Under Susanoo's crushing strike, the bird-headed Sea King's massive body was shortened by a third. Although it didn't die due to its formidable vitality, it was critically wounded and hung limply between two others, its head drooping in defeat.
The remaining Sea Kings displayed visible fury at the sight of their injured companion, but the glowing twin blades in Susanoo's hands kept them at bay. None dared to make a move.
Chiga calmly controlled Susanoo, sheathing its energy blades. His eyes, sharp with disdain, swept over the gathered Sea Kings.
"What's wrong?" he sneered. "Not preaching about your 'other king' anymore?"
None of the Sea Kings answered. They remained eerily still, their enormous eyes locked onto Chiga atop Susanoo's head, eyes filled with hatred… and fear.
Unbothered, Chiga dispelled Susanoo. The colossal dark-purple avatar vanished like smoke.
But even with the threat of Susanoo gone, none of the Sea Kings moved closer. What truly frightened them wasn't the size of the spectral giant—it was the Rinnegan, glowing with emotionless judgment.
Chiga hovered in the water, arms folded, his voice calm but commanding.
"I know you can understand me. I'll say this once—pull Fish-Man Island to the surface. Nod if you agree. Shake your head if you refuse."
The pufferfish-shaped Sea King instinctively twitched forward to nod, but the eel-shaped one was quicker. It defiantly shook its head and muttered,
"No… It is not time… The other king must come…"
Chiga didn't need to understand their garbled words. The gesture alone was enough.
"Heh," he scoffed. "Still haven't figured it out, huh?"
With that, his body ascended higher into the ocean, until the Sea Kings had to crane their heads up to see him.
They didn't even realize it, but at that moment, they were looking up at a god.
Chiga's Rinnegan pulsed with power. An invisible wave of mental force surged outward, washing over the nine Sea Kings.
This was the Genjutsu of the Rinnegan—the same one used to dominate the Tailed Beasts in another world.
The Sea Kings froze.
Their eyes began to ripple… slowly shifting… until all nine bore the mark of the Rinnegan.
Chiga had used this technique once before—on the Lord of the Coast near Cocoyasi Village. But that creature had been too weak and perished instantly.
These Sea Kings, however, were powerful enough—both physically and spiritually—to survive. And now… they were his.
No longer thinking beings—just summoned beasts awaiting his orders.
Chiga issued a mental command for them to stay in place, then teleported back to the plaza.
---
"Lord Chiga!" Shirahoshi rushed toward him. "What happened to the Sea Kings? I… I can't feel them anymore…"
"They're fine," Chiga replied, smiling. "I'll have them pull Fish-Man Island to the surface soon."
Neptune's eyes widened. His body trembled—not from fear, but overwhelming gratitude.
This… this was the dream of Queen Otohime. And it was finally happening.
Chiga didn't waste time.
A soft purple glow shimmered in his Rinnegan, and his mental command was sent.
Outside, the nine controlled Sea Kings surged forward. Each grabbed hold of the massive Noah, clamping their jaws on the giant chains. Then, with powerful sweeps of their fins, they began to ascend.
As Noah rose, so did Fish-Man Island, cradled within its protective bubble.
Thanks to Chiga's precise control, there was no turbulence. The people felt nothing—but saw everything.
The plaza fell silent. All eyes were on Chiga.
This one man—this lone human—was reshaping their destiny.
Jinbe and Neptune stood silently, tears falling freely.
"Otohime…" Neptune thought. "Do you see this? Fish-Man Island is finally rising to the surface… Our people have hope again."
But Neptune's joy was tempered by concern.
Fish-Man Island ascending was only one part of the dream. Coexistence with humans—that was the real challenge.
Since the alliance of Whitebeard and Shanks, many human forces had left the seas near Fish-Man Island. But that reprieve was over.
Recently, more humans had returned—slave-hunters, pirates, opportunists.
After hearing about Chiga's arrival, they had retreated… for now.
But once Chiga left?
The surface world would make the island vulnerable. It would be easier than ever to capture merfolk and fish-men.
A shadow fell over Neptune's face.
Chiga, of course, noticed.
"Your Majesty Neptune," he said. "You look troubled. You don't want the island to rise?"
Neptune quickly shook his head. "No, Admiral Purple Kirin. I am endlessly grateful. It's just…"
"Just what?"
The king hesitated.
He didn't want to burden Chiga further. The man had already done more than enough. As king, Neptune felt it should be his duty to protect his people.
But deep down… he knew he couldn't.
He looked around. The hopeful faces of his people stared up at Chiga with awe and trust.
How could he let that hope be crushed?
He clenched his fists and made his choice.
"Admiral… the humans. The ones who come to take our people. I'm worried that… once you leave, they'll return. Worse than before."
Shirahoshi's face grew pale with worry.
Chiga simply smiled.
He understood now.
Neptune wasn't ungrateful—he was afraid. Afraid of the world that waited above.
But to Chiga, this was nothing more than a small annoyance.
Fish-Man Island was beautiful.
It was his now.
And he had no intention of letting anyone touch what was his.
He turned to Neptune and spoke with calm finality.
"Fish-Man Island… I'll protect it from now on."
---
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