Upon hearing Sanji's words, Usopp couldn't help but glance at him and said sarcastically, " Sanji, didn't you say Fish-Man Island was your dream island, your ALL BLUE?"
"How come you didn't even know there was a royal palace on the island? I don't know much about it, but I know there's a royal palace on the island, and I've even heard there's a beautiful mermaid princess!"
"The Little Mermaid!!"
These four words were firmly etched in Sanji's mind, causing him to automatically ignore even Usopp's mocking words.
Then Sanji instantly appeared in front of Fukaboshi, jumped up, grabbed Fukaboshi's arm, and said, "Please be sure to introduce your sister to me!"
Fukaboshi:...
Everyone:...
After this little incident, everyone followed Fukaboshi with smiles on their faces as they headed towards the Dragon Palace Royal City. Excitement was written all over their faces.
However, before leaving, Xia Chen glanced in a certain direction and revealed a cryptic smile. Then, with a thought, a golden shield appeared out of thin air and enveloped Sunny.
"A few little ants have come; we can't let them do anything to the Thousand Sunny!" Xia Chen murmured, then followed the others forward.
After everyone had disappeared, a while later, two figures slowly emerged from the direction Xia Chen had been looking.
" Hody, did that human spot us just now?"
A Fish-Man with black and white stripes looked at a large white Fish-Man and asked, his face still showing fear.
When Xia Chen's gaze swept over him just now, he felt as if he were being stared at by the Grim Reaper, and his body couldn't help but tremble.
"That should be it!" Hody Jones, the Great White Fish-Man, said with a serious expression. He had also been startled by Xia Chen's gaze; he could clearly feel that Xia Chen was looking at them.
This was the first time he had ever experienced the feeling of having no secrets whatsoever.
After a moment of silence, Hody said in a low voice, " Xia Chen, the strongest human? He's the one who killed the Arlong boss!"
"Although humans are considered an inferior race, the strongest among them still possesses considerable strength. It seems that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will become the biggest obstacle to our plan!"
"What should we do, Boss Hody?" the Fish-Man, Zeo, asked hurriedly. He didn't want to confront Xia Chen; that look in his eyes just now had already chilled him to the bone.
"What's the panic! Even if we can't beat him right now, have you forgotten we still have a secret weapon?" Hody growled in a low voice.
"You mean..." Zeo seemed to realize something, a bead of cold sweat trickling down his forehead, before he asked hesitantly:
"But that's a banned drug! I've heard it has serious side effects!"
" Zeo!" Hody roared.
"We are Fish-Man, the noblest race in the world, yet these inferior humans repeatedly harm us!"
"We are men of the Arlong's will, Fish-Man chosen by heaven to punish humanity! Revenge against humanity should be carried out by us! I am willing to pay any price, even my life!"
After listening to Hody's words, Zeo remained silent for a long time, finally his eyes hardening as he said in a deep voice, "I understand!"
Hody stared intently at the spot where Xia Chen and the others had left, then said:
"Pass the word: execute the plan ahead of schedule. The pirates who killed Arlong and his crew have already arrived, so there's no need for us to wait any longer!"
"Let the Straw Hat Pirates become the stepping stone for our New Fish-Man Pirates to make a name for ourselves in the world..."
--
Meanwhile, Xia Chen was following behind the group, looking around curiously just like Luffy and the others.
Although Fish-Man and humans are two different races, the buildings and facilities on Fish-Man Island are actually quite similar to those in human towns on the mainland, and the differences are not that great.
But there are indeed many mermaids, and this was his first time seeing one!
He had naturally spotted Hody and his companion in the distance, but he had no intention of making a move.
There's no other reason than that these two guys are simply too weak, which is why Xia Chen called them little ants, because even calling them little Nezumi would be too kind.
In the original work, Hody's strength before taking the Energy Steroids ES was simply pathetic. Even after taking it, he was constantly being beaten down by Luffy. Therefore, Xia Chen had absolutely no desire to fight such a small fry.
Let Luffy and his crew have some fun with it; after all, they haven't played around with it much in half a year!
Before long, the group arrived at the Ryugu Palace under Fukaboshi's guidance. Outside the Ryugu Palace, a group of people were already waiting, led by a tall mermaid with yellow hair and a crown.
Upon seeing the group's arrival, he hurried over and said, "Hello! I am King Neptune of the Ryugu Kingdom! Welcome to Fish-Man Island!"
"Oh? Mermaid Uncle, you're the king! I heard you have delicious snacks here, is that true?" Luffy asked loudly, drooling.
(⊙o⊙)...
Neptune was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, then quickly realized and said, "That's right! The palace has many pastries, and... everyone who has tried them says they're delicious!"
"Really?" Luffy exclaimed excitedly, his eyes immediately turning into the shape of snacks.
"I want to eat! I want to eat!"
"Me too!" Usopp and Chopper chimed in.
"Alright! I'll take you inside now!" Neptune smiled and led the group towards the palace.
Seeing Neptune's expression, Xia Chen, standing at the back of the crowd, narrowed his eyes. From the moment he first saw Neptune, he had noticed that Neptune had been glancing at him intentionally or unintentionally.
Although he may have been trying to be discreet, Xia Chen's senses were incredibly sharp, so of course he could detect his subtle actions.
Moreover, he also read two emotions in Neptune's eyes: nervousness and ingratiation!
He could understand the nervousness; after all, the man was now somewhat famous, so it was perfectly normal for him to be nervous around him!
But what was the meaning behind that ingratiating tone? Even if he was very strong, there was no need for him to act like that, unless... Neptune needed something from him!
Xia Chen felt that his guess was probably pretty accurate, but he didn't know what Neptune wanted him to do for him.
If it's not too difficult for him, he might consider it; that way, it would be easier to get close to his daughter!
To be honest, he is quite interested in the Little Mermaid! Of course, not in that way; he doesn't have any interracial interests!
Rather, it's the uniqueness of Shirahoshi as Poseidon that interests her!
Shaking his head, Xia Chen decided to go inside and fill his stomach first. Of all things, eating is the most important! However, a casual glance revealed that... one person seemed to be missing from their group?
Where did Sanji go?
"Him? He's been staying in those towns ever since he saw those mermaids!" Zoro replied casually, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Xia Chen:...
That's exactly what Sanji would do!
After all, it's his ALL BLUE~