One month later, the Oro Jackson arrived at Sabaody Archipelago.
After coating the ship on the island, the vessel began its slow descent into the depths.
In the deep sea, everything was pitch black, with only occasional deep-sea fish emitting faint glimmers of light.
Roger stood at the bow, gazing into the darkness ahead, lost in thought.
Just then—
A voice abruptly echoed in his mind:
"Our king... is about to be born."
Roger spun around sharply:
"Rayleigh! Did you hear that?!"
Rayleigh, who had been leaning against the railing drinking, looked up in confusion:
"Hear what?"
"There was a voice! It sounded in my head!"
Gaban laughed nearby: "Roger, are you having tinnitus? It's so quiet down here you can't even hear fish, where would a voice come from?"
Roger frowned.
No, he had definitely heard it.
"Let's not talk about that now." Rayleigh pointed ahead, "We've reached Fish-Man Island."
Everyone looked up.
In the distant depths, a massive sphere of light was slowly expanding.
At the center of the light was an enormous bubble, inside which stood a brightly lit island—
Fish-Man Island.
Shanks and Buggy immediately rushed to the railing, eyes wide.
"Wow—so beautiful!"
"Is that Fish-Man Island?!"
As the Oro Jackson approached the entrance, King Neptune emerged with a group of fish-man soldiers.
Just one day earlier, Raiver had called Neptune, instructing him that if the Roger Pirates came to Fish-Man Island wanting to visit the two stones in the Sea Forest, he should take them there.
Raiver was Fish-Man Island's great benefactor, so Neptune naturally followed his orders without question.
Roger grinned: "Neptune, long time no see!"
Many years ago, the Roger Pirates had visited Fish-Man Island.
At that time, Neptune was still the crown prince, and the two had met briefly.
"What brings you here?" Neptune asked, though without hostility in his tone.
Roger scratched his head, smiling somewhat sheepishly:
"Well... we heard there are Poneglyphs in the Sea Forest of Fish-Man Island. Could we go see them?"
He quickly pulled Dr. Clover forward:
"Don't misunderstand! We brought an archaeologist with us this time! This is Dr. Clover, the director of the Library of the Tree of Omniscience from Ohara in the West Sea!"
Dr. Clover also stepped forward, speaking earnestly:
"King Neptune, pardon our intrusion. We have followed the guidance of history to Fish-Man Island.
We've heard there are Poneglyphs in the Sea Forest. May we visit them? We would be most grateful."
Hearing this, Neptune nodded.
"Then follow me."
All members of the Roger Pirates were stunned.
So straightforward?!
They had expected to need lengthy persuasion, or even have to pay some price, to gain permission to enter the Sea Forest.
After all, the Poneglyphs were important cultural artifacts to Fish-Man Island.
They never expected Neptune to agree so readily.
"What are you standing around for?" Neptune turned, "Follow me."
Everyone quickly followed.
The group made their way through the streets of Fish-Man Island, heading toward the Sea Forest.
As the group passed through the central square, they naturally saw a massive gate standing at its center.
The gate was square-shaped, a hundred meters tall and a hundred meters wide, its frame composed of flowing silver light.
Even more eye-catching was the flagpole erected beside the gate, from which a flag embroidered with a black dragon fluttered in the air.
That was the Black Dragon Flag of the Fengtian Empire.
Some fish-men were coming and going, some carrying luggage, others hauling goods.
They passed through the gate, their figures disappearing into the chaos within.
A moment later, new fish-men emerged from inside the gate, wearing satisfied smiles on their faces.
Roger asked curiously, "What is that…"
Neptune stopped and turned to explain:
"That is the Space Gate built by His Majesty Raiver for Fish-Man Island."
His tone carried genuine gratitude:
"His Majesty Raiver, in his benevolence, allocated an island to Fish-Man Island, allowing willing fish-men to migrate and live on land.
Now, more than half of the fish-men live under the true sunlight."
"In exchange, Fish-Man Island became a vassal state of the Fengtian Empire, under the empire's protection."
Buggy's snot instantly dripped down:
"So… we've already entered the territory of the world's strongest man?!"
Shanks laughed beside him, patting his shoulder:
"Buggy, why are you still so cowardly!"
But Roger burst into hearty laughter:
"This is a good thing! With Fish-Man Island under the protection of the New World's overlord, there will never be incidents of mermaids being kidnapped by pirates or slave traders again!"
Neptune nodded:
"Indeed. Ever since Fish-Man Island joined the Fengtian Empire, the empire has stationed a military force on the island.
Any pirates who cause trouble on Fish-Man Island are immediately eliminated on the spot."
"And His Majesty Raiver also allowed us to levy an entry tax on pirates entering the island.
Those who don't pay are directly turned away.
This has additionally provided Fish-Man Island with an extra source of income."
Pirates have to pay an entry tax?
And a consumption tax on spending?
The members of the Roger Pirates exchanged glances.
Rayleigh stood to the side, gazing at the fluttering Black Dragon Flag, and couldn't help but sigh:
"That kid from the Rocks Pirates back then has now grown into a Sea Emperor dominating the New World."
Recalling the past, Roger couldn't help but smile as well.
...
Sea Forest.
"Just ahead is the Poneglyph," Neptune said, leading the way and pointing toward the depths of the forest.
The group quickened their pace.
Passing through a dense thicket of seaweed, their view suddenly opened up.
Two massive stone tablets stood in a clearing, surrounded by glowing corals that illuminated the tablets with a solemn and dignified aura.
The tablet on the left was entirely red—this was the Road Poneglyph.
The tablet on the right was the ordinary bluish-black color, also covered in ancient script, but this was the Apology Text written by Joy Boy to the Mermaid Princess.
"This is it!"
Dr. Clover hurried forward, carefully reading the text on the red tablet.
His lips moved slightly, as if silently translating.
A moment later, he looked up, his eyes filled with excitement:
"Captain Roger, this is the Road Poneglyph! The content recorded on it… points to a location!"
"What location?" Roger asked urgently.
Dr. Clover shook his head:
"We need to combine the information from all four tablets to determine the exact location.
But I've already memorized the information on this tablet."
Roger nodded, shifting his gaze to the stone tablet on the right.
"What about this one? What does it say?"
Dr. Clover walked over and began deciphering the text, reading it aloud for everyone.