The Golden Dragon ship broke through the sea and surged onto the surface of the New World. The moment it did, the deck of the ship instantly erupted in excitement.
"This is the sea?"
"The sunlight on the sea is even warmer than Fish-Man Island!"
"That's real cloud! That's the real sea breeze! It's different—everything is different!"
"We've finally made it to the sea!"
Whether they were the ruffians from Fish-Man Street or the immigrants from Fish-Man Island, most of them had tears in their eyes at this moment.
The longing for land, sunlight, and the sea breeze must have been carved into the hearts of Fish-Man Island's inhabitants since the blank hundred years ago.
Sadly, Joy Boy from 800 years ago had failed to keep his promise.
Now, at this moment, the Fish-Men and Mermaids who had finally reached the surface of the sea were so overwhelmed with emotion that many of them dove straight into the water, happily swimming around, dancing with the fish.
"Is this necessary?"
Viola sneered.
Everyone rushed to the deck in a frenzy. What was once a vast and empty deck that could accommodate an airplane was now crowded.
"Of course, it's necessary."
Ian leaned against the ship's railing, chuckling as he looked down at the Fish-Men and Mermaids below, joyfully frolicking in the sea.
"This is freedom."
Freedom is the most important thing in the world.
On this vast and boundless ocean, no one should be restricted.
Though Fish-Men and Mermaids seemed to have a much larger, more expansive deep-sea world than the surface, they were still people.
They couldn't live in the dark, cold, and harsh deep sea. Only near Fish-Man Island, protected by the Sun Tree Eve, could they survive.
They had always been trapped in that narrow space.
That's why Fish-Man pirates continued to emerge despite being suppressed time and time again—their yearning for freedom could never be extinguished.
"Freedom?"
Viola froze for a moment.
She had always been free, with her family treating her well. She had never felt what it was like to be restricted.
But now, she somewhat understood because she had met Ian, and this guy had forced her to join the Beasts Pirates.
Now, she understood a little about what it meant to not be free.
This guy, who talks so much about freedom?
Viola immediately cast a contemptuous look at Ian.
Ian didn't care at all and just laughed heartily.
Do whatever you want; this is the freedom I have as a strong person.
"But don't let anything happen to them."
Ian tilted his head. "Jack."
Jack was practicing punches on the deck not far away.
He had abandoned his weapon to focus on fist fighting.
This was because Ian had suggested that he learn Fishman Karate.
So, for some time now, he had been learning from those Fishman thugs who had joined the Beast Pirates and knew Fishman Karate techniques.
"What's up? Big Brother Ian!"
Hearing the call of his most respected older brother, Jack immediately stopped practicing and hurried over.
Ian pointed toward the sea, which was currently agitated because of the Fishman and their activities. "How are things going with the Fishman troops?"
"Great."
Jack replied seriously. "They all listen to me now."
"Oh?"
Ian raised an eyebrow.
He had no idea this little brother of his had such a talent.
"I beat each of them up," Jack honestly said. "Then I told them, if anyone doesn't listen, I'll kill them. After that, they all respected me."
"Hahaha."
Ian laughed loudly.
Very good, it definitely fits the style of the Beast Pirates.
However...
Ian looked at his little brother with appreciation.
It was only natural for him to dominate the Fishman troops. With Tiger and Jinbe not around, there was no one stronger than him on Fishman Island.
"Then have your subordinates get to work."
Ian said. "Make sure they keep order. At such a happy time, we can't afford any accidents."
"Yes."
Jack nodded seriously and immediately walked to the side of the ship, shouting below, "Hey! You bastards! Listen up! Everyone go to the outermost perimeter of the crowd and keep an eye out for any suspicious activity!"
The next moment.
"Yes! Boss Jack!"
The fishman army, which had been frolicking on the sea with the ordinary residents, immediately responded loudly and then swiftly swam toward the perimeter without hesitation.
This should prevent anything from happening.
Seeing this, Ian patted Jack's leg, the only place he could reach, and said, "Well done, Jack."
Following orders without hesitation, Jack, you really do have the talent to be a general, huh?
Jack's face twisted in excitement, grinning as brightly as a sunflower, "This is what I should do!"
He was so happy to be praised by big brother Ian!
"Ian-sama!"
At that moment, Hancock joyfully rushed out of the cabin, pushing a cart, "I've prepared afternoon tea for you!"
Jack immediately turned his head and looked at Hancock, whose face was flushed red.
It was a bit embarrassing. The moment Jack saw Hancock, he suddenly felt a sense of crisis.
Ian furrowed his brow instantly.
"I've prepared cake and black tea."
Hancock smiled as she lifted the cover of the cart, revealing a stack of cakes that weren't exactly exquisite, but at least they looked decent, along with a steaming pot of black tea.
It was clear that she had put some thought into it.
This wasn't the first time. Since leaving Fish-Man Island, Hancock had been trying to win him over with various methods.
Honestly, Ian wasn't very happy about it.
"Oh? Cake? Just what I need, I'm a little hungry!"
Dressed in leather clothes and pants, with sunglasses on her forehead, and channeling the cool and handsome style of a younger Kaido-sensei, Yamato walked over and without hesitation grabbed a small piece of cake and stuffed it into her mouth.
Then.
"Wow! So sweet!"
Yamato grinned, "Too sweet!"
Hancock's expression immediately froze.
Ian's lips also stiffened.
**********
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