Finn had dismissed Rayleigh from his thoughts entirely. There was no strategic value in provoking the old pirate right now, so why bother?
He certainly never imagined that Rayleigh was currently hiding aboard his own ship. Specifically, crammed beneath Kuzan's bed.
Jinbe's inconspicuous vessel descended steadily through the depths toward Fish-Man Island. In one of the cabins, Finn reviewed a report while discussing business with the Warlord.
"This is exactly the approach you should take," Finn said with an approving smile, scanning the numbers. "Don't default to fighting and killing. Use your Warlord status as leverage. Lead Fish-Man Island toward a faster, better path."
Jinbe hadn't held the Warlord position long, but ever since Fisher Tiger's staged death, he'd become Fish-Man Island's most influential figure. The outspoken gang leader was gone, and Jinbe had filled the power vacuum completely.
There had been opposition initially. A fishman named Arlong, now imprisoned in Ryugu Palace's dungeons. Hody Jones, who'd wanted to sabotage Queen Otohime's reconciliation plans and even assassinate her, had been eliminated by Jinbe at Finn's suggestion.
Currently, no one on Fish-Man Island could compete with Jinbe's authority.
He wore the Warlord's coat like armor. His left hand held the Neptune royal family of Ryugu Palace, maintaining excellent relations with King Neptune and Queen Otohime. His right hand grasped the Marine connection, serving secretly as a Rear Admiral. Black, white, and gray, all three lanes under his control.
In this context, Jinbe had followed Finn's instructions and cooperated with the Amway Group to aggressively develop deep-sea trade. So far, progress had been remarkable.
"This is just the beginning," Jinbe said with a smile. "Once everything's properly established, the money will flow even faster."
He'd developed genuine business acumen over the past year.
For instance, he understood clearly that his current operation was unique in the world. A virtual monopoly.
After all, only one Fish-Man Island existed, capable of transporting deep-sea resources to the surface so conveniently.
In other words, the entire surface world was his market.
Over the next few years, his operation would only expand. The profits would only increase.
All of it would become a blood transfusion machine for both the Marines and Fish-Man Island.
In Jinbe's heart, Fish-Man Island's welfare remained paramount. But now, having joined the Warlords and become one of Finn's trusted circle, he knew many secrets that had been hidden from him before.
After all, if he was being asked to handle sensitive business operations, hiding the broader context would be impossible. Finn had no intention of keeping him in the dark.
So Jinbe understood vaguely that when the Marines developed to a certain threshold, they would separate from Mary Geoise. And that would be the critical moment.
He, Jinbe, along with Queen Otohime and even King Neptune, were all betting on Finn's Marines winning that confrontation. If Finn and his Marines could break from Mary Geoise and not just survive but thrive, suppress the World Government's retaliation... then Fish-Man Island would reap enormous dividends. Rise alongside them.
By then, Queen Otohime's dream of leading Fish-Man Island to the surface would no longer be an illusory fantasy, but an achievable future.
"It's up to you, Jinbe." Finn patted his shoulder warmly.
After they chatted for a while longer, Jinbe asked hesitantly, "Admiral, you're heading to the New World this time... to take action against the pirates there?"
"More or less," Finn confirmed with a nod. Then he looked at Jinbe directly. "What's wrong?"
"The Whitebeard Pirates?" Jinbe asked, worry evident in his voice.
He did have some friendship with Whitebeard's crew. Though that relationship had faded considerably over the years, Fish-Man Island remained indebted to Whitebeard.
Finn naturally knew all this. He smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, I won't put you in a difficult position. To be honest, we're on Whitebeard's side this time. We're mainly dealing with Charlotte Linlin and Kaido."
Jinbe's shoulders relaxed, and he smiled with relief.
But then Finn's expression turned serious, which immediately made Jinbe tense again.
"Admiral?" Jinbe looked at him awkwardly.
"Jinbe, there are some things I need to explain clearly." Finn's voice dropped to something grave. "You wear the Warlord's coat, but you must understand that you're a Rear Admiral of Marine Headquarters. Do you remember what I told you at the beginning?"
Jinbe nodded firmly. "I remember. My heart and my actions are as clear as a mirror, and everything I do is justice."
"Exactly. As long as you remember that." Finn leaned forward slightly. "You need to understand that we are Marines. We represent justice. No matter what relationship you have with Whitebeard, he's still a pirate. We may not intend to move against him this time, but what about the future? Sooner or later, we'll have to deal with him. What will you do then? Since ancient times, Marines and pirates, good and evil, cannot coexist."
Jinbe's expression grew distant, thoughtful.
He was a man of both ability and strength, but no one was perfect. He had flaws.
Specifically, he was too loyal. Too kind.
If it weren't for this sense of honor and righteousness, why would Finn have arranged Fisher Tiger's funeral? He could have simply let Borsalino kill him outright.
And now, Jinbe owed Whitebeard a favor. That debt of loyalty naturally became a stumbling block.
To avoid future problems, Finn needed to address this matter directly. He could arrange things for Fisher Tiger because, despite burning Mary Geoise, Tiger had ultimately been a small player. Just one man.
But Whitebeard? Could Finn arrange a staged death for Edward Newgate?
Even if it were possible, would a man of Newgate's pride accept such a thing?
Impossible. One day, they would meet on a narrow road and fight to the death. It was inevitable.
Of course, Jinbe's loyalty was a weakness, but for Finn, it was also a strength. It all depended on how you used it. So far, Finn had used it quite smoothly.
"What should I do..." Jinbe looked at Finn almost helplessly.
"While there's still room and time, take the next two years to repay Newgate's favor," Finn said gently. "That man doesn't hold debts hostage. If you repay him properly, he'll accept it. In time, he'll understand."
Jinbe was silent for a long moment. Then he nodded. "I understand, Admiral."
Finn felt relieved that Jinbe didn't refuse. As for how he would repay the debt and what he would return to Newgate, Finn had no intention of asking or knowing.
Half a day passed quickly. Finn chatted with Jinbe, answering questions, building their relationship through honest conversation.
Before long, the journey was complete.
Technically, this would be Finn's second visit to Fish-Man Island. He didn't come when there was nothing pressing to handle.
The last time, he'd stopped at Coral Hill before heading directly to Ryugu Castle.
This time, Finn had no intention of staying on Fish-Man Island at all.
Rayleigh seized the opportunity when Kuzan was called out of the cabin. He crawled out from beneath the bed, his joints protesting after hours of immobility.
Looking through the cabin window past the coating bubble, Fish-Man Island appeared before his eyes in all its bioluminescent glory.
He breathed a sigh of relief. No matter what else had happened, they'd arrived at Fish-Man Island.
There was no need to continue to the New World. Finn and his people weren't targeting Sabaody after all, so there was no reason for him to flee. He could simply find a chance to disembark here, then return to Sabaody Archipelago and continue his coating work. Simple!
"Coral Hill," Rayleigh murmured to himself, touching the cash Shakky had stuffed in his pocket before he'd left. "What a perfect place. Maybe I'll stay here for two days before heading back."
But before his pleasant fantasy could fully form, he noticed something alarming.
The ship had changed course. Coral Hill Port was getting farther and farther away.
By the time he truly registered what was happening, the ship had already entered the Sea Forest instead.
In an instant, Rayleigh understood.
"This isn't a ship stopping at Fish-Man Island!?" he said in panic, though he kept his voice low.
Sure enough, as he watched through the window, the Sea Forest receded into the distance. The ship soon passed through Fish-Man Island's massive coating bubble and entered the deep sea once more. After completing the passage, according to geography, they were already in the New World's waters.
Just as Rayleigh stood there in confusion, conversation echoed from the corridor outside. He didn't dare delay. Spinning around, he dove back under the bed.
Then Kuzan opened the door and walked in. Finn seemed to be with him.
"So there's no need for us to linger at Fish-Man Island," Finn said, settling onto the cabin's small sofa with a smile. "We'll visit Ryugu Castle next time. This trip, we head straight to the New World and handle business. Save as much time as possible."
Kuzan sighed with resignation. "Then why did you wake me up? I was sleeping soundly..."
"I'm telling you now so you don't wake up and find yourself already in the New World," Finn replied with amusement.
As long as you didn't stop anywhere in between, the entire journey from Sabaody Archipelago through Fish-Man Island to the New World was remarkably fast.
In just one day, the small vessel that had been anchored at Sabaody's port had now broken through the ocean's surface. With a sharp crack, the coating burst apart, and they officially entered the New World.
Rayleigh, still hiding beneath Kuzan's bed, felt completely numb inside.
On the sea at the predetermined meeting point, Finn spotted an armed merchant vessel flying the Amway Group's flag. Obviously, this was the ship Smoker had sent to collect them.
According to the original plan, Finn would board the Amway Group's vessel here, bid farewell to Jinbe, and proceed to meet with Smoker.
But the plan had shifted slightly. Jinbe intended to repay Whitebeard's favor, and now was an ideal opportunity. With Newgate's war about to begin, Jinbe's assistance could naturally be counted as settling the debt.
Therefore, Jinbe planned to come along and assess the situation. In that case, Finn and the others were too lazy to change ships. They simply had the Amway Group vessel lead the way while following behind.
Actually, this arrangement provided better camouflage. Many people knew that Jinbe and Smoker, two Warlords, conducted business together. Seeing these two ships traveling in tandem wouldn't raise suspicion or invite questions.
The only one who suffered was Rayleigh.
He'd thought that when the ship arrived at Fish-Man Island, he'd find an opportunity to sneak off, enjoy himself for a while, then return to Sabaody Archipelago to continue his coating work.
Instead, the ship had entered the New World directly.
Fine. 'I wanted to see the New World anyway,' Rayleigh consoled himself with such thoughts. He'd wait for Finn's ship to dock somewhere, then quickly find a chance to disembark.
But it turned out they had no intention of finding an island to land and rest. After a quick rendezvous at sea, they headed directly toward the New World's depths.
Rayleigh simply couldn't find a chance to leave the ship.
Just like that, he'd been inexplicably dragged into the deep New World.
Whenever he thought about this situation, tears threatened to well up in Rayleigh's eyes as he lay beneath the bed. He decided that when he got back, he'd write an autobiography about this experience.
He'd call it "Rayleigh's Fantastic Journey."