Ryugu Palace

Fish-Man Island was merely the name of the island. Though the merfolk and fish-men also called themselves Fish-Man Island, this place had an established government.

The Ryugu Kingdom was the only nation on Fish-Man Island. It drew inspiration from Jules Verne's science fiction novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and the fairy tale Urashima Taro, featuring elements such as the "Sea Volcano," "Sea Forest," "Ryugu Palace," "Otohime," and "Tamatebako."

The royal family led by Neptune ruled the Ryugu Kingdom and resided within Ryugu Palace.

After "accepting a mission" at the Mermaid Cafe, Mobius followed Shyarly toward Ryugu Palace.

As the royal palace, Ryugu Palace stood at the top of Fish-Man Island and was its most conspicuous structure. Transport routes extended in every direction, connecting directly to all parts of Fish-Man Island.

Without much effort, Shyarly brought Mobius there by water aboard a fish taxi.

Mobius raised his head. Before him stood a magnificent, luxurious palace, its surfaces gleaming with dazzling colors beneath the light.

Built from precious materials such as massive coral reefs, shells, pearls, and luminous pearls, it had a majestic golden-scaled dragon coiled above the palace, truly living up to its name.

As he studied the dragon statue above the hall, Mobius inexplicably felt his hands itch. After defeating Pizarro, the Island-Island Fruit had become his spoils of war.

Theoretically, Mobius could now assimilate everything on the island into himself. In other words, he could bring that golden dragon atop the palace to life.

Though he could already transform into a dragon himself, Mobius was still eager to try.

No reason other than that it sounded fun.

Naturally, Shyarly had no idea what bizarre thoughts Mobius was having. She merely pressed ahead, clearly in a hurry.

Mobius could only lower his gaze and follow behind her at an unhurried pace.

Viewed as a whole, Fish-Man Island resembled a gourd beneath its enormous bubble membrane, with Ryugu Palace situated in the small sphere at the very top.

With the ocean beyond the membrane, Mobius could easily see various fish seemingly swimming outside it, adding even more to the dreamlike atmosphere.

Ryugu Palace looks like a treasure trove too.

Mobius's interest was stirred, but Shyarly's voice quickly diverted his attention.

"Big Brother Jinbe! Thank goodness it's you. I have urgent business to report to Lord Neptune. Please announce me."

"Jinbe?"

Looking up, Mobius saw a familiar blue fatty standing before him.

He had wind-swept eyebrows and sideburns, a topknot-style hairstyle, a thick, short black beard on his chin, and a lightning-shaped scar at the corner of his left eye. His body was huge and stout, with two protruding fangs jutting from his lower jaw.

He wore a Neptune's Army soldier's uniform—a reddish-brown military coat—and carried a trident spear in his hand, with wooden clogs on his feet.

He was nearly identical to the Seven Warlords of the Sea Mobius remembered, except his hair color and bearing were off.

Compared to the composed, black-haired Jinbe of the future, the current Jinbe still had half a head of blond hair. His aura was far rougher and fiercer, lacking the air of the future Knight of the Sea.

The current Jinbe was in the period after leaving the Fish-Man District punks behind and fighting his way to the top of Neptune's Army, his body brimming with hostility.

After Tiger left the Fish-Man District, Jinbe rose to become the new boss, so it was only natural for Shyarly to call him Big Brother Jinbe.

Jinbe was fine when he saw Shyarly, but the moment his gaze landed on Mobius, he immediately gave him a scrutinizing, suspicious look.

"So it's Shyarly. Lord Neptune has already given orders concerning you. As long as you come, you may report to him at any time. I'll make the arrangements now."

There was no need to mention Shyarly's ability. Ever since Neptune learned that she could divine the birth and exact timing of the Sea King, he had attached tremendous importance to her.

However, Neptune was too softhearted to persuade Shyarly to stay and become Ryugu Palace's diviner.

Even in the future, when Jinbe resigned, Neptune had been unable to make him stay.

Jinbe also cared greatly for Shyarly. One could say he had watched the girl grow up.

As the leader of Neptune's Army, Jinbe did not need to run errands personally for something so minor. He only needed to instruct his subordinates.

Jinbe did not ask what Shyarly wished to say. Most of his attention remained on Mobius, and he was extremely wary.

He could sense that this man was definitely a dangerous human.

Mobius looked at Jinbe with interest as well. As one of the few powerful fish-men and the reliable pillar of the future Straw Hat Crew, he naturally wanted to recruit him.

But the time was not right yet. Tiger was still the leader Jinbe would unwaveringly choose.

Shyarly quickly noticed that something was off. She looked back and forth between the two men, then immediately interrupted.

"Big Brother Jinbe, this is Mobius, my friend. He was the one who told me about the urgent matter this time."

"Friend?"

Jinbe muttered. He was not an extreme fish-man who hated humans, but at this stage, he still could not bring himself to like them.

However, Shyarly was trustworthy, so Jinbe finally eased his gaze.

"Jinbe."

A simple word served as his introduction.

"Mobius. Nice to meet you. I hear you're a renowned powerhouse on Fish-Man Island. If there's a chance in the future, we can spar."

At this stage, Jinbe was in his early thirties and should already have the beginnings of his future strength. However, he had remained on Fish-Man Island all this time, and still had vast potential to uncover.

In the world of pirates, a strong person's prime differed from reality. Kaido could still grow stronger at thirty-nine; true powerhouses did not reach their real peak until their forties or fifties.

Of course, Rocks, who killed an admiral upon debut, and Luffy, who reached the Four Emperors before turning twenty, were exceptions. They were stronger than ordinary powerhouses.

"My honor."

Jinbe replied flatly, without feeling challenged in the slightest.

Having fought his way to the position of boss in the military camp, Jinbe currently valued strength above all else. In his eyes, Mobius was anything but simple.

Soon, the guard sent to report returned with Neptune's decree.

"Miss Shyarly, please come in."

"This is my friend, Mobius. Can he come in with me?"

"This..."

The guard hesitated, and Jinbe stepped forward at once.

"I'll go with them."

Seeing his boss take responsibility, the guard immediately felt reassured. He saluted and said, "Yes!"

The three entered Ryugu Palace together. The guard told Jinbe where they were to meet, and Jinbe led the way.

Before long, an incredibly spacious and towering luxurious banquet hall appeared before Mobius.

All kinds of food had been laid out across a row of long tables. At the center stood a shell-shaped stage, adding amusement for the guests.

The banquet hall was Ryugu Palace's highest-class venue for receiving distinguished guests. This showed just how much Neptune valued Shyarly.

"Shyarly, you're here~"

A massive shadow fell over them. Mobius saw a furry merman as large as a giant, with orange hair and beard.

It was none other than Neptune, king of Fish-Man Island.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Shyarly bowed properly. Mobius watched her and followed suit. He was a guest, after all.

Though Neptune was somewhat softhearted, he was still a qualified king and did not show any excessive attitude toward Mobius.

"Are you Shyarly's friend? Please, sit down and sample the food and wine of Fish-Man Island~"

Neptune welcomed him with a smile. Beside him, a woman whose looks were unremarkable but whose demeanor was extraordinarily gentle and compassionate approached with shining eyes.

"Sir, you're human, aren't you!?"

Neptune frowned. His wife's old habit was acting up again.

"I am human, Queen Otohime. My name is Mobius, and I'm Shyarly's friend."

At those words, Otohime's eyes lit up even brighter. A human friend of a mermaid...

Wonderful!

"Please, sit down! What is it you want to tell us? I'll definitely stand up for you!"

Clearly, Queen Otohime's thoughts had gone in a rather strange direction.

"This matter requires the queen's position, but I believe Lord Neptune is even more important."

"What!?"

Otohime puffed up indignantly. Could she really not compare to her beloved husband?

"Shyarly, you tell them."

Having Shyarly speak would be more effective than speaking himself.

Shyarly did not hesitate. She immediately stepped forward and said directly,

"Lord Neptune, Queen Otohime, and Big Brother Jinbe, I saw it—the terrible future of Fish-Man Island!"

!!!

In an instant, all three of their expressions changed drastically. This was a prophecy from Shyarly the diviner!