Chapter 406: Claiming Fish-Man Island
What Charlotte didn't know—
In this timeline, because of the rise of the Rockefeller Pirates, the Whitebeard Pirates were firmly locked into the latter half of the New World. They never had the chance to approach Fish-Man Island.
Even in the original timeline, Whitebeard only came into contact with Fish-Man Island after taking over parts of the Roger Pirates' and Golden Lion Pirates' territories. That was after the Great Age of Pirates began.
Only then did the Whitebeard Pirates raise their flag over Fish-Man Island.
But this time, because of Charlotte's intervention, the decision came much earlier.
Or perhaps it was because King Neptune, after seeing the ongoing tragedies on Fish-Man Island, had finally made up his mind.
"Neptune, you'd better think this through," Charlotte warned in a low voice. "Don't forget who you are… and who I am. If the Navy or the World Government finds out, your people will suffer even more."
But Neptune met Charlotte's gaze without backing down.
"Mr. Charlotte," he said, voice heavy, "the World Government has never cared about our pleas. We've protested again and again at their reverie, but they never respond—because the ones secretly profiting from the slave trade are them. All we want is a safe place to live."
Tears welled in Neptune's eyes.
Since the day he became king, this burden had weighed heavily on his back.
Every year, dozens—sometimes hundreds—of fish-men and merfolk went missing.
He knew exactly where they ended up.
In Mary Geoise.
In chains.
And there was nothing he could do. Because the ones living above them were the Celestial Dragons.
"…Have you truly decided?" Charlotte asked him quietly.
"I have," Neptune replied, firm.
The two locked eyes for a long while.
Finally, Charlotte sighed deeply.
"Very well," he said. "I accept. Fish-Man Island is now under the protection of the Rockefeller Pirates. We'll guard every fish-man and merfolk on this island."
Gasps rippled through the crowd gathered around the harbor.
At that moment, Charlotte's presence seemed radiant—blinding.
"Barrett!" Charlotte called. "Raise our flag over the highest tower on Fish-Man Island. Let the whole world know: whoever threatens this place will answer to us. Let them test their luck if they dare."
Barrett nodded. "Yes, Captain."
With a few leaps, Barrett reached the top of a tall tower, holding high the Rockefeller Pirates' jolly roger.
And there it flew—
The flag of the World's Strongest Swordsman.
The flag of one of the Four Great Legends of the New World.
The banner of the Rockefeller Pirates now flew over Fish-Man Island.
The people erupted with cheers.
Fish-men and mermaids roared Charlotte's name.
At that moment, the world itself seemed to tremble beneath the fluttering of that black flag.
"Thank you! Thank you!" Neptune sobbed openly.
"If the World Government has a problem with it," Charlotte said, clapping a hand on Neptune's shoulder, "tell them to come find me. I'll take the heat."
"Thank you… truly, thank you…"
Neptune didn't know what else to say. Gratitude overwhelmed him.
From that moment on, any force daring to touch Fish-Man Island would be declaring war against the Rockefeller Pirates.
And not just any pirates—these were monsters, legends, and a crew none dared offend.
Charlotte didn't linger.
After the flag was raised, he left.
To Charlotte, placing the flag held both risk and opportunity.
The risk? It was a direct slap to the World Government's face.
Fish-Man Island sat directly below Sabaody Archipelago—the very gateway into the New World.
By claiming it, Charlotte had stretched his influence all the way to the entrance of Paradise.
He could already imagine the fury of the Five Elders in Mary Geoise.
This act made the Rockefeller Pirates a public enemy of the World Government—marked and watched.
But the rewards? They were equally massive.
First, he gained the loyalty of Fish-Man Island and its warriors. These fish-men, with ten times the strength of a human, were born fighters.
At his call, they would march for him.
Second—and more importantly—was Poseidon.
The ancient weapon hidden within this island…
The mermaid princess Shirahoshi. Though she hadn't been born yet, when she was, Charlotte planned to become her godfather.
If that happened, one of the three Ancient Weapons would be under his influence.
And Poseidon controlled the Sea Kings.
In a world dominated by oceans…
Controlling the sea meant controlling the world.
So yes—Charlotte knew that claiming Fish-Man Island brought danger. But it also brought power.
As long as they could survive the World Government's pressure—
It would all be worth it.
Soon after, agents and spies who had been hiding within Fish-Man Island reported what had happened.
When news spread that the island had been claimed by the Rockefeller Pirates—
Silence fell.
Then… panic.
All eyes turned toward Mary Geoise.
What would the Celestial Dragons say?
How would the Five Elders respond?
Red Line.
Mary Geoise.
Pangaea Castle.
"Bastard!"
"Kill them all!"
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn slammed a report down on the table.
"Deploy the God's Knights and CP0. Wipe the Rockefeller Pirates off the map! Spare no cost!"
"They've occupied Fish-Man Island! What's Charlotte planning? World domination?! The World Government will never allow a threat like this to survive!"
He was fuming.
But the other Four Elders… were unexpectedly calm.
"We need to replenish the Navy," said Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro.
"Over ten thousand elite marines are gone. Strengthen support for Sakazuki. Double the budget if needed. We can't allow another loss like this."
To be continued...
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