"Queen Otohime's wish?" Davy Jones repeated.
He remembered her—King Neptune's wife, assassinated by Hody Jones around eight years ago.
"And what exactly was that wish?"
"Queen Otohime believed that merfolk and fish-men could one day coexist with humans," Alvida explained.
"That they could live openly on the surface, beneath the sunlight, breathing the same fresh air as everyone else."
She had learned all this from Madame Shyarly. In the days since arriving on Fish-Man Island, Alvida had used her charm, poise, and growing eloquence to befriend the mermaid seer.
Through that friendship, Shyarly had shared with her the dream Otohime once held for the future of Fish-Man Island.
In truth, Otohime never insisted that all fish-men had to leave their home beneath the sea.
What she wanted was freedom of choice—that her people could decide for themselves whether to live on the surface or remain below the waves.
But as things stood, they had no such right. Forced to cower in the depths, mere survival was considered fortune enough.
If they rashly moved to the surface, the vile trade in mermaid and fish-man slaves would plunge them into chaos.
And stripped of the ocean's natural protection, they would soon face attacks from both pirates and the Navy.
Even if they paid the Heavenly Tribute, the Celestial Dragons would only ensure the safety of the royal family in Ryugu Palace.
As for the common folk? Their suffering would be deemed irrelevant—insignificant.
"So then," Davy Jones asked curiously, "what made Madame Shyarly believe we could fulfill that wish? Was it one of her prophecies?"
"No," Alvida shook her head. "Madame Shyarly shattered her crystal ball herself—and swore never to divine again."
"She said she's realized something from watching us act. Instead of fearing or dreading the future she foresaw, it's better to take action, step by step, to change Fish-Man Island and build that future with her own hands."
Davy Jones didn't oppose her ideals. In his view, as long as they didn't conflict with his own core interests, he had no reason to.
He was always fair in that way: Give him what he wants, and he will protect you. Break the contract, and you'll face the consequences.
"And who's the other one?" Davy Jones asked, looking toward the male fish-man standing beside Shyarly.
The man's wounds were bound in bandages. When he noticed Davy Jones's gaze, he and Shyarly bowed deeply together.
But neither dared approach without Alvida's permission.
"He's Den the shipwright," Alvida explained. "His elder brother is the 'World's Greatest Shipwright.' Dan himself possesses extraordinary skill. He's grateful to you for avenging him—and wishes to serve you."
"Avenged him?" Davy Jones raised an eyebrow. He didn't recall ever meeting the man, much less avenging him…
"Could it have been one of those 'Supernovas'?"
Alvida's red lips curved with amusement.
"That's right. One of the Supernovas—Urouge, the Mad Monk—seriously injured him. When you defeated Urouge and the others, you unknowingly avenged Den."
Davy Jones thought back. Indeed, during that battle, his Observation Haki had sensed a faint life nearby—but it had seemed unimportant at the time.
That must have been Den.
"And what can he offer me?"
"He can build ships for us," Alvida said. "With enough manpower and materials, he could construct an entire fleet—or even more."
Davy Jones nodded.
"Good. Alvida, see that Madame Shyarly and Den receive what they need. Make sure they can work for me without worry."
"Yes, Captain."
"Now—where are the captured Supernovas?"
"Over there," Alvida pointed toward the shadows between the Terror Ghost and a cluster of wrecked hulls.
"Hatchan and the fish-men are guarding them."
Davy Jones walked over. Sure enough, Hatchan stood watch, six swords drawn, pacing before the defeated pirates with a stony expression.
He held not a shred of sympathy for those who had endangered his homeland. The moment they made the slightest wrong move, he was ready to strike them down again.
The prisoners were treated in two very different ways—a sharp division in their fates.
Those like "Big Eater" Jewelry Bonney and "Magician" Basil Hawkins, who had already expressed willingness to submit, were given a measure of freedom within a controlled range.
Of course, they were still under surveillance.
But the others… were not so fortunate.
"Captain" Eustass Kid, "Red Flag" X Drake, "Roar of the Sea" Scratchmen Apoo, "Gang" Capone Bege, and "Mad Monk" Urouge—all Devil Fruit users—were placed under special restraint.
Their bodies were bound half inside bubble membranes, with most of their limbs submerged in seawater—only their heads remained above the surface.
The saltwater drained their strength, leaving them utterly helpless.
"Massacre Soldier" Killer and other non–Devil Fruit users were tightly bound together in ropes—if one tried to move, they all had to move as one. Their weapons were confiscated.
When Davy Jones appeared, Hatchan's eyes lit up. He hurried over, forgetting to sheathe his blades until the last second.
"Captain!"
Davy Jones didn't seem to mind. He had no desire to change the nature of his crew.
"They're all here?"
"Yes, Captain!" Hatchan barked proudly. "Not one escaped! Their wounds are treated—they won't die for now."
At his loud report, the defeated Supernovas lifted their heads in unison, glaring at the one who had crushed them so utterly—the Deep Sea King, Davy Jones himself.
Every one of them had once dreamed of setting foot in the New World, carving their names into history, and one day becoming Emperors themselves.
Yet none of them had expected their journeys to end before they even began—defeated at the very gate of the New World: Fish-Man Island.
Once, they would have laughed at such a thought. Now, it was their reality.
Some felt regret. Others, rage.
And then one of them spoke up.
"Captain Davy Jones, I have something to say!"
All eyes turned toward the voice—X Drake.
Only his head remained above the bubble, but he still managed to lift his scar-crossed chin and speak.
He had chosen his timing carefully. Submitting to Alvida or Hatchan would have meant nothing. But doing so before Davy Jones himself would draw attention—and make his "fallen Rear Admiral" cover more convincing.
This way, no one would suspect that he was still working undercover for the Marines.
"Captain Davy Jones, I've witnessed your power," Drake said, his gaze unwavering, voice full of false sincerity.
"I am willing to follow you."
Beside him, Apoo let out a mocking whistle.
"Drake, you really are something else."
Drake ignored him, pressing on.
"I'm willing to serve as one of your fleet captains—to help you become the next Emperor of the Sea."
He was already scheming.
If he could climb high enough within Davy Jones's ranks—like a division commander under Whitebeard—then one day, he could coordinate with the Navy to bring Davy Jones down from within.
Hadn't Whitebeard himself fallen to such betrayal during the War at Marineford?
Except, Drake thought, he wouldn't be tricked like those fools were by Akainu's lies—he was already on the Navy's side.
When the time came, as long as Vice Admiral Tsuru and the others who knew his identity still lived, his honor would be restored.
The only question was—could he fool Davy Jones?
He was overthinking it.
Davy Jones never cared whether his subordinates lied, betrayed, or harbored hidden motives.
He stepped forward, looking down on Drake. From beneath his black cloak, his tentacles slithered outward—coiling around Drake's neck, crawling up his face.
"The terms of my contract," Davy Jones said softly, smiling like the devil himself,
"are simple: you'll serve as my crew for one hundred years. Then you're free."
"So—will you sign this contract with me?"
Drake shuddered at the cold, slimy touch of the tentacles. His body trembled; his breath came sharp and shallow.
"I… I will," he forced out.
And in that instant, he felt it—something shifting inside him.
A bond unseen, but absolute.
Davy Jones had never cared whether his subordinates were sincere, loyal, or deceitful.
For how many who signed with him were ever truly sincere at the start?
It didn't matter.
Time and fear would make them loyal.
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