"We're still too late. What should we do? Should we chase after them?"
Just as Luo Chen and his group stepped onto Fish-Man Island, several Fish-Man who had taken a shortcut returned. Seeing that Luo Chen's Isel, had already entered Fish-Man Island, one of them said with a worried expression.
"Let's go check it out first. It would be troublesome if Neptune's army got there first. But before that, we need to report this news to Lord Hody, saying that the current Shichibukai, Luo Chen, who is on par with Boss Jinbel, and his group have arrived at Fish-Man Island..."
The eel -Fish-Man in the middle, with his black hat on, looked ahead and gave a sinister smile.
"Let's go. Since we're going to tell Hody about this, let's go back to Adam first, hiccup!!"
The drunken Fish-Man, carrying a bottle of wine, let out a burp.
"Let's go!!"
After exchanging glances, the three urged their mounts to steed off in another direction.
"Hmm... this is?! Have we finally arrived? Fish-Man Island..."
When Luo Chen opened his eyes, he saw a wondrous seascape that looked like a dream. Knowing that they had entered Fish-Man Island, he murmured with a look of joy on his face.
"This must be Fish-Man Island. It's a completely different scene from what we saw from the outside. It's truly as magnificent and beautiful as the legends say. Luo Chen, let's go down now!!"
Catherine's eyes darted around, and her face immediately lit up with excitement as she spoke excitedly to Luo Chen.
"Okay, let's go. As for the Isel, don't worry about it; nothing unexpected will happen..."
Luo Chen nodded, then looked around at everyone before speaking.
"Indeed, with the captain holding the title of Shichibukai, I imagine the residents here wouldn't dare to offend us easily..."
"That's what Monbuma continued."
"Alright, let's all go down and explore Fish-Man Island, and then set off again once the Log Pose is full..."
Luo Chen raised his hand and shouted at them.
"Oh..."
After exchanging greetings, the group disembarked with great enthusiasm and headed towards the town.
Glug...
On the other side, in a magnificent hall, Jinbe, who had returned after persuading Luffy, stood before the hall. Before him stood Neptune, the nearly sixty-year-old leader of Fish-Man Island, with a long brown beard and a crown on his head, and his three sons.
" Jinbe, are you really sure about this?"
A moment later, Neptune spoke up and asked Jinbe was standing in front of him.
"Yes, it's all my fault for my arrogant actions that plunged Fish-Man Island into conflict. I am truly sorry, King Neptune. In order to atone for my sins, please allow me to make this selfish decision: I have decided to personally travel to Totto Land Cake Island to deliver a letter of submission to the Four Emperors, Big Mom. Let me use this sinful body to make a final contribution to Fish-Man Island!!"
Jinbe bowed and addressed Neptune with great respect.
"Chirp~ But, Jinbe, we don't blame you for your actions. On the contrary, you've always chosen to join the Shichibukai to bring peace to Fish-Man Island, and you've been protecting this place with your duty. We're all very grateful to you, so how could we blame you?"
Boss Jinbe, you don't need to compromise yourself and join the Big Mom Pirates again for the sake of all the residents of Fish-Man Island. Doing so would only make us feel more guilty...
The second son, Ryuboshi, looked at Jinbe with a face full of guilt and spoke.
"Yes, Boss Jinbe, you've protected Fish-Man Island for so long with your own abilities. There's no need for you to suffer any longer. Let us take on the remaining responsibilities for you; it is our royal family's duty!"
The eldest brother Fukaboshi, spoke to Jinbe with great urgency and guilt.
Yes!
The third brother, the Manboshi, chimed in.
"That's right, Jinbe. Just as Fukaboshi and the others said, this time, let's unload the burden of the Fish-Man Race that's been weighing on you and hand it over to them. There's no need to keep suppressing yourself!"
Neptune also felt extremely guilty towards Jinbe, as he, as the king of Fish-Man Island, had failed to provide adequate support for his people.
On the contrary, it tied the entire bond between the Fish-Man Race and humans to Jinbe alone, making him choose to join the Shichibukai for the sake of Fish-Man Island, tirelessly serving the government. Now, he has to shoulder the sins that should not be borne by him alone, and once again choose to join the Queen of the Sea, Big Mom, to protect Fish-Man Island under her banner.
"No, King Neptune, I am very grateful that you three princes are so considerate of me, but Fish-Man Island's strength is still too weak. Let me make one last contribution to Fish-Man Island!"
Jinbe was very satisfied with the leaders of Fish-Man Island in front of him. Their statement showed that his contributions had not been in vain. However, he still refused their request and was determined to join Big Mom and use her banner to lead the deceased Whitebeard in protecting this place.
"Can..."
Just as Neptune and the others were about to say something more, a guard rushed in and reported something important to them.
"Reporting to Lord Neptune! My men have received some important news and have come to inform you!"
The Fish-Man soldier knelt on one knee and spoke respectfully to Neptune and his men.
"Just tell me what's going on. Jinbe isn't an outsider!"
Neptune waved for him to speak plainly, his words filled with approval for Jinbe, completely disregarding Gilbert's presence and instructing his subordinates to relay the information they had received.
"Yes..."
The soldier glanced around at Fukaboshi, Jinbe, and the others before slowly beginning to speak.
"Here's the thing, according to information from my subordinates, the current Shichibukai, Luo Chen, and his group recently arrived at Fish-Man Island and are currently touring Coral Hill. I've already sent people to secretly follow them, but please give me any further instructions!"
" Luo Chen, one of the Shichibukai? Jinbe, what do you think? Shouldn't we send someone to invite them over?"
Neptune murmured Luo Chen's name for a moment, then looked at Jinbe and asked him a question.
"Me? If you're talking about Luo Chen, I don't know him very well, but I did have a brief encounter with him on the Marineford battlefield."
In my opinion, he is not a pirate who is wholeheartedly loyal to the World Government. On the contrary, his ambitions are far greater, and he is not satisfied with the position of Shichibukai. His arrival at Fish-Man Island is likely aimed at heading to the New World, or even challenging those kings.
If possible, we should try to avoid further contact with him. Since they're already here, let's show them hospitality and treat them well so they can leave as soon as possible...
Upon hearing Neptune ask for his opinion, Jinbe paused for a moment, then looked up and met his gaze.
"Is that so? My thoughts are roughly the same as yours. In that case, let the soldiers go and invite them here. We, the hosts of Fish-Man Island, will treat them well. You heard me, right? Just as Jinbe said, adopt a more courteous attitude and invite them here. I will have a grand banquet held here to receive them with the most solemn ceremony!"
Having said that, Neptune glanced at the kneeling soldiers below and gave them his orders.
"Yes, sir, I'll take care of it right away!"
The soldier received the order and hurriedly went downstairs.