fish-Man Island, Vander Decken coveted her beauty alone. At first, he had been polite, sending roses and love letters using the Target-Target Fruit, but repeated rejection drove him to obsession. He developed a twisted mindset: if he couldn't have her, he would destroy everything.
To protect Shirahoshi, Neptune had imprisoned her in a fortified tower.
Rolan's eyes narrowed. With a calm gesture, he gripped the axe. Flashes of lightning crackled around the two-meter-wide weapon before it shattered into countless fragments that fell harmlessly to the ground.
As a transmigrator, Rolan immediately recognized the source: Vander Decken's axe, aimed at the Mermaid Princess via his Devil Fruit ability. Through his Super Heart Net, he had already located Vander Decken: a four-legged Fish-Man with a split lip, arms spread wide, laughing madly, shouting, "Target-hohoho, Princess Shirahoshi, accept my love, and let us enter the halls of wedded bliss!"
Rolan simply decided to deal with him later.
The princes were stunned to witness Rolan casually stop and obliterate the axe. Fukaboshi thought silently, As expected of a Five Emperor, such casual power is incomparable.
"This was a weapon thrown by an enemy of the kingdom," Fukaboshi explained to Nami, omitting Vander Decken's personal vendetta. As Shirahoshi's protector, he saw no reason to burden strangers with family affairs.
"Then why not capture him?" Lina asked.
The princes' expressions darkened. Fukaboshi replied, "It's not that we don't want to, but the enemy is too cunning. Still, no major damage has occurred, and we've yet to confront him. First, let us escort you to Ryugu Castle."
Rolan studied Fukaboshi closely, impressed by his composure, restraint, and clarity of purpose. He recognized a true talent.
"Very well," Rolan said, nodding. "Please, Great Prince, lead us to Ryugu Castle."
Fukaboshi took the lead, flying toward a giant circular window. "Beep~ I am Fukaboshi, please open the door."
The barrier blocking the circular passage shuddered violently before slowly opening, revealing a tunnel connecting the inner and outer bubbles.
"Let us proceed," Fukaboshi said, signaling Rolan and his crew to follow.
"You go first. Our two brothers will cover the rear, Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Si-Do~" Ryuboshi stepped aside to let them pass.
"Prince Manboshi, Prince Manboshi, you go first. The castle passage has no water. Prince Manboshi, Prince Manboshi," Manboshi chimed in, stepping aside as well.
Rolan pressed the coral in his hand, forming a giant protective bubble around the four of them. Not fully at ease, he added another layer of Electromagnetic Barrier before leading Nami and the others into the passage.
"Wait, is there water here? I thought it was air," Lina observed, peering curiously.
Outside the passage, schools of Fish-Men swam, sunlight streaming through Eve's roots, casting a dim, ethereal glow.
---
Meanwhile, in Fish-Man Street…
"What!? Fukaboshi invited Rolan and his crew to Ryugu Castle?" a Fish-Man bellowed from his throne.
The man had long, black curly hair, a mouth full of sharp teeth, a flat hat with a trident insignia, a wolf fur scarf, and intricate tattoos on his left arm. It was Hody Jones, captain of the New Fish-Man Pirates.
Hody's fury was palpable. "Why did that old fool do this? Invite a human to Ryugu Castle!"
He crushed the chair's armrest, eyes blazing. "Are you sure it was Fukaboshi and his men?"
The subordinate lowered his head, trembling. "Yes, sir. I saw them heading to Ryugu Castle together."
"Impossible!" Hody growled. His plan had been meticulous. Lott arriving at Fish-Man Island was tolerable—he expected a simple passage—but Neptune's invitation to Ryugu Castle completely disrupted everything.
"Foolish Neptune… has he forgotten Fisher Tiger's fate? Humans invited into the palace…" Hody clenched his fists. His hatred for humans, compounded by old injustices and the deaths of fellow Fish-Men, surged violently.
Although Hody himself had never been persecuted directly, the cumulative hatred he witnessed against humans fueled his fury. Seeing his homeland threatened by Rolan and his crew intensified his desire for vengeance.
"Prepare the plan. We move immediately!" he ordered.
____
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