Chapter Twenty-Six: Arrival at Fishman Island!

Page (1/3)

A bar not far from the coastline in Area Seven of the Bubble Archipelago. Kamio sat at a table, a bottle of red wine before him, sipping slowly as he read a newspaper. Beside him lay a stack of bounty posters.

The latest reports seemed to suggest that the second half of the Grand Line was descending into chaos. Kamio pondered, realizing the cause—there was not yet the concept of the Four Emperors, but Whitebeard was universally acknowledged as the strongest pirate, and it must be around this time that the future Four Emperors would be determined.

Whitebeard no longer needed to compete, but the powerful pirates of the Grand Line’s latter half had already begun bloody battles. Only through combat could they earn greater honor.

A decade later, the term "Four Emperors" would carry immense weight; these formidable pirates fought their way to the top. Whitebeard, Red-Haired Shanks, Kaido, and a mysterious fourth Emperor all distinguished themselves during this period. Kamio considered joining the fray—perhaps claiming an emperor’s throne himself. It shouldn’t be difficult; though he was alone, strength was all that mattered. Even among the Seven Warlords, there was a lone wolf—Dracule Mihawk. If the Four Emperors could have another member, so could he: the Fifth Emperor. Kamio, though solitary, was undoubtedly powerful enough.

With his mind made up, Kamio began considering how to reach the New World. Passing through the Navy would be direct, but it was best avoided; he had recently killed a World Noble, and the authorities were tightening his wanted status. Trouble was something nobody desired. Alternatively, the Calm Belt route was possible—though the gigantic Sea Kings were formidable, they posed no real threat to Kamio. However, he had yet to visit Fish-Man Island; perhaps he could hitch a ride with someone.

“Hey, Captain, I hear the second half of the Grand Line is a mess lately. Apparently, they’re planning to elect four emperors to lead the pirates against the Navy. The Navy is sending massive forces to stop them. Shouldn’t we go join the excitement?” A burly man, over two meters tall with a broadsword strapped to his back, spoke to a seemingly frail man. Despite his delicate appearance, Kamio, who overheard, instantly recognized the captain as a Devil Fruit user. Looks could be deceiving; ability users were the most dangerous, and even the strong could fall victim if caught off guard.

A group of pirates nearby eagerly awaited their captain’s response. Most pirates pursued the great treasure left by Gol D. Roger, but few openly discussed it; for most, the dream was simply fame and freedom.

“Alright, once our ship’s coating is finished, we’ll head to Fish-Man Island. We’ll make the name of the Grizzly Pirates resound throughout the Grand Line!” Though the captain appeared frail, his excitement was palpable.

Kamio shook his head as he watched them. Confidence aside, the New World was a place where only the strong survived—those without power would be eliminated.

A few days later, Kamio had explored nearly the entire Bubble Archipelago, even visiting the amusement park, and sought out Rayleigh for advice on the New World’s basic rules.

After explaining the basics, Rayleigh added, “There, only the strong can survive. The weak have no place in the New World.” Kamio wholeheartedly agreed.

Rayleigh explained that reaching the New World involved passing through a massive underwater whirlpool to Fish-Man Island, then ascending via another whirlpool to the New World, piercing directly beneath the Red Line. Though Rayleigh didn’t elaborate, Kamio was now eager for the journey.

...

Kamio had stayed for over a week, waiting for the Grizzly Pirates’ ship to finish its coating. They would depart for the underwater whirlpool early the next morning. Kamio could have sneaked aboard, but decided to greet them—no need to seem like a thief.

He approached the group of pirates drinking across the room.

“Captain of the Grizzly Pirates, Jolia, wanted for 180 million Berries—I’m not mistaken, am I?” Kamio sat at the empty table beside theirs, a cigarette between his lips, blowing a few smoke rings.

“That’s the ‘Purple Emperor’ Elros D. Kamio, with a bounty of eight hundred million! Why is he here?” Several pirates whispered, their legs trembling.

Page (2/3)

Kamio had returned to his original appearance; it made traveling by ship easier.

Jolia, despite his frail appearance, truly deserved his over-one-hundred-million bounty. He only flinched slightly before returning to normal.

“Heh, isn’t this the ‘Purple Emperor’? What brings you here? Just say the word.” Jolia stood and addressed Kamio. Pirates who made it this far weren’t fools; they knew well what had happened months ago—on this very island, in fact. People still talked about it. What could such a formidable figure want with him?

Kamio smiled, motioning for Jolia and his crew to sit. With a flash of violet light in his hand, Jolia barely had time to react—thinking Kamio might attack—when Kamio produced a pack of cigarettes, tossing it onto their table. Jolia awkwardly smiled, passed them around to his companions.

Kamio explained, “I hear you’re heading for the New World. I’m planning to go as well, reconnect with old friends. How about we travel together?”

Jolia and his crew were momentarily stunned, then elated. Having such a powerful ally increased their chances of reaching the New World enormously.

Even the underwater route was perilous—large Sea Kings abounded, and the New World was surely a thousand times more dangerous. Though Kamio would depart upon arrival, his presence guaranteed the safety of the voyage.

“Of course, ‘Purple Emperor’ sir, it would be our honor to travel with you.” Jolia replied humbly. Kamio was known to have defeated the three Admirals; even in the New World, he’d be among the elite. Building a good relationship was crucial.

Kamio smiled, waving off the formality. “No need for titles, just call me Kamio. I’m much younger than you all, after all.”

Jolia glanced at Kamio, nodded gently, then asked with a complex expression, “May I ask your age, Kamio?” He looked nervous, as did his crew, their eyes filled with curiosity. Kamio looked so young—defeating the Navy’s top three at such an age was astonishing.

Kamio shook his head lightly. Jolia was disappointed, but didn’t press further. Suddenly, Kamio said, “Let’s say eighteen. You can think of me as that age.”

“Let’s say?” Age could be estimated? Jolia and his crew were puzzled, but Kamio said nothing more.

Kamio and Robin had spent eighty years inside the ring; counting those years, he could be called an old man. But their cultivation of the Dragon Phoenix Divine Art allowed them to maintain youth and even immortality. Age had lost its meaning.

Soon, dawn arrived.

Kamio boarded the Grizzly Pirates’ ship. It was about as large as Luffy’s second vessel, the Thousand Sunny—not comparable, but still impressive, with complete facilities and three large sails for considerable speed.

Kamio leapt lightly onto the broad rail, watching the crew hoist sails and prepare for departure. He sighed slightly—he knew nothing of sailing. Though the ring’s ship was easier to use, here in the world of pirates, he was ignorant of the most basic skills. How ironic.

Soon, the ship set course for Mary Geoise, the whirlpool located between the Holy Land and the Bubble Archipelago.

Page (3/3)

“Kamio, we’re almost at the whirlpool. Get ready,” Jolia said as he approached.

In just two days, he’d learned Kamio’s character—so long as you weren’t an enemy, he would treat you with a smile.

“No worries. Just do what you normally do. I’ll handle the ship’s safety and prevent Sea King attacks. Most ships fail to reach Fish-Man Island because of Sea King attacks. Trust me, you’re safe with me!” Kamio smiled, his eyes filled with anticipation as he gazed at the distant whirlpool.

Jolia said no more. Sea Kings were indeed the greatest threat. He began furling the sails; soon, they’d follow the underwater current to Fish-Man Island. If the sails weren’t down, destruction was inevitable.

Soon, they reached the whirlpool’s edge. The Red Line was now visible, adorned with many buildings—surely Mary Geoise. The Navy Headquarters couldn’t be seen, but the massive Gate of Justice was unmistakable, towering nearly ten thousand meters. Kamio wondered about its construction, but his attention turned to the massive whirlpool.

As laughter filled the ship, Kamio joined in. Everyone gripped the ship’s fixtures tightly, bracing for the intense pressure and currents upon entry. Rayleigh had said that, if they held on for five minutes, they would ride the torrent straight beneath Mary Geoise, ten thousand meters below, to the vast hollow containing Fish-Man Island.

Boom—the pirate ship plunged underwater, the tremendous current propelling it toward the enormous cavern beneath the Red Line. Nearby, massive Sea Kings swarmed, their wreckage littering the seafloor.

Suddenly, a colossal Sea King, ten times the length of the ship, charged at them. Kamio sliced it in two with a single stroke, leaving the crew awestruck and hopeful for their own futures as strong warriors.

Kamio himself was surprised by the sheer number of gigantic Sea Kings. He killed at least ten on the way, gradually approaching the luminous cavern.

Boom—the Grizzly ship entered Fish-Man Island’s domain intact.

Standing at the rail, Kamio gazed at the sprawling town and the immense semi-circular cavern, awed by this world’s marvels.

“Fish-Man Island ahead—full speed!” Jolia, excited by Kamio’s enthusiasm, issued the command.

.....................

Recently, it’s been busy with the harvest, so updates have been less stable. Still, I’ll try to keep at least one chapter per day. Please continue to support me!

Group number: 78796o64