Unaware of the chaos they had left behind for the World Government and Navy Headquarters, Drake's trio had finally arrived at the deepest reaches of the ocean. Before them, a brilliant point of light slowly expanded—the undersea paradise, Fish-Man Island!
The journey through the lightless depths had been daunting, but the Magic Protector's capabilities were truly beyond common logic. Not only did it withstand the crushing pressure at ten thousand meters without a single creak, but it could also power through unknown, turbulent currents with ease. It was the ultimate "cheat code" for seafaring.
At first, Bell couldn't believe they were heading to Fish-Man Island without a protective coating. Even the most advanced submarines couldn't navigate the Deep Sea at ten thousand meters, yet here they were. He had been forced to accept the reality right before his eyes.
"Bell, you've been here before, right?" Drake asked, his heart racing. The scenery of the deep sea had already blown his mind, and now the dreamlike island was within reach.
"Is it as beautiful as they say?"
"Beautiful doesn't even cover it!" Bell said seriously.
"Oh ho—!" Drake grew even more excited, though Kenshin remained stoic, seemingly unbothered by the spectacle.
In an instant, the Magic Protector pierced through the massive double-layered bubble surrounding the island. Once inside, Drake stowed the ship away and began exploring, his eyes wide with wonder. Corals and giant underwater flora shimmered with iridescent colors, creating a world of breathtaking beauty.
Splash...Hahaha!
They hadn't walked far when a burst of laughter erupted from a nearby waterway. The sweet, melodic sounds of voices like silver bells triggered a wave of curiosity.
One after another, mermaid ladies appeared in the water, playing and splashing. The sound of their laughter hit Drake's heart like a drum.
Holy crap. Drake felt a warning bell go off in his head. This felt too surreal. He reminded himself: I am a seeker of supreme Haki! Women will only slow down the speed at which I draw my sword!
Stay calm. Stay calm...
The mermaids noticed the trio, but they didn't find them strange. Since the war ended, countless pirates heading for the New World had been passing through Fish-Man Island daily.
Though Drake had seen this place on a screen in his past life, being here was a different level of shock. Only by seeing it in person could one truly grasp the scale of this world. Everything here was tangible, vibrant, and alive.
He walked through the streets with an appreciative eye, with Kenshin and Bell following in silence. Drake knew both his companions carried heavy burdens. Kenshin was a man of few words but unwavering resolve. Bell, though young, possessed culinary skills and a ruthlessness in combat that belied his age. And his sister was still in danger... it was understandable they weren't in a talkative mood.
Sigh...
With a heavy sigh, Drake realized he couldn't stay here long. To ensure a chef as good as Bell officially joined his crew, he had to see this through.
"We—"
Drake started to speak, but a piercing scream cut him off.
"AHH!"
"What happened?"
"Let's check it out."
They followed the sound back toward the area they had just passed. To their fury, they saw several men harassing the same mermaids they had seen earlier.
"Hahaha! A mermaid can fetch a massive price on the surface! And besides..." The leader of the group let out a lecherous sneer. "These ladies are quite the beauties... Hahaha!"
"Uhh... Boss, I heard Fish-Man Island is Whitebeard's territory. If we do this..." A stout, honest-looking man behind the leader whispered cautiously.
"Hmph! What do you know?" The leader waved him off dismissively. "No matter how big Whitebeard's influence is, we'll be long gone once we finish this job. How could he ever find us?"
"Stop right there!"
Drake stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he saw three mermaids bound tightly, weeping piteously. Good grief, he thought. Are these guys brain-dead? They were literally picking a fight in Whitebeard's territory right after the Whitebeard Pirates had returned from a massive victory. This wasn't just arrogance; it was a death wish.
"Who's that!? Who dares meddle in my business? You tired of living?" The leader turned around, full of rage. But when he saw Drake's group, he froze for a second, then burst into a triumphant laugh.
"Hahahaha! Talk about 'wearing out iron shoes seeking someone, only to find them by chance!' This saves me a lot of trouble!"
???
Drake was genuinely confused. Is this guy a total moron? He looked at the man's face but had no memory of him. This wasn't a major character from the original story. How could someone so insignificant be this cocky?
"You know us?" Drake asked, perplexed.
"Who are you supposed to be?" The man was tall, easily 2.5 meters. In a normal world, he'd be a giant; in the One Piece world, he was just "average."
The man shoved Drake aside like he was pushing a child. "Bell, you have no idea how hard I've looked for you." He ignored Drake and walked up to Bell with a smug grin.
"Bell, do you know this guy?" Kenshin asked, his hand drifting toward his sword.
"Mmm." Bell nodded, his head lowered as he stepped forward. His voice was low and dangerous as he asked, "What have you done with my sister!?"
Drake and Kenshin stiffened. Their expressions turned grim, and a cold light flickered in Drake's eyes.
"Hahaha! Your sister? She's doing just fine. Once you come back, she'll be even better, hehehe..." The man, Scheit, sneered.
His lackeys laughed along with him. Only the stout, honest-looking man in the back seemed to realize something was wrong as he looked at Drake and Kenshin with growing unease.
"SCHEIT!" Bell suddenly erupted like an enraged lion. With a roar, he lunged at the giant. He held an exquisite dagger, his movements as fluid as ever—even Drake and Kenshin found the boy's technique aesthetically pleasing.
But Scheit seemed prepared. His arm instantly blackened with Armament Haki as he threw a heavy punch.
BOOM!
The effortless dodge Drake expected didn't happen. Scheit blocked the strike and smashed a fist directly into Bell's face.
The boy was slammed into the ground.
"Gah... cough..." Bell spat out a mouthful of blood, his dagger skittering away across the pavement.
Bell is down! Who is this Scheit, and how does he have Armament Haki in Fish-Man Island? It looks like Drake is going to have to do more than just ask for directions.
Which brother do you think Drake is most similar to in personality?