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A strange ripple suddenly shimmered in mid-air, followed by the opening of a phantom gate. This bizarre phenomenon immediately threw every Ryugu Kingdom guard in Gyoncorde Plaza into a state of high alert.
CLATTER—!
With a unified movement, the guards pivoted their spears, pointing them directly at the three figures stepping out of the gateway.
"It's you... Thunder Emperor!"
Jinbe's expression shifted instantly from grim solemnity to pure shock. He immediately dropped into a defensive stance, ready for the worst. Why had the Thunder Emperor appeared here, so far from his own territory? Was he here for a grudge? If a battle with such a being broke out, the entirety of Fish-Man Island might be wiped from the depths of the sea.
Cradling Queen Otohime, King Neptune looked up through his grief, forcing himself to remain composed despite the agony in his heart. "Thunder Emperor, state your purpose!"
This wasn't his first time meeting Arthur. He had watched the man's rise from a mere traveler passing through to the New World to the powerhouse who had just seized the title of "World's Strongest" from his old friend, Whitebeard. One could say Neptune had witnessed Arthur's climb to the summit step by step.
Though the Thunder Emperor's reputation was terrifying, Neptune—as the King of the Ryugu Kingdom and ruler of Fish-Man Island—would not bow easily.
..............
In the surrounding darkness of the deep sea, countless massive, red eyes were visible through the gloom, their presence creating an increasingly oppressive atmosphere. The gathered Sea Kings had almost completely encircled the island.
"Waaaaah..." Shirahoshi wailed, her voice hoarse from heartbreak.
"Lord Arthur... what are those?" Hancock sensed the shift in the environment and turned toward the massive bubble protecting the island.
Super-colossal Sea Kings were pressed against the bubble, their gargantuan presence casting a literal shadow over everyone's hearts. Their jagged teeth and maws, capable of swallowing whole islands, looked ready to devour Fish-Man Island in a single gulp.
"AAAAAAAHHHH!"
"RUN!!!"
The guards, finally seeing the scale of the Sea Kings, could no longer contain their terror. Fear spread like a contagion through their ranks, and Gyoncorde Plaza descended into deeper chaos.
"So many Sea Kings... all of them..." Shiryu muttered, his expression grim as he glanced at Shirahoshi. He bit down on his cigar and tightened his grip on the Seven-Star Sword. If the Sea Kings attacked, they would be at a severe disadvantage in the depths.
'Is Shirahoshi... the legend?' Neptune's eyes widened, and he swallowed hard. He looked at his daughter with disbelief. A legend had long persisted on Fish-Man Island: that in ancient times, a Mermaid Princess possessed the power to command the Sea Kings—a power destined to reappear one day. It seemed the power was awakening right now.
Does the Thunder Emperor know the legend? Is that why he arrived the moment she awakened?
..............
Arthur studied Shirahoshi as if she were a perfect piece of art. However, the crushing pressure surrounding the island was starting to grate on his nerves, making him feel as though he were trapped in a dark cage.
"GET LOST!!"
He turned and let out a thunderous roar. His domineering Conqueror's Haki erupted, sweeping into the deep sea like a localized hurricane. A mental shockwave, akin to the strike of a primal apex beast, washed over the dozens of Sea Kings.
GLUG—
Massive bubbles rose as the dozens of Sea Kings watching Shirahoshi were struck by pure terror. They turned and fled into the darkness without a backward glance. Only a few of the largest remained near the ark, Noah; they cast one final look at the awakening Shirahoshi before vanishing into the abyss.
"This level of Haki..." Jinbe stood as if facing a mortal enemy, cold sweat pouring down his face. If the Thunder Emperor truly sought vengeance, how could Fish-Man Island possibly respond? There was no room for resistance.
"Lord Arthur is too magnificent!!" Hancock's eyes turned into stars. She clutched her flushed face, completely lost in a romantic fantasy.
Exhausted by her grief and the strain of her awakening, Shirahoshi let out two final sobs before losing consciousness and fainting.
"The Poseidon... belongs to me from this day forward!" Arthur stated, walking toward the fallen princess step by step.
The guards surrounding Neptune and the others didn't dare block his path. They instinctively parted, forming a corridor for Arthur, Shiryu, and Hancock to pass. Seeing that the Thunder Emperor seemed to ignore him entirely, Neptune forced himself to regain some composure.
"Thunder Emperor... can we discuss this after I have handled Otohime's affairs? You and your companions may rest at the Palace for now."
"Oh? Discuss?" Arthur withdrew his gaze from the sleeping Shirahoshi and looked at Neptune. "You don't have the qualification to 'discuss' anything with me, fishman."
Even if Fish-Man Island was still technically under Whitebeard's protection, what did it matter? Everything on the high seas belonged to the strong. Might made right; there was no other logic. Arthur had harbored the desire to annex this island since his first visit, but he had lacked the infrastructure then. Now, with Shirahoshi's awakening, the time was ripe.
He could use his Float-Float powers to move the entire island to his territory, fulfilling the Fish-Men's dream of living on the surface while securing the Ancient Weapon for himself. As for the pirates who needed this as a waypoint? That wasn't his problem.
But first...
..............
"ROOM!!"
The translucent surgical field instantly enveloped Queen Otohime.
The people of this world possessed an incredible tenacity for life. She had been shot only ten minutes ago; she wasn't completely "dead" yet. As long as a single spark of life remained, Arthur could mend even the most grievous wounds.
ZIZZZZZZT!
Brilliant electricity sparked in his palm, forming a lightning scalpel. Before Neptune's horrified eyes, Arthur spatially severed Otohime's torso in two to reach the fatal bullet lodged in her chest.
"THUNDER EMPEROR, WHAT ARE YOU DOING??"
Neptune, seeing his wife literally cut in half, felt his mind fracture with rage. He lunged forward with suicidal desperation. No man could stand by while his wife's body was desecrated.
"Five Thousand Brick True Punch!!" Jinbe roared as he struck.
Even if they were outmatched, they wouldn't let themselves be bullied at their own doorstep without a fight. If they were to die, they would die with dignity.
"Insolent! How dare you move against Lord Arthur!" Hancock's face darkened in fury.
SHING— Shiryu didn't say a word. He simply let out a cold laugh and drew the Seven-Star Sword.
But before their attacks could land, Arthur reassembled Otohime's body with a flick of his wrist. The bullet hole in her chest vanished.
To everyone's utter shock, the Queen opened her eyes and blinked.
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