Just as the three brothers were "enjoying" their grandfather's loving training—
On the other side of the world.
Undercurrents quietly churned.
Ten thousand meters beneath the sea—Fish-Man Island.
Enormous bubbles enveloped the entire kingdom like an invisible sky.
Coral forests stood tall, and currents crisscrossed.
Sunlight pierced the sea surface, refracted layer upon layer, and scattered flowing patches of light across the streets and palaces.
Everything looked peaceful and dreamlike.
Yet at this moment, the atmosphere within Ryugu Palace was graver than ever before.
Upon the throne.
Neptune sat upright.
His massive body leaned slightly forward, his brows tightly furrowed.
His hands gripped the armrests so hard that his knuckles turned white.
Below the throne.
Jinbe knelt on one knee, his back straight.
Behind him, every member of the Sun Adventure Group stood solemnly.
"Jinbe."
Neptune spoke in a low voice, which echoed through the great hall.
"What you just said—"
"Say it again."
The air tightened as Jinbe slowly raised his head.
His gaze was firmer than ever.
"Fish-Man Island."
He spoke each word distinctly.
"Should no longer rely on the Whitebeard Pirates."
The entire hall fell instantly silent. Neptune's pupils contracted sharply!
"Do you know what you're saying?!"
His voice suddenly exploded!
"If Whitebeard's flag is taken down—"
"What do you think those pirates will do? Don't you understand?!"
His voice rose higher and higher as his emotions gradually slipped out of control.
"Those pirates will invade Fish-Man Island again!"
"They will capture Fish-Men!"
"They will turn this place—into their hunting ground!!!"
Rage.
Fear.
And helplessness that could not be concealed. The blood and tears of the past remained deeply engraved upon these waters.
Jinbe did not retreat. He slowly raised his head and looked directly at Neptune.
"The Sun Adventure Group."
"Will protect Fish-Man Island!"
It was