Fish-Man Island.
The dreamlike underwater paradise was ablaze with celebration today. Every street was adorned with lanterns and flowing ribbons in all seven colors, while vibrant balloons danced in the currents above.
One by one, official ships from the various Member Nations of the world surfaced from the depths. Each was smoothly guided through the entrance to Fish-Man Island by Ryugu Palace guards riding sea beasts, before docking at the bustling port.
"It's so lively!!"
"This is the legendary Fish-Man Island?"
"King Neptune's wedding—looks like a lot of Member Nations were invited..."
"..."
Aboard the official ship of the Alabasta Kingdom, King Cobra looked around in awe at the island's unique seascape and vibrant culture.
With long black hair and dressed in desert-style royal robes, Cobra didn't radiate the usual authority of a ruler. Instead, he carried an easygoing and approachable air.
Brilliant coral reefs blanketed the seabed, while streams and fountains shimmered under the sunlight, reflecting dazzling colors. A faint rainbow arched across the distant sky.
Slender, graceful mermaid girls frolicked in the water like playful fish, casting shy, curious glances at the human visitors from the surface world.
"This really is paradise..."
Cobra stared at the lightly dressed mermaids, trembling with excitement, his eyes literally turning into hearts.
"Oh? Looks like you're quite fond of the scenery here..."
A soft, teasing voice drifted from behind him.
"Of course! These are beautiful meri—uh, I mean, Fish-Man Island!"
Cobra nearly blurted it out, but quickly caught himself, spinning around with a sheepish grin.
From the cabin emerged a graceful woman, moving with elegance. Her long, ocean-blue hair floated gently, and her sapphire eyes sparkled with quiet amusement.
If Daren had been here, he would've been shocked to see how much this woman resembled the future princess of Alabasta.
She was the current queen of the Alabasta Kingdom—Nefertari D. Titi.
"Why did you stop watching, dear? Look, some mermaid girls are waving at us..."
Nefertari D. Titi said with a faint, knowing smile.
Cobra shivered as a chill ran down his spine.
His expression shifted rapidly before he straightened up and declared with sudden solemnity,
"So what!?"
"To me, you are the most beautiful woman in the world!"
Seeing the murderous gleam in his beloved wife's eyes growing sharper, Cobra's face twitched.
Without warning, he turned and shouted in another direction,
"King Riku! Long time no see! What? A reunion? Of course, no problem!"
Before anyone could react, Cobra leapt from the ship with surprising agility and bolted toward Dressrosa's official vessel as if fleeing for his life.
Nefertari D. Titi watched her husband's retreating back and shook her head in exasperation.
She turned her gaze forward, staring off into the distance.
In the direction of Gyoncorde Plaza, a towering bronze statue could be seen standing proudly.
"Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, 'King of the North Blue'—Rogers Daren..."
She narrowed her eyes, murmuring thoughtfully,
"So Neptune is putting all his chips on the Marines this time?"
...
Elsewhere, representatives and members from other Member Nations also caught sight of the statue at Gyoncorde Plaza.
Their expressions shifted, becoming complex.
Some sneered, others mocked, some remained silent, while a few fell deep into thought...
The relationship between Fish-Men and humans had always been tense, like fire and water. Even as Member Nations, it wasn't unusual for their representatives to be coldly turned away if they tried to visit the island on an ordinary day.
This rare chance to witness the wonders of this underwater paradise was purely thanks to King Neptune's wedding.
But now, it seemed that this grand celebration meant far more than just a royal union.
Right in the heart of Fish-Man Island's most symbolic site, Gyoncorde Plaza, stood the statue of a human—no less than one of the Marine Headquarters' most powerful figures today.
The political message behind this could not be clearer—and it was anything but simple.
"But... Neptune is so cunning and wise, I don't think he would resort to such tactics."
"Could it be the work of Queen Otohime?"
"That must be it..."
"It seems that Queen Otohime, who is highly respected on Fish-Man Island, is playing a very dangerous game..."
The representatives of the World Government Member Nations whispered among themselves, each with their own thoughts.
Of course, there were also those who didn't care much about it.
In a corner of the port of Fish-Man Island, on a Chinese-style ship decorated with antique furnishings, a burly figure was flipping through a guest list in his hand, and a surge of anger gradually rose within him.
"Garp! That bastard Garp is actually attending!"
This man was clad in a dark green cloak, his bulging muscles straining against his skin. As his anger grew, his black beard fluttered wildly in the wind.
The most striking feature was his head.
The forehead was flattened, as if the sharp skull had been forcefully crushed by some powerful external force, giving it an odd, sunken appearance.
Kano Country, 12th Leader of the Happo Navy… Chinjao the Drill!
A Great Pirate with a bounty of 542 million Belly!
"Damn Garp! This time, I'll settle all my old scores with you!"
Looking at the guest list in his hand, Chinjao's eyes turned red, the veins on his forehead bulged, and with his wild beard, he looked like a demon.
The terrifying killing intent kept surging out, as if it were real, scaring the guests who had come to attend the wedding to quickly hide far away.
"What kind of joke is this..."
"How could they even invite that bunch of thugs from the Happo Navy..."
"What bad luck!"
"..."
On the other side.
On a lavishly decorated merchant ship, a graceful figure slowly stepped onto the deck.
Her golden hair rippled in the wind like waves, and her slender white fishtail dress highlighted her graceful curves. Her long, white legs were clad in a pair of satin peep-toe high heels with red soles.
She held a parasol in her hand and squinted at the statue in Gyoncorde Plaza in the distance, her legs wrapped in her fishtail skirt twisting restlessly.
"I didn't expect that damn guy to come..."
Stussy bit her lip hard, as if remembering something shameful, her ears turning crimson.
"But in such a formal public setting, he probably won't do anything too outrageous... Yeah, that's probably right."
She reassured herself, exhaling a puff of smoke.
Lighting a cigarette, she walked toward the foreign dignitaries, her face adorned with a seductive smile, skillfully navigating the leering glances.
She was completely in her zone.