Hero Pirate Makes a Dazzling Entrance

"Why?"

"I'm going to the palace to beat up that Hody! I promised Little Oars Jr. I'd protect her!"

"Luffy, you should know about the terrible relationship between Fish-Man Island and humans, right?"

"If you rush over like that, not only will it be pointless, but it will also only make all the Fish-Man and mermaids think that this is just tyrannical humans showing off their power..."

"I don't care about them!"

"I just want to do what I want to do."

Faced with the giant Mermaid Princess Shirahoshi looking like she might cry at any moment, Luffy immediately turned to look at her pet: the shark Mekaro.

"Shark, take me to the palace!"

"Fish-Man Karate— "

?!

However, Jinbe, unable to dissuade Luffy, simply assumed a horse stance and threw a punch at him from afar:

"Sharkskin Full-Body Punch!"

Null!

It was a punch with absolutely no 'special effects,' like a beginner's training punch in a horse stance. But Luffy was suddenly sent flying backward through the air! And:

"Ouch, ouch, ouch~~"

Despite his subconscious use of overwhelming defensive Haki, Luffy still felt pain, even though his attacks should have been significantly less damaging than punches and kicks!

"Huh? He actually managed to hurt Luffy. Could it be 'Armament Haki'?"

Seeing Usopp's surprise, Roman shook his head and explained:

"That's not the case. The essence of Fish-Man Karate lies in controlling water. — By manipulating the water within the human body, one can also injure people 'from a distance'..."

It wasn't that the Straw Hat crew were heartless spectators; rather, Luffy and Jinbe didn't exude any killing intent whatsoever!

"The water content of biological cells is about 60 percent, and even Rubber Human are not immune to this."

Facing Jinbe's attack, Luffy, who had just gotten up Luffy, immediately and without flinching, entered Gear Second mode.

"Gum-Gum Stamp!"

With Inazuma speed, he kicked out, instantly piercing the air and sending out white shockwaves, but the experienced Jinbe blocked it with his arms crossed in a Jinbe.

Is this all the level of your cultivation is?

... Luffy wasn't serious at all, Roman, as an observer, immediately realized that.

Not to mention the 'Fourth Gear' which is their trump card, even the Haki enhancement skills of the Gear Second, such as the 'Eagle Gun' and the 'Gryphon Rocket', were useless.

"Get out of the way!!"

"No!!"

... What else is there to say? Let's keep clenching our fists and charging at each other!

Brush--

"Gentlemen, let's stop here."

Faced with these two guys who wouldn't fight back or back down, Roman simply used a 'Shave' to dodge between them, opening his arms to meet a punch with one hand!

"Get out of the way, Roman!"

"Please don't interfere—"

Snap!

Two fists, unable to retract their force in time, fell into Roman's palms. But at that moment, Roman's five fingers tightened and gripped the two fists, which then hurtled towards him!

"Watch out!" x2

Luffy and Jinbe instinctively!

Luffy, needless to say, met Roman the first person he encountered after setting sail, and they've weathered many storms together. Jinbe, on the other hand, knew Roman's true identity as Celestial Dragons, yet he betrayed his allegiance in Impel Down to rescue everyone, and then during the Marineford War, he took Luffy and Jinbe from Akainu's grasp...

Bang!

However, the two fists, carrying immense power and Haki, did not strike Roman. Instead, they grazed past Roman, who had suddenly turned into a 'paper', before slamming into their 'target':

Luffy's face, and Jinbe's face.

Thump,

As the two fell backward to the ground one after the other, Roman, now back to normal, clapped his hands.

"Luffy, this isn't something you can just rush in and knock the enemy away. —You must have seen the real relationship between humans and Fish-Man in Sabaody, right?"

Slaves, commodities...

"If we act rashly, it will only complicate the situation further and escalate into a larger riot."

"I don't care!"

Luffy sat up and rubbed his face. "I'm the one who brought Little Oars Jr. out to play. If Uncle Hairy Beard gets hurt because of this, I absolutely won't allow it!"

"But if you just rush over and beat everyone up, you'll only make things worse!"

Jinbe also sat up.

"The inhabitants here won't be grateful to you; instead, they'll fear 'humans' even more. Unless—"

The blue Whale Shark Fish-Man, with a serious expression, finally revealed his true purpose:

"This human is a 'hero'!"

"I don't want to—"

Luffy, who had stood up, rejected Jinbe's suggestion without hesitation.

"I admire heroes, but I don't want to be one!"

"If there's a piece of meat, a hero will share it with others, a pirate will use it to hold a feast, I want to eat meat!"

Therefore, Luffy is never stupid.

He was more clear-headed than anyone else about what the 'wonderful' title of hero truly meant.

Sharing meat with others is a hero's responsibility, and Luffy knows this is a noble act, but throwing a feast is something Luffy enjoys doing. In contrast, while Luffy might admire the greatness recognized by the world, he chooses the life he loves—free and unrestrained.

"What kind of bizarre analogy is that?!"

Nami was speechless. At a time like this, all you could think about was meat...

"That's very apt," Roman patted Nami on the shoulder. "Being a hero isn't easy. Heaven will take care of all the troubles in the world; only by living life to the fullest can one truly live a youthful life."

It's really incongruous for someone like you, a 'candidate Admiral,' to say that.

Facing Nami's questioning gaze, Roman silently shrugged.

"But it's perfectly acceptable for us to do something 'heroic' while pursuing our dreams. — As for what others say or think, what does it matter to us?"

······

"Understood,"

Experience is the best teacher, Jinbe understood Luffy was trying to say in an instant.

"Then, here's some meat for you. Just do as I say."

"Can!"

Luffy nodded: I know this well.

That's how the Straw Hat crew usually works, right? Roman does the thinking, Luffy does the action. —Now that Jinbe's the one giving the advice, Luffy doesn't seem to mind. Anyway:

We're all partners!

"So, Roman, what do you think?"

Having convinced Luffy, Jinbe turned to look at Roman. —Roman was the Straw Hat crew's strategist; strictly speaking, Jinbe had 'stole' Roman's job.

"I have no objection,"

Roman knew very well that Jinbe's plan was to 'shape' Luffy into a hero of Fish-Man Island.

Heroes certainly represent sacrifice and responsibility, but they also represent prestige and power!

The power of a nation.

Many experts in this world have probably realized that becoming the true 'King of the Pirates' is not as simple as just a few people running to Laugh Tale.

Strength, influence, connections, prestige... none of these can be lacking!

"Crack! Crack!"

"All of you, walk over the 'statues,' or I'll tear your flesh to pieces and eat you!"

Faced with the orders of Daruma, the smallest Cigar Damselfish Fish-Man of the 'New Fish-Man Pirates' and a helmet worn by an ancient Eastern warrior, the people of Fish-Man Island could only walk over the portrait on the ground with tears in their eyes.

Although Fish-Man are said to have ten times the strength of humans, just like the limit of human load-bearing capacity in Roman's previous life was three hundred kilograms, most ordinary people... would struggle to even lift thirty kilograms.

The entire Fish-Man Island has millions of inhabitants, the vast majority of whom are just 'strong' ordinary people. Faced with the assembled Fish-Man District thugs and executives, they can only silently trample on the portrait of the former Queen 'Otohime' on the ground.

Such scenes occurred at several key transportation points on Fish-Man Island, and also in the Dragon Palace where the royal family resided:

"That was so relaxing."

Among the fallen soldiers was Neptune, the king of Fish-Man Island!

"The man who was once known as the 'Great Knight of the Sea' was nothing but a weak old man."

Hody Jones mocked the losers on the ground.

"Your strength is as weak as your beliefs!"

"We Fish-Man are a naturally noble race, yet you bow and scrape before those ants who only have the advantage of numbers! You have utterly disgraced us Fish-Man!"

"Your strength..."

Lying on the ground, Neptune noticed that:

"Was that Energy Steroids you just ate?"

The Fierce Medicine E.S. was originally a secret treasure of the Dragon Palace royal family, but it was stolen... Now it seems the culprit is right before our eyes! But:

"This kind of Energy Steroids gains power by depleting the user's life force; you shouldn't rely on it—"

"Shut up!"

Click—

However, his words were abruptly interrupted by a kick, and the massive body, several meters tall, was sent flying backward! The entire palace shook violently, and King Neptune was left speechless amidst the ruins.

"Take this piece of trash with me, I'm going to 'judge' this coward in front of everyone!"

"Boss, what about Vander Decken IX...?"

Since they couldn't find the Mermaid Princess 'Shirahoshi' in the Dragon Palace, after joining forces to break through the palace, Vander Decken IX immediately activated his powers and led his men to chase after Shirahoshi.

"Ignore that guy. Give the order to broadcast throughout the entire island, saying:"

"An hour later,"

"I will behead 'former King' Neptune in Girkalud Square!"

"I will change this country! We Fish-Man are a noble race! Overthrowing the weak Neptune is only the first step. Next, we will show the humans on the surface the power and determination of us Fish-Man..."

The manic, chilling voice echoed throughout the island via broadcast, causing the executives of the 'New Fish-Man Pirates,' who had seized key positions on other Fish-Man Island, to grin with excitement.

"The show is about to begin!"

As everyone instinctively rushed towards the plaza, the huge plaza was quickly occupied by the 'New Fish-Man Pirates,' and from the perspective of the people atop the surrounding coral structures:

"Hahaha, today will be the day Fish-Man Island is reborn!"

Seated on the high platform, the white-haired Hody Jones exuded self-satisfaction. Behind him and below the platform:

The power of the Dragon Palace was on full display; King Neptune and his three princes were bound to steel frames. The ground was covered with soldiers of the Royal Army, serving as a 'carpet,' showcasing the power of the 'New Fish-Man Pirates' to everyone!

Although this power comes from 'drug use', power is power.

The winner lives, the loser dies!

"Next, all we need to do is—"

Brush,

Just as Hody Jones was talking to himself, it seemed as if even 'God' was on his side. A group of Fish-Man Pirates were escorting the giant shark 'Mekaro', Princess Shirahoshi, or...

"Boss Hody, we've captured Princess Shirahoshi and Jinbe using a trap!"

"What!?"

"Jinbe, the boss, has been captured..."

"It's over, it's over, Fish-Man Island is really finished this time..."

Amid the clamor of Fish-Man and mermaids around the square, Hody Jones was first shocked, then overjoyed!

In that instant, Hody Jones felt a sense of destiny upon him. The only people he truly feared on Fish-Man Island were Jinbe, one of the Shichibukai, and Shirahoshi, who could summon Sea King. That's why he launched a coup while Jinbe's Sun Pirates were away, and even allied with Vander Decken IX, who could locate Shirahoshi ...

Strictly speaking, his plan wasn't flawed, but who would have thought someone would take Princess Shirahoshi away ahead of time! However, now it seems:

"When the time is right, heaven and earth will lend their strength!"

The men they sent out not only captured Shirahoshi with a trap, but they also captured Jinbe at the same time! How could Hody Jones not become incredibly arrogant and overbearing?

Now that the outcome is already decided, let's make the victory even 'sweeter'! Hody Jones directly 'revealed' his past crimes.

"See? Fate is on my side! I've been preparing for this day for ten whole years!"

"Ten years ago, I also assassinated Queen Otohime of the Ryugu Palace Kingdom Fish-Man Island!"

!!!!!!!

"How could this be? Such a gentle empress..."

"Wasn't it said that humans were the ones who did it?"

"Have we always been...?"

Today's shocking news is coming one after another, almost turning the brains of the residents of Fish-Man Island into mush!

"Hahaha, no one can stop me now—"

Boom!

However, the next second, Hody Jones, who had just been laughing wildly, was sent flying backward without any resistance! He disappeared into the ruins after crashing through the tall building behind him.

"That's enough,"

A human wearing Straw Hat stood where he had just been standing.

"You made 'Little Oars Jr.' cry, don't expect me to let you off the hook!"

?!

"Tsk, Luffy too early..."

"Heh, do you really expect Luffy to follow the plan?" Several calm voices rang out from behind the platform, and the Straw Hat crew appeared out of thin air. At the same time, the king and the three princes were lowered from the steel frame.

"What's going on? Who are these people...?"

"Mr. Luffy, please help me!"

Seeing the Mermaid Princess Shirahoshi crying her eyes out, Luffy adjusted his Straw Hat.

"Certainly!"

······

Who is that?

"A human being..."

"It seems like he knows the princess and Boss Jinbe?"

"They must be helping us..."

Amidst the surrounding discussions among Fish-Man and mermaids, the Straw Hat crew rescued the king and three princes, allowing them to lead the wounded Royal Army away from the plaza.

"Is this 'the Celestial Dragons' letter'?"

As Roman sat atop a large box, looking at the letter of introduction signed 'Donquixote Muse Garuda Saint' and the numerous letters of intent inside, he was overwhelmed with emotion.

Otohime,

What a pity.

They possess a naturally wide-ranging Observation Haki, allowing them to sense others' thoughts and emotions, convey their own consciousness to others, influence their minds and thoughts, and create a strong resonance. They can even change others' values and ideologies.

It's basically a permanent version of Ms. Golden Week!

Of course, she lacks the compulsiveness and diversity of Ms. Golden Week's emotional appeal.

Despite her naturally weak constitution, Otohime possesses Observation Haki, a Conqueror's Haki's Haki. With just a little training, she could become a master of mind control! Yuri reincarnated! However:

Such a person, who should have become a 'strongman', spent his whole life working for his people, but was not understood or accepted. Finally, when he saw hope, he fell at the hands of his malicious compatriots.

—This is the end for a 'hero'!

That's why Luffy would:

Who are we?

The moment he appeared, he became the center of the entire plaza, standing among a group of people. Luffy crossed his arms and looked up.

"Think what you want!"