Despite being in a volcanic region, Leno and the others didn't suffer the same misfortune as in the original story—there was no erupting volcano waiting to greet them.
Led by the Kraken beneath their ship, the group leapt down into the trench and entered the true world of the deep sea.
The light here was bright, and the surrounding scenery was laid bare before their eyes. Compared to the darkness from before, it was like stepping into a completely different world.
Thick, massive roots crisscrossed the area, with all kinds of fish weaving through them nonstop.
In the distance, a gigantic bubble stood out in particular, shimmering with dazzling colors under the illumination.
The sudden shift from darkness to light left everyone momentarily uncomfortable, and they all raised their hands to shield their eyes.
"Light? Why is there light this deep underwater?"
Robin, wearing sunglasses, curiously examined their surroundings.
At this depth, there shouldn't be any light at all. What kind of principle was at work here?
She casually took out her sketchbook and began jotting and drawing again.
At the bow of the ship, Yamato suddenly cried out excitedly and waved everyone over.
"Hey, look! What's that up ahead?"
"The light's too bright—I can't see clearly,"
Vivi muttered as she came closer, shading her eyes and squinting.
With such intense brightness and the refraction of seawater, it was impossible to make out the distant scenery.
Beside her, Kuina nudged Nami with her elbow and asked in a low voice, "Nami, is that it?"
"Yes, that's right. The pointer's aimed straight at that island."
Nami raised her arm in front of her eyes and followed the direction of the Log Pose.
"…It's Fish-Man Island. We're here!!!"
"So big!"
"Wrapped in such an enormous bubble…"
"There are even clouds inside… there might be air, too."
After a brief adjustment, everyone finally saw clearly the island wrapped in a massive bubble in the distance.
After enduring countless hardships, they had finally arrived—Fish-Man Island, ten thousand meters beneath the sea!
Just as the people on board were cheering in excitement, the massive body of the Kraken beneath them suddenly began to tremble violently without any warning.
That trembling reached its peak when a group of sea beasts abruptly appeared in their field of vision.
But at that moment, a calm, indifferent voice cut through the tension, forcibly halting the Kraken's instinct to flee.
"Stay still, Kraken."
Leno's gaze slowly swept across the sea beasts that had suddenly emerged around them, a playful look appearing in his eyes.
He hadn't expected to receive protagonist treatment himself—blocked right at someone else's doorstep.
Come to think of it, had the New Fish-Man Pirates already been established by now? And from the looks of it, they had already begun stockpiling strength.
Before the group could even finish being shocked at how they'd been surrounded by massive sea beasts in the blink of an eye, Yamato's excited voice rang out first.
"Hahaha! Interesting! This time, leave it to me!"
With that, she lifted her kanabo and was about to charge out. Back when Leno subdued the Kraken beneath the ship, she'd been incredibly envious.
Now that so many had shown up at once, if she beat them all down and subdued them, it would definitely outdo Leno's single catch.
However, before she could even reach the edge of the ship's membrane, multiple arms suddenly sprouted from her body and stopped her.
At the same time came Robin's serious warning.
"No, Yamato. You can't go out."
"Huh? Why not?"
"If you go out there, the immense pressure underwater will crush you instantly!"
Robin looked solemn. Only after Yamato relaxed her body did Robin release her ability.
The pressure outside was no joke. If someone rushed out recklessly, it could easily become life-threatening.
Hearing Robin speak so gravely, everyone on the ship felt a surge of panic. Before they could think of a countermeasure, a mocking voice sounded from behind the surrounding sea beasts, freezing them all in place.
"Yo~ isn't this Fish-Man Island's other respected hero, Mr. Leno?"
"Who?! Who's there?!"
Chopper, Vivi, and the others instinctively cried out upon hearing the unfamiliar voice, panic filling their eyes.
If these sea beasts were being controlled by someone, things would get troublesome fast.
"Hahm hahm hahm…" the voice laughed.
A fish-man wearing a suit jacket, with sharp fangs filling his mouth, emerged from behind the sea beasts, looking down at the people trapped on the ship.
"Welcome, everyone, to Fish-Man Island."
As he spoke, he tipped his hat with one hand and slowly sat down atop one of the sea beasts.
"So then… how should we deal with you next?"
With his appearance, several more figures emerged from behind the other sea beasts, all of them staring intently at the people on the ship—
Especially at Leno.
"Oh? With a lineup like that, this doesn't really look like a welcome,"
Kuina stepped forward, her hand already resting on her sword hilt, her gaze sharp as a blade as she locked onto the speaker.
It seemed today wouldn't end peacefully. She was ready to draw her blade at any moment.
Yet the speaker ignored her completely, his eyes fixed on Leno. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"I am Hammond, a member of the New Fish-Man Pirates. I have something I'd like to discuss with Mr. Leno."
"Go on."
The playful look in Leno's eyes deepened as he replied calmly.
He was curious what kind of scheme these guys were plotting. Did they really think being underwater meant they could control him?
Seeing how readily Leno agreed, a glimmer flashed through Hammond's eyes, and his tone grew much lighter.
"We sincerely invite Mr. Leno to join the New Fish-Man Pirates!"
"With a hero like you joining us, your influence will surely draw countless others to our banner…"
As he spoke, Hammond's expression gradually turned fervent. He spread his arms wide, lifted his head toward the sky, and continued passionately.
"By then, the power of the New Fish-Man Pirates will surpass the Four Emperors of the New World and truly rule this world!"
"Pfft—"
Unable to hold it in, Leno let out a soft laugh. Kuina, Nami, and the others beside him all wore amused smiles as well.
They looked at Hammond as if he were an idiot. Had this guy's fish brain atrophied?
Rule the world? Who did he think he was—playing house?
"What are you laughing at?! What's so funny?!"
Snapped back to reality from his grand fantasy, Hammond glared angrily at Leno. Was this guy mocking their dream?
"Ahem… sorry. I just thought of something happy. Please, continue."
"..."
Continue my ass.
Hammond could see it clearly now—these people had no sincerity whatsoever.
In that case, he couldn't be blamed for what came next.
Only dead heroes were worthy of universal respect, wasn't that right?
"Mr. Leno, you'd better think carefully. We're ten thousand meters beneath the sea!"
"If you refuse, we can't guarantee you'll make it to Fish-Man Island alive!"
Hammond decided to give Leno one last chance. If he agreed to join, that would be ideal.
They understood all too well just how powerful Leno's reputation was.
Just as Hammond was considering whether to soften his attitude a bit more, a vast shadow suddenly loomed overhead, enveloping him.
At the same time, the sea beast beneath him began trembling like a leaf, letting out whimpering sounds as it slowly sank down and knelt.
Hammond raised his head in a daze, but the sight before him made his body stiffen instantly, his pupils shrinking violently.
His trembling lips took a long time to force out a few words.
"W-What… what is that?!!!"
…
…