The second day after the Battle of Water 7, the world was still reeling. The clash between the Marines and the Rodin Pirates had sent shockwaves across the Grand Line, and the event was the main topic of discussion everywhere.
On Banaro Island, a notorious gathering place for pirates, something else was stirring.
"A whole crew with a ten billion bounty?!"
"Thehehehe! Forced all three Admirals to retreat? They really did a great job!" Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach, his belly exposed beneath his black coat, handed a newspaper to his crewmate, Van Augur.
"Hey, look at this! News about the Rodin Pirates."
"Ten billion… Rodin alone has a bounty of 2.5 billion. That's an exaggerated figure!" Laffitte and Burgess were also drawn in, their faces showing their shock. What did this even mean? A bounty this high was unheard of in the first half of the Grand Line. Even in the second half, with the exception of the Four Emperors, this was almost the highest bounty ever offered.
With such an astronomical bounty and the news of his victory, Rodin's name was now sweeping through every corner of the Grand Line. Pirates, officials and merchants, remember his appearance. If someone were to ask, "Who is Rodin?" they'd be met with ridicule—laughed at for being out of touch with the world.
Just then, the sickly Doc Q, lying on his white horse, said with a strained voice, "That guy is called a 'Shichibukai Hunter.' Won't this affect our next actions?"
"Thehehehe, what does it matter?" Teach grinned. "The Marines won't sit idly by. Besides, he's heading to the New World. He has no interest in us. He's got his own monsters to deal with!"
In truth, despite his bravado, Teach felt a trace of fear toward Rodin, who was constantly in the news. If they were to meet, even with the Dark-Dark Fruit's power, he would have to be careful. In addition to being called a Shichibukai Hunter, Rodin's crew had another title: "The weirdest pirate crew ever." Every member seemed to have appeared out of thin air, with no prior history, and they all possessed ultimate combat power from the moment of their debut. Even the World Government was baffled.
Van Augur, carrying his sniper rifle, continued to flip through the newspaper. His gaze landed on another intriguing piece of news, one that had been overshadowed by the Rodin Pirates' battle.
"Captain, the Straw Hats have captured Enies Lobby. Their bounties are going to skyrocket again."
"Speaking of Enies Lobby, it's famous for the sea train from Water 7," the suited Laffitte said slowly. "It's not far from here. What a coincidence."
"It's within our shooting range. What a pity for those unlucky guys! Cough, cough, cough…"
"Wehahaha!" Burgess held a large sack and threw his arms wide. "Let's go, Captain!"
"Of course we're going! Thehehehe!" Teach kicked a townsman out of his way and stepped forward. "Come on, get ready to set sail! Yo, get busy!"
"Hey, wait, Teach. I've been looking for you."
A muscular young man in an orange cowboy hat squatted on a nearby rooftop, watching them. The Whitebeard Pirates tattoo on his back was bright and prominent in the high sun.
Teach paused, then turned, a grin spreading across his face. He walked sideways, step by step, "Oh, Ace… Captain~!"
Before this, no one knew that this meeting between the two would be a fuse, igniting a devastating and unprecedented war.
The same evening, Rodin steered the ark to the bottom of the ocean near Fish-Man Island, officially beginning his journey into the New World.
The Marines, meanwhile, were working late into the night, busy with their large-scale search and rescue operation. They were also tallying the casualties caused by the Rodin Pirates.
The former Marine Admiral, Zephyr, was dead. Garp, on the other hand, though seriously injured, was already eating donuts, his incredible physique proving its worth once again.
At Marine Headquarters, an urgent meeting was being held to discuss the "World Conscription" relayed by the Five Elders. Two new Admiral candidates would be appointed, and urgent enrollment expansion would begin. The workload was immense, but as they saw it, there was nothing more urgent than a lack of combat power.
As for the safety of Fish-Man Island, they decided it was no longer their concern. The island was a member of the World Government, but it had also been taken under the protection of Whitebeard. The Marines felt it was not their duty to worry about it.
While the Marines worked tirelessly, Rodin's crew was having a much more relaxed time, having dived 7,000 meters into the ocean. Baki was dozing off, enjoying the underwater view.
Crocodile, meanwhile, was training, honing her physique and swordsmanship under Mihawk's tutelage. In addition to training, she had taken on several hats—laundry, cooking, and chores—making her the hardest-working person on the ship. Crocodile understood the difficulties she faced in Tashigi's body, but with her strong personality, she would not ask Rodin for help.
At most, she would ask, "Why don't we go to Amazon Lily first and find Hancock?"
"I've already come to Fish-Man Island before. Wouldn't it be better to go there?"
Rodin, who was undergoing a electrotherapy, emitted arcs of electricity. "What about your body." he replied, not looking at her.
Dove, looking down at Crocodile from her tall frame, added, "It's impossible for the entire crew to turn around just for you alone. Besides, what are you now? I'm afraid you're not even as good as my little finger." She covered her mouth and chuckled.
Crocodile, as an old crew member, had been the most arrogant. Few on the ship could stand her, and the feeling was mutual. They still needed to get used to one another.
"Then you try!" Crocodile drew her knife and slashed at Dove.
Dove simply flicked her right finger, and a thin thread easily held the blade. With a light flick, Crocodile was sent flying across the deck. Despite the defeat, she wasn't discouraged. Her eyes flickered slightly, and she gave a cold smile. "Hmph. It's a pity those fingers are so white and flexible. They shouldn't be wasted on you."
"You bastard, how dare you even say that?" Doflamingo's eyes widened slightly. She glanced at Rodin, who had his eyes closed, looking indifferent. Relieved, she thought, 'Crocodile is really courageous to joke about Lord Rodin like that.'
"Why wouldn't I dare to say it?" Crocodile stood up straight. "Is it too much for you to use your hands to give the captain a massage?"
"Are you trying to die?" Dove narrowed her eyes. She actually did want to massage Rodin but was afraid he would not agree.
"Alright, that's enough," Rodin said, stopping them.
Dove bowed her head respectfully. Crocodile turned and walked away.
'I will use this body to become stronger and catch up with you, you old woman.'
Rodin, hearing her thoughts, raised an eyebrow. Strength was not something that could be achieved in a day, especially not in Tashigi's weak body. Unless Crocodile had a chance encounter, it would be difficult for her to change her situation.
Following a vortex and torrent, the ark penetrated 10,000 meters below the sea without a hitch. It had been a smooth journey, and any Sea Kings or sea beasts that appeared were caught and turned into delicious food.
Soon, a vast, dark seabed appeared before them. It was nighttime on land, and since the "Sunlight Tree Eve" of Fish-Man Island couldn't absorb sunlight, it was also dark here. There were all kinds of fish swimming up and down, and in the "sky," white clouds floated among seaweed and rising foam.
At the center was a huge island wrapped in several layers of foam.
"The Fish-Man Island, here we come." Sakaski walked to the railing.
In the past, she had come to Fish-Man Island several times in pursuit of pirates. To enter, one needed to follow a specific path. Illegal entry would cause the coating on the ship to peel off and merge with the island's shield, making it inaccessible. Ships that did break through would be swept away by the seawater inside the shield.
The ark found the correct entrance after circling for a bit.
"Hey, is that a ship coming?"
"Who… is coming down so late?"
"Wait, is that the Rodin Pirates' ship?!" a merman with long lips exclaimed. The rest of the fish guards shuddered.
"Hurry, tell the news to King Neptune!" the chief guard shouted, raising his trident. He and a few other mermen swam to the front, blocking the ark's path.
At the same time, inside a Mermaid Café on Fish-Man Island, a beautiful mermaid with short black hair, cold eyes, and a hooded top was telling the clerk to close up for the day. Suddenly, she trembled and looked up.
A cute mermaid swam up and asked, "What's wrong, Shyarly?"
"A terrible existence is coming that will bring destruction to Fish-Man Island," Shyarly said, her hand trembling as she held her pipe. It was the first time she'd had such a strong premonition.
"What? What should we do now?!" the other mermaids panicked.
"Tell King Neptune quickly!"
At the entrance to Fish-Man Island, the ark slid straight in. The group of merman guards, their eyes turned white, all passed out.
"Sorry, I don't like wasting time," Rodin said, standing at the bow and withdrawing his gaze. They were just passing through. Why should he waste time with them? He would sign in, see if Jinbe was there, and be on his way. Could he be distracted by the beauty of mermaids?
Speaking of which, Princess Shirahoshi lived here, didn't she?
The moment Rodin entered Fish-Man Island, the system's voice suddenly sounded.
[The special location Fish-Man Island is detected, do you want to sign in?]
"Why so fast this time?" Rodin was slightly surprised. "Sign in!"
[Successfully signed in at Fish-Man Island, congratulations]
[Ocean Star*1]
[Mermaid Transformation Physique Card*1]