Chapter 405: The Request from Fishman Island
A wave of sorrow.
Disappointment.
All sorts of emotions surged through Charlotte's chest.
His Conqueror's Haki flared up instinctively, pushing back the crushing negativity pressing in on him.
"What's going on?"
Barrett and Esdeath immediately noticed something wrong and looked over at Charlotte.
But Charlotte's Conqueror's Haki didn't affect anyone—it only surrounded his own body.
Even Queen Otohime, standing right in front of him, felt nothing.
Only those sensitive to Haki might have noticed it at all.
The two of them walked over.
As they approached Charlotte, their expressions shifted the moment they got closer.
They looked at the sorrowful Queen Otohime standing beside him… and felt an inexplicable urge to help her.
It was especially strong for Esdeath.
Esdeath had inherited Charlotte's talent in Observation Haki, and from a young age, she showed an incredible ability to sense emotions.
And now, that sensitivity was reacting wildly to Otohime's grief.
"No… she's influencing my emotions!"
Esdeath immediately put her hand on the hilt of her sword, cautiously watching the queen.
Otohime, still wiping tears with a handkerchief, suddenly noticed everyone looking at her warily.
She immediately realized what had happened.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to affect you with my emotions!"
She bowed deeply to Charlotte and the others.
The oppressive emotional aura quickly faded.
Charlotte exhaled in relief.
Esdeath also released her grip from her sword.
"What terrifying power…"
Esdeath looked at the delicate queen in front of her with a mix of wariness and admiration.
"Your Majesty," Charlotte finally said, taking a deep breath,
"If Fishman Island wants to change its fate… then you need strength.
Only with power can you drive away those with ill intentions."
"Is violence… truly the only answer?"
Otohime whispered, her face dimming once more.
And again, a wave of sorrow swept outward.
Tch... this woman really is scary. Best not to deal with her too much…
Charlotte shook his head, raised his wine glass, and walked away.
Otohime stared at his retreating back, her eyes full of sadness.
The next day
When Charlotte woke up, the rest of the crew was already getting ready to depart.
"Slept that long, huh…"
He rubbed his eyes and stepped outside.
Fishman Island—while novel at first—now felt claustrophobic.
Perhaps this was why the Fishmen longed so deeply for the surface world.
To live under the sun—that was their dream.
King Neptune arrived early at the Rockefeller Pirates' temporary base.
"Lord Charlotte, won't you stay a while longer?"
"No," Charlotte waved him off. "The New World is waiting.
I've been gone nearly six years—people are probably starting to forget the name Rockefeller."
Neptune lowered his head, deep in thought.
Charlotte didn't pay it much mind and continued watching his crew gather.
After a few moments—
"Captain, everything's ready."
Barrett reported.
"Good. Let's move out."
They made their way to the port.
But suddenly—
"Help! Somebody help me!"
A shrill scream rang out.
Charlotte's eyes narrowed. He turned to look at a pirate ship docked nearby.
"Captain, we've hit the jackpot! A female mermaid like this could go for at least 100 million at the Sabaody auction!"
A pirate sneered, nudging the wriggling sack at his feet.
"Shut up! Keep her quiet—if the guards hear, we're in trouble!"
The captain barked, kicking the sack.
"Yes, sir! Dammit, didn't Jack drug her?"
The first mate climbed up with a scowl.
Charlotte's expression grew darker and darker.
Everyone around him had realized what was happening.
Neptune's face turned stormy.
He was just about to call for guards when—
Kaesar stepped forward.
"Bastards! Daring to traffic slaves in front of us—you're dead meat!"
He shot toward the ship.
Hearing the noise, the pirate captain looked up.
"Rockefeller Pirates?!"
His face went pale.
As a slaver and a pirate, he knew exactly what that name meant.
The Rockefeller Pirates were famous for hunting slave traders.
There wasn't a single slaver alive who had survived their wrath.
But it was too late to run.
Kaesar was already on the ship.
With a single swing, he beheaded the captain.
In a blur, he mowed down the rest.
"Tch! Nothing disgusts me more than scum like you."
Kaesar spat and looked coldly at the bodies.
Charlotte, initially satisfied by Kaesar's swift justice, suddenly frowned at what came next—
"Tch! Old man like me can't stand guys like you."
"Old man"…?
Charlotte's brow twitched. This brat was getting way too casual.
Kaesar tore open the sack.
Inside was a wide-eyed, adorable little mermaid.
"Hey hey! Don't worry, the bad guys are gone!"
Kaesar reassured her.
"Thank you!"
The little mermaid bowed and ran off into Fishman Island.
Kaesar shrugged and moved on.
With his Observation Haki, he sensed other captives aboard neighboring ships.
One by one, he stormed them, freeing over a dozen captives.
King Neptune stood in silence, watching Kaesar's actions.
His face was dark… but conflicted.
Finally—
"Lord Charlotte… may I ask something?"
"Would it be possible… for Fishman Island to fly the flag of the Rockefeller Pirates?"
His words stunned the crowd.
Even the ministers behind Neptune paled.
They rushed to speak but were silenced by Neptune's raised hand.
"Lord Charlotte," he said solemnly,
"I wish for Fishman Island to come under your protection.
I ask that we be granted the right to fly your flag—for the safety of our people."
Charlotte was stunned.
So now he was being treated like Whitebeard?
In the original history, it was the Whitebeard Pirates who protected Fishman Island.
But now… somehow, the Rockefeller Pirates were taking that role instead.
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