The pinnacle of pirates begins with deceiving fate!

The pursuit of excellence inevitably means standing on the opposite side of happiness.

Only by becoming stronger through hardship and suffering can he become more resilient.

"Happiness is our nemesis."

"I'm sorry, Navy lady, I can't give you a home."

Fishman Island

The island is located 10,000 meters below Mary Geoise and is one of the essential stops on the way to the second half of the Grand Line.

Although located deep beneath the sea, Fishman Island still has a sky and clouds. Because the giant tree "Sun Tree Eve," growing near Fishman Island, transmits sunlight from the ground to the island, Fishman Island experiences sunlight and the cycle of day and night. Local residents even describe this phenomenon as "the sun's blessing."

Fishman Island is the birthplace of most fishmen and mermaids, with a permanent population of five million. It is known as the "underwater paradise" and is a dreamlike haven.

Chapter 130 Top-Tier Observation Haki

Ships heading to Fishman Island usually have their hulls coated in the Sabaody Archipelago and can only reach the island safely by sailing with the help of ocean currents.

But on this day, a different kind of "guest" arrived at Fishman Island.

It was a silver ship without any coating, yet strangely able to keep the seawater out. It flew seagulls and a cross flag, indicating that it had a dual identity as both the Navy and the World Government.

Instead of rushing in directly into the huge double-layered semi-circular bubble that covered the entire Fishman Island, the silver boat took the normal route and stopped at the entrance directly in front of the island.

"Why would the navy be here?"

"A ship I've never seen before, is it a warship?"

"Never mind that, let's stop it first!"

A group of seahorse fishmen carrying tridents surrounded the silver ship, their eyes filled with vigilance and intense hostility. They would attack without hesitation if the newcomer made the slightest move.

It's not that they're xenophobic; it's because humans on land view merfolk and fish-men as fish, not as humans.

It is racial discrimination with strong malice!

Mermaids belong to the human category, are viviparous mammals, and are not fish...

"It's me, it's me, hehe!"

Selena stood on the yacht deck waving to attract attention, and when the Sea Kings turned their gazes toward her, she gave an awkward smile.

The captain, who was in charge, frowned but remained vigilant.

"Selena, how come you're with a human?"

"That's a long story..."

With a bitter expression, Selena recounted how she was poisoned by her own kind, imprisoned on a slave ship, and rescued by the navy.

However, when she mentioned being kidnapped by the eel-man Sterling, she was forcefully interrupted by the captain.

"Impossible! How could a merman have remains of his fellow mermen? You're not lying!"

Facing the captain's stern gaze, Selena suddenly felt flustered, not understanding why the other party didn't believe her.

John, sitting on the deck sofa, took it all in and shook his head in disdain.

why?

Of course, it's because the captain is a fishman, and Selena is a mermaid!

This is a problem that has always existed on Fishman Island but has not yet erupted. The difference in appearance between fishmen and mermaids is so great that it can be compared to the difference between humans and the Mink Tribe.

Now, Selena is saying in front of the fishmen that she, as a fishman, has been poisoned by them, which will naturally cause the fishmen to be dissatisfied.

John put down his wine glass, stood up and walked to Selena's side, his gaze fixed on the captain of the Aquaman army.

"Since when have world government ships been subject to questioning when they arrive in member states?"

"Did your Fishman Island unilaterally break away from the World Government Alliance without my knowledge?"

The accusation was slapped on the captain, leaving him speechless. After a moment of hesitation, his eyes darted around before he began to argue illogically.

"How do I know you're not imposters? Detain you!"

"Dare to resist, and be executed on the spot!"

"Oh?"

Seeing the Neptune army approaching the yacht, John raised an eyebrow and pulled a golden Den Den Mushi from his pocket.

"Are you sure? Then I'm about to unleash the demon-slaying attack."

As he spoke, he raised his thumb, seemingly about to press the button on the Golden Den Den Mushi's casing.

But the moment the golden Den Den Mushi appeared, the Sea King's army was stunned, their minds filled with terrifying legends about the "Buster Call".

The Buster Call is an order authorized by the World Government and organized by the Navy to launch indiscriminate and destructive attacks on the areas that emit the signal, in order to completely eliminate things and people in a region that pose a threat to the World Government's rule.

The island from which the signal was emitted will be completely erased from the map!

"do not want!"

Only Selena reacted quickly, grabbing John's sleeve and pleading desperately.

"Please don't do this. I will persuade them. I apologize to you for their rudeness."

She never expected that her friend's lover had such a identity, capable of issuing a demon-slaying order anytime, anywhere.

Moreover, this man seemed genuinely about to launch an attack; it wasn't a joke at all!

“John…”

Phoenix, who was sitting on the sofa behind, stood up and softly called out to John.

"Alright, I'll give you a chance."

John's intention was merely to scare these guys; he didn't actually intend to launch the Buster Call. He then took the opportunity to put away the Golden Den Den Mushi.

Seeing this, Selena breathed a sigh of relief, used bubble coral to create bubble rings that she placed on the fish's tail, and lifted her off the yacht to float in front of the Sea King's army captain.

"They really saved me. If you don't believe me, you can ask the ministers in the palace to verify."

Although the royal ministers are also fishmen, they are less hostile to humans than the captains from Fishman Street, making them easier to communicate with.

The captain nodded as he took the step, put down the trident, and took out a Den Den Mushi to call the royal palace.

Before long, a large group led by a coelacanth mermaid hurriedly arrived from the Dragon Palace.

That coelacanth mermaid was none other than Neptune, the thirty-five-year-old prince of the Dragon Palace Kingdom on Fish-Man Island, known as the "Great Knight of the Sea."

Closely following Neptune was his wife, Otohime, a goldfish mermaid who was twenty-one years old at the time.

Compared to other mermaids and fish-men, this couple always wanted to improve the relationship between Fish-Man Island and humans, and wanted to establish a truly friendly and equal relationship.

"We apologize for our poor hospitality."

After Otohime gently tugged at his sleeve, Neptune forced a smile and apologized to John.

Then, they inquired about his identity.

"Excuse me, who are you...?"

“Shepard John”.

John smiled and extended his hand to Neptune.

Shepard?!

Upon hearing this surname, both Neptune and Otohime's pupils dilated, and they stood frozen in place.

As the future king and queen of Fishman Island, the two naturally knew the Celestial Dragons' surnames, one of which happened to be "Shepard".

However, because the two of them were stunned, John's outstretched hand remained untouched for a long time, causing his smile to gradually fade.

"What? You discriminate against humans and refuse to shake my hand?"

"Huh? No, no!"

Otohime was the first to react, and quickly reached out to shake hands with John.

At the same time, her innate Observation Haki allowed her to sense John's unusually strange thoughts and emotions.

This is very strange.

Her Observation Haki is extremely powerful, allowing her to sense the thoughts and emotions of others and convey her own consciousness to them, influencing their minds and thoughts and creating a strong resonance. She can even change their values ​​and ideology.

This highest level of Observation Haki cannot be obtained through training; rather, it is innate, like Conqueror's Haki, and is even rarer than Conqueror's Haki.

But at this moment, Otohime's powerful Observation Haki made her feel as if she were facing a calm, gloomy sea.

It was like the calm and oppressive stillness before a storm, yet it also carried a strange coolness and comfort.

It's so contradictory!

Chapter 131 Walking on Land, Living in the Sun

"John Saint, what brings you to Fishman Island?"

Otohime stared at John, her eyes filled with worry.

Nearly two years ago, she went to Mary Geoise with Neptune to attend the last World Conference and witnessed firsthand the arrogance and brutality of the Celestial Dragons.

Especially under her powerful Observation Haki, she clearly sensed how much hatred and pain had accumulated in that place called "Holy Land".

She was very worried that the Celestial Dragon's arrival on Fish-Man Island would bring disaster.

"Confidential, no comment."

John remained gentle, but his words sent a chill down Otohime's spine.

The former feared that these mermaids might not be able to keep their mouths shut, and if they revealed their true purpose as the Poneglyphs, it might reach the Five Elders.

The latter believed that the Celestial Dragons came with ulterior motives, or even hostility.

The atmosphere suddenly froze.

However, Otohime quickly recovered and warmly invited:

“John Saint, we have arranged a welcoming banquet in Dragon Palace City, please do not refuse.”

Of course she knew that the Celestial Dragons were brutal...