Dragon Palace, a vast and luxurious palace built from enormous coral reefs, shells, and other materials, stood atop Fish-Man Island, where sunlight could reach. A gigantic dragon coiled around it. Now, however, it was filled with the clamor of battle cries and violence.
But it was nighttime, with no sunlight, and most people were asleep. On top of that, the bubbles that blocked sound and water kept the five million residents of Fish-Man Island from knowing what was happening there.
Even the Fish-Man Island Security Command had no idea the palace was under attack. It was nighttime on Fish-Man Island, after all, and in the darkness, none of King Neptune's officers had thought to go to the palace or contact anyone with a Den Den Mushi.
Clang!
"Kill them!"
"Advance!!"
"Kill all the guards!"
Bang! Bang!
"Quickly!"
Clang!!
"Ugh!"
"..."
In the palace's grand hall, hundreds of pirates were locked in a fierce battle with the Nautilus Guards, led by the Neptune brothers and protecting the throne.
Although the pirates were outnumbered, they fought on desperately, hacking at their foes. They knew there was no turning back. Only victory could give them a chance to survive.
"Kill!!"
"Attack!"
"There!"
"The switch for the waterway is over there!!"
"Charge!"
Just as the battle reached its height, one of the pirates spotted what they had been searching for. Sensing a chance at victory, they rallied once more and launched a desperate counterattack against the elite soldiers of Fish-Man Island, who outnumbered and outclassed them.
"!!"
"Stop them!"
"Form ranks!"
"Don't let them through!"
Seeing the pirates' reaction, the eldest prince of the Dragon Palace Kingdom, the eldest of the three Neptune brothers—Prince Shark—immediately realized what those foolish pirates were after.
Just as before, at his command, the elite Nautilus Guards swiftly formed