"What place?!" Otohime practically jumped up.
"My empire."
The great hall fell silent.
Otohime's eyes widened, Neptune nearly dropped his wine cup, and even Whitebeard cast a surprised glance.
"The Fengtian Empire," Raiver continued. "Currently possessing forty-seven islands, fifteen vassal states, with a total population nearing one hundred million."
He looked at Otohime:
"I can promise to designate an island for Fish-Man Island, allowing willing fish-men and merfolk to immigrate and live there."
Otohime's breathing quickened.
"Fish-Man Island can engage in trade and commerce with the Fengtian Empire. Fish-men can marry, have children, and live together with my people."
"The Fengtian Empire will dispatch a garrison to permanently reside on the island, protecting you from any slave-catching groups or pirate crew harassment."
"All you need is to become a vassal state of the Fengtian Empire, paying a certain amount of treasure and marine products as tribute to the empire each year."
"Additionally, I will select a group of elites from among the fish-men to form a Fish-man Fleet to enhance the empire's naval strength."
After hearing this, Otohime was completely stunned.
After a long moment, she finally found her voice:
"Lord Raiver... is... is this true? You are truly willing..."
"I never joke," Raiver said.
"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!" Otohime was so excited she became incoherent.
She knew there were far too many citizens on Fish-Man Island who yearned for the sunlight.
Every year, fish-men risked their lives swimming out of Fish-Man Island just to feel the warmth of sunlight on their skin.
If there was a safe island where they could freely enjoy the sunlight, its appeal to Fish-Man Island would be irresistible.
At this point, Neptune spoke up:
"Lord Raiver, your proposal is indeed very tempting.
But Fish-Man Island has a population of millions. To have them all immigrate to your island..."
He gave a bitter smile:
"That is probably not a simple matter."
Raiver smiled slightly:
"It's simple. I will just establish a Space Teleportation Gate between the Fengtian Empire and Fish-Man Island."
"A Space... Teleportation Gate?" Neptune and Otohime looked at each other, faces full of confusion.
"Gurararara!"
Whitebeard set down his wine bowl and explained with a laugh:
"This is Raiver's Devil Fruit Ability. He can create a special kind of gate—
passing through this gate allows one to instantly arrive at the location of another gate.
No matter how far apart, it's crossed in a single step."
As he spoke, he looked at Raiver, a hint of curiosity in his eyes:
"But speaking of which, Fish-Man Island is not exactly close to your Fengtian Empire.
Can this Space Gate transmit over such a distance?"
Raiver looked at Whitebeard: "Newgate, are you underestimating me?"
Whitebeard was taken aback, then burst into laughter:
"Gurararara! Good! Then let us witness it!"
Raiver turned to Neptune:
"King Neptune, please select a suitable location. I will set it up for you to see right now."
Neptune and Otohime exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with pleasant surprise.
"Excellent!"
Raiver was determined to make Fish-Man Island a vassal state for two reasons:
First, Fish-Man Island controls the critical passage for pirates heading to the New World, making its geographical position irreplaceable.
Second, he intended to gain control over the future Princess Shirahoshi—who is the legendary Ancient Weapon "Poseidon," possessing the supreme power to command all Sea Kings.
...
After the banquet concluded, everyone gathered at the central square outside Dragon Palace City.
Somehow, the news had spread, and the square was now crowded with fish-men and merfolk.
They watched the figures standing at the center of the square with curiosity, whispering among themselves.
"Lord Raiver," Neptune pointed to the empty space in the middle of the square, "Please construct it here."
Raiver gave a slight nod.
He raised his hands and gently traced through the air before him.
The next moment—
Space began to ripple.
A massive fissure slowly opened in the void.
On either side of the fissure, space folded and contracted, eventually forming an enormous gate.
The gate stood one hundred meters high and one hundred meters wide, a perfect square.
Its frame was composed of flowing spatial energy, shimmering with a silver glow.
Inside the gate lay only chaos, with nothing visible.
"This is..." Neptune murmured.
Raiver raised a hand and pointed.
The chaos within the gate began to dissipate, gradually revealing a clear scene—
A blue sky.
White clouds.
Golden sunlight.
And a lush, verdant island.
Deafening exclamations erupted across the square.
"The... the sky!"
"Sunlight! It's sunlight!"
"What is that place? Is that the surface?!"
Many fish-men trembled with excitement.
Having lived half their lives only hearing of sunlight in legends, they now saw it before their very eyes!
"Lord Raiver..." Neptune's voice also trembled, "That island is..."
"An island I prepared," Raiver explained. "It's densely vegetated and rich in resources.
At its center lies an inland sea, perfectly suited for fish-men to inhabit.
It hasn't been developed or built upon yet, so it's ideal for you to plan and design as you wish."
As he spoke, he turned his gaze to the crowd in the square:
"Anyone who wishes to take a look inside may do so."
Neptune took a deep breath, turned to face the densely packed fish-men in the square, and announced loudly:
"Everyone! The world beyond this gate is the new homeland that His Majesty Raiver has prepared for our Fish-Man Island!
There, you will find sunlight, fresh breezes, and fertile land!"
"From this day forward, Fish-Man Island will officially become a vassal state of the Fengtian Empire!
Those willing to immigrate may relocate there to live!
Those who are unwilling may remain on Fish-Man Island! This is not mandatory!"
"Now, anyone who wishes to tour the island may follow me inside!"
With that, he took Otohime's hand and stepped through the Space Gate first.
The royal guards followed closely behind.
In the square, the fish-men exchanged uncertain glances.
"The king has gone in..."
"Should we go in too?"
"Of course! If the king isn't afraid, why should we be?"
"But... what if there's some kind of trap over there..."
"A trap? That's the world's strongest man! If he wanted to harm us, would he go to all this trouble?"
"Exactly! I trust Lord Raiver!"
A group of young mermaids rushed in first—the same ones who had been swooning over Raiver at the port earlier.
With someone taking the lead, more and more people began pouring through the Space Gate.
On the other side of the Space Gate.
Sunlight poured down, spilling over the emerald-green grass.
It was a vast sea of flowers.
Countless flowers of every hue bloomed under the sunlight, swaying gently in the breeze.
The fragrance of blossoms mingled with the scent of earth, refreshing the heart and mind.
In the distance, rolling green mountains stretched across the horizon, with waterfalls cascading down their peaks.
Further still lay the azure sea, its waves softly lapping against the sandy shore.
"This... this is..."
The first mermaid to rush out stood frozen in place.
She knelt on the grass, extending her hands to feel the warmth of the sunlight on her skin.
"Sunlight... this is sunlight..."
Tears streamed from her eyes.
More and more people poured out.
Some lay flat on the grass, greedily inhaling the fragrance of the soil.
Others dashed toward the sea of flowers, rolling joyfully among the blossoms.
Still others rushed to the shoreline, feeling the sea breeze brush against their cheeks.
"It's wonderful! This place is incredible!"
"Is this the world above the surface? Is this what sunlight feels like?"
"I don't want to go back! I want to live here!"
Otohime stood amidst the sea of flowers, her vision blurred by tears as well.
She lifted her head, feeling the warmth of the sunlight on her face, and murmured:
"So... this is the world I've always longed for..."
Neptune walked to her side and gently wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Otohime, your wish... has come true."
Otohime leaned against his shoulder, weeping uncontrollably.
Raiver and Whitebeard stood not far away, watching the scene unfold.
"Gurararara..." Whitebeard said softly, "Raiver, boy, you've really pulled off something grand here."
Raiver did not reply.
He simply gazed at the fish-men running, laughing, and weeping under the sun, a flicker of complexity in his eyes that even he did not fully recognize.
After a moment, he spoke:
"This island has yet to be developed and built. As for how to proceed with the construction, I will not interfere.
Later, I will send a relevant representative. If you need any assistance, you can bring it up with them."
Neptune and Otohime approached, bowing deeply.
"Lord Raiver," Neptune's voice trembled with emotion, "We will forever remember the great kindness you have shown Fish-Man Island."
Otohime lifted her head, her eyes shining brighter than ever before:
"Lord Raiver, you have given Fish-Man Island a new home. This debt of gratitude will be remembered for generations to come."
Raiver gave a slight nod.
"Build it well."
He turned and walked toward the Space Gate.
Whitebeard followed behind him, patting Neptune on the shoulder as he passed by.
"Old friend, do your best. This place holds far more promise than Fish-Man Island ever did."
Neptune nodded firmly.
In the days that followed, the migration of Fish-Man Island proceeded with fervor and intensity.
Hundreds, even thousands, of fish-men passed through the Space Gate each day, arriving at this new land-based home, which they named "New Fish-Man Island."
They felled trees and built houses.
They cleared land and planted crops.
They constructed docks and crafted fishing boats.
Though the work was arduous, smiles graced every face.
Because here, there was sunlight.
Because here, there was hope.
After staying on Fish-Man Island for a day, Raiver parted ways with Whitebeard.
Whitebeard returned to the New World, while Raiver decided to visit Sabaody Archipelago.
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