Chapter 15: Birth of the Sun Pirates
Ten thousand meters beneath the sea, two massive air bubbles enveloped a large island and a smaller one. Though deep underwater, the place had a sky, clouds, and even day-night cycles.
Thanks to the gigantic Yang Tree Eve growing near Fish-Man Island, sunlight from the surface filtered down, bathing the island in warm light.
Under the glow of sun and sea, the whole island looked like a dream—coral palaces, colorful fish taxis, mermaid beauties everywhere. It was breathtaking.
Everyone on the ship, Luo Lin included, stood frozen in awe. The manga and anime didn't do it justice. Reality was a hundred times more stunning.
The coated ship soon reached the entrance checkpoint. After routine immigration procedures, it passed through the bubble gate and entered Fish-Man Island proper.
The coating didn't pop; a water channel guided the ship into Fish-Man Bay, where the coating automatically dissolved.
Before even stepping off, Luo Lin spotted a massive pirate flag in the most prominent spot—Whitebeard's jolly roger.
Fish-Man Island was already under Whitebeard's protection. That flag was the ultimate deterrent.
Nothing else caught his eye, so he hopped off and walked away without looking back.
This part of the bay was reserved for pirate ships—no Fish-Men or merfolk around.
The Tidal Wave Pirates watched him go, trembling.
"We… we survived!"
They hadn't dared breathe the whole trip. Tears of relief welled up as their walking disaster finally left.
Luo Lin wandered like a total country bumpkin, eyes shining, head swiveling left and right.
Pretty mermaid ladies? His eyeballs nearly fell out.
Slurp slurp~ "Wonder if kissing a mermaid tastes fishy… hehehe!"
He let out creepy giggles, looking every bit the pervert.
Fish-Men and merfolk shot him weird looks. Some hurried away.
Thanks to Whitebeard's declaration, slave trafficking had dropped sharply, but it still happened.
A human acting this sketchy? Definitely up to no good.
Luo Lin didn't care. Human-Fish-Man relations were already rocky—hostility was normal. Not his fault!
Besides, no one could understand a former shut-in otaku's feelings seeing this paradise in real life.
Coral houses, water-channel fish taxis, bikini-clad mermaids with bubble rings around their waists—he was in heaven.
Forget everything else—this was his ideal world.
Of course, mermaid eye-candy was just that—eye-candy. What really hooked him was the food.
One minute his hands were empty, the next they were overflowing with snacks and sweets. Before he finished, he was already charging toward the next stall.
He ate his way down the entire food street, then wandered some more… and got completely lost.
"Ugh…"
No clue where he was. He pulled out the conch Tiger gave him and blew.
It was a signal—blow one, and all linked conches would vibrate.
Meanwhile, in Ryugu Palace…
Tiger was talking with King Neptune and Princess Otohime when his pocket buzzed. He pulled out the vibrating conch.
"What is it, Tiger?"
"A friend just arrived—the one who saved me in Mary Geoise. I need to greet him. Excuse me! We'll talk pirate crew later!"
"Don't rush! We'll come too. He's our friend now. Invite him to the palace!"
"Alright!"
The three hopped on a whale and sped out of the palace.
Back with Luo Lin—he was sipping sea-grape juice outside a shop, waiting.
A few minutes later, the street erupted.
"It's His Majesty!"
"The King is here!"
Merfolk shouted excitedly.
"Hm?"
Luo Lin swallowed a fried clam and looked.
A massive… merman?
Neptune!
Oh, right—Fish-Man Island. Totally normal.
First male merfolk he'd seen all day. Every mermaid so far had been female.
"Luo Lin!"
A shout from above.
The giant whale hovered over the shop. Tiger waved from its back, flanked by the enormous King Neptune and tiny Princess Otohime (barely bigger than Neptune's finger).
Luo Lin: …
How the hell was White Star born?! Coelacanth + goldfish = mermaid princess?! And the princes—one's a flounder, one's a shark. This family tree is a mess!
A million questions, zero courage to ask.
He plastered on a big grin.
"Yo! Uncle Tiger, finally!"
"Welcome to Fish-Man Island! This is King Neptune and Princess Otohime!"
Tiger introduced them.
"We heard you fought two Admirals to save Tiger. Thank you! He is our dear friend. Fish-Man Island welcomes you with open arms!"
Otohime's voice was gentle and warm—no royal arrogance. Luo Lin felt instantly at ease… and a little awkward.
He had no idea how to greet royalty here. Fist-and-palm? Bow? Handshake? Otohime maybe, but the other two could crush him like a grape.
He settled on placing his right hand on his left shoulder and bowing slightly.
"Haha, just luck! Anyone causing trouble up there, I'd totally join the fun!"
"It's crowded here. Hop on—we're heading to Ryugu Palace for a banquet!"
Luo Lin thought: I'm pretty full… but royal food might be even better!
He leaped onto the whale.
…
Ryugu Palace Banquet Hall
A massive, luxurious hall with a shell-shaped stage for musicians, everything inside giant bubbles.
Luo Lin sat inside a huge bubble on a flounder cushion.
Royal food was next-level—endless, delicious, and free!
"Luo Lin-san, what brings you to Fish-Man Island?"
Neptune asked after the first toast.
Luo Lin answered between mouthfuls of sea-beast steak.
"Just sightseeing! Everyone says Fish-Man Island is the most beautiful place on the Grand Line. Had to see it!
Also been away a while—wanted souvenirs for my wife that you can't get on the surface.
Heading home tomorrow!"
He suddenly missed Robin. Almost two months without waking up to soft, warm Robin cuddles was torture.
"Tomorrow already? Then let the Left Minister pack a full set of our best specialties for you!"
"Sweet! Thanks!"
Free deluxe gift basket? Best day ever.
While Luo Lin demolished plate after plate, Tiger, Neptune, and Otohime openly discussed the pirate crew.
"Princess, I've decided. Tomorrow I'll leave with Luo Lin. We'll form the crew later. Most important—no dragging Fish-Man Island into this."
"So soon?"
"Yes. Time is tight."
"But think—humans won't follow a Fish-Man easily. Why not pick some adventurous young Fish-Men here first? Start your crew together!"
Luo Lin paused mid-sip. Here it comes!
"You're right… Any volunteers among our people?"
"Your usual crew—Jinbe, Arlong—they're in. Plenty of freedom-loving youngsters too. We'll pick after the banquet."
"Thank you, Your Majesties!"
…
After the banquet, they headed to Gyoncorde Plaza—the future site of Otohime's assassination and the Straw Hats' battle.
Dozens of Fish-Men were already gathered. Jinbe, Arlong, Hatchan, everyone.
The whale landed.
The four stepped down.
"A human?!"
"How'd a human get in?!"
"Kill him!"
The moment they saw Luo Lin, several Fish-Men bristled—especially Arlong, whose hatred for humans burned hottest.
"Calm down!"
Tiger raised a hand.
"Luo Lin is my friend—my savior! I only escaped Mary Geoise because he and another friend held off two Admirals!"
"Admirals? So what? Land-dwellers who can't even breathe underwater!"
Arlong sneered, but the hostility in his eyes lessened. Big bro's savior? Fine.
"I have an announcement!"
"I caused a huge uproar on the surface. To protect Fish-Man Island, I'm leaving and forming a pirate crew. Who's with me?"
"Me, Brother Tiger!"
"Me!"
"And me!"
Cheers erupted. Tiger was beloved, and many young Fish-Men dreamed of the surface.
Tiger selected several dozen—Jinbe, Arlong, Hatchan, and more.
The Sun Pirates were officially born!
Ironically, Otohime spent her life working for human-Fish-Man peace… yet the Sun Pirates made her job infinitely harder.
Meanwhile, countless human pirate crews ravaged Fish-Man Island, and nobody ever talked about that.
…
"Luo Lin, what do you think?"
Tiger asked earnestly—he respected Luo Lin's strength.
"Uh… looks solid. Crew's a bit green, but stay cautious and you'll be fine! Fish-Men have a natural advantage at sea. Train hard and you'll dominate Paradise no problem!
The New World is insanely dangerous, though. Don't go until you're absolutely ready."
Translation: Have fun in the first half. Stay out of the second.
Tiger fell into thought.
Arlong and even Jinbe bristled.
"Hey, human! What do you mean 'New World is dangerous, don't go without confidence'? Just because you're Tiger's savior doesn't mean you can talk shit!
Blocked a couple Admirals—so what? I would've bitten them to death!"
Luo Lin: …
Bold words, shark boy.
Arlong got angrier.
"Fight me fair and square!"
Everyone else shrugged—most had never seen an Admiral, so they didn't get it.
But Luo Lin and Tiger both froze.
"Luo Lin, don't take it personally. That's just how Arlong is."
Tiger panicked. This kid shattered a chunk of the Red Line—of course nobody here could touch him.
"No worries, Tiger. We're friends—I won't hold grudges."
Arlong took that as an insult.
"What, scared?!"
Luo Lin: …
Tiger: …
"Guess I have to."
Tiger opened his mouth to stop him, but Luo Lin cut in.
"Don't worry, I'll go easy. Good for them to learn the gap."
The crowd cleared a circle.
"Come at me anytime! Scratch me and you win!"
Arlong lost it.
He charged.
"Shark On Darts!"
Fast to everyone else—slow-motion to Luo Lin. Casual sidestep.
"Shark On Gear!"
Another easy dodge.
"Damn it! Dodge this—Water Shot!"
Countless high-pressure water bullets.
Luo Lin spun Shinrai's hilt like Zoro, deflecting every single one. Stone-faced.
Fish-Men jaws dropped.
"Fight me for real, coward!"
"As you wish."
Arlong blinked—Luo Lin vanished.
"Behind you!"
A devastating kick sent Arlong flying like a cannonball, embedding him deep into a rock wall.
"Arlong!"
"He's fine. I pulled my punch."
Sure enough, Arlong pried himself out, eyes blazing.
"Dare to take my next attack head-on?!"
"Try me."
Time to end this.
Arlong grabbed his serrated polearm "Kirisame," leaped high, and swung down at Luo Lin's head.
"Fall!"
Luo Lin didn't move.
"One-Sword Style: Random 78 Slash!"
CLANG!
Arlong rocketed backward even faster, slamming into the exact same crater—out cold.
Everyone except Tiger, Neptune, and Otohime stood dumbfounded.
Humans… could be this strong?!
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