The relocation site chosen for Fish-Man Island was situated in the Calm Belt of the first half of the Grand Line.
Moving Fish-Man Island to the surface would mean losing the natural protection of the 10,000-meter-deep seabed, inevitably attracting numerous lawless elements.
Even when Fish-Man Island was deep beneath the sea, where Fish-Men and Merfolk held the natural advantage, it still couldn't deter the relentless assaults of pirates and slave traders. Only under Whitebeard's protection could it maintain a semblance of peace. Now, on the surface, the risks would be even greater.
Without Whitebeard's shelter, the newly established Fish-Man Island had to bolster its defenses. The Marines, in principle, could only provide offshore protection. Stationing Marine forces directly within a World Government member nation had never been done before.
While the World Government might wish to take such action, the kings of other member nations would never agree—Fish-Man Island's move to the surface required adherence to the same implicit rules governing all member states, one of which was the restriction on permanent Marine garrisons.
Therefore, to strengthen its defenses, Fish-Man Island had to rely on environmental factors.
The Calm Belt was an ideal choice.
Compared to the more complicated conditions on the Calm Belt near the Sabaody Archipelago, King Neptune and his advisors leaned toward the other side of the Calm Belt—the one near the underwater prison, Impel Down—to find a suitable island.
With this location, the new Fish-Man Island would be naturally separated from the Sabaody Archipelago by both Enies Lobby and the treacherous Florian Triangle, forming a natural barrier. Combined with the Calm Belt's protection, this would significantly reduce the threat posed by pirates.
However, this side of the Calm Belt was home to another formidable force.
Amazon Lily, the island of women, the home of the Kuja Tribe.
The Kuja's ships could traverse the Calm Belt freely, using massive sea serpents to tow them. These colossal serpents, highly venomous and native to the Calm Belt, were so ferocious that even Sea Kings avoided provoking them.
The selected island for the new Fish-Man Island was situated between Impel Down and Amazon Lily. The climate was favorable, and though uninhabited, it was a perfect relocation site for the Fish-Men and Merfolk.
But now, as the Ryugu Kingdom's flagship, Ryugu, carried Admiral Wright, Queen Otohime, and Prince Fukaboshi, they had rather unexpectedly encountered…
The Kuja Pirates' ship, the "Perfume Yuda"!
"…"
Wright tilted his head slightly in exasperation. At such a critical moment, encountering the willful Pirate Empress—was this good luck or bad?
On one hand, if Amazon Lily welcomed their new "neighbors," the newly established Fish-Man Island could gain a powerful ally from the outset.
On the other hand, if the Kuja resisted their presence, things would become troublesome. After all, Boa Hancock was not only one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea but also the most unpredictable among them.
However, while she could be difficult with humans, when it came to Fish-Men and Merfolk… perhaps things might take a favorable turn.
Aboard the "Perfume Yuda," the Kuja warriors had also noticed the Ryugu.
"Lady Sandersonia, that ship ahead carries rather peculiar passengers. It seems… well, you should see for yourself."
A Kuja Pirate, Enishita, reported to Boa Sandersonia, the green-haired, large-headed warrior who managed the ship's affairs whenever the Snake Princess was resting.
"Peculiar?"
Sandersonia exchanged a glance with her sister, Boa Marigold. Receiving a nod in return, the two headed toward the bow of the ship.
"That is…"
Sandersonia scrutinized the sails of the Ryugu, her eyes narrowing as she recalled a recent newspaper article.
Due to Amazon Lily's location in the Calm Belt, News Coo rarely ventured there, making newspapers scarce. The last one they obtained had come from a raid.
That newspaper had devoted a significant portion to covering the latest major global event—the Reverie. Naturally, it also detailed one of its most crucial topics: the relocation of Fish-Man Island's Ryugu Kingdom to the surface.
The Ryugu's distinctive emblem instantly jogged Sandersonia's memory.
"That's a Fish-Man Island ship! And the passengers… they're Fish-Men and Merfolk!"
"That must be… Queen Otohime and Prince Fukaboshi, as mentioned in the papers. And…"
Marigold's gaze locked onto a figure clad in a Justice coat.
"Marine Admiral 'Orange Horse' Wright!"
"We need to inform Elder Sister at once."
Sandersonia suppressed her excitement. The newspaper had not specified Fish-Man Island's exact relocation site, as this information was to be officially announced after initial construction was complete. They had never expected to encounter them so close to Amazon Lily!
"They are our honored ancestor's kin… Elder Sister will be pleased!"
Marigold said excitedly. The two sisters quickly made their way to the cabin to inform their sister, the ruler of Amazon Lily—the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock!
"Your Highness Otohime, Prince Fukaboshi, that ship ahead belongs to 'The Pirate Empress' Boa Hancock, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Her Majesty is rather… well, willful. Please don't take offense, though—she likely holds no hostility toward Fish-Man Island."
Wright briefly introduced them to their unexpected company. Truth be told, no one had expected to encounter the Kuja Pirates this soon. Normally, they didn't venture far from Amazon Lily, and this location was still days away from their island.
"No matter. Since we have chosen this location, we must interact with Amazon Lily sooner or later. Meeting them earlier may be for the best."
Queen Otohime remained optimistic. The original plan had been to first establish the new Fish-Man Island, then visit Amazon Lily before making the relocation public.
As a newly surfaced nation, they preferred not to expose themselves to human scrutiny before solidifying their self-defense capabilities.
But now that they had crossed paths, Otohime trusted that, even if Hancock held reservations, she could resolve them through diplomacy.
"So that's… the Pirate Empress?"
The three watched as the Perfume Yuda's cabin door opened and a stunning figure emerged.
She was tall and possessed unparalleled beauty. Her long, jet-black hair was styled in an elegant hime cut, and she wore golden serpent-shaped earrings. Her deep blue eyes exuded an almost hypnotic allure.
Dressed in a purple cheongsam and high heels, Boa Hancock walked forward with an air of serene majesty, her presence eliciting a chorus of "Snake Princess!" from her crew.
The two ships had drawn near, and both the Ryugu and the Perfume Yuda came to a synchronized halt. Wright, Otohime, and Shark now faced Hancock and her sisters from their respective bows.
"A Marine Admiral gracing us with his presence—what a surprise…"
Hancock took a step forward as one of her massive sea serpents coiled beneath her, elevating her gracefully above the deck.
"For an Admiral to personally escort… these must be the distinguished members of the Ryugu Kingdom?"
"Indeed, Boa Hancock. This is Queen Otohime of the Ryugu Kingdom and Prince Fukaboshi."
Wright raised an eyebrow. By now, his Holy Light had completely negated Hancock's charm—a passive resistance, perhaps, as it counted as a negative status effect?
As for the Fish-Men and Merfolk, while they were clearly captivated by Hancock's beauty, they weren't as easily overwhelmed as human Marines.
Maybe it was because their own princess was already a renowned beauty… or perhaps it was simply a matter of racial differences?
"Shall we speak in closer quarters?"
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