Meeting Arlong

A few days later, Fish-Man Island returned to normal. The bubble membrane ten thousand meters beneath the sea remained embraced by Sun Tree Eve, its light cascading down and shining brilliantly.

On the streets, all kinds of strange sea creatures drifted leisurely along, carrying merfolk and fish-men on their backs as they went to work or school. It was a peaceful, ordinary scene.

There were also unfamiliar figures: ordinary humans whose clothing or tattoos bore the skull-and-crossbones emblem with a crescent-shaped mustache. They, too, walked the streets of Fish-Man Island.

They were members of the Whitebeard Pirates. After the initial banquet, Neptune had followed the plan and requested the protection of Whitebeard's flag. Whitebeard had no objections.

Now it was time for the pirates from the Moby Dick to experience the charms of Fish-Man Island, and they were having a wonderful time.

"Come on, everyone! Let's head to the Mermaid Cafe. I know exactly what you outsiders like."

Namur led the way, waving his hand with a knowing grin that said men understood.

Marco and the other commanders excitedly linked arms and cheered loudly.

"Mermaids!" "Mermaids!" "Mermaids!"...

Mermaids were Fish-Man Island's specialty—stunningly beautiful and not to be missed.

A whole group rushed toward Coral Hill, finding the Mermaid Cafe in the mermaids' gathering place.

"Manager, I brought my brothers to see you all!"

Namur pushed open the door and strode inside. Having grown up on Fish-Man Island, he knew these older sisters well.

"Welcome~"

The mature and beautiful manager answered with a smile, though a trace of forced worry lingered between her brows.

The moment the Whitebeard Pirates saw the mermaids and their pale shells, blood rushed to their heads and their faces flushed red.

Heaven. This was heaven!

The commotion drew the attention of most of the cafe's patrons. As the leader, Marco was about to cough twice and tell his brothers to quiet down.

But with a glance, Marco spotted someone he had never expected to see.

Mobius—the Fish-Man Island national advisor who had gotten along so well with Pops and revealed that Wano Country's "Marines" had also appeared here.

Not only that, there was a giant mermaid beside him, as well as... a shark fish-man?

Amid the noise, Mobius had been looking bored. When he saw Marco, his eyebrows rose at once. He lifted his teacup and gave the Phoenix a slight greeting.

After returning the gesture, Marco immediately composed himself and hurriedly signaled a warning to his brothers.

They were members of the Whitebeard Pirates. They had to pull themselves together!

"Marco, did you get sand in your eyes?"

Seeing Marco make strange faces, the burly Jozu asked instinctively.

Marco's breathing caught, and the corner of his mouth twitched. He stopped bothering with his brothers and walked straight to Mobius, speaking up to make his presence known.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Mr. Mobius."

His voice was not loud, but it was just enough for the Whitebeard Pirates to hear. Coming back to their senses and noticing others nearby, the rough sailors finally reined themselves in.

"No need to be so polite. Just call me by my name. There's no need for the 'Mister.'"

Mobius invited Marco to sit down, along with his brothers.

"Manager, these are my friends. Put their tab on my account today."

"How could I possibly accept that~"

Marco offered a polite word, then immediately sat down, faithfully carrying on Whitebeard's freeloading spirit.

The Whitebeard Pirates were even more energized. They promptly moved behind Mobius and stood there like guardian statues.

Mobius smiled. Being short on money was good—he was never short on money. Thanks to the Five Elders for their generous funding.

"Let's start with a cup of coffee each and try the local specialty. You're Marco the Phoenix, right?"

"Just call me Marco too, Mobius."

Marco waved a hand. Since Mobius was treating them today, he had decided they were friends for life.

As Mobius and the Whitebeard Pirates began chatting happily, the shark fish-man on the other side looked increasingly grim.

Staring directly at Shyarly, Arlong practically growled the words from his throat.

"Leave with me, Shyarly. You're my sister, and I won't allow you to stay with humans!"

"Why not!?"

Shyarly was still sulking. With a cold snort, she immediately refuted him.

"What do you mean, you're my brother? You never cared about me before, and now you're acting like a big brother? No way!"

"I've already promised Mobius. I'll leave Fish-Man Island with him and travel the seas together!"

"You!"

Arlong shot to his feet, rage making his eyes bloodshot. He would not allow it. He absolutely would not allow it!

"Calm down, both of you."

Mobius had a headache over these siblings, but since he was the one taking Shyarly away, he had no choice but to come to this meeting.

"This is all your fault, human!"

Arlong completely ignored Mobius's attempt to calm him down. His massive palm swung down, intending to solve the problem through classical mechanics.

Smack~

Marco extended a hand and casually caught Arlong's fist, his face full of teasing amusement.

"Don't be so hotheaded, fish-man buddy~"

"Why can't we sit down and talk things out? If your sister wants to go with Mobius, then we're all family. Family doesn't talk like strangers."

"Who the hell is family with you humans!?"

Arlong grew even angrier and tried to yank his fist free with a swing of his arm, but it would not move.

Marco looked slender, but his hand was like an iron clamp. Arlong could not pull free at all.

"You!"

Arlong gritted his teeth, but there was nothing he could do.

Namur, standing nearby, could see what was happening too. Arlong was trying to break up a couple, and the manager had been worried for Shyarly earlier as well. He could not help saying:

"Arlong, Mobius is a capable man. Your sister won't be worse off following him."

Arlong jerked his head toward Namur, his eyes filled with shock and disappointment. As a fish-man, how could he speak for humans?

"You seem to have misunderstood something." Mobius scratched his cheek. "I value Shyarly's ability, which is why I want to take her with me."

"As for today's meeting, I simply wanted to make things clear to her only family."

"Huh?"

Marco turned his head, his face full of suspicion. They were both young men—there was no need to hide it.

Mobius shrugged. He had no interest in minors. At the very least, he would have to wait a few years.

"All right, Arlong. You're Shyarly's brother, and you're a few years older than me, so I'll call you Big Brother."

"I know you have prejudices against humans, but you should also know that not all humans are the same. The humans you hate may be the same kind of humans I hate."

The siblings had started arguing soon after meeting, and Mobius had found it hard to get a word in. Only now did he get the chance to say a few things.

"Of course, you probably won't listen to me, just as you won't listen to Shyarly, and Shyarly won't listen to you, so..."

"Wait for your big brother Tiger to return. It should be within the next few days. Then listen to what he has to say. If Tiger agrees to let Shyarly leave with me, will you accept your sister's choice?"

Arlong had initially been dismissive, but the moment he heard the crucial name Tiger, he jumped three feet into the air.

"Big Brother Tiger? He's coming back!?"

At that moment, the shark fish-man, nearly three meters tall, was as excited as a child.

Shyarly forgot everything else and looked at Mobius hopefully. Was it true?

"You didn't lie to me?"

After the excitement faded, Arlong became wary again. At this point, he no longer cared about Shyarly's wishes at all—only Tiger's news mattered to him.

"Of course."

Mobius smiled. He already knew what Shakky was capable of.

It would not be long...

"Big Brother Tiger is back!"

Suddenly, a cry came from outside the cafe. Everyone wore different expressions as they turned to look at Mobius.

Mobius blinked, then lifted his teacup and naturally took a sip.

"See? I told you it wouldn't be long."