Crossed leg bones, white crescent-shaped beard, that iconic symbol was the flag of the Whitebeard Pirates. As a mid-level officer of the Beasts Pirates, Mandrell couldn’t possibly fail to recognize Whitebeard’s flag.
This was the biggest change that had occurred on Fishman Island recently. Whitebeard•Edward Newgate had declared Fishman Island as part of his territory.
Rather than the so-called allied-nation status, it was Whitebeard’s flag that proved more effective. The pirates causing trouble on Fishman Island were dealt with on the day Whitebeard arrived, and the island had since become much calmer. However, there were still occasional incidents of Mermaid being kidnapped by pirates.
The high starting price of a hundred million for a Mermaid made them willing to take the risk of offending Whitebeard.
“Who would have thought that Whitebeard would choose to put Fishman Island under his protection?”
“What? You look down on Fish-Men?”
Listening to the mutterings of a coating craftsman, Mandrell arrived behind him. Among the pirate crews now known as the “Emperor of the Sea,” there wasn’t a single one who looked down on Fish-Men or Mermaid.
Jack of the Beasts Pirates, the division commander and affiliated pirate crew leader under Whitebeard, as well as both Big Mom’s husband and daughter, were Fish-Men or Mermaid in their ranks.
Charlotte Linlin desired a country where all races could live together, Whitebeard was seeking family, and Kaido sought strength; none of them harbored discrimination against this particular race.
Especially the Beasts Pirates. Currently, they had the highest number of non-human humanoid officers among their ranks, although with Charlotte Linlin’s continued efforts in reproduction, this position was at the risk of being overtaken.
“Oh, it’s not that… it’s just that I’m a bit curious. After all, protecting Fishman Island is a significant undertaking, and it’s bound to draw criticism from others, right?”
“That’s someone who’s on par with Boss Kaido, an Emperor of the Sea. If even they don’t have the courage for this, they don’t deserve to be called Emperors of the Sea. Once we’re on the island, speak less, and unless ordered by Boss Kaido and the others, don’t stir up trouble.”
After giving the order, they began to enter Fishman Island. If they wanted to return directly to their own territory, they could bypass this place. However, apart from some specialties from Sabaody Archipelago, he also wanted to purchase some specialties from Fishman Island.
Before entering Fishman Island, Mandrell also used his ability.
His Magikarp’s Human-Beast form was indistinguishable from a Fish-Man, so on Fishman Island, he could easily pass as one.
“As usual, you guys go shopping. We’ll meet at the ship in the evening.”
Saying this, Mandrell carried his things and headed towards the Coral Hill in the southeast of Fishman Island. It was a bustling port town of the Ryugu Kingdom. Mandrell wasn’t here for sightseeing; he was here to look for someone.
“Rusalka, are you there?”
In front of an exquisite building, Mandrell knocked on the seashell door. After a long while, the door opened slowly, and a slightly petite silver-tailed Mermaid floated out from inside.
Rusalka, the Peacock Fish Mermaid, the woman previously mentioned by Pierman, is also the one Mandrell is currently pursuing.
Within the bubbles of Fishman Island, there was no water, so Mermaid had to rely on the bubbles created by the Bubbly Coral to move freely.
A few years ago, when Mandrell passed through Fishman Island on a mission, he fell in love at first sight with her. After that, he began to contact her in the form of a Magikarp Fish-Man. She had some reputation here, but it wasn’t a good one.
There is a rumor that those who fall in love with her would encounter misfortune. Pierman had mentioned that she had been married, but that wasn’t entirely accurate because the male Mermaid had unfortunately died on the wedding day due to a Sea Beast’s attack.
Later, a Mermaid who pursued her also died in a battle with human pirates, and since then, strange rumors had spread.
When she was young, she also had Shyarly divine her future, which didn’t appear to be good. Since then, she has always been on her own, and the spreading rumors left her with no other suitors until Mandrell appeared here a few years ago.
“Why have you come again?”
“Of course, to see you. I’ve brought some Grand Line Senbei and chocolate from Sabaody Archipelago, along with some books. They are made with a special moisture-resistant and waterproof material, so they should last a long time.”
Mandrell took out the carefully prepared gifts from his bag.
“They’re not anything valuable, just accept them. Last time, I noticed you seemed to enjoy reading, although I wasn’t sure what you liked to read, so I got a variety of books for you.”
Paper books were a rarity on Fishman Island. Not only was transportation difficult, but preservation was also a challenge. In these deep waters, regular paper deteriorates quickly. So, he looked for someone to have them custom-made.
As for which books to customize, he even conducted some experiments with Jack. Although Jack had grown up in human society, he believed that Jack’s nature should be similar to that of Mermaid.
“I told you last time that those who get close to me meet with misfortune. Aren’t you afraid?”
“I’m not afraid. My luck has always been good. Just recently, I stumbled upon a huge treasure. By the way, I might change my appearance in the near future, so don’t fail to recognize me.”
To prevent her from not recognizing him after his evolution, Mandrell gave her a heads-up.
Although this sounded strange, Rusalka didn’t see any problem with it. Fish-Men or Mermaid had a strong connection with their species, and things like seasonal color changes were not unheard of.
Afterward, they entered a forced small talk phase. Rusalka neither shooed him away nor initiated further conversation. In any case, she would continue speaking in response to what Mandrell said, and if Mandrell remained silent, she did too.
This was because of her strange curse; she rarely communicated with others, so she was sometimes passive in conversations.
Time passed unnoticed, and it was already evening. Mandrell knew it was time to leave.
“Well, it’s time to go. See you next time, and here, take this.” Mandrell took out a Den Den Mushi with his private number on it.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a Den Den Mushi. You can call me if you ever want to.” Saying this, seemingly afraid that she would reject it, he hurriedly opened the door and left the place.
“Goodbye! I’ll be leaving soon!”
“Idiot.” Rusalka didn’t throw away the Den Den Mushi but seemed to have some complaints about Mandrell’s behavior.
“Hey, hey, hey, Boss Mandrell!” After leaving Fishman Island, Pierman saw Mandrell lost in thought and shouted loudly into his ear.
“What? I can hear you.”
Rubbing his ears, Mandrell looked at his subordinate, wondering what he wanted.
“Say, Boss, what if you really fall in love with a Mermaid with your current appearance? What would you do in the future? You will have to eventually cancel your ability, you know?”
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