One Piece: Building Amazon Lily, Starting as a Celestial Dragon

The soldiers initially thought little of it when they saw their companion sent flying with a kick.

The black-haired woman before them looked so delicate. How much strength could she possibly have?

However, after they charged in one after another, only to be kicked away one after another and piled into a heap across the street, they finally recognized one fact: they could not get through that door.

Inside the restaurant, meanwhile, the atmosphere was peaceful, utterly unlike the fierce battle outside.

Saint Dio was still sitting at the table by the window. Stussy had silently cleared away the dishes before him and replaced them with a pot of tea.

Holding his teacup, he studied the uninvited guest opposite him with interest.

She was a mermaid.

She stood a little over two meters tall, with a human upper body, fair skin, and gentle, dignified features. Her long, wavy golden hair shimmered like the sea beneath the sun, and her large, bright blue eyes seemed to hold boundless tenderness and compassion.

Her lower body was a goldfish tail, densely covered in glittering scales.

An orange, crown-shaped hair clip held her long hair behind her head, revealing her smooth forehead.

She wore a long orange robe patterned with fish scales, with denser, more elaborate designs around the cuffs and tail. A red sash edged in white encircled her waist, secured on the outside with a white satin ribbon. Her overall attire was both luxurious and elegant.

She was Queen Otohime of Fish-Man Island.

"You're Queen Otohime?" Saint Dio asked, setting down his teacup.

Queen Otohime inclined her head slightly and answered gently, "Yes, I'm Otohime."

Standing beside Saint Dio, Stussy looked at the gentle yet dignified mermaid queen and asked, "You must count as one of the people in power on Fish-Man Island, right? There are some matters we can discuss with you."

Queen Otohime nodded. "Yes, my words carry weight in the palace."

Stussy turned slightly and introduced Saint Dio, seated in the place of honor. "This is a Celestial Dragon. If you don't believe me, I can show you-"

"I believe you," Queen Otohime interrupted, stating with certainty, "I also know why you've come to Fish-Man Island."

Stussy froze briefly, her prepared words catching in her throat.

She had intended to bring up her identity as a member of Cipher Pol Aigis Zero to lend credibility to her claim. She had never expected the other woman to believe her so readily.

But Queen Otohime's next words surprised her even more.

"However, Miss Cipher Pol Aigis Zero, I'm grateful that you value Fish-Man Island so highly." Queen Otohime looked directly at Stussy and Saint Dio, her gaze firm. "But we will not accept your control over Fish-Man Island."

Stussy was completely stunned.

Her lips parted, but for a moment, she had no idea what to say.

She had not said anything yet. How had the other woman known why they were here?

"All right, Stussy. Go outside for now."

Saint Dio suddenly spoke, giving an order.

Stussy paused and opened her mouth as though she wanted to say something, but ultimately swallowed the words. She nodded silently, turned, and left the restaurant.

"Hah!"

"Yah!"

Sandersonia and Marigold were still locked in a fierce battle with Neptune.

Mumei was outside too, holding a dessert and eating as she observed the merfolk and Fish-Men around her.

Stussy felt rather frustrated.

This was probably the first time since joining Cipher Pol Aigis Zero that she had suffered a setback in intelligence and negotiations.

She went outside and leaned against the wall. Looking at the merfolk soldiers groaning all over the ground and Hancock's back as she continued to stand firm in the doorway, she sank into thought.

She simply could not understand how the other woman had known their purpose.

Could Fish-Man Island have an intelligence network even more powerful than Cipher Pol Aigis Zero's?

But that did not make sense either. No matter how powerful an intelligence network was, it should not be able to uncover someone's private thoughts and plans... unless the other woman could read people's thoughts directly?

Stussy's wandering speculation had indeed come close to the truth.

Inside the restaurant, the very reason Saint Dio had not stopped Stussy at the outset was to verify something about Queen Otohime's special ability.

According to his memories of the original story, Queen Otohime had been born with extraordinarily powerful Observation Haki, and its abilities differed from those of other people.

She could sense other people's thoughts and emotional fluctuations, and even read the thoughts deep within their hearts.

In negotiations and conversations, this ability was almost equivalent to having the other side's cards laid bare.

Before the other person even spoke, she already knew what they wanted to say.

Their brief exchange just now had confirmed this.

Stussy had said nothing at all, yet Queen Otohime had already grasped their intentions and purpose accurately.

This ability was certainly powerful, but it also meant that if Stussy remained, more secrets might inadvertently be exposed.

That was why Saint Dio had sent her away, leaving only himself to speak with Queen Otohime.

Chapter 55: Cooperation with Queen Otohime

During his earlier test, Saint Dio had also discovered something: as long as he remained the same inside and out, with his thoughts matching his words exactly, Queen Otohime's Observation Haki could not read any additional information.

In other words, as long as he neither lied nor concealed anything, her mind-reading ability was effectively useless against him.

Saint Dio picked up his teacup again, took a small sip, then set it down. Looking calmly at Queen Otohime across from him, he said, "Since you already know why we're here, let's speak frankly. I bear Fish-Man Island no ill will, nor do I want to control you through force. What I want is a fair deal."

"A deal?" Queen Otohime tilted her head slightly, a hint of uncertainty in her large blue eyes as she carefully studied the White Hair youth before her.

Out of habit, she used her Observation Haki, trying to sense his true thoughts deep within.

To her surprise, however, she could hear nothing.

The youth's mind was like a tranquil lake, without a single unnecessary ripple. What he thought was what he said, and what he said was what he thought.

This could not help but make Queen Otohime trust him a little more.

Since he had taken the initiative to propose a deal, and she could read neither deceit nor malice in his mind, Queen Otohime decided to seize this opportunity.

She gathered her thoughts and said solemnly, "I have a wish. I hope to eliminate the hatred between humans, merfolk, and Fish-Men, and change Fish-Man Island's future. I advocate 'coexistence with humans.' To that end, I hope to attend the next Reverie and present my proposal to the leaders of the participating nations."

"The Reverie..." Saint Dio tapped his fingers lightly against the table, looking thoughtful.

The Reverie was an international conference held regularly by the World Government Member States.

It took place once every four years in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, bringing together the monarchs of fifty member states to discuss global security, order, and major affairs.

The Celestial Dragons, the world's nobility, and high-ranking government officials also participated.

Its participating nations encompassed over a hundred and seventy affiliated nations, but limitations of space and time meant that attendance operated on a rotating basis.

Founding nations such as the Alabasta Kingdom and the Dressrosa Kingdom attended regularly, while the other countries took turns.

Although the Ryugu Kingdom was one of the World Government's affiliated nations, the journey to Mary Geoise to attend the Reverie was so long and perilous that it had missed many sessions.

As a result, although the Ryugu Kingdom was nominally an affiliated nation, it was often overlooked by the World Government and could not enjoy the rights that affiliated nations should have, such as protection from the Marines.

However, everything had its advantages and disadvantages. Precisely because the Ryugu Kingdom had been absent from the conference for so many years, it had also been exempted from paying the heavenly tribute, something of a tacit understanding.

"The next Reverie will be held in two years." Saint Dio set down his teacup and looked calmly at Queen Otohime. "If you want to go, I can give you a ride then. However-" His tone shifted. "Your thinking is rather naive. The hatred and prejudice accumulated over so many years between humans, merfolk, and Fish-Men cannot be dissolved with a single speech or proposal."

Queen Otohime was not discouraged in the slightest. Instead, she gave a gentle smile. "I know it's naive. But if we refuse to act because we think it's naive, change will never be possible. Only by acting do we have a chance. If we do nothing, nothing will change."

Saint Dio nodded slightly. "That's well said."

He paused, then continued, "I don't care about the relationship between humans and merfolk. I can take you to the Reverie in two years, but on one condition: you must agree to one demand."

Queen Otohime's expression grew serious.

She knew the deal had officially begun.

She had just stated what she wanted. Now it was his turn to name his price. She straightened in her seat and said solemnly, "Please, go ahead."

"The daughter you give birth to next," Saint Dio continued, "must be entrusted to me to raise and train."

Queen Otohime froze for a moment, clearly not having expected such a condition.

She blinked in confusion. "A daughter? But... I only have three sons right now. I don't have a daughter."

"No, you will," Saint Dio said with certainty. "In two years, the very year of the Reverie, you will give birth to a princess."

Queen Otohime's brows furrowed slightly. She hesitated, but could not help asking, "Why are you so certain... that I'll give birth to a daughter in two years? Even I can't predict something like that."

Saint Dio raised a finger and tapped his temple lightly. "Foresight."

Queen Otohime fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Then... what is there about my daughter that merits so much attention from a Celestial Dragon?"

Some troubling suspicions had already begun to form in her mind. Did this Celestial Dragon intend to raise her daughter as a slave?

Saint Dio saw the apprehension in her eyes and shook his head, saying meaningfully, "Because your daughter possesses tremendous power. And in the future, I'll need that power to-"

He suddenly stopped halfway through and did not continue.

Yet in that instant, Queen Otohime's eyes flew wide, and she covered her mouth.

In that moment, her Observation Haki had caught a thought flashing through Saint Dio's mind.

It had been only a fleeting glimpse, but that image, that plan, was enough to leave her speechless with shock. She looked at the White Hair youth before her, her voice trembling with disbelief. "You... you actually intend to..."

Saint Dio lightly raised his index finger to his lips in a shushing gesture, a mysterious smile at the corners of his mouth. "Don't say it aloud. This stays between us. Just remember my plan. If everything goes smoothly, it will benefit both your wish and Fish-Man Island's future."

He paused, then extended a hand toward Queen Otohime. "Well? Will you join me?"

Queen Otohime stared at the hand offered to her in silence for a long time.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, there was no hesitation or uncertainty left in her gaze.

Then she reached out and took Saint Dio's hand.

The corners of Saint Dio's mouth curved slightly upward.

With that, Fish-Man Island could be considered successfully brought under his command.

Chapter 56: A Celestial Dragon's Identity, the Ryugu Kingdom Offers Due Courtesy

Queen Otohime looked up at the White Hair youth before her and asked solemnly, "May I ask... how I should address you?"

"Saint Dio," the youth stated his name mildly.

Queen Otohime inclined her head, her tone becoming more respectful. "Lord Saint Dio."

Saint Dio turned toward the doorway and remarked casually, "Let's go. The fighting outside should be in full swing by now. It's time to stop them."

Queen Otohime answered and followed him, her tail swaying gently along the floor as she calmly accompanied him out of the restaurant.

The battle was still going on in the street outside.

Sandersonia and Marigold were still locked in a contest of strength with Neptune. Their three weapons were tangled together, giving off dull clashes, and cracks had already formed in the ground beneath their feet.

Leaning against the wall, Stussy hurriedly straightened when she saw Saint Dio emerge. Her gaze swept between him and Queen Otohime, and she understood: it seemed the two sides had reached an agreement.

"Your Majesty Neptune, please stop!" Queen Otohime's voice rang out along the street.

Joy surged through Neptune when he heard his wife's voice. With a sudden burst of strength, he thrust the two naginatas upward, then turned and nimbly swam his enormous body over to Queen Otohime.

He bent down and extended his huge hands, carefully lifting Queen Otohime from the ground as though she were a fragile treasure. Raising her to eye level, he examined her closely from head to tail. Only after confirming that she had no injuries did he let out a long breath of relief.

"Why did you rush in there alone? What if you'd been in danger?!" Neptune's voice held lingering fear and reproach, but above all, concern.

Queen Otohime smiled and shook her head, reaching out to pat her husband's enormous finger gently to indicate that she was fine.

Then she turned toward Saint Dio, who stood nearby, and solemnly introduced him. "Your Majesty Neptune, this is Lord Saint Dio, a Celestial Dragon."

Neptune abruptly froze.

He slowly turned his head, his aqua-blue eyes widening as he stared in disbelief at the White Hair youth, whose height did not even match the size of his tail.

He opened his mouth, then looked back at Queen Otohime and asked in a lowered voice, "Are you certain? He really is a Celestial Dragon?"

Queen Otohime nodded earnestly. "I've already confirmed it. There's no mistake."

Cold sweat instantly broke out over Neptune.

He had actually taken action against a Celestial Dragon. Although he had not started it, the fact remained that he had fought the Celestial Dragon's guards for quite some time and had even nearly injured them.

If word of this reached the World Government, Fish-Man Island could very well face utter destruction.

When that happened, even as the king of Fish-Man Island, he would be unable to bear the responsibility.