Ch. 221Self Below, All Beings Equal

Otohime abandoned her investigation into her kidnapping and confronted the Fish-Men blocking her and Ross at the Fish-Man District entrance. After forcing them to judge themselves, she learned that the bride selection was meant to find a wife for Saint Rosward, and Ross asked what she would do.

  • Otohime decided to leave the Fish-Man District, having found the answers she sought about Ross and the Fish-Men's motives.
  • Several hundred Fish-Men surrounded Otohime and Ross, but Otohime used her ability to make them lower their weapons and confess their guilt.
  • Otohime ordered the guilty Fish-Men to judge themselves, and they stabbed themselves before she collapsed into Ross's arms.
  • Otohime and Ross discussed her changed resolve and whether to wait for the bride selection or go to the Ryugu Kingdom.
  • Ross revealed that the bride selection was a scheme to choose a wife for Saint Rosward, and asked Otohime what she would do.

Ch. 222The Power of Rules

Lu Yuan and Xi Shuiyan tested how Celestial Domain spells affected real-world objects and living creatures. Their experiments confirmed that spells imposed HP values on living beings, leaving them to consider what it meant if reality continued becoming like the Celestial Domain.

  • Lu Yuan used Flame Blade on a mech, and Xi Shuiyan found that it suffered 100% damage despite still having wreckage and fire-resistant materials.
  • Xi Shuiyan asked Lu Yuan to test Arcane Missile on her arm, and they observed pain but no visible injury or confirmed lasting damage.
  • Lu Yuan and Xi Shuiyan tested spells on wild chickens and other animals, then confirmed that wild chickens had 20 HP, wild boars 100, wild cattle 200, and humans 100.
  • Xi Shuiyan concluded that exceeding a living creature’s HP caused it to die immediately, while a spell’s physical effects were separate from its HP damage.
  • Lu Yuan and Xi Shuiyan recognized that spells carried separate rules for affecting physical reality and the Celestial Domain, and Xi Shuiyan considered the possibility that the whole world could become datafied.

Ch. 223All Right, I Hope Everything Goes Smoothly

Otohime weighed whether to intervene in Saint Rozward’s bride selection, knowing either choice could bring severe consequences for Fish-Man Island. Meanwhile, Rozward’s allies prepared to confront Neptune, and Rozward boasted that he could defeat Whitebeard as Holp reluctantly went along with the plan.

  • Ross told Otohime that doing nothing would leave thousands of Mermaids to Saint Rozward, while intervening would bring retaliation and a Buster Call against Fish-Man Island.
  • Otohime asked for time to think, then met Nia and began exchanging information about Ross’s intentions and the choices ahead.
  • Otohime consulted with Sola in the Holy Land so she could consider the situation from Ross’s position.
  • At Holp’s residence, Chigao explained that Rozward would demand all the Mermaids from Neptune during the bride selection in two days.
  • Holp warned Rozward that the Whitebeard Pirates might interfere, but Rozward claimed he could defeat Whitebeard and ensure the pirates never returned.
  • Holp reluctantly agreed to see Rozward’s plan through, despite doubting his strength and fearing Neptune would resist.

Ch. 224Equality Beneath the Self

Otohime abandoned her investigation into her abduction after deciding she trusted Ross and understood the Fish-Men’s plight, then used her ability to force an armed crowd to kill themselves. Ross revealed that the bride selection in two days was arranged for Saint Rosward, leaving Otohime to decide what to do with that knowledge.

  • Otohime concluded that Ross had earned her trust and that the Fish-Men had been trying to survive, so she decided to leave the Fish-Man District.
  • Several hundred Fish-Men surrounded Ross and Otohime, and Otohime used her ability to make them judge themselves and stab themselves with their weapons.
  • Otohime collapsed from the effort, and Ross teased her about becoming a new Mermaid Queen as she accepted that blind kindness could not achieve her dream.
  • Otohime suspected the bride selection was unusual, and Ross revealed that it was a conspiracy to make Saint Rosward the bridegroom rather than Neptune.

Ch. 225All Right, Let's Hope Everything Goes Smoothly

Ross left Fish-Man Island’s fate in Otohime’s hands as she weighed how to stop Saint Rosward’s bride selection without provoking a Buster Call. Meanwhile, Rosward’s allies prepared to seize the mermaids and Rosward boasted that he could defeat Whitebeard, leaving Holp uneasy.

  • Ross told Otohime that doing nothing would condemn thousands of mermaids to slavery, while intervening would bring Rosward’s retaliation and a Buster Call against Fish-Man Island.
  • Otohime asked for time to decide, then met with Nia and consulted Sola to consider what was best for Fish-Man Island and Ross.
  • At Holp’s residence, Chigao explained that Rosward would threaten Neptune during the bride selection ceremony in two days to claim the mermaids.
  • Holp urged Rosward to summon more people because the Whitebeard Pirates were on the island, but Rosward claimed he could defeat Whitebeard himself.
  • Holp reluctantly accepted the plan and hoped that everything would go smoothly.

Ch. 226There's a Ghost Inside!

Otohime visited the Fish-Man District with Ross and offered its residents a chance to join a new Fish-Man Island where all races would be equal and wrongdoing would be punished. She promised a surface island and Ross’s interest-free loan of 100 billion Belly, leaving Jinbe and the Fish-Men to decide whether to follow her.

  • Holp learned that Ross had arrived on Saint Rosward’s ship, then set off with Rosward for the Ryugu Kingdom ahead of the queen selection.
  • Jinbe welcomed Otohime and said the Fish-Man District respected her more than Neptune.
  • Otohime asked Jinbe whether he would support her plan to create a new Fish-Man Island without oppression.
  • Jinbe said he would follow her but could not speak for the whole district, and Otohime invited residents to sign up while warning that wrongdoing would not be tolerated.
  • Otohime announced that the World Government would promise a surface island and Ross would provide an interest-free loan of 100 billion Belly to help build it.

Ch. 227On the Brink of Conflict

Otohime gathered Fish-Man District residents who wanted to leave with her, while Ross sensed the approaching Whitebeard Pirates and prepared to confront them. Marco discovered that the ambush had been exposed and charged at Ross as Otohime urged the crowd to stay calm.

  • Jinbe agreed to spread Otohime and Ross's plan and sent men through Fish-Man District to gather residents.
  • Otohime registered those willing to leave without forcing anyone to join, while Ross reflected on her reputation and resolve.
  • Ross sensed Marco and the Whitebeard Pirates approaching, then placed a protective current of water around Otohime and sent her to Jinbe.
  • Otohime called on the gathered residents to pause, prompting Marco to realize they had been discovered.
  • Marco transformed into a phoenix and charged at Ross, while Otohime told the residents to take cover and trust Ross to handle the Whitebeard Pirates.

Ch. 228The Shame of a Swordsman

Ross overwhelmed the Whitebeard Pirates’ young fighters after they confronted him on Fish-Man Island, where Carlo flooded the Fish-Man District to trap him. Ross left Vista humiliated by snapping one of his swords and taking the other.

  • Ross tore off Marco’s transformed arm and struck him into nearby buildings, leaving him unable to fight.
  • Leviatan confronted Ross on behalf of the Whitebeard Pirates and argued that Ross was hindering the era Roger hoped for.
  • Carlo opened a seawater outlet and sent a massive wave through the Fish-Man District as Jinbe and Otohime organized an evacuation.
  • Ross calmed the raging water with a snap of his fingers, surprising Carlo and the surrounding crowd.
  • Vista attacked Ross, who blocked his twin swords, snapped one, and seized the other after stunning Vista with Conqueror’s Haki.

Ch. 229Not the Fruit That Was Strong, but the Person

Ross overwhelmed Vista and Leviatan, then prevented Carlo and the others from escaping underwater by forcing the sea to spit them back onto land. Realizing they could neither defeat Ross nor flee, the Whitebeard Pirates prepared to fight to the death.

  • Vista charged Ross, but Leviatan kicked him clear and took Ross's slash, which sent him flying and carved a vast trench through the sea.
  • Jinbe, Otohime, and the Fish-Men watched in shock as Ross's strength surpassed anyone they had known, even Fisher Tiger.
  • Carlo used the Bubble-Bubble Fruit to carry himself and the others underwater, but Ross manipulated the sea and forced their bubbles back onto land.
  • Carlo explained that Ross's power came from his own strength rather than his Devil Fruit, while Marco, Leviatan, Vista, and Carlo decided to fight on despite their hopeless position.

Ch. 230Now It's Your Turn

Ross overwhelmed the four Whitebeard pirates who attacked him, killing Vista, Carlo, and Leviatan while Marco watched helplessly. With the others dead, Ross turned his attention to Marco.

  • Leviatan, Vista, Marco, and Carlo attacked Ross together, but Ross repelled Leviatan and endured the others' blows.
  • Ross seized Vista and killed him with Vista's own blade, while Carlo's bubble attack failed against Ross's water screen.
  • Ross pursued Carlo and killed him by tearing out his heart, then tossed it to Marco.
  • Marco caught Carlo's heart and collapsed in shock as Ross taunted him and turned toward Leviatan.
  • Leviatan charged Ross and was killed after three moves; Ross then told Marco it was his turn.

Ch. 231End the Battle

Ross defeated Marco and branded his face with the Celestial Dragon Hoofprint, leaving him alive to carry a warning to Whitebeard. After Otohime supported his decision, Ross ordered Jinbe to send Marco back to the New World and praised Jinbe as a suitable deputy for managing Fish-Man Island.

  • Marco launched a surprise attack on Ross, but Ross easily overpowered him and condemned the Whitebeard Pirates for provoking him.
  • Ross branded Marco’s face with the Celestial Dragon Hoofprint and ordered him to warn Whitebeard that further revenge would bring humiliation upon the entire crew.
  • Ross explained that he had spared Marco so he could spread news of the defeat, and Otohime said Marco should have been killed.
  • Ross told Jinbe to put Marco on a ship bound for the New World with the Whitebeard Pirates’ flag and the gifts Ross had given him.
  • Ross praised Jinbe as a capable deputy, and Otohime agreed that he could serve as a bridge between her and the Fish-Men.

Ch. 232Take Action!

Neptune announced Sabina as his queen, but Saint Rosward arrived and demanded that she be handed over. Neptune refused, and their forces clashed in the palace, leaving the battle raging amid the fleeing Mermaids.

  • Neptune formally announced Sabina as his queen and ended the selection.
  • Saint Rosward barged into the palace with Chigao and demanded that Neptune give Sabina to him.
  • Neptune refused Rosward's demand, and the two traded angry words as Sabina tried to calm Neptune.
  • Rosward ordered Chigao to seize Sabina, prompting Neptune to order the Sea King Army to fight.
  • Neptune fought Chigao and gained the upper hand while the palace fell into chaos and Sea King Army members watched Rosward with determined expressions.

Ch. 233Let's Go

Rozward was killed by the Sea King Army, and Neptune ordered the capture of Chigao’s forces and the Mermaid women who knew about it. Ross learned what happened and set out with Otohime to save the innocent women, while Jinbe gathered Fish-Men to join the response.

  • The Sea King Army shot Rozward dead, and Neptune ordered his troops to capture the enemies and kill them without mercy.
  • Neptune blocked Chigao’s escape as the Ryugu Kingdom gates shut.
  • Ross told Otohime and Jinbe that Rozward had died and Neptune planned to silence CP0 and the Mermaid women involved in the bride selection.
  • Ross asked Jinbe to bring Fish-Men to the Ryugu Kingdom and offered them a place in CP0, the Marines, the World Government, or the Sea God Army.
  • Otohime chose not to contact Neptune, deciding to seek justice for more people rather than risk disrupting the plan.
  • Ross and Otohime set off alone for the Ryugu Kingdom while Jinbe went to gather help.

Ch. 234Bestowing Upon You the Honor of Dying in Battle

Ross arrived as Neptune fought Chigao over Rozward’s death and took control of the confrontation. He sent Chigao to die fighting the Sea King Army, then stopped Neptune from reaching Sabina while holding Otohime.

  • Neptune fought the wounded Chigao after Rozward and his guards had been killed.
  • Chigao warned Neptune that Ross was on Fish-Man Island and that the Knights of God would avenge Rozward.
  • Ross arrived, stopped Neptune’s trident with one hand, and asked Chigao where Rozward was.
  • Chigao asked Ross to avenge Rozward by killing Neptune, but refused Ross’s offer to serve him.
  • Ross granted Chigao the honor of dying in battle, and Chigao charged into the Sea King Army.
  • Neptune moved to intervene, but Ross stopped him while holding Otohime and standing before Sabina.

Ch. 235The Grace of That Shot

Otohime killed Sabina to avenge her children, while Ross protected her from Neptune’s attack. She then confronted Holp about his plan to silence the mermaids, but Neptune’s fury left the truth about Nia unresolved.

  • Ross gave Otohime the Platinum Handgun after she sensed Sabina’s guilt over the deaths of her children.
  • Neptune hurled his trident at Otohime, but Ross stopped it and tossed it aside.
  • Otohime shot and killed Sabina as Neptune cried out and mourned over her body.
  • Otohime questioned Holp, who admitted he would have advised Neptune to execute the mermaids and disguise Rozward’s death as an accident.
  • Neptune tried to attack Holp when he addressed Otohime as Queen, while Ross and Otohime declined to intervene.

Ch. 236The Savior I Chose

Ross defeated the frenzied Neptune after Neptune killed Sabina, then told Jinbe to open the Ryugu Kingdom’s gates so the public could witness Neptune’s fate. As Ross prepared to decide what would happen to the remaining mermaids, he signaled that Otohime was the savior he had chosen.

  • Neptune charged at Ross, but Jinbe intervened until Ross pushed him aside and confronted Neptune himself.
  • Ross tore Neptune’s trident in two, then used a strike coated in Conqueror’s Haki to pin Neptune to the palace wall beneath the Ryugu Kingdom’s emblem.
  • Ross ordered Jinbe to open the kingdom’s gates and said he would seek the World Government’s orders, though Neptune would ultimately be publicly executed.
  • The remaining mermaids begged Ross to spare them, and he said they shared responsibility for failing to stop Neptune’s murder.
  • Ross looked to Otohime, signaling that he wanted her to take the role of savior.

Ch. 237You're Free

Ross spared the mermaids after Otohime offered to become his third wife, then used a call with the Five Elders to report Rosward’s death and blame the Whitebeard Pirates. The Five Elders considered Fish-Man Island’s fate as Ross began to raise another matter.

  • Otohime pleaded for the mermaids and offered to become Ross’s third wife in exchange for their freedom.
  • Ross declared the mermaids free, and they celebrated.
  • Ross told Saint Wokyu that Saint Rosward had been killed, Chigao had died fighting, and Neptune would be executed in three days.
  • Ross told the Five Elders that the Whitebeard Pirates had attacked him, and they agreed the pirates should be killed.
  • The Five Elders discussed what to do with Fish-Man Island, and Ross said he had one more matter to raise.

Ch. 238People Can Be Spared, but the Island Must Be Destroyed

Ross and Otohime negotiated with the Five Elders over the fate of Fish-Man Island, securing time to evacuate its people into the newly registered Mermaid Kingdom. The Five Elders still ordered a Buster Call to destroy the island, but Ross refused to let the Marines carry it out.

  • Ross demanded that Otohime become his third wife and establish the Mermaid Kingdom as its first queen.
  • Saint Wokyu said the Ryugu Kingdom would lose its Allied Nation status and Fish-Man Island would be purged, while Otohime argued that the kingdom should not be punished for Neptune’s actions.
  • Otohime asked for ten days to evacuate Fish-Man Island’s citizens into the registered Mermaid Kingdom, and Saint Warcury agreed while ordering a Buster Call against the island afterward.
  • Otohime asked the Five Elders to cancel the Buster Call if she purged the island and eliminated those who resisted the World Government, but Saint Warcury refused.
  • Ross declared that he represented the Marines in refusing to carry out the Buster Call, and Saint Saturn said other Marines could do it instead.

Ch. 239Special Supplement

After the Fish-Man Island incident, the island fell under martial law as residents rushed to register as citizens of Otohime’s Mermaid Kingdom to escape the coming Buster Call. Otohime kept screening applicants despite exhaustion, and Sola offered her Stella’s Essence to restore her strength.

  • The CP Organization and the Fish-Men of the Fish-Man District sealed Fish-Man Island’s exits, requiring residents to obtain credentials before leaving.
  • Otohime screened applicants for malicious intent while Jinbe removed troublemakers and Sola coordinated security and registration records.
  • Sola used Ross’s rudimentary computer system to monitor the thousand clerks processing applications and track suspicious cases.
  • After Otohime admitted that screening one million people had left her exhausted, Sola offered her Stella’s Essence as a restorative.
  • Otohime hesitated over the essence’s source but drank it after Sola explained how it worked.

Ch. 240The Choice of Fruits

Otohime learned how Devil Fruits could develop according to their users’ imaginations and asked Sola which fruits might suit her. After Sola named three rare options, Otohime asked how she could obtain a different fruit, leaving her choice unresolved.

  • Otohime recovered from her exhaustion with Sola’s Heal-Heal Fruit and recorded the malice she sensed with Observation Haki.
  • Sola explained that Devil Fruit abilities followed concepts and imagination, then described her Brain-Brain Fruit and her work on computers and networks.
  • Otohime asked which fruits might suit her, and Sola named the Listen-Listen Fruit, the Mythical Zoan Yama-Uba Fruit, and the Logia Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
  • Otohime hesitated to ask for those rare fruits and asked Sola how she could obtain another fruit instead.
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