BlackStar_BH:
Just so you know, I've finally defeated the cursed writer's block that slowed me down during this arc, and the arc is already fully completed on Patreon and Ko-fi.
I've already started writing the next arc, and the chapters are coming out at a record speed! We're also incredibly close to a huge milestone… only 18 chapters left before this novel reaches Chapter 1000!
Can you believe it? 1000 chapters… That's insane.
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"Friends…"
Jimbei felt joy well up inside him when he saw that line… "We're friends…" — the reply Luffy had given to his counterpart's question.
"What relationship do you and I share?!"
That had been Jimbei's question to Luffy, back in the depths of the ocean forest, before they carried out their plan.
(Author's Note: The plan that Luffy, of course, didn't follow.)
Fisher Tiger, Hatchi, Aladine, and the others all smiled as well, while Arlong's expression stiffened a bit. It was true — they all agreed with Jimbei's words that humans and fishmen had failed to form that kind of relationship for many years, perhaps even for centuries.
"For a human to say with his own mouth that he considers you a friend… Friendship between fishmen and humans… We only ever asked for coexistence, yet something like friendship and emotional exchange seems far more distant, doesn't it?" said Tiger with a faint smile.
"What? Aren't we friends?" Rob looked at Fisher Tiger with a questioning gaze.
Fisher Tiger's eyes widened at Rob's question — not just his, but those of all the fishmen present. Even Arlong was stunned.
Could Sky Sword Rob truly be considered a friend? Of course, he could.
How many contributions has this man made so far? Each one alone was enough to make him an idol, let alone a friend.
He built the Art Store and shared his stories with a race living ten thousand meters below the sea. That was his first contribution.
He saved Tom, a respectable fishman, from execution, fought the World Government, and destroyed Enies Lobby, the place of Tom's intended execution. He even revealed one of his trump cards — the ability to borrow powers from the fictional characters he created — forcing the great figure behind the World Government to appear and expose himself. All that, just to save one fishman. That was his second contribution.
He created Sky Port, connecting Fishman Island with the surface world and even the Sky Islands, defying logic itself. He had Tom build a coated Sea Train capable of traveling back and forth between Fishman Island and the Sabaody Archipelago. That was his third contribution.
He opened a branch of the Hunter Guild on Fishman Island, giving fishmen a chance to become renowned hunters who could integrate into human society without resorting to piracy. That was his fourth contribution.
This is not even counting the countless economic and trade contributions that brought prosperity to the island through his many business projects — contributions too numerous to count.
Nor does it include the fates of countless individuals saved from tragic destinies through the publication of his manga, which revealed shocking and heartbreaking life scenarios.
Fisher Tiger, who was thinking about this, was one of those very individuals — people whose miserable lives had been rewritten thanks to this man's interference.
Yet all these contributions still paled in comparison to what was about to happen — something for which the smiling man before him would once again be responsible.
Tiger took a deep breath and said,
"You are not just a friend to the Fishman race… You are our benefactor."
"Just let me be a friend," Rob interrupted.
"Of course you are!!" Jimbei shouted.
"That's right, Nyuuu~!" Hatchi affirmed.
Aladine and the others nodded enthusiastically.
Tiger smiled helplessly. "You truly are our friend."
...
"What kind of logic is that!? Yohohoho!! As expected of Luffy-san!"
In Ohara, Brook burst out laughing as he read Luffy's definition of a hero.
"To think that's the reason he doesn't want to be a hero…" Rosinante was speechless.
"Fufufu~ He's not entirely wrong," Doffy explained cleverly. "A hero is bound by his heroism, while a pirate is not bound by anything. A pirate is completely free to act according to his pure desires. Luffy is exactly that kind of pirate — he simply doesn't want to share his meat with others."
"He's sold his soul to the devil for meat," Enel muttered, unbothered by seeing Jimbei persuaded so easily when offered 'lots of meat' as collateral.
...
"Hohoho~ So Jimbei walked into the trap himself, and here I thought he was the dumb one."
Issho laughed at himself.
"One cannot hesitate when the fate of their country is at stake. And we're talking about a former Shichibukai — not someone so easily captured by subordinates, even in a perfect trap."
Mihawk spoke calmly, unsurprised — he had expected this outcome.
"Well then, I wonder how all this will end?" Vegapunk mused.
"As it always does — the villain's butt gets kicked in the end! Derishishishi! Isn't that right, Robin-chan?"
Saul laughed before turning to Robin beside him.
"Derishishishi! That's right. Even if three Hody Jones showed up, they couldn't beat Luffy. That's what my father told me."
Robin laughed in Saul's same manner before replying.
...
— — — — — — — — — — — —
Chapter's Events:
— — — — — — — — — — — —
"They totally ignored you!!!" Daruma mocked after seeing Zeo stand there, stunned.
"I said it quietly on purpose so they couldn't hear!!" Zeo lay stiffly.
…
"It's pretty dangerous for Cry-Hoshi to be here," said Luffy, glancing at Shirahoshi.
"Her getting captured was part of our plan. I'm not sure how we're going to get her out of here," Jimbei intervened.
"Here you go — the letter you wanted." Nami handed her the Tenryuubito's letter.
"Thank you so much, everyone!!"
"…This is the hope of Fishman Island that my mother left for us all… But, Luffy-sama… what did you just call me…?"
"I thought you always called me 'crybaby'…"
"Oh, well… I don't really get it, but…"
"It sounds like you're not much of a baby after all," Luffy admitted from what he'd seen so far that she wasn't just a Crybaby.
"Eh!?" Shirahoshi was surprised.
"Quite right, Shirahoshi… it must have been difficult for you. All those years…!!" Jimbei said, looking at her.
"I must apologize… this all happened because of my decision to conceal the truth…"
"Think naught of it. You should be proud!! To resist the passing on of hatred is a most noble act!!"
"I can only pray that the seed you have planted will grow to cover the entire island…" Even Jimbei, deep down, admired Shirahoshi's heroic act.
"For if the day should come when we can think the same way as you…"
"I daresay all barriers and conflicts between fishmen and humans will fall away with the greatest of ease."
"I do not mean to deny the years you spent shouldering this truth alone."
"But I must ask that this time, you allow us to lend you our help…in protecting this seed of hope!!"
— — — — — — — — — — — —
Neptune sighed as he watched this scene.
"The burden on her shoulders was not light… Even Luffy acknowledged she wasn't just a Crybaby…"
"Of course. Luffy can see deeper — into a person's true nature."
"Your Majesty, do you believe the princess would sacrifice her life to protect the island?"
"You mean Vander Decken's threat? Of course she would."
"Then Luffy must destroy the ship to protect her. He promised before letting her out of her iron room."
"Luffy will certainly do it. But what matters now is dealing with those traitors."
"There's no need to worry. Everything will be fine from here on."
Otohime smiled knowingly, as if she already knew what would happen.
Indeed — she and the King were still conversing as they read the chapter at the same table.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 960: Luffy's Haki Sweeps the Plaza!
Chapter 961: The Battle Begins!
Chapter 962: The Legendary Kraken Enjoys the Manga!
Chapter 963: General Franky Dominates!
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