Chapter 17

◇Some days passed◇

Sailing underwater is cool.

It's a perfect time to relax and observe the great scenery of the seas. My crew and I were slowly descending to the deep underwater.

I can't help but wonder about the thing that would let us dive together with the ship. It is the coating. A large bubble had enveloped the Black Pearl.

Every time I touched it, A satisfying feeling could be felt. It so soft and bubbly that the touch would bounce back if you press it hard.

For now, the Black Pearl is stable, There wasn't anything to do and we all waited for the deep sea current. A peaceful undersea journey!

Some of the sailors are also amazed by the adventures, some sailors are also expecting to see the beautiful mermaids in our next destination.

I agree with them. I'll be sure to visit the mermaid cafe with them.

After arriving at the deep sea, It was really dark at the bottom of the sea. We also couldn't use the lamps on my ship to avoid being targeted by sea kings or other sea monsters.

Soon, we calmly navigated thru the current and somehow arrived at 10,000 meters below sea level.

(a/n:Tee-hee~! Plot power)

"Oh my...Although I saw this in a book, I've never witnessed such a sight… It's so beautiful…" (Shikage)

"What was that Guildmaster?"

"Don't mind it." (Shikage)

I almost spilled the beans there. But I can't help it, The Fish-man Island is that beautiful!

The main island of Ryugu Kingdom was inside a gigantic air bubble. At the end of the little interior harbor, ships that had been coated for undersea travel were docked. Up above was a smaller bubble containing King Neptune's palace, connected to the island by special travel tubes.

I can't wait to explore that island anymore! Also, what the heck is that tree?!

Wait... let me check my Shikadiary first, I'm sure that I wrote something important about the Fishman arc. Oh, There it is.

The grand sun tree, Eve, stood over ten thousand meters tall and brought the light from the surface down to the seafloor through its trunk. It was nearly nighttime up there. Down here, inside a special, resilient bubble made from tree sap, the combination of light and oxygen supported a unique ecosystem. Coral, plants, and even forests ten thousand meters below the surface, Fish-Man Island was its own special biotope. Because of its oxygen, it could support not just fishmen, who could breathe in the water, but humans as well.

Thank you, God! This Divine book is really helpful. I guess I need to write more in my Shikadiary.

We started to sail towards the Island. My men were already cheering for the trip.

"At any rate, I'm glad we made it safely. They say 70 percent of human ships trying to reach Fish-Man Island sink in the process." (Shikage)

"Is that true, Guilldmaster? Oooh, scary."

"But it is worth it to meet with the mermaids!"

"""That's right! That's right!"""

"Hahaha, Men! We'll be taking a vacation on this lovely Island! so, go and have fun!" (Shikage)

"""""Aye, Sir!"""""

Our vessel, the Black Pearl, successfully completed a voyage that failed 70 percent of the time and docked at Fish-Man Island.

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On the main part of Fish-Man Island was a residential district made of coral and stacked up like the inside of a beehive. The upper levels were more expensive, with plenty of sunlight, and the neighborhood of the wealthy, Fishverly Hills. Down below, the commoners' homes were concentrated for greater density.

Another part of the Island is Coral hill, The port town of the island. This is also the place where the newly arrived visitors would dock. There's a very popular building in this town. It's the Mermaid Café.

One of the crowning attractions of Fish-Man Island was gorgeous mermaids.

There was no end of men willing to risk their lives by diving to the bottom of the sea to fulfill their dreams of frolicking with vivacious, mostly bare-skinned young mermaids.

We were really excited about having a fun and relaxing vacation on this island. Sadly, It seems that the world is still in chaos!

"Damn it! I didn't think about this! Men! We need to protect this treasured place!" (Shikage)

"Oooooh!"

"[Brick bat]" (Shikage)

I animated a swarm of bats made of shadow and willed it to attack the pirates who are pillaging the town and kidnapping the mermaids.

Together with the bats, My men charged at the pirates and started a brawl.

Oh, I forgot to mention this but my crew isn't just sailors, They're part bounty hunters also.

I guess I wasn't wrong when I said that this place was the perfect place for bounty hunting. It's because Fish-man Island is always under attack by real pirates who only wanted to harm civilians.

And so, The great bounty hunting began!

At the time when Whitebeard died, this Island loses its protection. It became like the start of the Great Age of Piracy, a wave of human pirates rushed through Fish-man Island on their way to the New World and abducted many young mermaids on the way. They made for preposterously expensive slaves. Making the relationship between species full of hatred.

A lot of effort was made to cancel this hatred but it did nothing to solve the actual issues between humans, fish-men, and mermaids.

Right now, A massive battle is happening between humans. The mermaids and the fishmen were all gaping when a bunch of men was fighting off the pirates.

(Right, This place is not yet affiliated with Big mom. I wonder where Boss Jimbei is?) (Shikage)

I continue to look at the battlefield. The Pirates doesn't have any worthy characters that showed up in my Shikadiary. They're just mobs-characters.

But they can still do damage and spread terror to the public.

Also, My crew isn't your ordinary sailor/bounty hunter. Some of them are D-ranks and they also have the Guild's shadow pill. The most important supply that the Guild uses to assist the hunters.

Then the uproar finally calmed down after everything was done. Pirates are tied up by my crew and we saved the town from being pillaged.

The townspeople were murmuring and whispering among themselves. Only the brave mermaids came to us and thanked us for saving them.

A large mermaid came out of the Mermaid Cafe. I know her, she's a named one and I think it's madam shilew.

"Thank you, humans. For saving my employees from the pirates. I am Sharley, the owner of that establishment. May I know your names? kind humans."

(Woopsie! I was wrong.) (Shikage)

"We are from the Hunters Guild. A bounty hunter organization. So, we're used to dealing with pirates. I am Shikage, A Shichibukai... Can we talk for a moment Sharley-san?" (Shikage)

*Gasp*

The townspeople were surprised that a Shichibukai had arrived on the Island. Even Madam Sharley was a little bit surprised. They all knew what that title holds, Since not too long ago, There's also a Fishman that holds that title. It was Jinbei.

Madam Sharley nodded to me and guided us to her property. I let my men handle the pirates and ignored their pleas to join me. Then I entered the building with her.

After being asked to sit down, I obeyed the mermaid and looked around the building. There wasn't any customer due to the commotion outside. It was a hard time for the residents to live a carefree life when there are pirates everywhere.

"It's fine here... Sharley-san, I want to ask about the state of the Island. Also, I want to know where Jinbei-senpai is?" (Shikage)

I can see the twitch in her eyebrows when I mentioned my Senpai. Does she have any connection with him? Never mind, I'll know it soon.

And so, Madam Sharley started to talk.

◇◇

She described how, until about two hundred years ago, fish-men and mermen were classified as "fish" by humans. That was when the Ryugu Kingdom was finally allowed to join the World Government and attend the Reverie, the meeting of world leaders. But the humans continued to despise the fish-men, and naturally, the fish-men did not take kindly to humans, either. Queen Otohime spoke passionately about coexisting with the humans and gathered signatures for her petition.

"Queen Otohime really wanted us to find harmony with you humans. But someone who didn't take kindly to that idea assassinated her."

"Hmm... I kinda knew about it." (Shikage)

"Don't lie, Human! You don't know how deep the grudge between the two races."

Well, I was talking about the story in my Divine book. *Sigh*

"As far as I know, Some are doing their best to change that, Just like that queen... You know, back at my Guild, There's a lot of different races that coexist." (Shikage)

"It's a lie. It is impossible."

"Maybe, But there's one thing that is similar to every race in the world. It's piracy! There isn't any race that is not a victim of this! My Guild is the very reason that coexisting can happen. Our only drive is to hunt down pirates and outlaws who hurt people!" (Shikage)

Madam Sharley's eye widens so much when she heard my words. I may not know about her race's history but I have seen the way my Guild works.

It is a bit of shame that she didn't know where Jinbei is. Well, I have time to spend. I'm sure I'll meet him soon.

Then, she snapped her fingers and the employees of the Mermaid Cafe came out.

"Girls, We have a VIP customer. Take care of him... Enjoy the service, Shichibukai."

Oh? This is nice~

When a mermaid came to ask for my order, I ended up ordering it all. It is also to show my charismatic approach and also to reward my crew.

There was a lot of seafood on our table. Many mermaids also came to my side and ask a bunch of different questions. Soon, my men arrived and were looking at me with eyes open.

"What're you guys doing there? Come over! I got everything ready!" (Shikage)

"Uuuuh... Guildmaster's so kind!!"

"*sniff* I'll follow you forever, Guildmaster!"

(Please don't!) (Shikage)

I let out a wry smile when I saw them crying and rejoicing at the same time.

And then they joined us when I invited them and we had a feast! I reserved the Mermaid Cafe just for us. We went wild in partying and spent the whole day in that building.

It seems that there's a Guild hub on this Island. As expected of Blueno-san, He does know how to extend an organization. We received a warm welcome from them and made it our meeting place for the rest of our vacation.

I chose the coral mansion as my temporary home on this trip.

◇The next day◇

I was in the Guild hub and I noticed something that interested me. I glanced at the request board. There was a wanted poster there, but not the bounty posters that the World Government and the Navy sent out. This one was only for within the Ryugu Kingdom.

The wanted man's name was Vander Decken.

I stopped a Fishman hunter and smiled at him. Making a good first impression.

"Hey, About that poster. What's his deal?" (Shikage)

I asked, pointing to the poster.

"Guildmaster! Hmm oh, him? He's a bit crazy. He's a pirate that is terrorizing our mermaid princess. He spends a lot of his time hiding from the royal soldiers. I hope he gets captured."

Heh? Well, He does show up in the book, but I'm more interested in the rewards of that bounty. There wasn't any amount mention in the book.

"Thank you, Don't worry. I'll make sure your wish is granted." (Shikage)

"Huh?!"

I quickly left him on his own imagination and heads to the Ryugu Palace. It is better to negotiate with the client first before I'll start my hunt.

But before that, I'll need a Fishman to guide me on this Island. And I have already someone in my mind.

You see, In every Guild hub, There's a team or solo hunter that dominates everyone there. And on this island, A Fishman I knew using my Shikadiary is the top dog in this Guild hub.

He is the best swordsman on Fishman Island, His name is Hyouzou. He was a former mercenary that will do anything for money. And he is also a future enemy of the Straw hats.

Even I was surprised to see him in the Guild hub. I set up a meeting with him in the corner of the hub.

I am waiting for him to arrive. Fortunately, I won't have to wait for a long time.

"Hic... Are you... Hic... The one who called me?"

I raised an eyebrow, Does he really not know me? Or am I just feeling good about being known?

A drunk octopus merman took a seat at my table. He's a little bit tipsy and drunk. I wonder if he can clearly hear me in that state?

"That's right. So, are you in or not?" (Shikage)

My message for him wasn't just an invite to the meeting. I also asked for collaboration to hunt the pirate.

"Hic... I can h-handle it on my own."

*Kaching*

Something snapped inside my head. I really don't like being belittled by someone weaker than me.

If this guy isn't part of the Guild, I would've challenged him right now.

"Hah... Fine. The discussion failed. It's nice to meet you, drunkard." (Shikage)

I stood up instantly and quickly left the Guild. All Fishman has this superiority complex ingrained in their race. And I'm not good with politics or such, So I'll let the Strawhats deal with this.

I boarded a taxi, A turtle with bubbles is the transportation here on the island. We were going to the Ryugu Palace. It is a majestic place.

When I arrived there, The royal guards questioned my identity. And when they knew it, they quickly become more meek and respectful.

I guess the title of Shichibukai is really widespread and a symbol of power.

I was guided to the throne to speak with the King of Fish-man Island.

It was the time to negotiate the price of Vander Decken's head!

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