CHAPTER 133

Everyone was taken aback.

"Wow! That's amazing! Caesar actually tamed that Kraken!"

Lily exclaimed on the spot, her face full of surprise and admiration as she gazed at Caesar, captivated by his ability.

"It was a real rollercoaster."

Eli let out a sigh of relief, feeling his emotions fluctuate wildly just moments ago.

For a while, everyone marveled at Caesar's Conqueror's Haki, astounded by how effectively it had subdued the sea beast. The tension that once filled the air had vanished, replaced by a sense of awe and excitement. Their focus shifted to the ever-deepening seabed, where the mysterious beauty of the ocean unfolded before them.

The transition was striking—their moods shifted from fear and anxiety to wonder and relaxation.

Led by the Kraken, they continued their journey through the sea for a while. Then, suddenly, the ocean floor ahead began to glow.

A massive bubble appeared in the distance, resting upon the submarine plain, enclosing a breathtaking island.

"Wow, is that Fish-Man Island? It's stunning!"

Lily was the first to exclaim, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"So this is Hades' homeland? What a beautiful place!"

Vena's eyes widened with curiosity as she stared at the distant island.

"It's incredible to think such a magnificent place exists beneath the pitch-black ocean," Brad remarked with a sigh.

Hades, however, was overcome with emotion. His eyes welled up with tears as he looked upon Fish-Man Island—his home, so close after nearly three years away.

Beside him, Belisa, who had endured unimaginable suffering, was so overwhelmed with emotion that her legs nearly gave out. This was a moment she would never forget for the rest of her life.

The Chaos of Fish-Man Island

At this time, Fish-Man Island was a far cry from what it would be thirty years later. Without the protection of Whitebeard's flag, it had become a lawless zone. Slave traders frequently infiltrated the island, abducting mermaids in secret.

This history of oppression had fostered deep resentment among the fish-men and merfolk. Many harbored hostility toward humans—some merely disliked them, while others despised them with a burning hatred. Some were even willing to attack humans on sight.

It was these slave traders who had stained the reputation of humanity in the eyes of the island's inhabitants.

As the Caesar Pirates approached, many fish-men turned their gazes toward them—wary, guarded, and even hostile.

Compared to humans, fish-men were fiercely united and had an instinctive distrust of pirates. From the deck of the Rex, Caesar and his crew could feel the tension in the air. Many fish-men had already reached for their weapons, prepared for battle.

But this wariness only lasted a moment.

When the Rex finally entered Fish-Man Island's outer barrier, the fish-men spotted Hades and Belisa standing among the crew.

Excitement rippled through them.

Both Hades and Belisa were fish-men—one of their own.

The hostility in the fish-men's eyes visibly softened.

It was obvious that the two had not been captured or enslaved. More than that, their sheer joy upon returning to Fish-Man Island was impossible to fake. If they had been forced here, such genuine expressions wouldn't have been possible.

From that alone, the fish-men could tell that the rest of the crew had not harmed them.

Recognition at the Gates

The soldiers stationed at Fish-Man Island's entrance quickly took notice of Hades.

They recognized him instantly.

Hades had once been the youngest and most talented warrior among them. As a tiger shark fish-man, he had been born with extraordinary physical strength—superior even to most of his kin. His reputation had been well-known among the island's defenders.

After he left the island, they had heard stories about him—tales of how he had joined the Caesar Pirates, one of the most feared pirate crews in the world. He had been the fourth member to join, giving him a high rank within the crew.

Now, as they laid eyes on him once more, the guards immediately realized which pirate crew had arrived.

Their eyes flickered to the ship's mast.

There it was—the legendary flag of the Caesar Pirates!

The guards murmured among themselves as the Rex drew closer.

"Hades is back. When I saw the Caesar Pirates building a new ship in Water 7 a while ago, I wondered when we'd see him again. I didn't expect it to be today."

"I can't believe Hades joined the Caesar Pirates. That's insane."

"They say their captain, Caesar, is under twenty but already one of the strongest pirates out there."

"I wonder if their top fighters are as strong as Prince Neptune?"

"Impossible! Prince Neptune is a true fish-man warrior—the strongest of our kind."

Despite their initial suspicions, the mood among the guards gradually lightened. Their attitudes toward the pirate crew softened.

A Joyous Reunion

While the guards were still talking amongst themselves, Hades finally noticed them.

His eyes lit up.

They were all faces he recognized—comrades from long ago.

Excited beyond words, Hades rushed to the edge of the ship.

As the Rex passed through the gates of Fish-Man Island, he threw his arms into the air and bellowed their names.

"Eijiro Oda! Yoshihiro Togashi! Masashi Kishimoto! I'm back! It's me—Hades! I'm home!"

The three guards stared in shock.

Then, in an instant, Hades leaped from the ship and sprinted toward them.

Despite the years apart, he hadn't forgotten them. And they, in turn, had not forgotten him.

Fish-Man Island wasn't a vast place, and its military force wasn't massive either. It wasn't surprising that Hades still remembered the gatekeepers. After all, only the strongest soldiers were stationed at the entrance.

Seeing Hades so ecstatic, the crew aboard the Rex couldn't help but smile.

"Hades looks like he's about to cry," Gnali remarked with a smirk.

"Of course! It's been years since he's seen his people," Vera said warmly. "Fish-men are deeply connected to their homeland. It's only natural for him to feel overwhelmed."

"This is the first time I've seen Hades so emotional," Eli added, surprised.

Brook, however, fell silent, a shadow passing over his expression.

"...It's a pity I'll never get to see my old crew again."

Eli, sensing the change in mood, spoke again.

"I heard the fish-men here are extremely hostile to humans… but with Hades and Belisa by our side, that shouldn't be too much of a problem, right?"

Caesar replied calmly, "If we didn't have them, we'd definitely be treated with hostility. But with them, things will be different."

Eli nodded. He suddenly realized how smoothly their journey had gone under Caesar's leadership. No matter where they traveled, they always gained valuable advantages.

For a moment, he couldn't help but admire Caesar even more.

A Call to Ryugu Palace

Meanwhile, as the joyous reunion continued, a group of Fish-Man Island soldiers hurried off to Ryugu Palace to report the news.

King Mars, ruler of Fish-Man Island, was quick to react.

Upon hearing that the Caesar Pirates had arrived, his expression turned serious.

He immediately summoned his son—Neptune, the future king.

"Come with me. We must meet the Caesar Pirates at once," Mars ordered.

Neptune's eyes widened in shock.

"The Caesar Pirates? Why are they here?"

Though young, Neptune had already heard of their reputation. The Caesar Pirates were considered a top-tier crew, known for their overwhelming strength. If a fight broke out, Fish-Man Island wouldn't stand a chance.

"They were sailing from Paradise to the New World. They're simply passing through," Mars explained. "But never underestimate them. Let's go."

Neptune hesitated for a moment before quickly following his father.

Their destination: the gates of Fish-Man Island.

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