The salty scent of the sea hung in the air. When a new ship approached Fishman Island, the guards of Ryugu immediately ran over.
"Human boy, please register before entering Fishman Island." The moment the words were spoken, one guard caught sight of Will behind him. His face changed instantly. "Hey, isn't that Will? You worthless kid… reduced to a prisoner of a child." The sudden shift in attitude made Leo begin to question who the real fishman was.
Leo looked at Will in confusion. He didn't fully understand why Will was bullied by others, but he worried for the chubby boy's well-being. However, Will's reaction surprised him. He didn't seem the least bit concerned about the guard's attitude; instead, he smiled foolishly and greeted him warmly.
"Hey, hello, Brother Kate. Let me introduce someone—this is Brother Leo. He's my lifesaver."
"Don't cause trouble, you idiot. You're nothing but a traitor. Stop blocking the way and come register with me."
Leo's dissatisfaction with the guard grew. He had come to see Will as family—someone who would protect him in danger without hesitation. Now, seeing his "brother" being mistreated, Leo was determined to teach the guard a lesson.
Startled, Will quickly stepped in behind Leo, hugging him and pulling him aside. With an apologetic smile, he addressed the guard: "Brother Kate, sorry to bother you. Let's go register quickly. Brother Leo, you've always wanted to visit the Mermaid Café; I'll take you there later."
The atmosphere became awkward. Kate initially seemed displeased, but for some reason, Leo's gaze made him feel as if he were being watched by a sea king. He snorted coldly and processed their entry permits.
With permission granted, Will led Leo away. Leo said nothing. It was clear that Will's life was hard, but he didn't complain, and Leo didn't ask questions, letting him guide them through Fishman Island.
Fishman Island truly lived up to its reputation as a landmark of the Grand Line. Its first impression was dreamlike and surreal. The island was built atop massive coral reefs, covered by a dual-layered hemispherical protective dome. Air circulated through gaps in the dome, and specialized oxygen storage devices at the entrance supplied breathable air throughout the island. Though located 10,000 meters below sea level, sunlight reached the island thanks to the Sun Tree, Eve, creating a natural day-night cycle. The streets and alleys were filled with colorful coral, and buildings resembled shells of crustaceans, varying in style and size. Like Shampoo Island, Fishman Island also used traditional Akiman red tree resin, evident in its iconic bubble taxis, fish buses, and the red resin swimming rings mermaids tied around their waists when walking on land.
According to Will, he was born on Fishman Street, which was very different from Fishman Island. Fishman Street was a lawless slum with far worse security.
After wandering for a while, Leo urged Will to take him to the Mermaid Café. It wasn't out of lust—Leo merely wanted to test his limits and see firsthand how dangerous a place could be that would make someone like Sanji bleed from five steps away. Yes! He just wanted to see it with his own eyes.
The two rode a bubble taxi and quickly arrived at the Mermaid Café. As soon as Leo stepped off the vehicle, he was drawn by a chorus of sweet laughter…
Whoa! Fishman Island looked even more beautiful now. Several young mermaid girls played in the pool, causing ripples across the water. Leo's eyes widened; he could barely take in the scene. The girls were not only scantily dressed but also charming—ranging from little girls to young women, to fully grown adults… well, anyway, Leo suddenly felt a tickling sensation in his nose, as if something warm might spill out at any moment.
The mermaid girls were unafraid of strangers. Seeing Leo approach, they waved enthusiastically. Some bolder girls even jumped ashore and hugged him tightly. The sensation… was amazing.
"Oh my… ladies, please slow down." Leo said nothing, but his eyes nervously flicked downward. The mermaids giggled: "What a handsome little brother! Welcome to Fishman Island's most unique café."
With a playful smile, the girls looked at Leo, while the other mermaids in the pool shouted in unison, "Welcome!" That familiar feeling… Leo thought to himself, I might die here tonight.
Will tried to introduce Leo, but Leo stepped forward and quickly made the girls laugh. After chatting for a while, he addressed Will: "Bro, order whatever you want. I'm in a good mood today—don't hold back. Eat your fill, then we can head home. I won't accompany you further today."
Will greeted him. He was glad his brother let him order freely, but he couldn't shake the feeling that today's Leo was different from usual.
After eating his fill, Will left the Mermaid Café and strolled along Mermaid Street, patting his belly as he walked. This small street was much quieter than the islands where mermaids lived. The chubby boy was still savoring the delicious cake, unaware of the disdainful glances from people in the street corners.
Will soon arrived home. The door was ajar, the walls splattered with what looked like paint. He pushed it open without concern, only to find tables and chairs toppled and strewn about. Overwhelmed, he let tears flow, dragging his tired body to his bedroom. Piles of items covered the bed. After tidying a bit, Will lay down, silently crying as he tried not to make noise.
The next day, Leo walked out of the café feeling refreshed. Talking with the young ladies all night had been delightful. He strolled leisurely through the streets, content in his heart, though his stomach growled in protest.
After a long walk, he finally found a tavern. Starving, he decided to eat. Once done, he planned to look for Will on Fishman Street. That gluttonous kid must know where to find the best food.
The tavern was sparsely populated. Several patrons shot him hostile glances as he entered, but Leo was used to it and ignored them. He had no intention of angering anyone or making friends.
He sat at the bar. Before he could speak, the owner pointed to a wooden sign stating minors were prohibited from drinking alcohol. Leo chuckled. This owner was interesting—he didn't seem hostile toward humans.
"Boss, I'll have seafood fried rice and a juice." Leo smiled, trying to appear friendly.
"One order of Baileys, ten thousand units." The owner coldly quoted the price, took the money, and went to the kitchen.
After a while, a large plate of seafood fried rice and a glass of Fishman Island specialty kelp juice were served. Leo took a sip. The drink looked dark, but the taste was surprisingly good—slightly sour and refreshing, stimulating appetite.
Leo praised the food and began eating. The owner's initial wariness slowly faded. Leo ordered a few more specialty dishes. Indeed, Fishman Island's cuisine lived up to its reputation. Seeing Leo eat heartily, the owner began chatting with him.
The owner's words immediately put Leo at ease: "I never imagined a kid like you could reach Fishman Island alone. Many adults couldn't do it."
"Haha, it took help from many people, but the journey was worth it. Fishman Island is truly beautiful," Leo replied with a smile.
"Your parents must have been relieved to let you sail alone. You didn't sneak out, did you?"
"No, I have no relatives left in my hometown. They were all killed by pirates."
"I'm sorry for bringing up your tragic past. Those damn pirates cause trouble wherever they go."
"Heh, it's fine. I've gotten used to it. Uncle, Fishman Island feels so peaceful."
"Fishman Island faces many troubles. Not just pirates, but slave traders. Every year, many of our people disappear."
At this, a nearby shark fishman interjected: "Hmph, many of our people have been taken by humans. In my view, humans are filthy and despicable."
"The worst are pirates and slavers. In fact, humans suffer even more persecution than you fishmen, much like in my hometown," Leo said cleverly, placing himself and the fishmen in a shared perspective.
As expected, the shark fishman's expression softened. Being from the lower classes, he no longer troubled the boy. "You dare come to Fishman Island alone? Should I say you're lucky?"
"I'm extremely strong. I've defeated several groups of slavers. Last time I rescued a fishman. This time I came to return him home."
Hearing this, the tavern patrons raised their glasses in salute. Leo's actions were heroic. He toasted each of them individually, everyone holding a glass of juice.
At that moment, a tall, deep-red fishman sat beside Leo and said: "You're remarkable, kid. So young and able to defeat slavers. What's the name of the fishman you saved? Maybe I know him." Leo asked cautiously.
Leo stared at the massive man beside him. What a big fish! Could it be Fisher Tiger? He looked much younger than in the stories. Knowing who he was, Leo relaxed a little: "Hello, brother. The fishman I saved is named Will. Do you know him? He's a little chubby kid."
Tiger paused, surprised the person Leo saved was someone he knew. "Of course I know Will. I watched him grow up. Thank you, young man. I'm Fisher Tiger, an adventurer and the leader of Fishman Street."
"Brandon Leo is an adventurer and part-time bounty hunter."
"That's a good idea. Young people should travel. I believe this will be a wonderful journey."
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All the fanfiction is 30-chapter ahead but this "One Piece: Shadows of the Throne" is 30 chapters ahead there