"Open!"
Kei Yamanaka mentally commanded, using the power of [Soaring Across All Realms] to open the World Portal before him.
Massive torrents of seawater erupted outward with immense force.
The Quantum Engine's passive defense mechanism activated instantly.
It quickly sealed off the terrifying high-pressure water jet erupting from the World Portal.
Glancing at the starfish beside him—ten meters in diameter, its size almost the size of a small Ferris wheel—Kei couldn't help but feel deeply confused.
This is a starfish, right?!
Its genetic structure was nearly identical to that of a starfish from the Marvel Realm, so it must be a starfish!
How could a starfish be this big?
"A world with special powers?"
Kei briefly scanned the strength of the World Portal, realization dawning in his eyes.
After forming a protective barrier by using the Quantum Engine to generate a layer of dark energy around himself against the surrounding seawater, he stepped forward and entered.
Clang~ Clang~ Clang~
A clatter of weapons being drawn echoed around him.
Within the dim azure sea, grotesque humanoid figures in matching uniforms—uncertain whether they were merfolk or fishmen—held firearms, swords, spears, and other weapons. They stared warily at the unexpected visitor who had just appeared outside the bubble surrounding Ryugu Palace.
"Sir! If you wish to enter Fishman Island, please use the proper channels! We don't welcome trespassers!"
The patrol leader, whose face resembled a seahorse, had two additional arms on his shoulders while his lower half looked identical to that of a human. He eyed the man emerging from the 'gate' with a grim expression.
Though he didn't know why this person could use something resembling the 'Door-Door Fruit' Devil Fruit ability underwater,
anyone this powerful was clearly out of their league.
"Fishman Island, Devil Fruits, Shirahoshi, Neptune, Otohime?"
Kei read the hidden data from the guard's mind, quickly grasping which world and location he now stood in.
One Piece—during his past life, it had given him countless moments of emotional resonance.
But ever since the New World Saga, there was only one thing he wanted to say about this world: "Return my emotional investment!"
Moreover, considering this current timeline…
Kei thought for a moment, then turned his gaze toward Ryugu Palace.
In the next instant, his voice echoed in the minds of everyone within the palace.
"I am the Defier of Fate, Eternal Sovereign. The gateway connecting all realms lies here. I welcome any sentient being desiring lasting peace to come forth for dialogue and visitation. Sunlight, land—everything you desire exists here."
As his words faded, a map showing the exact location of the World Portal appeared in the minds of those inside Ryugu Palace.
Seeing yet another full-grown Jambudvipa Fruit atop the Jambudvipa Tree,
Kei considered things for a moment, then raised a single hand and used the power of the Quantum Engine to convert the air bubble surrounding Fishman Island into a Conceptual-Tier Barrier with supreme protective capabilities!
No ill-intentioned individuals would be able to enter the Barrier!
As for those who had already entered…
Kei Yamanaka's gaze fell upon the figures that had turned to dust without even a shriek, his expression unchanged.
No longer concerned with the developments in the One Piece world, he turned around and returned once more to the Marvel Realm, seeking the next World Portal node.
In the One Piece world, the Celestial Dragons still firmly held the reins of global power.
Publicly revealing the existence of the World Portal would only result in the Marines and Celestial Dragons swiftly storming Fishman Island and seizing exclusive control of the portal, guarding it fiercely from other races.
In the short term, Imu, who controlled the world, would naturally invest massive manpower and resources into cultivating the Jambudvipa fruits within the Eternal Divine Kingdom.
But in the long run, this would undoubtedly suffocate the vitality of this colorful world.
He erected a powerful barrier along the outer perimeter of Fishman Island.
Any Marines or pirates who managed to enter wouldn't harm the people of Fishman Island.
And those who couldn't enter would still feel its presence, given how close the World Portal was to Fishman Island.
Ultimately, the World Portal would become an opportunity for all!
Kei Yamanaka loathed both the pirates' chaotic disorder and the Celestial Dragons' condescending arrogance alike.
Yet the former could bring new possibilities, while the latter wielded greater resources.
Let both factions stake their claim on the World Portal!
The Celestial Dragons would certainly send their agents here to aggressively expand their influence, and the pirates would be right behind them!
A win-win scenario!
Well, Kei Yamanaka wins twice!
"I should loosen the restrictions on the Death Arena a bit," Kei mused silently.
He immediately fine-tuned the rules of the 'Death Arena' he had just established, adding a series of special provisions to the newly issued decrees of the Eternal Divine Kingdom, further patching the loopholes in its legal system.
Whether they were pirates or Marines, anyone deemed scum would know their place in the Eternal Divine Kingdom.
Otherwise, they simply wouldn't exist!
——————
Inside Ryugu Palace.
Shirahoshi, playing with her father, Emperor Neptune, and her mother, Princess Otohime, blinked her wide, glistening eyes in confusion.
Earlier… hadn't there been an older brother who invited her to play?
"…Ministers Left and Right, did you hear that?" Neptune exclaimed after several seconds of shock, hurriedly turning to ask his two most trusted ministers.
"I want to go check it out!"
Before Ministers Left and Right could reply, Princess Otohime swished her fish tail and darted toward the exit of Ryugu Palace.
That shocked Neptune into action—he sprang up and blocked his wife from leaving.
"Otohime, stay calm!"
"Your Majesty, this is our chance! Before we couldn't bypass the World Government, but now…"
"Report~!"
A soldier's voice rang out from outside Ryugu Palace.
A seahorse fishman guard burst into the grand hall.
"Hail Emperor, Hail Empress, Hail Princess! The air bubble surrounding Fishman Island has suddenly shifted into an unknown protective technique. Additionally, seven out of ten prisoners inside the prison cells have vanished into ashes. And also, many residents on the streets, foreign pirates, and even some of our own guards have…"
The soldier urgently reported the events that had transpired outside in just a brief moment.
"What?!"
"Just how many people were killed?!"
King Neptune blanched at the news. He hurried after the guards, exiting the grand hall of Ryugu Palace and stared at the air bubble surrounding Fishman Island.
"Mother."
Shirahoshi paled and clutched at Princess Otohime's sleeve—her goldfish merfolk mother.
"The prison cells?"
Princess Otohime shut her eyes tightly.
Her Observation Haki—a power that let her perceive others' thoughts and emotions—spread outward swiftly.
Panic... fear... unrest...
But something was absent!
Malice!
The ones reduced to ash… they all bore ill will toward Fishman Island!
Though she couldn't condone outright extermination, she had also felt the goodwill radiating from the "Eternal Sovereign" earlier!
Could this... be an act of protection for Fishman Island?
As this realization struck, Princess Otohime's heart burned even brighter. She had to see it herself—she simply had to!
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