Barn left Ryugu Palace after delivering those words, his face dark. Still seated on the Throne, Grand Knight Neptune watched his retreating figure with a distant look in his eyes. He said nothing, but thoughts churned through his mind.
Fisher Tiger, I hope your friend can save Fish-Man Island.
By the time Neptune had that thought, Barn had already left Ryugu Palace. Just then, the Right Minister entered the palace carrying a Den Den Mushi.
"Your Majesty, that gentleman is calling."
Neptune's gaze sharpened, and he took the Den Den Mushi from the Right Minister.
After leaving Ryugu Palace, Barn took a high-speed taxi carried by flowing water down to the streets.
Instead of the bustling sounds he had expected, he heard scream after scream and the clash of blades.
Fish-Man Island had descended into chaos. The central Noble District might have been faring better, but the outlying areas were crawling with pirates and slave traders.
Barn extended his Mind's Eye, only to find pirates carrying captive fish-men fighting the soldiers of Fish-Man Island.
"Hey! Get the hell out of my way! Don't stand between me and my money!"
A pirate carrying a fish-man roared. His gaping mouth was full of yellowed teeth and a foul stench, but his blade showed no hesitation as he slashed viciously into a soldier!
"Damn you! Let our people go, you scum!"
The wounded soldier shouted, but his injuries were too severe, and he collapsed to the ground.
The pirate carrying the fish-man swaggered up to him, his words reeking of booze and foul breath.
"Heh heh, I told you, I'm making my fortune off this! You stand in my way, you're asking to die!"
As he spoke, he raised his blade. The lackeys behind him seemed to be his crew, and they had