"The battle in the plaza seems to have co to an end," said rry, who was perched on iser's shoulder, looking down at the plaza below. "Is it because Hody was defeated?"
"Most likely," iser nodded. "When it cos down to it, those guys were just a disorganized rabble. Without Hody, they're nothing."
It was only natural for them to give up resistance imdiately.
rry nodded at his words, then turned to look at Luffy. "Luffy, are you alright now?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
Luffy, who was inspecting his own shoulder, grinned and laughed. "iser already healed ."
He felt like there was absolutely nothing wrong with his body now.
"Even though Luffy lost a lot of blood, his constitution is on a monstrous level, so the impact wasn't that great," iser said. "Once we're back on the ship, just have Sanji make plenty of at."
With Luffy's physical resilience, that bit of blood loss wasn't an issue; eating at would completely replenish him!
"at..."
At the re ntion of the word, Luffy's mouth began to water. He added, "Speaking of which, I haven't tried the Sea Beast at around here yet."
He wondered how it tasted.
"We'll just go buy so in a bit."
"Oh!"
Hearing that iser was willing to buy him at, Luffy's smile grew even wider.
iser chuckled at the sight, then turned his gaze toward Shirahoshi, who was holding them in her hands. "Shirahoshi, from now on, you don't need to live inside the Hard Shell Tower anymore."
Without the threat of Vander Decken, Shirahoshi was free to live under the sun.
Shirahoshi, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to reality. She asked hesitantly, "I... Can I really?"
Having lived in the Hard Shell Tower for ten years, she had long since grown accustod to that life.
To suddenly be told she could go outside...
As if seeing through her thoughts, iser said, "It's fine, take it slow."
"If you don't like being out, you can always stay there."
iser understood Shirahoshi's feelings. People who stay shut indoors for a long ti often find it difficult to adjust to life outside, so... taking it slow was best.
Once the girl got used to it, she would return to normal.
"Yes!"
"I will work hard!"
Seeing Shirahoshi's extrely serious expression, iser said sowhat helplessly, "There's no need for that. Just do what you like."
She was acting like she'd been given so monuntal task... really, there was no need.
This ti Shirahoshi didn't say anything more; she simply nodded to show she understood.
"Hey!"
Seeing the three standing in Shirahoshi's hands, Usopp laughed and shouted, "You guys are back!"
Hearing Usopp's call, the others finally noticed Shirahoshi approaching.
"Yeah, we're back."
iser jumped down from Shirahoshi's hand and looked at Usopp with a smile. "How are things on your end?"
"No problem at all!" Usopp gave a thumb's up. "With here, what could possibly go wrong?"
"Is that so? Then you're really reliable."
"Hahahahaha."
"Ah~"
Sanji swiveled his body and approached Shirahoshi. "Beautiful Shirahoshi-chan, I'm so glad you're safe~"
"I... I appreciate your concern..."
Shirahoshi looked at Sanji with a bit of fear. Why was this person still like this?
"Hmph, pathetic cook."
"What did you say?!"
Hearing Zoro's words, Sanji's temper flared again.
Then, the two n began butting heads like children, neither willing to back down.
Nami sighed at the sight. These two...
"Chopper, what's wrong with you?"
rry flew worriedly to Chopper's side. "Why do you look so drained? Are you injured?"
As she spoke, rry carefully examined Chopper's body, looking for any signs of bleeding, but she found none.
Could it be internal injuries?
Luffy and iser also looked at Chopper with concern after hearing rry's words. The little guy did look a bit off.
"I'm fine," Chopper said. "I'm just a bit exhausted."
"So you're not hurt."
"That's good."
Relieved that Chopper wasn't injured, the three of them breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, Luffy looked around and asked, "By the way, where's Jimbei?"
"Why don't I see him?"
Under normal circumstances, shouldn't Jimbei be with his comrades? Why was he gone?
"Jimbei said he was going to stop those guys."
Brook pointed toward the exit of the plaza. "So I suspect he should be over there."
"Over there, huh..."
Watching Luffy stare off, Chopper tilted his head curiously. "Luffy, do you have sothing to discuss with Jimbei?"
"Of course!"
Luffy grinned. "I want him to be my crewmate!"
As soon as he said this, the mbers of the Straw Hat Pirates were startled.
They really hadn't expected Luffy to suddenly co out with that.
Luffy, taking in everyone's reactions, smiled. "Everyone, is that okay?"
"Of course it's okay," iser said with a smirk. "Jimbei is a very reliable guy."
They had gone through the Summit War together two years ago, so they naturally knew what kind of person he was.
Therefore... iser absolutely supported Luffy's invitation for Jimbei to join the Straw Hat Crew!
"Jimbei is a good man," Zoro said with a smile, stepping away from Sanji. "I have no objections."
"Even though he stole so of the spotlight, I have to admit Jimbei is truly honorable." Sanji lit a cigarette and said with a smile, "So, I have no objections either."
" neither."
"Count in."
The others also expressed their agreent; clearly, they all supported Luffy's decision.
"Then it's decided!" Luffy grinned.
"Does that an Jimbei can join us?!" Chopper said expectantly.
He really wanted to go on adventures with this very honorable Fish-man big brother.
"That will depend on Jimbei's own thoughts," iser said.
However, iser felt there was a high probability the other party would be willing to join the Straw Hat Crew. After all... the relationship between both sides was excellent!
"Then let's go find Jimbei!" Luffy said.
"Yeah!"
"Seeing them return safe and sound, I can finally rest easy," King Neptune said with a sigh of relief.
"King Neptune, how exactly are you going to deal with us?"
The pirates below looked up at Neptune on his high perch. "Please, give us a straight answer."
"Exactly!"
If they were to be killed, he should just say so, so they could take the chance to resist.
Hearing the shouts of the pirates below, Prince Fukaboshi also turned his gaze toward his father.
"Father, how do you plan to handle these people?"
Neptune didn't answer imdiately; instead, he closed his eyes in contemplation.
After a mont, he spoke, "I have decided... to release these human pirates!"
Fukaboshi was stunned for a mont, then, as if understanding sothing, he smiled. "I understand."
These humans were also victims, so releasing them wasn't an issue.
Moreover, doing so would garner their gratitude, which would help realize Queen Otohi's dream!
He fully supported his father's decision!
Seeing that his eldest son understood his intentions, a gratified smile appeared on Neptune's face. He then led the group back down to the ground.
"Unlock the shackles on these human pirates," Neptune said to the Fishman Soldiers standing nearby. "Set them free."
"Yes!"
Receiving the order, the Neptune Army imdiately turned and grabbed keys, unlocking the shackles of one slave after another.
"Eh?"
"When were these pirates bound by wood released?" Looking at the pirates who were no longer tightly bound by tree branches, the Fishman Soldiers imdiately showed surprised expressions.
They hadn't heard any strange or loud noises.
"Maybe that Lord did it," one Fishman Soldier said.
He glanced at iser on the Thousand Sunny, his eyes filled with awe.
"Never mind that, let's get everyone out first!"
"Right!"
The others nodded and began to systematically get the human pirates out, opening their chains.
Soon, all the slaves in the plaza were released.
"Great!"
"We're finally free!"
Looking at the chains falling to the ground, these pirates were so moved they were moved to tears.
The days of potentially dying at any mont... were finally over!
"Damn, I thought I'd be a slave for the rest of my life," one pirate said while crying. "This is wonderful!"
"Thank you, Straw Hat Crew!"
"Finally, I can go to the New World! This ti, I'm going to beco the Pirate King!" one man shouted.
As soon as he said this, everyone else imdiately looked at him with increasingly bizarre expressions.
The man: "..."
"Don't... don't look at like that, you guys," the man said awkwardly. "I should be successful."
Hearing his words, the others were speechless.
Who uses the word "should" when talking about their dreams?
"Damn it, whatever! Let's just head to the New World first!"
"Yeah!!"
Soon, the cheering pirates left the plaza, clearly intending to find their pirate ships and leave.
This ti, Jimbei didn't stop them, simply watching them depart calmly.
"The humans are saved..."
"What about us?"
Watching the pirates leave without a backward glance, the mbers of the New Fish-Man Pirates imdiately showed looks of envy.
What was going to happen to them?
Surely they weren't going to be executed!
At this thought, they looked at Neptune with fearful eyes.
"Now it's your turn, remnants of the New Fish-Man Pirates..."
Hearing Neptune's words, cold sweat imdiately broke out on the faces of these Fish-n.
"Please spare us, King Neptune..."
"I don't want to die!"
"Your Majesty King Neptune, we had no idea that Queen Otohi was killed by Hody. If we had known, we never would have followed them here."
"Exactly! Those guys were just lunatics!"
"It's all their fault!"
"Forgive us, we know we were wrong..."
"Hmm?"
"Eek!"
Glanced at by the frowning Neptune, the Fish-n imdiately trembled, fearing he would say sothing like "execute them all."
"I am going to have you all..."
Gulp.
Hearing Neptune intentionally draw out his words, the Fish-n subconsciously swallowed, their expressions tense.
But before they could beg for rcy again, they heard Neptune say, "...all stay and live on Fish-Man Island proper!"
"Eh?"
"Ehh?!!"
Hearing Neptune's words, all the Fish-n looked dumbfounded.
The King not only wasn't killing them but was letting them live on the main island?
Was this King really such a good person?
"You... you an you want us to live under your rule of law?"
"Yes," Neptune said plainly.
"This..."
The Fish-n below looked at each other, for a mont not knowing what to say.
"I don't mind," one Fish-man said, swallowing. "At least it's better than Hody's rule."
"True..."
Hody would kill people at the drop of a hat; it was too terrifying!
In comparison, King Neptune was much better.
"In that case, does it an we can also live under the sun?" an eel Fish-man said excitedly.
What was the purpose of him following Hody here?
Wasn't it just to be able to live on the prosperous Fish-Man Island?
Now that he had such an opportunity... how could he miss it?
"I'm willing, Your Majesty!"
"That's right, too!"
As the eel Fish-man's voice spread, the Fish-n from the Fish-Man District also began to voice their responses.
To them, this was already an excellent outco.
"Wait a mont, King Neptune!" A Fish-man standing on a high place nearby said excitedly, "Please forgive us, but we cannot accept this!"
"If these guys are wandering around town, we'll be too scared to let our children go outside!"
"Exactly!"
These guys were all a bunch of idle, violent thugs. If they were allowed to roam freely in the town...
Their lives would be unbearable!
Thump!
Neptune struck his trident on the ground and said in a heavy voice, "I understand your concerns."
"However, rest assured, what you fear will not happen."
"Because I will incorporate these individuals into my army to perform labor and serve!"
"I will assign them appropriate work and let them use their strengths," Neptune said. "This way, they will not only settle down but also beco part of the force building Fish-Man Island!"
A full seventy thousand able-bodied individuals... even if so had died in this war, a significant number would remain.
Therefore... he would absolutely not let these guys out of his control.
At least until they changed for the better, he would not allow them to leave Fish-Man Island!
"This..."
The Fish-n on the high ground looked at each other, their expressions hesitant.
But since their King had said so, they couldn't say much more.
At this thought, those Fish-n said, "Fine, then we will trust you."
"Good."
Neptune nodded, then looked down at the Fish-n below once more. "As for the Fish-Man District, which is outside our jurisdiction... from this day forward, it is completely sealed off!"
"King Neptune, my child is still in the Fish-Man District, you can't—"
"I know your concerns," Neptune raised his hand to interrupt. "That is why I will bring the remaining won and children from there to Fish-Man Island."
"You... are all my subjects!"
As soon as he said this, the Fish-n below were stunned.
Then, so people directly burst into tears.
"Waaah... so King Neptune is actually such a good person..."
"Damn it, what was I doing before?"
"I'm sorry... King, I'm sorry!"
"Your Majesty, we are willing to accept your orders and work hard!"
"Yeah!!"
Taking in the reactions of the Fish-n below, Neptune nodded and said, "Good, I believe in you."
"And... I look forward to the day you change for the better!"
"Yeah!!"
This ti, the response echoed through the entire plaza!
Seeing this, Neptune smiled with gratification.
It seed... his choice was not wrong.
Then, Neptune looked up toward where the Straw Hat Pirates had been and said, "Alright, next..."
Before Neptune could finish his sentence, he realized the Straw Hat Pirates' ship was gone.
This discovery left him frozen on the spot.
Then, Neptune asked in confusion, "Where did the Straw Hats go?"
He rembered them being right there just a mont ago.
"Well..."
Hearing this, a look of embarrassnt appeared on Fukaboshi's face. "They seed to have run away just now..."
"What?"
"Why?"
Neptune was dumbfounded, unable to comprehend why they would flee.
They were the heroes who had saved Fish-Man Island!
"I don't know about that," Fukaboshi said, shaking his head helplessly. "But I see Shirahoshi has followed them; we should be able to find out what happened."
To be honest, he couldn't figure it out either.
"Those guys surely don't think I'm going to do sothing foolish again, do they?" Neptune said with a bit of a headache.
What happened before was just a misunderstanding; he wasn't a senile old fool!
"Though I don't know what happened, I think it would be better if you sent soone to invite them, Father," Prince Manboshi said. "Otherwise, they might not co to the banquet you prepared."
Hearing Manboshi's words, Neptune was silent for a mont, then said with a headache, "Honestly, not even giving this old man a chance to apologize..."
"Left Minister, send soone with a Den Den Mushi to chase them. Whatever you do, don't let them get away."
He at least had to fulfill his duty as a host!
"Yes!"
Receiving the order, the Left Minister nodded and turned to walk away, clearly intending to send soone to contact the Straw Hat Crew.
anwhile, Fukaboshi watched his father with sweat on his brow.
"Don't let them get away..."
That phrasing makes it very easy for people to misunderstand, Father!
Sigh.
...
"Everyone!" Shirahoshi, leaning over the side of the Sunny, looked at everyone on the deck with teary eyes. "Why are you leaving here in such a hurry?"
"Don't say such silly things," Zoro said, glancing at Shirahoshi. "We just had a big fight. If we stay any longer, we'll be treated like heroes!"
"Just thinking about that gives the creeps, so forget it."
He had no interest in becoming a hero, so he definitely wasn't staying!
Shirahoshi: "?"
Hearing Zoro's words, several question marks practically appeared over Shirahoshi's head; she clearly couldn't understand Zoro's reasoning.
"Isn't being a hero a good thing?" Shirahoshi asked in confusion.
Why were Lord iser, Lord Luffy, and Mr. Three-Sword Style all so resistant to being heroes?
She really didn't get it.
"Do you even understand what a hero is?" Zoro explained solemnly. "A hero is the kind of person who shares his sake with everyone else!"
"But I want to drink it all myself, so I don't want to be a hero!"
Nami: "..."
"Seriously, what kind of ridiculous logic is that!" Nami said, speechless.
Luffy didn't want to be a hero because he wanted to eat all the at.
Zoro didn't want to because he didn't want to share his sake...
These two guys were just too much!
"Can't be helped. Who told him to be such a drunkard?" Perona said sowhat helplessly.
Having been unable to drink for two years during his training, he was extrely craving the stuff, so not wanting to share was actually quite normal.
Nami: "..."
Seriously, when did anyone ever say they were going to steal the at and sake from their hands, you idiots!
"So, why were you all in such a hurry to get this old man on the ship too?" Jimbei looked at Luffy in confusion.
They hadn't even given him ti to say goodbye to King Neptune before dragging him away...
"Of course, there's sothing important," Luffy grinned. "Jimbei!"
"Beco my crewmate!"
The mont those words were spoken, the Thousand Sunny fell silent.
Then, everyone looked at Jimbei with smiles, waiting for his answer.
Taking in everyone's reactions, Jimbei was silent for a mont, then shook his head. "I can't."
"Why, Jimbei!"
Luffy grabbed Jimbei's clothes excitedly. "Co adventure with us!"
"It's really fun!"
"That's right, Jimbei."
iser also spoke up. "Co out to sea with us."
He was very much looking forward to this honorable big brother adventuring with them.
"Exactly, Boss Jimbei, let's go together!" Chopper said excitedly. "Having a forr mber of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea would be so reassuring!"
"Yeah!"
"I said, I can't," Jimbei shook his head. "At least not right now."
"But why?"
Luffy looked at Jimbei with confusion, completely unable to understand why he would say such a thing.
"Because I am not free at the mont."
Hearing Jimbei's words, iser seed to understand sothing and said, "Is it because of... BIG MOM?"
"So you've already figured it out," Jimbei remarked with a sigh. "As expected of iser."
His observational skills were truly impressive.
Then, Jimbei nodded and continued, "That's right, it's because of BIG MOM!"
"After Pops Whitebeard passed away, Fish-Man Island was once again invaded by pirates."
"To prevent Fish-Man Island from suffering persecution, we had no choice but to seek BIG MOM's protection."
"And one of the costs of that protection was... our Fish-Man Pirates had to join BIG MOM's crew."
This was also the main reason BIG MOM was willing to lend them her flag.
"So there was that condition too," Usopp said, frowning.
He had previously thought the only requirent was offering tribute in sweets, but there was also the condition of having Jimbei, a forr Royal Seven Warlord of the Sea, join her crew...
Wasn't that a bit excessive?
"BIG MOM..." Luffy muttered with a frown. "One of the Four Emperors, right?"
If he rembered correctly, that person was one of the Four Emperors of the New World.
iser, on the other hand, showed a sowhat complicated expression, as he thought of the girl nad Galette.
He wondered how she was doing now.
"That's exactly it," Jimbei nodded. "Right now, I've only left that place, but I still belong there, so I can't agree to your invitation."
After saying this, Jimbei paused, then continued with a serious expression, "When I've fulfilled my obligations and regained my freedom... I will co find you all again."
"If at that ti you still feel the sa way as you do now... please invite once more to join the Straw Hat Pirates!"
To be honest, he genuinely liked this crew.
But unfortunately... he wasn't free at the mont, so he could only apologize for now.
After hearing Jimbei's words, Luffy fell silent for a mont, then looked at him earnestly and said, "Then you must co!"
"Jimbei!"
This ti, Jimbei didn't answer, because he didn't know whether he could survive facing BIG MOM and leave her presence alive.
After all... she was one of the Four Emperors!
As if sensing Jimbei's concerns, Sanji, with a cigarette in his mouth, spoke up, "Hey, Luffy, since Jimbei has brought up his sense of duty, don't push him."
"Let him give us his answer later."
"Then, Boss Jimbei, you must give us your answer in the future!" Chopper said with a laugh.
"That's right!"
Little rry also waved her small hands, clearly looking forward to Jimbei joining them in the future.
"It seems everyone really likes you," Nico Robin said with a smile.
"Well, he's the man Luffy chose, after all, hahaha~"
After laughing heartily, Franky looked seriously at Jimbei and said, "We'll all be waiting for you, Jimbei!"
"Yeah... I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize." iser, with his arms crossed, said, "We understand your predicant, so... just proceed at your own pace."
BIG·MOM is, after all, one of the Four Emperors of the New World. It's only natural for Jimbei to have concerns, so... let's take it slow.
"Alright."
"So, what do we do next?" Zoro said. "Do we just head straight to the New World?"
"Definitely not," Perona shook her head. "Didn't the Left Minister say that the Log Pose Nami has can't be used for navigating the New World? So we need to find a new Log Pose first."
At least until they get a new Log Pose, they can't leave Fish-Man Island.
"That's true," Nami nodded, then turned to Jimbei. "Jimbei, do you know about this?"
"Yes, this problem is easy to solve," Jimbei said. "We just need to buy a new Log Pose on the island."
This item is essential for going to the New World, so Fish-Man Island isn't lacking in it. As long as you have money, you can buy one.
"That's good," Nami sighed in relief.
As long as it's not hard to get.
"Then let's go buy so supplies and a Log Pose first, and have Franky take the ship for Coating," Luffy said. "After that... we'll head to the New World!"
"Yeah!"
Hearing Luffy's words, everyone imdiately grinned.
The New World... I wonder what it's like.
Will it be filled with pirates with powerful Haki everywhere?
Or will it be full of all sorts of strange and bizarre islands?
I'm so looking forward to it... I really am!
"Is everyone leaving so soon?" Shirahoshi said tearfully, looking at everyone. "I still wanted to properly thank you all."
"And... I wanted to have a good chat with everyone."
"And also... I'm really going to miss you all..."
Seeing Shirahoshi start crying again, iser said helplessly, "Why are you still such a crybaby..."
"I'm sorry, Lord iser..."
Hearing this, iser shook his head helplessly. It seems changing this habit won't be easy for Shirahoshi.
"In that case..." Sanji said excitedly, "How about we stay at the rmaid Cafe for a week?"
"Soone said they wanted to invite us there before!"
"That's right!"
Brook, who was drinking black tea, also got excited upon hearing this. "I rember that!"
At that mont, Brook began to miss the pretty ladies at the rmaid Cafe.
Even though there were no panties to see... pretty girls are still a sight to behold! Yohohohoho!
"You two, that's enough," Nami said, annoyed.
How could they possibly stay on Fish-Man Island for a week for such a reason?
Don't forget, they've been looking forward to going to the New World for two years!
"Yohohohoho!"
"So it looks like we can't go," Brook said.
anwhile, Sanji looked dejected. "We can't go..."
Damn, he really wanted to enjoy the embrace of the rmaid ladies!
Just then, a Fish-man soldier ca running up from behind.
"Hey, Straw Hat Pirates, please wait!!"
"What is it?"
Luffy turned his head in confusion and asked, "Who is that person?"
"He should be from the Neptune Army," Usopp said.
The other party was wearing the uniform of the Neptune Army, so he must indeed be from the Neptune Army.
"Neptune Army?" Luffy asked, puzzled. "What is he here for?"
"I don't know that."
Usopp shook his head—how would he know sothing like that?
"Everyone, please wait a mont..." The Fishman soldier who had caught up to the Thousand Sunny let out a sigh of relief and then said, "I finally caught up."
"What do you want?"
"His Majesty the King has sothing to say to all of you."
As he spoke, the Fishman soldier picked up the Den Den Mushi and continued, "Your Majesty King Neptune, I've caught up with them."
"Great..."
Neptune sighed in relief and said, "Everyone, why did you leave without saying goodbye?"
"I haven't even thanked you yet!"
"I don't want to be treated as a hero!" Luffy exclaid. "That would an having to share my at with others!"
Neptune: ?
What kind of strange reason is that?
After a mont of silence, Neptune said, "Well then, how about we hold a banquet?"
"Let's restart the banquet!"
"That way, you won't have to share your at with others."
As soon as these words were spoken, Luffy's mouth began to water.
"A banquet?"
"Will there be delicious Sea Beast at?"
"Of course!" Neptune said proudly. "The Sea Beast at at Ryugu Palace is incredibly delicious."
"Then I'll go!!" Luffy cheered happily. "I want to eat Sea Beast at!"
Watching Luffy's delighted expression, iser shook his head helplessly and said, "This guy is so easy to persuade."
Once he knew there was at to eat, he no longer cared about being a hero or not.
"Well, that's Luffy for you," Franky laughed.
"Yohohohoho!"
"If it's a banquet, there's no reason to refuse," Brook said with a chuckle. "Let's go and have a great feast!"
"Yeah!"
"I want to eat sothing delicious too!"
Little rry and Chopper both wore excited expressions, clearly looking forward to the upcoming banquet.
"Will there be alcohol?" Zoro asked.
"Of course!" Neptune said earnestly. "I'll bring out my best wine to treat you all... Zoro."
"You finally got my na right," Zoro first teased, then grinned. "Alright, let's go. I'll taste this so-called best wine of yours."
"Don't worry, you won't be disappointed," Neptune laughed.
As royalty, enjoying such things was only natural.
So... there would be plenty of good wine!
"rry!" Luffy waved his hand and declared. "Change course!"
"Let's pick up Hachi and the others first, then head to Ryugu Palace for the banquet!"
"Alright."
Upon hearing Luffy's words, rry wasted no ti and imdiately used her ability to turn the Pirate Ship around, flying back toward the direction of the Sea Forest.
"Let's go!"
"Yeah!!"
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