Ryugu Kingdom, New World
More than ten thousand meters below the sea, deep within the grand palace of the Ryugu Kingdom, King Neptune sat upon his throne, his expression torn between joy and skepticism.
The news brought by the bull shark fishman, a trusted liaison between the Ryugu Kingdom and the Donquixote family, sounded too good to be true.
"So they want to develop an island on the surface for the Fishmen, under our sovereignty, and they ask for nothing in return?" Neptune's voice echoed throughout the throne room. "And they even promise to safeguard the safety of our people there?"
The bull shark fishman, whose family had been saved by the Donquixote brothers from the clutches of the Big Mom Pirates back at Sabaody, nodded firmly. Over the years, he had forged a strong bond with Rosinante and the Donquixote family.
Now, he ran a thriving business in Coral Port on Dressrosa and had become a bridge between the two kingdoms. Even though the offer sounded like a dream, his faith in the Donquixote family's sincerity was unshakable.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the bull shark fishman replied. "The island will be developed with no strings attached, and they're committed to protecting our people. Rosinante himself assured me of that."
Neptune stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing as he weighed the potential. For centuries, his people had dreamed of living freely on the surface, away from the oppressive depths that both protected and confined them.
Although the World Government claimed Fishmen were equals under the law, they were still treated like outsiders—despised, persecuted, and exploited.
Now, a pirate family was offering them a chance to build a home on the surface—a chance to live in the light.
"Neptune-sama, this is too dangerous!" The Minister of the Right, his face lined with concern, broke the silence. His tone was firm, but there was an underlying bitterness.
"We cannot trust humans, let alone pirates. The Donquixote family may have helped us before, but they are still pirates, and pirates act out of self-interest. Their words should not be trusted."
His sentiment echoed the deep mistrust many Fishmen still held toward the surface world, especially humans. Though they were protected under the banner of the Whitebeard Pirates, those scars of persecution remained raw. The minister's gaze turned cold as he continued.
"And worse," he said, his voice grim, "what if they have hidden motives? What if this is a trap? They could be using us as pawns, or worse, planning to capture us as slaves under the guise of kindness."
The bull shark fishman's eyes flashed with anger. He took a step forward, his voice rising as he defended the Donquixote family.
"Watch your words, Minister. The Donquixote family saved my family and many others when we were abandoned—when you refused to even give us an audience with the King! I won't stand by and let you insult my benefactors!"
His gaze narrowed, glaring at the minister, who had once turned his back on the bull shark fishman's family when they were at their most desperate. The memory was still raw, and now, hearing the minister slander the very people who had saved his life was like salt on an old wound.
Even King Neptune frowned. He hadn't forgotten how the Donquixote brothers had helped the Ryugu Kingdom in the past, time and time again. Their territories had become a safe haven for merfolk and fishmen alike, and the King's mind struggled to understand the deep hostility the minister still harbored toward those who had been nothing but allies.
The Minister of the Right opened his mouth, about to order the guards to remove the bull shark fishman for his insolence, but Neptune raised his hand sharply, silencing him with a glare. The minister stepped back, swallowing his retort.
Queen Otohime, sitting calmly beside Neptune, finally spoke, her voice full of warmth and wisdom. "We have dreamed for generations of living freely on the surface, to show the world that we are not beasts, but equals. Perhaps this could be the opportunity we've been waiting for."
Her words brought a sense of calm over the room, and even the most skeptical of the advisors seemed to pause at her reasoning. Otohime's desire for peace and unity with the surface world was well-known, and her words carried weight with the people.
The bull shark fishman, still bristling with anger but taking a deep breath, added, "Your Majesty, I understand the skepticism. But I've seen the Donquixote family in action. Rosinante is not like other pirates. He stands against oppression and cruelty. He doesn't want to control us; he wants to give us a chance to build something for ourselves, without fear of being hunted down."
He paused, then said with a resolute tone, "If there are still concerns about their true intentions, I will personally oversee this project. I will gather the more rowdy fishmen—those who have turned to piracy because they had no other choice—and we will help build this island, our haven. With Rosinante's support, we can finally have a home on the surface."
The Minister of the Right scowled, folding his arms. "Even if his intentions are pure, how can we trust the surface world to accept us? Humans will never stop seeing us as monsters. No matter what protections are promised, history has shown that they will turn on us when it suits them."
The room fell silent again as Neptune pondered the weight of his decision. Could they trust the word of pirates, even pirates who had proven themselves allies? Could he risk his people's future on the promises of the surface world once again? Or was this the first real opportunity they had to step into the light, after centuries of living in the shadows?
After a long pause, Neptune looked to his Queen, whose eyes were filled with hope, and then back to the bull shark fishman, whose loyalty to the Donquixote family was unwavering. He knew the risks. He knew the dangers. But he also knew that doing nothing would keep his people forever imprisoned beneath the waves.
"I hear your concerns," Neptune said, his voice heavy with the gravity of his words. "But if there is even a chance that this could give our children a future where they no longer have to live in fear, then we must consider it."
The minister opened his mouth to protest again, but Neptune silenced him with a glance.
"We will hear more from the Donquixote family," Neptune continued. "If their offer is genuine, then this could be the beginning of a new era for our people. But I want to meet with Rosinante personally. Let him come here and speak with me face to face."
The bull shark fishman bowed deeply, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will relay your message to Lord Rosinante immediately."
"Wait...!" Queen Otohime's voice rang out, gentle but resolute, drawing the attention of the entire throne room. She rose from her seat beside King Neptune, her eyes filled with the deep passion she held for her people's future.
"The Donquixote family has shown their sincerity by taking the first step and proposing this idea. It would only be right if we approached them directly to discuss this matter further. Therefore, I will personally make the trip to Dressrosa."
Her words were filled with conviction, and the room seemed to still in the wake of her declaration. This was not just about an alliance; it was about her lifelong dream—to bridge the gap between humans and fishmen, to see her people live as equals in harmony with those on the surface.
The dream had consumed her for years, and now, with the possibility of a safe haven being built for fishmen above water, she couldn't let the opportunity slip by.
"I have heard many stories about Coral Port on Dressrosa," Otohime continued, her eyes bright with hope. "They say it's the safest place for fishmen above water, as long as they follow the rules and live peacefully. More and more fishmen from the slums have been finding better lives there.
The rumors are not far from the truth, and if that's the case, I want to see it with my own eyes. If the Donquixote family truly offers us a path to unify with humans, then we must seriously consider it."
The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, and the tension in the room deepened. Many feared the risks involved, but Otohime's dream had always been to find a way for fishmen to live openly among humans without fear or hatred. Her words carried the weight of that dream—a hope that had been dashed so many times before.
The Minister of the Right, who had been largely silent since the beginning of the discussion, finally spoke up, his voice measured but thoughtful. "The Queen's proposal is dangerous, but... it has merit."
He looked at Otohime, then to King Neptune, his expression conflicted.
"We've lived in the shadows for so long, wary of the surface world, especially humans. But the Donquixote family has, so far, treated merfolk and fishmen fairly."
"They have helped our people without asking for anything in return, and their Coral Port has indeed become a haven for many who once had nothing."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the room, aware of the apprehension shared by the other ministers.
"Pushing away a helping hand simply because of old prejudices would be foolish. The truth is... for once, we may have found humans who are willing to meet us halfway. We have no reason to doubt their intentions based on their actions thus far."
His voice grew somber, and a note of melancholy crept in as he continued, "For all we know, the Donquixote brothers may be the ones who help us fulfill our long-lost dream. A dream we've carried for centuries."
The room grew silent again, the weight of the moment settling over them like the deep ocean currents that surrounded their kingdom. The Queen's vision for peace and unity, something so many had dismissed as an unattainable dream, suddenly seemed closer than ever before. Yet, the dangers of the surface world still loomed large in the minds of the fishmen.
Queen Otohime, sensing the hesitation of the court, softened her tone but did not waver. "I understand your concerns, and I share them. But if we continue to live in fear of the surface, nothing will ever change. This is a rare opportunity for us to reach out to those who have already shown kindness. We must not let our fears control our future."
King Neptune, who had been quietly listening, nodded slowly, his large hand resting on the arm of his throne. His expression was contemplative, torn between his duty to protect his people and the hope that his wife's dream could finally become a reality.
"I will not deny the risks," Neptune said, his deep voice resonating through the chamber. "But we cannot afford to ignore this chance. If the Donquixote family's intentions are genuine, then this could be the first step toward a brighter future for our people."
He turned to his wife, his eyes filled with a mix of love and concern. "If you are truly set on going, Otohime, then I will support you. But we will ensure that you are well-guarded, and we will move cautiously. I cannot risk losing you or our people's future."
Queen Otohime smiled softly at him, her determination shining through. "Thank you, my king. I promise you, I will do everything in my power to secure a future where fishmen and humans can live as equals."
The bull shark fishman, who had remained respectfully silent during the Queen's speech, now stepped forward. His voice was full of gratitude and belief in the Donquixote family.
"Your Majesty, I swear to you, Rosinante and the Donquixote family want nothing but to help us. They are ruthless toward their enemies, but they honor their promises and protect those they care about. If anyone can help us realize this dream, it's them."
The room buzzed with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. Some ministers still looked skeptical, their eyes clouded by the pain of history, while others seemed cautiously optimistic, swayed by the Queen's conviction.
Neptune took a deep breath, standing tall as he made his decision. "Very well. We will send word to Dressrosa that Queen Otohime will visit to discuss this matter further. We will proceed with caution, but we will not let fear rule us any longer."
As the meeting came to a close, there was a sense of both anticipation and trepidation in the air. The future of the Fishman people, long oppressed and isolated, now teetered on the brink of a potential new era—an era that could bring them closer to the surface, closer to their long-sought dream of unity with the human world.
*******
Floral Island, Grand Line
"Take an inventory again! Check through every box!" a burly man with a wild beard roared, his voice echoing through the grand hall. His large fists slammed onto the desk, sending a stack of papers flying.
"It was supposed to be the highlight of the auction! I want that wench found!" He turned sharply toward his second-in-command, his bloodshot eyes burning with fury. "Bring her back to me alive!"
The man he addressed, a lean, sharp-eyed individual, nodded quickly and rushed off to relay the orders. This wasn't just any theft. The establishment owner controlled the entire island, wielding power both above and below ground.
He had ties to the underworld, and after years of hustling and bribing, his people had finally uncovered a rare devil fruit. It was his golden ticket—one that could secure him unimaginable wealth and influence.
But now, the fruit was gone, stolen, and to make matters worse, his warehouse had been set ablaze during the theft. His rage was palpable, boiling beneath the surface, and he itched to personally tear the thief limb from limb.
Soon, three dozen men fanned out across the town, combing the streets, searching for one woman—a woman with a burnt face. Word spread fast through the town, and it wasn't long before fear gripped the civilians, who stayed far from the streets, closing their windows and locking their doors. No one wanted to be caught in the crossfire.
---
In a narrow, dimly lit alley, Nico Olvia leaned heavily against a dumpster, her breathing ragged and labored. Sweat beaded on her brow, and her hand pressed tightly against the gunshot wound in her abdomen, though blood continued to ooze between her fingers. Her face, half-hidden in the shadows, was lined with pain and exhaustion.
Next to her knelt Lily, her young companion, wide-eyed and frantic as she assessed the injury. The smell of smoke and burning wood still clung to the air from the warehouse fire Olvia had started as a diversion.
"You're hurt—badly!" Lily whispered, panic evident in her voice. She tried to move closer, her hands trembling, but Olvia shook her head, wincing at the movement.
"It's just a flesh wound," Olvia grunted, though the pain in her voice betrayed the severity of the injury. She had been through worse, she told herself. Far worse. "I've had worse. This... this is nothing."
Lily wasn't convinced. Tears welled in her eyes, but she bit them back, knowing the danger they were in. The entire island, from the goons to the marines under the establishment owner's payroll, was hunting them. It wasn't just about the theft—it was Olvia's presence. She knew that the Cipher Pol agents had likely caught wind of her location.
Whether they were here for her or for another mission, it didn't matter. The moment they found out she was here, there would be no escape. That's why she had acted—why she had gambled everything to steal the devil fruit.
"We need to get you somewhere safe," Lily urged, her voice barely above a whisper. She glanced around the alley, heart pounding, as if expecting someone to round the corner any moment.
Olvia gritted her teeth, sweat dripping down her face, and began to undo the scorched disguise that had helped her infiltrate the island's largest crime organization. The mask of soot and grime she wore had fooled them long enough, but the wound had slowed her down, and they were running out of time.
"Lily..." Olvia's voice softened, despite the pain that laced her every word. She looked at the young girl—no, the young woman—who had become like a daughter to her over the years. Their bond had been born out of necessity, forged in the fires of constant danger and the ever-present threat of death. But as the years passed, something deeper had grown between them, something unspoken but powerful. A mother's love.
With a shuddering breath, Olvia reached into her coat and pulled out the prize she had risked everything for: a devil fruit. Its unusual shape resembled a flowering bud, with swirling pink petals curling over one another, giving it an almost beautiful, yet ominous appearance.
The Hana Hana no Mi—the Flower-Flower Fruit. Its power was legendary, said to grant its user the ability to grow limbs or body parts anywhere they wished, like flowers blooming in the spring.
Olvia held it out to Lily, her hand trembling slightly. "Take this," she said, her voice firm despite the blood pooling at her side. "With this, you'll be safe. You'll be able to protect yourself... even when I'm not there."
Lily's eyes widened in shock, staring at the fruit in Olvia's hand. "No... no, I can't take this!" She pushed it away, her voice trembling. "You need it! We can still get out of here together, please—"
"No," Olvia interrupted, her voice soft but resolute. "I've fought long enough. It's your turn now, Lily. This... this devil fruit will be your salvation. I need you to survive... I need you to live."
Tears welled up in Lily's eyes, but she knew better than to argue with Olvia. This was the woman who had taught her everything—how to fight, how to survive, how to stay one step ahead of those who wanted them dead.
If Olvia was telling her to take the fruit, then it wasn't just about survival—it was about legacy. A final gift from a woman who had spent her entire life on the run, hiding from the world, hiding from her past.
"But..." Lily's voice cracked, tears spilling over now as she stared at the devil fruit. "What about you?"
Olvia managed a weak smile, brushing a strand of hair from Lily's face. "I've already lived my life... fighting for a world I want you to see. I need you to carry that fight forward. Take the fruit, Lily... and never look back."
Lily hesitated for just a moment longer before, with shaking hands, she accepted the fruit. The weight of it felt heavier than it should have—like she wasn't just holding a devil fruit, but the future Olvia had fought for.
In the distance, the sound of footsteps echoed, and Olvia's eyes sharpened. The goons were getting closer.
"Lily, go," Olvia urged, forcing herself to stand, clutching her side. "Don't wait for me. Run... and live. If you ever get to meet Robin again, tell her that I love her..."
Lily's heart twisted painfully, but she knew she had no choice. With one last look at the woman who had been her protector, her teacher, and her mother in all but blood, she nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"Please….Olvia san, don't leave me alone in this cruel world," she whispered, her voice shaking as she tried to pull Olvia up with her blood stained hands, clutching the devil fruit tightly to her chest.
Nico Olvia's breathing was shallow, her face pale beneath the grime and soot that streaked it. Blood continued to seep from the wound in her abdomen, pooling beneath her where she leaned against the cold, damp wall of the alley. The clamor of footsteps echoed in the distance, but they felt far away—like a dream she couldn't reach.
She looked up at Lily, her vision blurred, but focused on the girl she had come to see as her own. Lily knelt beside her, her eyes brimming with tears, her hands shaking as she gripped Olvia's blood-soaked sleeve. Her lips quivered, but she couldn't bring herself to speak. The words lodged in her throat, too painful to release.
Olvia smiled weakly, though each breath came with searing pain. "Lily..." she rasped, her voice barely above a whisper. "Listen to me... you're not alone. You never were... and you never will be."
Lily's tears fell freely now, streaming down her cheeks as she desperately shook her head. "No, no, no..." she sobbed, clutching Olvia's hand as if holding on could keep her alive. "I need you... please, don't leave me! We can still get out of here... I'll find help, just—just hold on!"
Olvia gently shook her head, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "I've held on long enough, sweetheart." Her voice was tender, laced with a motherly warmth that Lily had clung to for years.
"It's time... for you to live now. I'm sorry I couldn't be there when you need me most."
Lily's chest tightened painfully, a hollow ache spreading through her body. "I can't... I can't do this without you..." she whispered, her words fractured by sobs.
"You can," Olvia said, her voice growing fainter, though no less sure. "You're strong, Lily... stronger than you know. You don't need me to survive anymore. You've grown... into someone I'm so proud of."
Olvia reached up with trembling fingers, brushing a tear from Lily's cheek. "There's a whole world out there for you, one where you'll find your place... where you'll find people you can trust, people who will become your family."
Lily's heart shattered at those words, the loss of Olvia—the woman who had taken her in, protected her, fought for her—too much to bear. "But you are my family," Lily cried, her voice breaking. "You're all I have."
Olvia's smile was bittersweet, her eyes softening. "I know," she whispered. "But there will come a time when you'll find others... people who will love you just as much as I do. You'll find where you belong... and when that happens, promise me... promise me you won't let the past chain you down."
Lily clenched her jaw, unable to speak through her sobs. She nodded, though the promise felt impossible, like the weight of the world was crushing her chest. How could she move on without Olvia? How could she live when the one person who had always been by her side was leaving her?
"Don't... let my past become yours," Olvia continued, her hand slipping from Lily's face, falling to the ground with a soft thud. "You deserve happiness, Lily. Don't live in the shadows like I did... don't let the darkness consume you."
Lily bit her lip so hard it bled, choking back the scream of grief that clawed at her throat. "I don't know if I can..." she whispered, her voice raw.
Olvia's gaze softened further, her eyelids fluttering as her strength ebbed away. "You can..." she murmured, her breath becoming more labored. "And one more thing... when the time comes... when you find her... take care of Robin."
Lily's heart clenched, her tears blurring her vision as she nodded fiercely. "I will," she promised, her voice cracking. "I'll find her. I'll protect her... I'll tell her everything about you."
Olvia's lips curved into a faint smile, her eyes beginning to glaze over. "Thank you..." she whispered, the light in her eyes dimming. "Thank you for... giving me hope."
For a long, agonizing moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. The sounds of the town, the approaching footsteps of the thugs, all faded into the background. All that mattered was the fragile, broken connection between Olvia and Lily, a bond stronger than blood.
And then... Olvia exhaled one final, shuddering breath. Her body relaxed, her hand slipping from Lily's grasp as the light left her eyes completely.
Lily's world crumbled.
"NO…!!!" she cried, her voice a raw, guttural scream as she collapsed onto Olvia's lifeless form. She clutched the woman who had been her mother, her protector, her everything, sobbing uncontrollably into her chest. Her tears soaked into the fabric of Olvia's shirt, mingling with the blood that stained her hands and arms.
"Please... don't leave me," Lily whimpered, her voice breaking. But Olvia didn't respond. She was gone, and the cold, empty void that replaced her presence was unbearable.
Lily stayed there, clutching Olvia's body, rocking back and forth as the reality of her loss settled in. The woman who had given her everything was gone, leaving Lily alone in a world that suddenly felt too big, too cruel, too empty.
But somewhere, deep within her chest, Lily felt the echo of Olvia's final words. You're not alone. You never were... and you never will be.
She had to live. Not just for herself, but for Olvia. For Robin. For the future Olvia had sacrificed everything for.
With trembling hands, Lily rose to her feet, wiping her tear-streaked face with the back of her hand. She looked down at Olvia's still body one last time, her heart breaking anew. "I'll find her," she whispered, her voice thick with grief but filled with resolve. "I'll take care of Robin. And I'll live... for you."
As the sounds of footsteps grew closer, Lily turned and fled into the shadows, clutching the devil fruit tightly to her chest, her heart aching but determined.
Nico Olvia was gone, but her legacy would live on.
*****
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