One Piece: Deriving All Things

Hearing Madam Shirley's words, Prince Shark Star's face, which had just relaxed, suddenly grew tense.

"Madam Shirley, what do you mean by that?" Shark Star asked with a hint of concern.

"You'll understand soon enough," Shirley replied, shaking her head without further explanation before leaving, leaving the three princes exchanging uncertain glances.

"Should we still go in to invite them?" asked Prince Ryuboshi, the second prince, whose expression showed hesitation. He was a ribbonfish mermaid.

"Yes, we should. After all, this is beneficial for Fish-Man Island," Prince Shark Star replied, gritting his teeth.

After a ceremonious performance to announce their arrival, the three princes of the Ryugu Kingdom entered the Mermaid Café.

"Wow, it's the princes of the Ryugu Kingdom!"

"What are they doing here at the Mermaid Café? Are they here to capture those pirates?"

"That can't be right. Hatchan said that the Thunder God Pirates entered Fish-Man Island legally, without causing any disruptions."

The appearance of the three princes caused excitement among the mermaids, who loudly greeted them.

"So, those are the princes of the Ryugu Kingdom?" Nami said curiously, glancing at Shark Star and his brothers.

"They seem pretty friendly," Robin commented, noticing how the princes were warmly interacting with the crowd.

"Oh, come on! Do those red hearts in the eyes of the mermaids really mean anything? These guys don't look nearly as handsome as I do!" Pekin muttered jealously, noticing the dreamy expressions of the mermaids around the princes.

"Shh, keep your voice down! This is their turf, and they're royalty," Shaki whispered, tugging at Pekin's sleeve, feeling slightly embarrassed. He couldn't help but notice how… unusual the princes looked, except for the one with blue hair. Maybe humans and mermaids just had different tastes?

Prince Shark Star, holding a wanted poster, scanned the room until his gaze landed on Sanders, who was enjoying some cake.

"Excuse me, are you the captain of the Thunder God Pirates, Lord Sanders?" Prince Shark Star asked politely as he approached with his two brothers.

"Yes, that's me. How can I help you, Your Highness?" Sanders responded calmly.

"Because your crew has been of great help to Fish-Man Island and assisted the Ryugu Kingdom in apprehending Hammond and others, my father, King Neptune, would like to extend an invitation to you to dine at Ryugu Palace," Prince Shark Star said with courteous sincerity.

"Ryugu Palace?!"

Camie, who was standing nearby, gaped in shock, her mouth open wide.

"Ryugu Palace—that's where the royal family of the Ryugu Kingdom resides, isn't it?" Law said evenly.

"Yes, it's a sacred place for us Fish-Men," Camie explained, nodding. "It's located at the very top of Fish-Man Island, where sunlight can reach. Normally, it's a forbidden, heavenly place."

"I can't believe King Neptune would personally invite the captain of the Thunder God Pirates there. A bounty of 2.8 billion berries really is something!" Ishirley said with admiration.

"Yes! Can we go too?" Nami asked, her eyes gleaming with visions of treasure.

"All members of the Thunder God Pirates are welcome to join the feast at Ryugu Palace," the second prince Ryuboshi confirmed.

"Oh, we can go too? Maybe we'll get to meet the mermaid princess!" Pekin said with eager anticipation.

Sanders glanced at Prince Shark Star, a slight smile crossing his face.

"Thank you for King Neptune's invitation."

Originally, Sanders planned to head to Ryugu Palace himself, but he hadn't expected King Neptune to extend an invitation ahead of time. This would save him the trouble of visiting unannounced.

"Please come with us; we've already arranged transport outside. Your other crew members have also been invited, and they should meet us at the palace shortly," Prince Shark Star said.

"Lead the way," Sanders replied, smiling as he stood up, with Nami and the others quickly following. Opportunities to tour Ryugu Palace didn't come often, and they couldn't pass it up.

Outside, a sightseeing boat was waiting. It was a large flatfish with a giant bubble on its back, specifically designed to transport visitors. Once everyone boarded, the boat set off toward the upper level of Fish-Man Island, where the palace was located.

Ryugu Palace, situated at the top of Fish-Man Island where sunlight reached, was a grand, luxurious palace made from massive coral reefs, shells, and other unique materials, with a giant dragon coiled around its structure. Sitting on the boat, Nami looked up, marveling at the sunlight streaming down.

"This place is 10,000 meters under the sea, so why is Fish-Man Island so bright?" Nami curiously asked Prince Shark Star.

"It's not just Fish-Man Island that's bright," Prince Shark Star replied. "Long ago, Fish-Men chose to live here because it's the only place where sunlight penetrates the ocean depths. That's part of Fish-Man Island's origin. Here, sunlight reaches us thanks to a massive tree root known as the 'Sunlight Tree Eve,' which transmits light all the way to the seafloor."

"Transmits sunlight? So this tree root stretches over 10,000 meters and glows?" Nami asked in astonishment.

"Exactly. Scholars have tried to explain it scientifically, but this tree has mysterious properties that allow it to bring sunlight to its roots deep in the ocean. And it also breathes, supplying air to the ocean floor," Prince Shark Star explained.

"That's amazing!" The others were equally astounded, marveling at the colossal tree that transmitted light and provided air—a true wonder of nature.

Before long, their sightseeing boat reached Ryugu Palace. They disembarked to see the vast, magnificent palace ahead, where King Neptune and his ministers awaited them at the entrance.

Nami leaned in close to Sanders, whispering, "With such a grand welcome, how are we supposed to ask about bringing our new crew member along?" Being one of the first to join the Thunder God Pirates, Nami was aware of their purpose on Fish-Man Island.

The royal family's elaborate reception left her feeling a bit self-conscious. Robin, however, chuckled softly. "Recruiting a new crew member is the captain's responsibility. We can just enjoy the tour. Besides, our captain is quite skilled at 'negotiation' and persuasion; I'm sure he'll manage."

"I hope it doesn't come to a fight, though… especially since she's the princess and still so young. King Neptune probably won't agree," Nami murmured.

As Nami and Robin whispered, Sanders noticed a familiar figure beside King Neptune: a Fish-Man with blue skin and curly hair—the Sea Knight Jinbe, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, known for his prowess in underwater combat. Jinbe was also someone Sanders hoped to recruit, though he knew Jinbe, like Boa Hancock, was deeply committed to protecting his homeland, making it a challenging task.

When he reached King Neptune, Sanders greeted him warmly. "Greetings, King Neptune. Thank you for inviting us to this feast," he said, then turned his gaze toward Jinbe with a friendly smile.

"Hello, Jinbe."

"Hello, Lord Sanders."

As Sanders greeted him warmly, King Neptune, seeing the friendly approach, responded with a wide smile. They exchanged pleasantries, both diplomatically avoiding mention of Jinbe's status as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Strictly speaking, the Marines and the Thunder God Pirates should have been at odds, yet here they were, engaging in polite conversation and mutual flattery.

"You're powerful and remarkably accomplished for your age," Neptune would say.

"And you are a wise ruler who has created a peaceful life for your people," Sanders would reply.

Soon, they entered the spacious, opulent banquet hall. By this time, most of the guests had already gathered, and everyone was enjoying the fine food and drinks.

After several rounds of toasts and dishes, Sanders rose and addressed Neptune. "King Neptune, I have something I'd like to discuss with you privately. Would that be possible?"

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Sanders. Nami, Robin, and the others knew exactly what Sanders intended to discuss.

"You may bring Jinbe and the three princes along," Sanders added, understanding that despite the friendly atmosphere, the Ryugu Kingdom remained wary of the Thunder God Pirates. The large military presence outside was proof enough; should anything go wrong, they would storm in to protect Neptune and his family.

Neptune hesitated momentarily, then nodded, curious about what this young pirate captain—renowned across the seas at only twenty—wished to discuss.

As Sanders and Neptune left the hall with the others, Nami grew anxious. "They're not going to end up fighting, are they?"

"Relax, if things get heated, the captain can handle it," Robin replied with a calm smile, sipping her drink.

In a private room behind the banquet hall, Neptune, the three princes, and Jinbe sat across from Sanders.

"Lord Sanders, what is it that you wish to discuss with me?" Neptune asked, intrigued.

"I came to Fish-Man Island to recruit new crew members," Sanders began softly.

"Recruit crew members?"

"Yes, I'd like to recruit your youngest daughter, Princess Shirahoshi, as part of my crew." Although it might have sounded abrupt, Sanders stated his purpose directly. He was determined to uncover the power of the Sea Kings, a power he could fully comprehend only by having Shirahoshi at his side.

Without her presence, the process would take at least ten years; with her, it would only take two years to reach full mastery. Sanders was resolved to gain this ability to communicate with the massive Sea Kings.

"What?!" Neptune shot up from his chair, and the three princes immediately drew their weapons, aiming at Sanders. Jinbe leaped in front of Neptune, standing guard and eyeing Sanders warily.

"Now, let's not be so tense," Sanders said, a bit amused. "I said I'm recruiting her as a partner, not trying to abduct Princess Shirahoshi."

Clearly, Shirahoshi held an irreplaceable place in the hearts of her family. Her father and brothers cherished her deeply; at the mere mention of her, they were willing to aim their weapons at Sanders, even with his 2.8-billion-berries bounty.

"Lord Sanders, Princess Shirahoshi is still young, and her special status makes it unsuitable for her to join a pirate crew," Jinbe said, taking a defensive stance in Fish-Man Karate, his expression serious.

"She's just a child; she can't become a pirate."

"If you're here to enjoy the sights and hospitality, the Ryugu Kingdom will cover all the Thunder God Pirates' expenses. But if your goal is to take my daughter, then the Ryugu Kingdom would not hesitate to clash with the Thunder God Pirates!" Neptune firmly rejected him. There was no way he would let his daughter follow a pirate.

Sanders scratched his head at Neptune's stern response but wasn't offended in the least.

The request was indeed a bit much for them.

"First, I'll help your Ryugu Kingdom deal with the New Fish-Man Pirates."

"Second, I'll eliminate the threat of Vander Decken IX to White Star so she can move freely without hiding. Surely, you don't want your daughter to spend her entire life confined in the Hard-Shell Tower?"

"Third, the Raijin Pirates can protect Fish-Man Island—not by claiming it as territory, but by offering protection. If the Whitebeard Pirates are open to it, we could safeguard the island alongside them."

"Fourth, there's no need to worry about Shirahoshi's safety. As you may have heard, the Raijin Pirates have the ability of the Float-Float Fruit, so we operate from floating islands in the skies ten thousand meters above the sea."

"Fifth, if you're still uneasy, one of your sons or even Jinbe can accompany her with a group of guards." Saunders counted out each point confidently.

Neptune remained silent for a long time before finally refusing. Although Saunders' conditions were appealing—especially the promise to handle the New Fish-Man Pirates, Vander Decken IX, and protection for Fish-Man Island—there was no way he could allow his daughter Shirahoshi to go with him.

After Neptune's refusal, Saunders sighed and continued:

"Sixth, the Raijin Pirates have two admiral-level fighters. If I wanted to forcefully take Shirahoshi, it would be easy. Fish-Man Island's forces wouldn't be able to stop us. Even if Whitebeard's crew arrived, I doubt it would be enough to hold us off."

He was starting with diplomacy but was prepared to resort to force if necessary.

"Why make things difficult, Saunders?" Jinbe said, wiping away a bead of sweat on his forehead. He hadn't fought them himself, but he knew from the reports that the Raijin Pirates' strength was far beyond what Fish-Man Island could handle.

"As I said, I came to recruit a new crewmate, not to start a war. Neptune, don't you want your daughter to experience the world outside?" Saunders asked.

"Lord Saunders, Shirahoshi is only ten years old and couldn't possibly contribute to your crew," Neptune said, his voice trembling. "She's timid and… she cries easily."

"I'm more interested in her potential. Our navigator is also only a teenager, and our ship's doctor, Law, is as young as she is. You're welcome to send someone to care for her. You could even have some Fish-Men relocate to one of the islands under my control; after all, haven't you wanted to reach the surface?" Saunders added. "And it's not like she wouldn't be able to return here—you could see her anytime."

"Could we have a moment to discuss this?" Neptune requested.

"Of course. I hope you'll make the right decision, King Neptune," Saunders said, taking a seat.

Neptune then gathered Jinbe and his three sons in a separate room. After a long silence, Neptune finally asked, "Jinbe, if they choose force, could the whole Ryugu Kingdom hold them off?"

"We couldn't," Jinbe replied, after a moment's thought. "Saunders has defeated admirals, and that blind swordsman of his isn't weak, either. If it came to a fight, I could hold off one of them at best, but the rest of Fish-Man Island's forces couldn't handle the other. Numbers mean nothing against foes of their strength."

"Then, perhaps… we should accept his offer," Neptune said, agonized.

"No, Father! How can we just hand Shirahoshi over to a pirate?" Prince Shark Star protested. "We can't stand by and let her join them. Pirates are ruthless, and Shirahoshi is just a child. Who knows what they're really after?"

"We'll fight them if we have to!" insisted the second prince, Starfish.

"And how would we fight?" Neptune said, looking down in pain. "Fish-Man Island simply isn't capable of stopping them."

If there were any other way, he would never even consider letting his daughter join a pirate crew, let alone one they weren't familiar with. If it were the Whitebeard Pirates, he might have agreed.

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T/N:

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