Rolan rubbed his temples and glanced around to see everyone staring at him with expectant eyes.
He sighed lightly.
"Alright, I'll be back in a flash."
With that, he disappeared from the banquet hall.
Neptune's words of gratitude hung in the air as he stared blankly at the spot where Rolan had been sitting.
Rolan surged through the water at unimaginable speed, leaving a swirling vacuum in his wake.
He shot toward Vander Decken's location like a cannonball.
In the distance, a figure stood atop the massive ship, Noah, encased in a bubble.
"Target, hohoho, target, hohoho, Princess Shirahoshi, marry me quickly!"
Vander Decken yelled, brandishing an axe with a red rose printed on it.
His four legs danced unnaturally, and his long beard trembled with excitement.
"Oh, what are you doing?"
Rolan's calm voice rang out as he emerged before Vander Decken.
"Who… who are you?"
Vander Decken's pupils shrank, and he stumbled backward in fear.
Rubbing his eyes, he could hardly believe what he saw.
"You… you are Emperor Rolan?"
His heart tightened.
This Rolan was even more imposing than the legends suggested, his aura overwhelming.
Even standing still, he could barely muster resistance.
He truly lived up to his title as one of the Five Emperors.
Vander Decken's mind raced.
Had Neptune discovered their secret plan?
Was this Rolan here because of the invitation to Fish-Man Island?
Something felt off—Fish-Man Island belonged to Whitebeard's territory, and only his people should intervene.
Rolan's gaze swept over the four-legged Fish-Man before him.
Annoying, grotesque, and utterly pathetic—just as he remembered from the stories.
"I've been craving fish lately. Die for me,"
Rolan said bluntly, his tone devoid of any emotion.
Vander Decken froze.
He came all this way… just to kill me?
Desperate, he raised his hands.
"Lord Rolan, I don't know what I did… please, don't kill me!"
"You should know your mistake,"
Rolan replied, expressionless.
Vander Decken's memories flashed before him—stealing mermaid scales, peeking at widows bathing, throwing an axe at Princess Shirahoshi.
His mind snapped to the thought that Rolan, rumored to be a pervert, must surely know of Shirahoshi's beauty.
"Lo… Lord Rolan, I… I'll give you Princess Shirahoshi! Please, spare me!"
Rolan's expression darkened slightly.
Why does everyone assume I'm a pervert?
His presence alone was enough for those close to him to know he had his own rules.
Vander Decken's meaningless words only irritated him further.
"Even if that's true, die for me,"
Rolan said coldly.
In an instant, he appeared before Vander Decken, seizing him by the neck.
Electromagnetic Haki surged through his body, twisting Vander Decken until he became a dried husk.
Rolan casually tossed the dried Fish-Man under Noah, then vanished from the ship's gunwale.
---
Back at Ryugu Castle's banquet hall
"Lord Rolan just left like that? Will he be alright?"
Neptune's voice carried worry.
It wasn't disbelief in Rolan's strength—Fish-Men were naturally superior underwater—but concern for his safety persisted.
He glanced at Lina still devouring food, Nami forking morsels of fish, and the serene Robin.
None seemed concerned about their captain's peril.
"Is Lord Rolan really alright? Do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do~"
Ryuboshi paced anxiously near the table, while Fukaboshi, usually calm, wore a rare worried expression.
Prince Manboshi twirled nearby, far less concerned.
Robin chuckled softly.
"Nothing in this world should pose a real threat to Rolan. Don't worry—he'll return soon."
Neptune's worry deepened.
If anything happened to Rolan here, Fish-Man Island might face the wrath of his crew—a small island would be powerless against it.
---
Outside the Hard-Shell Tower
Rolan appeared, having swiftly dealt with Vander Decken.
He had initially intended to return directly to the banquet hall, but the opportunity to see Princess Shirahoshi proved irresistible.
He knew Neptune would protect her and might deny him even a glimpse, so he decided to visit her first.
If possible, he might even bring her to the banquet.
"This should be it,"
Rolan muttered, eyes scanning the dark, scarred outer wall.
Weapons lined the surface—axes, swords, knives, hammers—each a twisted masterpiece of Vander Decken's obsession.
He pressed a hand against the wall.
Electromagnetic Haki surged, and the black barrier flickered with faint lightning before melting away, forming a large opening.
Through the gap, a soft pink light spilled from within.
Without hesitation, Rolan stepped inside.
"Who… who are you?"
A soft, melodic voice echoed, stirring something in Rolan's heart like flowing water.
____
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