Fish-Man Island

Rune had no intention of recruiting people like that. After all, those who walked different paths could not make plans together. What Rune needed were people more like adventurers of the sea.

People like Luffy and Jinbe.

For pirates who committed evil so purely, Rune had no thoughts of subduing them. He only wanted to kill them and collect their bounties.

Kid's fruit was pretty good, though. If developed properly, it could be incredibly powerful. If Rune got the chance to meet him in the future, he would take Kid's head for the bounty and save the fruit for a future companion to eat.

Thinking of Kid made Rune think of another group.

Trafalgar Law's Heart Pirates.

Rune quite admired Trafalgar Law. In Rune's eyes, he was more reliable than Kid of the same generation and had greater personal charm as well.

Still, Law would most likely never join Rune's crew, and Law right now...

Had not yet become one of the Seven Warlords.

Rune wondered when he would trade hearts with Monet. The Snow-Snow Fruit's power seemed rather good too.

Rune did not dwell on it. For now, recruiting Jinbe at Fish-Man Island was more important. The question of how to persuade Jinbe to join him was worth serious consideration.

Perhaps Fish-Man Island was the key.

Given Jinbe's personality, if he could show him that joining would benefit Fish-Man Island, Jinbe probably would not refuse his invitation.

For now, though, they still had to wait for the coating to be completed.

"Alright, the Thousand Sunny's coating is finished."

After teaching Rune how to operate a coated ship, Rayleigh also taught him how to coat his body, allowing Devil Fruit users to move about on the seafloor as well.

Still, coating was only a technique. The "film" was not indestructible. If it encountered sharp or cutting blows, or suffered too much deformation, the "film" could rupture.

"Uncle Rayleigh, thanks!"

Luffy waved goodbye to Rayleigh from aboard the Thousand Sunny. As a layer of film formed around the ship, it immediately dived beneath the sea.

On the Thousand Sunny, Rune unleashed the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit, filling the inside of the coating with darkness. That way, it would be difficult for other beings to spot them in the deep sea.

The Dark-Dark Fruit's power could make the ship safer after it descended.

Traveling along the seafloor was rather dull, especially since Rune had covered most of the ship in darkness for safety. Once the novelty of the first few days underwater had worn off, the days that followed became somewhat boring.

Still, doing this once was enough. The next time they wanted to go to Fish-Man Island, they could just have Kuma send the ship there directly.

As they approached Fish-Man Island, Rune saw many soldiers of the Neptune Army. But when they noticed the Whitebeard Pirates' flag flying from the Thousand Sunny, their expressions softened considerably.

It was only when a shark fish-man came out to receive them that Rune realized just how important the Whitebeard Pirates were to Fish-Man Island.

"Welcome, guests of the Whitebeard Pirates."

Prince Shark Star was very polite, and this was Rune's first time seeing a fish-man up close. Shark Star was quite burly. With a little more training, he might become rather formidable.

"Hello, Prince Shark Star. I'm Rune, commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Seventeenth Division. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Guided by Shark Star, the Thousand Sunny passed through the enormous "film" and landed in a bay on the island. Rune and the others then removed the "film" from their bodies and stepped onto land.

"May I ask what brings our guests here this time?"

"I've long heard of Fish-Man Island and always wanted to see it for myself."

Rune walked alongside Prince Shark Star, his tone relaxed. "If possible, I'd like to meet Jinbe. I've wanted to befriend the Knight of the Sea for a long time."

Hearing Rune's words, Prince Shark Star's expression relaxed somewhat. Ever since the Whitebeard Pirates began protecting Fish-Man Island, life on the island had become much easier than before.

At the very least, most pirates no longer dared to cause trouble on Fish-Man Island.

That was also why Fish-Man Island placed such importance on seeing Whitebeard's flag and had sent someone as significant as Prince Shark Star to receive them.

"Besides that, if Fish-Man Island needs any help from us, you may say so directly. If there's anything I can do for you, that would be for the best."

Rune was quite friendly toward Prince Shark Star. Seeing Shark Star also reminded Rune of someone.

Princess Shirahoshi of Fish-Man Island.

Rune remembered that Shirahoshi was the current "Sea King, Poseidon," possessing the ability to command Sea Kings.

If possible, he could invite Shirahoshi aboard his ship. Rune did not possess the Voice of All Things, so having Shirahoshi with him would be no small help.

But...

He could not just open with, "I want your sister on my ship." Even as a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, saying that would be far too presumptuous.

He should stay on Fish-Man Island for a while and see whether an opportunity arose. Rune remembered that Shirahoshi should currently be living in Hard-Shell Tower.

If he could help her solve her troubles, perhaps there would be a chance to discuss it.

"The Whitebeard Pirates will always be guests of Fish-Man Island. Here, our guests need only enjoy Fish-Man Island's scenery and food. As for help, if we truly need it, I will tell you."

Prince Shark Star arranged luxurious-looking lodgings for Rune's group. The moment they moved in, Luffy was so captivated by the prepared food that he could barely move.

Bonney wiped her drool as well, looking eager to eat. But she still looked toward Rune, whom she respected greatly.

After all, Rune had helped her find Kuma and told her how to save him. More than half the credit for allowing her and Kuma to reunite as father and daughter belonged to Rune.

"Go eat. Just don't stuff yourselves."

Rune smiled slightly and let Luffy and Bonney go eat. Kuma stayed by Bonney's side, while Tashigi and Yamato felt a little hungry as well and went to enjoy the food with them.

As for Rune, he planned to take a stroll around Fish-Man Island.

This island was home to both fish-men and merfolk. Prince Shark Star, whom they had met earlier, was a shark merman of the merfolk tribe. Jinbe, meanwhile, was a whale shark fish-man of the fish-man tribe.

As Rune walked through Fish-Man Island's streets, he looked around. Most of the residents had fish-like features, which was quite novel to see.

But as Rune continued walking, he spotted someone unexpected.

A fellow with four legs and webbed hands. He wore a top hat, had sticking-up hair, and sported an ugly beard.

Rune smiled. This was truly like being handed a pillow just when he felt sleepy. He had been wondering how to find a reason to approach Shirahoshi, and this fellow had come right to his door.