Ten thousand meters beneath the surface of the ocean — that was the realm of Fish-Man Island.
Together with the Sky Island's legendary Golden City, these two stood as the most miraculous places in the entire world.
For ordinary people, it was unimaginable.
At such depth, there should be nothing but pitch-black darkness — a cold, silent abyss where not even light could reach.
And yet…
Fish-Man Island was an exception.
Here, sunlight shimmered through the deep. Golden beaches sparkled beneath the waves. There was day and night, just like on the surface.
All of this was possible thanks to the existence of the miraculous tree, Sun Tree Eve — an enormous plant said to stretch from the surface all the way down ten thousand meters below, channeling sunlight from above without loss. Because of Eve, light reached the bottom of the sea, creating this radiant paradise.
The tree did more than bring light — it produced breathable air, sustaining life beneath the waves. Fish-Man Island thrived, not as a cold, lifeless trench, but as a warm and vibrant world — a paradise beneath the ocean.
Because of this unique miracle, the island had long become a dream destination. Countless humans yearned to see it.
Every year, cruise ships descended to the depths — nobles, adventurers, and pirates alike seeking to experience the legendary island beneath the sea.
It was also the final stop before entering the New World — a transit point where pirates reinforced their ship coatings, visited the famed Mermaid Bay, or relaxed at the Mermaid Café.
And of course, there was the Mermaid Princess — said to possess a beauty that rivaled even the Pirate Empress herself. Though she hadn't appeared to the public in many years, her legend only grew more radiant with time.
At this moment…
The serene light of Fish-Man Island was pierced by the arrival of a "Magic Submarine."
The Fairy Tail ship — in submarine mode — slowly emerged from the shadows of the deep sea, its magical hull gleaming faintly. It had taken nearly an hour to travel through the darkness, but at last, they had arrived.
"So beautiful…"
The girls of Fairy Tail stood at the deck's edge, gazing wide-eyed at the scene before them.
"I never imagined there'd be such beauty under the sea," Mira said, breathless.
"If I hadn't seen it myself, I'd never believe we're ten thousand meters below the surface," Robin murmured, awe in her voice.
"I thought Sky Island was already incredible," Wendy added, eyes sparkling. "But this—this is like a dream! Right, Charle?"
Juvia leaned over the railing, unable to contain herself. "Everyone, I'm going for a swim!"
With a graceful leap, she dove straight through the magical barrier, descending into the glowing sea. The pressure of ten thousand meters didn't faze her — not when water itself was her home.
"The water here is so warm! Not cold at all!" she laughed, twirling amidst schools of fish that glittered like jewels.
"Then I'll try it too!" Erza said with excitement.
With a flash of light—
Requip: Armor of Poseidon!
The water-infused armor wrapped around her, its blue light shimmering as she dove into the sea after Juvia.
"That's amazing! I wanna play too!" Bonney exclaimed, clapping her hands.
"I'd rather meet the Mermaid Princess from the legends…" Vivi sighed dreamily.
Robin adjusted her glasses. "Speaking of the princess — she hasn't been seen for years. No one knows why."
The girls exchanged puzzled looks.
Sugisawa Yuuto smiled faintly. "You'll understand soon enough."
He gestured for Juvia and Erza to return. Once they were back aboard, the Fairy Tail resumed course, gliding toward the massive island enclosed within a double-layered bubble membrane.
Before long, the entrance of Fish-Man Island came into view.
Two long lines of merman soldiers stood in perfect formation at the port. Before Yuuto could even speak, they saluted in unison.
"Welcome, Fairy Tail, to Fish-Man Island!"
Yuuto blinked. "Huh. This feels a bit like walking into a VIP lounge…"
Still, he didn't mind it.
Without delay, the Fairy Tail was cleared for entry — no inspections, no registration, nothing. They were treated as honored guests, escorted directly through the current into the city.
Once the ship passed safely inside, the soldiers finally exhaled.
They had been on full alert the moment Fairy Tail appeared on the sonar. After all—this wasn't just any visitor. This was Fairy Tail, the guild whose name shook the seas.
Word of their arrival had reached Ryugu Palace long before they landed.
"Prepare the royal gondola," King Neptune, ruler of Fish-Man Island, commanded. "Shark Star, Ryūsei, Manboshi — come with me. We'll greet Fairy Tail personally!"
At his command, the royal procession set sail.
Meanwhile, on the docks—
"President! Where should we go first?" the girls asked eagerly.
Yuuto tapped his chin in mock thought.
Robin chuckled softly. "If I had to guess, our president's first destination is the Mermaid Bay."
"Cough… cough…" Yuuto turned away, embarrassed.
Of course, she was right. Mermaid Bay and the Mermaid Café — what man wouldn't be curious?
Still, surrounded by the expectant gazes of his guildmates, he sighed. "Alright, let's all go together."
"Yay!"
"Target: Mermaid Bay!"
Before they could turn the ship, a sudden commotion rippled across the port.
"Look at the sky! Fish are flying up there!" Nami shouted, pointing.
"That's the royal anchovy gondola!" Robin explained. "The royal family only uses it to welcome very important guests."
"Over there! That's a whale— and someone's riding on its back!" Bonney gasped.
"That's King Neptune himself," Robin confirmed. "The great Knight of the Sea."
Information from Shakky's reports flashed through her mind — the gondolas, the princes, the royal customs. Everything matched.
"Even the king himself came out?" Wendy whispered. "Who could be important enough for that?"
Then she froze, feeling Charle's meaningful stare.
"…Wait. Us?"
"Who else?" Charle shrugged.
By now, the royal gondola had crossed the harbor, heading straight toward them.
The entire port erupted in chaos.
"It's the Dragon Palace Ship!"
"That's the royal gondola!"
"Look — the princes are all there! Shark Star, Ryūsei, Manboshi!"
Then came the booming voice of a whale — and the sight of King Neptune towering above the sea.
"His Majesty the King himself!"
"The God of the Sea!"
"Why would the king personally come out?!"
The answer came soon enough. Someone pointed toward the Fairy Tail ship entering port.
"Look at that flag…"
"No mistake — it's Fairy Tail!"
"The guild that fought the Navy Admirals and won!"
The realization spread like wildfire.
"The king and princes came to welcome Fairy Tail?!"
"No wonder!"
"They're the guild that moves the heavens themselves!"
Pirates across the port turned pale.
"They're here?! Run, run, run!"
Under countless stunned gazes, the royal gondola descended slowly, stopping level with Fairy Tail's deck.
King Neptune stood tall atop his whale mount, his trident gleaming.
"President Sugisawa Yuuto," he said with a deep, booming voice, "I am Neptune, King of Fish-Man Island. Your arrival — and that of all members of Fairy Tail — brings great honor to our kingdom. On behalf of all Fish-Men, I invite you to the Dragon Palace for a grand banquet prepared in your honor."
Yuuto smiled faintly and nodded. "Of course."