The grand banquet hall of Fish-Man Island was vast and magnificent, with a giant shell-shaped stage at its center.
Riding atop an enormous flounder enclosed in a giant bubble, Rowan arrived at the hall. He remained seated on the fish's broad back, as it was designed to serve as a seat in the first place.
Although Queen Otohime had insisted he stay for a banquet at Ryugu Palace, Rowan never got the chance to tour Fish-Man Island. Still, the desserts at the banquet were excellent.
At present Fish-Man Island was under Whitebeard's protection. In Rowan's memories, after Whitebeard died during the Summit War, Fish-Man Island would eventually fly Big Mom's flag.
One of the main reasons was the island's unique dessert ingredients.
Because of Rowan's identity there weren't many guests attending the banquet. Only King Neptune, Queen Otohime, their three princes, the infant Princess Shirahoshi resting in an enormous cradle, and Fisher Tiger.
The tables were covered with Fish-Man Island's finest delicacies and wine.
However the moment Rowan reached up to remove his mask, everyone including the three princes stopped what they were doing and stared at him. Even Fisher Tiger swallowed nervously.
Then as the mask came off a puff of smoke appeared. When it cleared the person sitting there looked exactly like Fisher Tiger.
For a moment Neptune and Queen Otohime naturally didn't think the Revolutionary Army's mysterious leader was actually a fish-man, much less Tiger's long-lost twin brother.
"Curiosity isn't always a good thing." Rowan popped a small appetizer into his mouth. "If the World Government ever learned that you knew my true identity, they would find a way to capture and interrogate all of you, even here, ten thousand meters beneath the sea."
The youngest prince Manboshi sniffled loudly. "Mr. Mask is Big Brother Tiger's brother? They look exactly alike! That's amazing!"
The eldest prince lightly smacked his younger brother on the head, signaling him to stop talking.
Tiger smiled and explained, "Mr. Mask can assume anyone's appearance. That's also how I managed to escape. That place is almost impossible to infiltrate."
The conversation began drifting toward heavy topics again. Neptune quickly raised his wine glass, steering everyone back toward lighter subjects.
Meanwhile Queen Otohime gently began asking Rowan about the possibility of realizing Fish-Man Island's dream.
Fish-Man Island lay ten thousand meters beneath the sea. Its only sunlight came from the Sun Tree Eve. Nearly five million fish-men and merfolk lived here and most of them would spend their entire lives beneath the ocean.
The surface world was both beautiful and terrifying. To reach it they first had to pass through the Sabaody Archipelago.
Human traffickers operating there prized fish-men highly. As for female mermaids, their prices were even more outrageous. Because of that fish-men and merfolk both longed for the human world and feared it.
They yearned for blue skies, white clouds, real sunlight, yet they also feared humanity itself.
"Mr. Rowan." Queen Otohime looked at him earnestly.
"I've always believed that if people can communicate, they can come to understand one another. The World Government itself is made up of allied nations, isn't it? If Fish-Man Island wishes to live peacefully alongside humanity, couldn't we also become one of those member nations?"
Those words caused both Neptune and Tiger to pause. The Revolutionary Army and the World Government were already mortal enemies.
Yet Queen Otohime was proposing that Fish-Man Island join the World Government as one of its affiliated kingdoms. It truly was a way of thinking they found difficult to understand.
However Rowan didn't become angry. Unlike the Kozuki Clan of Wano, Queen Otohime's idealism, though naïve in some respects, was still worthy of respect.
"You are different from the other nations on land." Otohime leaned forward. "In what way? Could you tell me, Mr. Rowan?"
Rowan answered calmly. "To them, all living beings in this world are merely insects. Ordinary insects can simply be ignored. But rare and beautiful insects are worth collecting."
"The requirement for becoming a member nation is paying the Heavenly Tribute. Given Fish-Man Island's wealth beneath the sea, that isn't a problem."
"But even the royal families of member nations are forbidden by the World Government's own laws from resisting the World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons."
Rowan looked at Queen Otohime.
"So, Your Majesty, do you understand what that truly means?"
Thanks to her innate gift, Otohime could sense a trace of Rowan's emotions. Everything he had said was the truth.
"Then"
The queen bit her lip.
"What if I went to Mary Geoise and tried to communicate with the Celestial Dragons? If I could obtain their approval"
Rowan slowly shook his head.
"With your natural Observation Haki, perhaps you could influence one or two Celestial Dragons."
"But the ones who truly rule Mary Geoise aren't those fools."
"Perhaps one or two Celestial Dragons would genuinely change because of your gift. But the moment they truly began treating those they once regarded as insects as equals, do you know what fate would await them?"
Otohime remained silent. Yet she already understood Rowan's thoughts.
"They would be punished."
"Exactly. They would be sentenced to death by the Holy Knights, the force that governs the Celestial Dragons from within Mary Geoise."
As those words fell, the utensils slipped from Tiger's hands. Celestial Dragons could be executed? And the reason would simply be because they treated ordinary humans or fish-men as equals?
Rowan turned toward Tiger.
"After you left, my Shadow Clone met the true rulers among the Celestial Dragons. They're nothing like Saint Mjosgard, whom you encountered in Mary Geoise."
"They possess tremendous power, and Haki approaching the very peak. One of them has even awakened the advanced Observation Haki ability to glimpse the future a few moments ahead."
Tiger clenched both fists on the table.
"Mr. Rowan, if even members of their own kind who are willing to treat us as equals are executed, then why? They're Celestial Dragons too. Why would they be killed for something like that?"
"Why must they treat us this way?"
"You've misunderstood, Tiger."
Rowan shook his head slightly.
"It isn't just you. It's everyone beneath Mary Geoise. You and I. Pirates. Marines. Ordinary humans. And every other race."
"To them, every living creature in this world is nothing more than an insect. They may kill at will. Plunder at will. Trample others at will."
After saying that, Rowan looked once more at the deeply troubled Queen Otohime.
"In fact, I can already foresee it. If Your Majesty were to travel to Mary Geoise, it is entirely possible that you would obtain an official document recognizing peaceful coexistence between Fish-Man Island and humanity."
"It wouldn't even be surprising if that document bore the signatures of one or two Celestial Dragons."
"But I can also tell you with absolute certainty that the day fish-men and merfolk begin appearing on the surface in great numbers will also be the day when slave traders, and the vast majority of the Celestial Dragons, celebrate with delight."
"Even in Mary Geoise, female mermaids are extraordinarily rare. This time, there weren't any at all. As for fish-men, including Tiger, there were only three."
"To them, you are simply rare specimens."
Hearing that, Queen Otohime picked up a wine flask.
Gulp. Gulp. She drank deeply, completely abandoning the grace expected of royalty. As a goldfish mermaid, her face quickly flushed bright red. Her eyes filled with tears.
She knew there wasn't the slightest trace of deception in Rowan's emotions. And precisely because she knew he was telling the truth, her heart ached for the future of Fish-Man Island's children.
"Why? I've tried so hard. I truly believed our children would one day walk upon real land, and see the endless sky."
"Those children have dreamed of the human world ever since they were little. If people can talk to one another, why can't we live together in peace?"
Otohime suddenly reached over, grabbed the bottle of wine sitting in front of Rowan, and drained it in one long gulp.
For a queen, it was an incredibly improper display. Yet no one present tried to stop her.
She might have been naïve. But she was also utterly sincere, and genuinely kind. Everyone on Fish-Man Island, including Neptune, understood the depth of her sorrow.
At that moment, little Shirahoshi stirred awake inside her enormous cradle.
She rubbed her eyes, looked around in confusion, and saw her mother crying. Her tiny mouth puckered. Then the one-year-old princess burst into tears as well.
The emotional fluctuations weren't very strong yet. But if they continued to intensify, then the giant Sea Kings dwelling ten thousand meters beneath the sea might come to investigate.
Hearing little Shirahoshi's cries, the slightly drunken Queen Otohime walked over. She gently reached out her comparatively tiny hand and placed it against Shirahoshi's enormous one.
"Shirahoshi, in the future, perhaps you won't be able to see the sunlight either."
Feeling her mother's touch, Shirahoshi gradually stopped crying. She blinked her big eyes, then turned to look at Rowan. Stretching out her hand, she reached toward him.
Rowan had never been able to resist well-behaved, adorable children. He quickly finished the remaining desserts on his plate. Then he walked over and gently took Shirahoshi's hand.
"Hehehe."
The little princess burst into cheerful laughter. Rowan couldn't help smiling as well. After thinking for a moment, he turned to the petite Queen Otohime beside him.
"Although good and evil are rarely absolute, from the perspective of those whom they regard as insects, every race contains both kind people and villains."
"Among humans, most people capable of empathy would pity the plight of fish-men and merfolk, and many would even offer help."
"But there are also those who see only the enormous wealth you represent, and capture and sell you for profit."
"Things become valuable because they're rare. If you wish to stop being treated as property, then you need laws, and a social order that protects you."
"And those are policies the World Government will never implement."
"Queen Otohime"
Rowan paused briefly.
"Eight hundred years ago, a man named Joy Boy made a promise to the Mermaid Princess of his era."
"Today, eight hundred years later, I want to make that same promise to this generation's Mermaid Princess."
"When the day finally comes that equality truly exists within this world's ideals, I will bring Fish-Man Island back to the surface."
Silence filled the banquet hall. Neptune quietly contemplated those words. Equality. So that was why Rowan had proposed abolishing hereditary monarchy.
If the entire world's beliefs truly became equal, then a hereditary king would itself become an unequal institution. True equality had no need for kings inherited by bloodline.
"Hehehe."
Just then, little Shirahoshi happily reached out one of her enormous hands. She gently pinched Rowan's transformed face and tugged at it. Tiger and Neptune both stared with wide eyes.
But Rowan didn't dodge. Instead, he reached out and gently squeezed Shirahoshi's chubby cheek in return.
Neptune smiled.
"For someone whose name shakes the seas, your patience with children is remarkable."
Looking toward Tiger, he continued,
"This gentleman reminds me of Roger and Whitebeard. They were legendary figures, yet around ordinary people, they behaved no differently from anyone else."
Tiger nodded.
"Among the humans who escaped Mary Geoise with us, there was also a little girl. Mr. Rowan spent a great deal of time comforting her as well."
"Although she'll still need time to heal."
The banquet continued. With the drunken Queen Otohime, and little Shirahoshi cheerfully playing nearby, the atmosphere became much livelier.
Having received the answers she had sought, Otohime began asking Rowan about life on the surface.
Neptune, on the other hand, asked about various events reported in the newspapers.
Such as the destruction of the scholars' island of Ohara by a Buster Call nearly seven years earlier. Or the newly established Seven Warlords of the Sea system.
Of those questions, Rowan answered some, while choosing not to comment on others. Queen Otohime's Observation Haki allowed her to sense emotions.
But it couldn't directly read memories. That was precisely why Rowan could sit here so calmly.
After the banquet ended, before leaving Ryugu Palace, Neptune requested a private conversation with Rowan.
At present, he still knew very little about the Revolutionary Army.
But if the day truly came when equality became the guiding principle of the entire world, then as King of Fish-Man Island, he would willingly abolish the hereditary monarchy for the sake of that ideal of equality.
Of course, Neptune also hoped Rowan would persuade Tiger to join the Revolutionary Army. After all, seeing something with one's own eyes was far more convincing than merely hearing about it.
In truth, had Tiger not first revealed his escape from Mary Geoise, Neptune would never even have considered the future Rowan had spoken of.
The Revolutionary Army had not only come bearing a great favor, it had also demonstrated its strength. Otherwise, why would the king of an entire nation stake the fate of his kingdom to board your ship?
Even though Fish-Man Island lay ten thousand meters beneath the sea, the World Government was still an unimaginably colossal force.
As king, Neptune would make no promises now. Everything would have to wait until the future.
For Rowan, that was already enough.
Leaving Ryugu Palace aboard the giant bubble flounder, Rowan and Tiger soon arrived at Fish-Man Island below. They passed through Gyoncorde Plaza, making their way toward the Mermaid Café.
As they crossed the plaza, Tiger spoke.
"Queen Otohime often gives speeches here. She hopes to gather everyone's signatures and submit a petition to the World Government, asking for permission."
Rowan looked toward the center of the square.
"So, whether people agree with her or not, she truly wants Fish-Man Island's future to have sunlight, and blue skies."
At that moment, a round blue fish-man came running over.
"Big Brother!"
Tiger turned to him.
"Jinbe? Shouldn't you be on guard duty at Ryugu Palace at this hour?"
Jinbe clenched his fist.
"I've already resigned from my position as a royal guard under King Neptune. Now that you've returned, I want to go on adventures with you, Big Brother!"
Tiger froze for a moment. Then he glanced toward Rowan. Only then did Jinbe notice the strange masked figure standing beside Tiger.
His eyes quickly caught something unusual. The man had no webbing between his fingers.
"A human?!"
Jinbe's voice immediately drew the attention of every fish-man in the plaza. In an instant, countless gazes focused on Rowan.
At this point in time, Jinbe had yet to be influenced by Queen Otohime's ideals. Nor had he experienced life with the Sun Pirates under Tiger.
His attitude toward humans was one of dislike. It wasn't hatred, but he certainly had no goodwill toward them either.
Ignoring all the surrounding stares, Rowan looked calmly at Jinbe.
"You want to leave Fish-Man Island and see the surface?"
Jinbe lifted his chin stubbornly.
"Why not, human? The world above doesn't belong only to your kind!"
"That's true. The world belongs to itself. It belongs to no one."
Rowan smiled faintly.
"But if you go to the surface carrying your existing prejudices, while you hate humans, humans will hate you as well."
"In that case, I'm afraid your adventures won't be very pleasant."
"So what if humans hate us?!"
A voice rang out from the crowd. A fish-man with a long, saw-like nose stepped forward. He first bowed respectfully toward Tiger.
"Big Brother."
Then he turned to Rowan.
"We fish-men are born ten times stronger than humans. So what if they hate us?"
Tiger was about to speak. But Rowan raised a hand, stopping him. There was no need for Tiger to introduce this fish-man. Rowan already knew exactly who he was.
Arlong. The earliest major villain of the East Blue saga in Rowan's memories.
The one who had driven Nami to tears, until she begged Luffy for help. And the older brother of the fortune-telling mermaid Shyarly.
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