Chapter 478: Land Fish Island
Land Fish Island—
This land that had once existed only in dreams and treaties finally shined beneath the sunlight.
Spearheaded by Roy, secretly coordinated by the Marines and the Revolutionary Army, and officially recognized and signed by dozens of nations, this island was formally allocated for the Fish-Men and Merfolk to live on the surface.
The sea breeze gently swept across the azure bay, the air filled with the fresh scent of sea salt and flowers.
Flanking the streets were houses built from shells and coral. The shimmering scales intertwined with the sunlight, creating a dreamlike scene.
On that silvery-white beach, children frolicked and ran—
Some were Fish-Men, some were humans;
Their laughter blended with the waves and wind into a harmonious melody.
The boundaries that had once separated the two races were now quietly melting away beneath the sun.
It was a sight that was once unimaginable.
Ever since Jinbe was ordered to secretly rectify the island's order, the radical faction that harbored extreme hatred toward humans and advocated xenophobia had long been quietly purged.
Now, aside from a very small minority who still chose to remain in their deep-sea home, the vast majority of Fish-Men and Merfolk had made a collective choice—
"To live under the sun."
Inside the royal palace of Land Fish Island, beneath a dome crafted from deep-sea coral, the atmosphere felt exceptionally heavy.
"The Reverie has been convened early..."
King Neptune sat at his desk, his brows furrowed deeply, his voice low.
"I can't help but feel that there's something fishy behind this..."
Fukaboshi frowned, resting his strong arms on the table: "Father, do you mean to say the World Government has ulterior motives?"
Neptune sighed, looking up at the massive pearl lamp embedded in the dome, the light refracting through the curly orange hair at his temples.
"Perhaps. But since things have come to this, the royal family must attend."
He paused, his tone growing firm: "I have decided—this time, I will only take Shirahoshi with me to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise."
"Father!!!" The three princes exclaimed almost simultaneously.
Ryuboshi stood up agitatedly: "That's too dangerous! The Holy Land is the Celestial Dragons' territory. They don't even see Fish-Men as people!!!"
Manboshi's voice also carried urgency: "Let the three of us brothers accompany you!!!"
Fukaboshi nodded heavily: "If there is any danger, the three of us can protect Shirahoshi!!!"
But Neptune merely waved his hand slightly, his tone steady: "You three will remain on the island and guard our nation. Land Fish Island has only just stabilized; we cannot afford any mishaps."
"I have already communicated with Admiral Roy via Den Den Mushi—"
"The Marines will dispatch formidable warriors to escort us to Mary Geoise."
His eyes, having weathered many years, gleamed: "Though the journey may be unsettling, our safety is guaranteed."
The three brothers looked at each other. Although unwilling, they were left speechless under their father's gaze and could only bow their heads in compliance.
Shirahoshi listened quietly, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.
She bit her lip and spoke softly, "Big Brother... Roy...?"
Her voice was as light as the tide washing ashore, carrying a hint of shyness and anxiety.
With her hands clasped over her heart, a blush crept across her cheeks.
"I wonder if he will be going as well this time~"
At the thought of this, her eyes softened, sparkling with a trace of anticipation and longing.
That light—was warmer than the sunlight spilling in from the window.
Neptune observed his daughter's expression, smiled faintly, and spoke gently:
"If he is there, he will certainly keep you safe."
Just then, a resounding horn echoed from outside the palace, accompanied by the clanking of armor and the long blare of conch shells.
"Reporting—!!"
A messenger rushed into the hall, his chest heaving slightly, his voice loud and brimming with excitement:
"The Marine escorts have arrived at the palace!!!"
Everyone in the hall paused in surprise.
Neptune slowly stood up. Just as he was about to inquire, suddenly—
"Bwahahahaha—!!!"
A familiar, boisterous laugh roared in like a crashing wave, echoing beneath the coral dome.
The laugh was hearty and hot-blooded, overflowing with vitality, as if it could shake the entire hall to life.
Following that, the grand doors were pushed open with a loud bang.
Sunlight poured in, illuminating a burly figure.
Wearing a white Justice cape, with graying hair and a bright smile on his face, the man took large strides inside—
It was none other than the Marine Hero, Monkey D. Garp!
"Long time no see—Neptune, my old friend!!!"
Garp grinned from ear to ear, waving his hand in greeting. He was holding a half-open bag of rice crackers, chewing as he walked, looking completely like he was here on a vacation.
Neptune froze for a moment, but his expression quickly turned to pleasant surprise as he hurried forward to welcome him.
"Vice Admiral Garp! I truly didn't expect you to be the one personally leading the escort this time!"
"Bwahahahaha! That brat Roy specifically asked me to come~" Garp laughed while scratching his head, his tone full of forthright enthusiasm.
"He said to bring my two little brats out to see the world, and figure it'd let them rub off some of the Mermaid Princess's good luck~ Hahaha!"
"Little brats?" Neptune looked over in confusion.
Garp chuckled and pointed a thumb over his shoulder.
Behind him, two teenagers were curiously poking their heads in.
"Woooaaaahhh—!!!"
When their eyes fell upon the dreamlike figure ahead, their eyes widened in unison.
She was a gentle giant—her long pink hair cascaded like ocean waves, her azure eyes were as clear as the sea, and her fair skin gave off a faint glow in the shimmering light.
It was none other than—the Mermaid Princess, the Ancient Weapon "Poseidon", Shirahoshi.
"So huge! What a beautiful mermaid—!!!"
Stars practically shot out of Luffy's eyes, his face full of pure wonder and amazement.
"She's even prettier than in the stories! Ace, look quickly—!!!"
He was so excited he was practically jumping up and down, looking exactly like a child witnessing a miracle for the first time.
Ace was also stunned by the sight. He crossed his arms, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth: "Indeed... it's truly incredible."
But his eyes held not a single trace of impure thoughts; there was only genuine respect and awe.
Shirahoshi was taken aback by the brothers' gaze—so devoid of malice and as sincere as the sunlight itself.
She then gently covered her lips, revealing a sweet smile.
"Hehe... Thank you both."
Her voice was soft and warm, like an ocean wave brushing against the heartstrings.
In that instant, the entire palace seemed to brighten a few degrees.
Neptune watched this scene, a gentle light flashing in his eyes.
His heart relaxed slightly, and he couldn't help but sigh in realization: "Perhaps... this is what the true future looks like."
Laughter echoed through the hall once again. The warm sunlight refracted through the sea-glass windows, illuminating their silhouettes—
The auras of the old and new eras quietly converged beneath the sunlight of Land Fish Island.
Meanwhile—
Across the globe, on the sea routes leading to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, the oceans were bustling with an unprecedented level of activity.
Kingdom vessels adorned with golden crests set sail from the various ports of the East, West, North, and South Blues, as well as the Grand Line;
And flanking them were escort fleets flying the "Marine" flags, sailing in parallel.
Everyone understood—
Whether they were willing or not, this voyage was an inescapable path of destiny.
"The Holy Land, Mary Geoise..."
A certain king muttered aloud, gazing at the distant, cloud-shrouded city in the sky. His eyes held both reverence and an indescribable trace of fear.
And on the masts of every escort fleet, the flag of Justice snapped fiercely in the wind.
—The eyes of the world were once again focusing on that high ground symbolizing "Divine Authority."
The Reverie had officially commenced.
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