77. Four Emperors? So What
"Right now, Mr. Luffy is really strong. He took Mr. Garp's attack without flinching.
Coby, standing beside Garp, looked up to him with admiration.
He's Luffy's biggest fan. Seeing how powerful Luffy is makes me really happy for him.
"Considering he's one of the Five Emperors with a bounty of 5.1 billion berries now, even Sakazuki Admiral couldn't beat him," Helmeppo said nervously.
As the son of Axe-Hand Morgan, he once thought of challenging the Straw Hat Crew when he got stronger. But after the Battle of the Top, he changed his mind. When Luffy punched a hole into Marineford, he knew he'd follow Luffy forever.
"If anyone can do it, it's Coby," Helmeppo said, looking at Coby beside him. They've trained together for so long, and he knows Coby's talent surpasses his.
"Instead of thinking so much, let's focus on training. When will you two little devils grow up?" Garp said, ready to head back to the cabin, but then his gaze froze.
On the trunk of a massive Yarukiman mangrove tree at the Sabaody port sat a man with silver hair and a silver jug— Rayleigh.
Seeing Rayleigh, Coby and Helmeppo tensed up.
"That's Dark King Silver's Rayleigh," Coby exclaimed, going on high alert.
"Why are you nervous? He won't attack us," Garp said dismissively, waving his hand.
"Don't worry about him. We're done here. Tell headquarters the Straw Hat Crew has escaped. Let's go," Garp said, turning to leave.
"Mr. Garp, aren't we going to arrest Rayleigh?" Helmeppo asked suspiciously.
Garp sighed. "Trying to catch a retired old guy like him is a waste of time. Besides, he's a legendary pirate. Let's not make it seem like catching a mouse. Back then, even Sengoku and I didn't team up to catch him. One-on-one, he'd just run away. Let's go."
Deep in the sea aboard the Sunny, they arrived at Fish-Man Island for the second time.
As they docked, a group of people welcomed them. "Lord Luffy, the king invites you to the The Ryugu Palace for a banquet," a mermaid with blue hair said respectfully, holding a golden trident.
"What's going on?" Luffy asked curiously.
"This is Prince Fukaboshi, eldest prince of the Ryugu Palace Kingdom," Hatchan explained. "He's inviting you. His Majesty Neptune wants to discuss something with you."
"The king?" Chopper exclaimed in surprise.
"Don't worry, everyone. His Majesty Neptune is a good person and a friend of Whitebeard," Hatchan reassured them.
Hachan, once a member of the Sun Pirates, explained that the Ryugu Palace Kingdom and the Sun Pirates had a good relationship, working together to maintain peace on Fish-Man Island.
"Old man Whitebeard?" Luffy muttered, remembering Whitebeard's face fondly.
"Since Hatchan says so, let's head to the banquet," Luffy chuckled.
"A friend of a friend is a friend too," Luffy always thought that way.
The grand welcoming party led them to the Ryugu Palace.
Pirates at the port couldn't help but stare in surprise.
"Who's that big shot? Invited by the Dragon Palace folks as a pirate?" one asked, recalling similar treatment for the Whitebeard and Red Hair Pirates a few days prior.
"Don't you know?" another quickly explained. "That's the Straw Hat Pirates, now known as the Kings of Pirates, even above the Four Emperors!"
"The guy in the straw hat is the captain, Straw Hat Luffy. He took on Marine Admiral Akainu in the battle up top, caused chaos at the Navy HQ, and saved Ace the Fire Fist."
"Wow, that's the pirate with a bounty of 5.1 billion!" a pirate exclaimed, sweating nervously, and edged away from the discussion.
"This feels weird, like a monkey surrounded by people," Zoro muttered, eyeing the surrounding pirates.
"Yeah, isn't it awesome? Zoro, just ignore them," Luffy said, striding ahead.
"Oh, by the way, hatchan, where's Jinbei?" Luffy suddenly asked, remembering.
Jinbei stayed back on Sabaody for a day before hurrying to Fish-Man Island. Luffy and the crew had a good impression of the chivalrous merman.
"I'm not sure, but Boss Jinbei seems busy lately," Hatchan replied. He hadn't kept in touch with the Sun Pirates since joining Arlong.
Since Arlong's defeat, Hachan had left piracy for a takoyaki business, losing touch with Jinbei's activities.
"Okay," Luffy said, scanning the scenery of Fish-Man Island.
Soon, Luffy, Chopper, and Usopp split from the group to explore and grab some island snacks.
"Is this Fish-Man Island? These bubble gadgets remind me of Sabaody," Zoro remarked, intrigued by the surroundings.
Meanwhile, Sanji had already wandered off, charming a beautiful mermaid.
"These guys are hopeless," Nami sighed, watching their antics, relieved they didn't stray too far from the group.
Led by Prince Fukaboshi, Luffy and the crew arrived at a magnificent building.
"What a stunning sight," Nami and Robin remarked in awe.
"Is this the Ryugu King's Palace? It's quite extravagant," Zoro observed, looking at the grand structure ahead.
"Incredible place," Luffy laughed, marvelling at the sight.
TheRyugu Palace City stood atop Fish-Man Island, bathed in sunlight from the sun tree Eve, giving it a radiant appearance.
Built from large corals, shells, and other materials, the city resembled a massive, intricate artwork.
"Brother Luffy!" Jinbei called out as they entered the city.
"Jinbei!" Luffy greeted warmly.
"Let's go, the banquet hosted by His Majesty Neptune is about to start," Jinbei said, leading them inside.
King Neptune sat on his throne and offered Luffy a seat beside him, reserved for esteemed guests like Whitebeard and Red Hair.
Luffy waved it off. "That seat's too fancy for me. I'll sit here."
"Very much your style, Brother Luffy," Jinbei chuckled.
The banquet began, offering a variety of meats, fine wines, and beautiful mermaids, delighting Luffy and the crew.
After indulging in food and drink, Neptune approached them.
"Straw Hat, I have a favour to ask," Neptune said quietly.
"My lord, father," Fukaboshi and the other ministers looked concerned, finding Neptune's request unorthodox for a king.
But Neptune waved them off. "Why so serious?"
Luffy grinned. "You're friends with Whitebeard and Jinbei, so you're our friend, too. If you need help, just ask."
Neptune was taken aback by Luffy's sincerity.
"You're truly remarkable, Straw Hat Boy."
Neptune had encountered many formidable pirates and notable figures on Fish-Man Island. But Luffy stood out from them all. Unlike Whitebeard's commanding presence or Shanks' effortless charisma, the straw hat-wearing boy exuded a sincerity and innocence that was almost childlike. His mere presence had a comforting effect on those around him.
"I'll get straight to the point," Neptune said solemnly. "I want to ask for your help in using your flag to safeguard Fish-Man Island."
Neptune's earnest words reverberated through Ryugu Palace City, causing discomfort among the ministers and Fukaboshi, who gripped his golden trident tightly.
It wasn't that they doubted Luffy; rather, they felt uneasy about relying on outsiders for protection. However, circumstances dictated otherwise, much like when the Whitebeard Pirates left their flag behind as a symbol of protection.
The atmosphere grew tense, with Neptune lowering his head and Jinbei watching Luffy intently. Zoro and Sanji, sensing the gravity of the situation, awaited their captain's response.
Luffy scratched his chin, adopting a serious expression as if pondering the request deeply. Then, his head tilted slightly, confusion growing on his face.
"What do you mean by 'borrowing the flag' to protect the island?" he asked, puzzling everyone present.
The reaction was instantaneous. Nami couldn't believe Luffy's apparent cluelessness and delivered a swift punch to his head.
Jinbei rose to clarify, explaining that planting their pirate flag on the island's most prominent spot would signify to all pirates that Fish-Man Island belonged to the Straw Hat Pirates. Any troublemakers would be considered enemies of the crew. This practice was common in the New World, where territory held significant value.
Understanding dawned on Luffy as Jinbei spoke, and he nodded in agreement.
"You see that flag?" Jinbei pointed to the imposing pirate flag flying above Fish-Man Island—a skull with a beard resembling a crescent moon.
"That's old man Whitebeard's flag," Luffy remarked, recalling his time aboard the Moby Dick.
"That's right. But since Whitebeard's flag already flies here, why ask for yours?" Sanji inquired, seeking clarification.
Despite the widespread coverage in newspapers, they were nowhere near Whitebeard in terms of fame. Whitebeard's name has been revered from the time of Roger to the present.
"You know about my late wife," Jinbei said quietly. "News spreads fast, especially in the New World."
"After Pop's passing, word got out that Kaido had begun attacking his territory while Ace and the others fought back," Jinbei continued. "Fish-Man Island is far from Dad's turf, but with his name to shield it, no one dared cause trouble. Now that he's gone, this place is a target."
"Who's giving you trouble, Jinbei?" Zoro inquired, acknowledging Jinbei's strength, though not on par with theirs.
"Big Mom," Jinbei replied, his fists clenched. "She's a Yonko; her power rivals that of the Four Emperors. None of us can match them."
The reason Big Mom targeted Fish-Man Island was simple: the island's delectable snacks.
"Four Emperors," Nami said solemnly. "They're the pinnacle of piracy."
"So they're already making a move? How intriguing," Zoro grinned, his eyes gleaming with determination.
"I know this request might seem abrupt," Neptune whispered. "Choosing to shelter you means facing Big Mom head-on. It's no joke."
"But aren't you friends with old man Whitebeard?" Luffy asked, confused. "And Jinbei's from here. Of course, we'll help."
"And you treated us to such a feast," Luffy added, grinning.
"Do you understand what it means to protect Fish-Man Island?" Neptune asked incredulously. "It means you'll be enemies of Big Mom."
"So?" Luffy tilted his head, puzzled.
"That's the Four Emperors," Neptune sighed wearily.
"I know, but so what?" Luffy replied, his smile unwavering. "We came to the New World to take on the Four Emperors."
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