Led by the Shark They Saved

The full-color version of the splash repeats the same explosive scene. Luffy soars upside-down with mouth open in joy, red shirt and blue shorts vivid against the turmoil. Nami in a blue dress and Robin in a patterned one cling to the star-marked barrel while fish-men and sharks thrash around them. The "ONE PIECE" logo appears on the left amid the swirling action.

A few hours ago in the Ryugu Kingdom, Mermaid Cove, a large sealed chest rests on the seabed among coral and ruins. Several mermaids gather around it. One mermaid wonders, "IF IT WAS TREASURE, SURELY IT WOULD BE IN A CHESTI SINCE IT'S A BARREL... PERHAPS SOME EXPENSIVE LIQUORI" Another exclaims, "IT'S SO... TIGHT...!!!" A third asks, "WHAT ON EARTH COULD BE INSIDE...I" and notes, "IT'S SO TIGHTLY SEALED...!!!" The chest suddenly snaps open with "SNAP SNAP SNAP" as a figure bursts out. A mermaid screams "AAAAAH HHHHHH HHH!!!" while another shouts "WHAT......I! IS THERE... A PERSON INSIDEI!" and "NO WAY!!!" The intruder laughs "KEHEHEHEHE HEH!! NO NEED TO OPEN IT ANY FURTHER, THAT'S MOOORE THAN ENOUGH!!" as a mermaid cries "AAAH!" and another warns "ALL RIGHT,...THAT'S ENOUGH...!!!"

The swamp man lunges forward, declaring "QUICKLY! TO THE WATER!" and "DON'T TRY RUNNING AWAY, NOW!!!" as mermaids scream "AAAAHH HHHHHH HHHH!!!" One mermaid calls out "THANKS SO MUCH, LADIES!!!" The swamp man grabs several mermaids, who protest "IT'S A SWAMP!! WHY IS THERE A SWAMP HERE IN THE COVEI!" and "I'M... SINKING...!!" He laughs "KEHIHIHIHI!!! I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP, LITTLE MERMAIDS!!" while one mermaid cries "OHHHH NO, YOU DON'T!!!" and "IT'S TOO LATE FOR YOU GIRLS!!!" The swamp man reveals "OH, AND DON'T THINK ABOUT SCREAMING! IT AIN'T LIKE I'M GONNA KILL YA!" and "OH, YES... AND WHAT A SWAMP! THERE'S NO ESCAPE FROM THESE BOTTOMLESS DEPTHS!! I'M A FRUIT USER, YOU SEE... I ATE THE NUMA NUMA NO MI AND BECAME A SWAMP MAN!!" as the mermaids struggle and sink with "!!I" and "STRUGGLE ALL YOU LIKE... IT'LL ONLY MAKE YOU SINK DEEPER!"

A fish-man pirate with a spotted tail and curly hair looms over terrified mermaids, laughing maniacally. "DON'T WORRY... I'M JUST GONNA PUT YOU GIRLS TO SLEEP FOR A WHILE...!!!" he sneers as one mermaid cries "HELP..." and another screams "UNHHH HH!!!" He continues, "WHAT DID I JUST TELL YA......I!!! I SAID IT, DIDN'T II!!! YA LITTLE FOOOOL!!" while a voice yells "SOME-BODY...!" and "ISHIRI IIII!" The villain boasts, "IF I REMEMBER RIGHT... THEY AUCTION FOR AROUND 70 MILLION EACH... SO WITH THREE OF 'EM... KEHIHIHI!! I'VE GOT A LOT TO THANK THOSE STRAW HATS FOR!!" He spreads his arms wide, declaring "HAHAHAHA HAHA!! THIS BODY OF MIIINE IS A BOTTOMLESS EXPANSEEEE! ♪ NOW, LET'S SEE... HOW MUCH ARE MERMAIDS GOING FOR THESE DAYSI!" In a flashback panel he adds, "THANKS TO THEM, I'VE MADE IT THE WAY ONTO FISHMAN ISLAND WITHOUT EVEN PASSING THROUGH ANY INSPECTIONS!! I CAN HUNT DOWN ALL THE MERMAIDS I LIKE!! NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL A TREASURE ISLAND!!! KEHIHIHIHI!!!"

In Coral Hill port town of the Ryuuguu Kingdom, a blonde curly-haired mermaid exclaims, "I MEAN... THEY WERE SUCH NICE PEOPLE... AND BESIDES, THEY ARE CAMIE'S FRIENDS...!!! THEY COULD HAVE BEEN THREATENING HER...!!!" A voice replies, "NO... I'M NOT SAYING THEY DID IT..." while another states, "THEY HAVE BEEN CAPTURING YOUNG GIRLS FROM MERMAID COVEI!" The Straw Hat Pirates' wanted posters are displayed with the note "THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT..." and "AT ANY RATE..." Citizens discuss, "AMONGST HUMANS, YOUNG MERMAIDS CAN BE SOLD FOR EXTREMELY LARGE QUANTITIES OF MONEY! ALL HUMANS HAVE MOTIVE ENOUGH TO KIDNAP A MERMAID!!...AND THE STRAW HAT PIRATES...!!!...WERE WE OF THE ROYAL GUARDS, THE MERMAIDS OF THE COVE, THE DEFEATED RUFFIANS FROM THE FISHMAN DISTRICT... THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO WERE IN THE VICINITY AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT... EVEN SO, IT DOESN'T SEEM FAIR TO ASSUME...!!! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY PIRATES HAVE PUT ON A FRIENDLY ACT TO GET CLOSE TO MERMAIDS IN THE PAST, ONLY TO KIDNAP THE POOR GIRLS AND MAKE THEIR ESCAPEI!!!"

Prince Fukaboshi questions, "...WILL THE PIRATE STRAW HAT LUFFY... TRULY BRING ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF FISHMAN ISLAND...I!" while asking Madam Shirley, "ARE YOU CERTAIN IT IS TRUE...I THIS FUTURE THAT YOU CLAIM TO HAVE SEENI" She replies, "...YES. WHAT I SAW IS BEYOND DOUBT... IT IS MOST CERTAINLY... THE TRUTH...!!!" A hooded figure brings water, calling "MADAM SHIRLEY! DRINK SOME WATER...!!!" Shirley continues, "BUT CONSIDERING THIS FUTURE, UNCERTAIN THOUGH IT MAY BE... IT IS CLEARLY NOT PRUDENT TO ALLOW THEM TO ROAM FREE. WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE MEASURES TO PREVENT THIS...!!!!" A royal messenger reports, "MADAM SHIRLEY... WORD OF THE ACCURACY OF YOUR FORETELLINGS HAS REACHED EVEN SO FAR AS OUR ROYAL PALACE......HOW UNFORTUNATE... I HAD INTENDED TO APPROACH THE STRAW HATS WITH FRIENDLY INTENTIONS, BENEFACTORS OF MY SISTER'S PET THAT THEY ARE..."

In Gyo Valley Hills, citizens react with shock: "UNBELIEVABLE... BEING INVITED TO THE PALACE IS ONE THING, BUT TO BE PERSONALLY ESCORTED BY KING NEPTUNE HIMSELF...I!" and "...AND THEY'RE GONE..." King Neptune rides the shark Megalo, shouting "NEPTU UUUUUU UNE!! HOHOHOH!! BE CAREFUL NOT TO FALL, NOW!!" Megalo cries "HOEEEE EELL!!!" while Neptune laughs "HOHOHOHO... THAT SHARK, MEGALO, IS A BELOVED PET OF MY DAUGHTER'S, YOU SEE!!" A voice asks, "WHAT'S WITH THAT CRY, OLD DUDEI IT SOUNDS REALLY STUPID!!" Neptune retorts, "YOU CAN'T SAY THINGS LIKE THAT!! YOU REALLY SCARE ME SOMETIMES!!" He continues, "AND TO THINK THAT HE WAS ATTACKED BY THE KRAKEN, OF ALL BEASTS... I MUST THANK YOU MOST GRACIOUSLY FOR SAVING HIM! WHY, WHEN IT SEEMED AS THOUGH MEGALO MIGHT NEVER RETURN, SHE WAS SIMPLY INCONSOLABLE!!"

Pappag stares in surprise at the shark. "HMI PAPPAG-SAN, I SEEM TO RECALL YOU TOLD US ONCE THAT YOU WERE A CLOSE FRIEND OF THE MERMAID PRINCESS..." Megalo the shark carries the group through the sea. "SHISHISHI!! WELL, IT WAS JUST A COINCIDENCE. BUT IT'S GREAT THAT HE MADE IT, ALL THE SAME!" A box labels the shark: "MEGALO (THE MERMAID PRINCESS' BELOVED SHARK)". Neptune laughs heartily. "HOHOHO!! IN TRUTH, I ALSO SENT MY SONS OUT TO GREET YOU..." The crew reacts with shock as Megalo swims alongside. "A... ARE YOU SURE IT'S ALL RIGHT...I US COMING ALONG TO THE PALACE, I MEAN..." "SHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Someone exclaims, "AH...!! SO IT WAS A LIE!" Zoro is mentioned in the background. "I BELIEVE... HIS NAME WAS..." "THAT'S ZORO ALL RIGHT." "ZORO, HUHI" "ZORI!!" "NO, IT'S ZORO." Neptune continues, "AS A MATTER OF FACT, HE HAS ALREADY BEGUN THE DRINKING. I TOLD HIM THAT MERRIMENTS ARE BETTER ENJOYED WITH EVERYONE PRESENT, BUT HE WOULD NOT LISTEN!" "AH YES, I FORGOT TO MENTION - THERE IS ANOTHER MEMBER OF YOUR CREW AWAITING YOU AT THE PALACE."

The group rides Megalo through the sea. "AND ROBIN WALKED OFF SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT PRECIOUS HISTORICAL INFORMATION..." "FRANKY SAID HE WAS GOING TO SEARCH FOR THE RELATIVES OF SOMEONE NAMED TOM-SAN..." "OH YEAH, NAMI, DON'T YOU KNOW WHERE THE OTHERS WENTI" Neptune reassures them. "AS FOR YOUR OTHER COMPANIONS, I EXPECT MY SOLDIERS WILL LOCATE THEM AND INVITE THEM TO THE PALACE SOON ENOUGH, SO FEAR NOT!" Nami questions the bright area. "WHY HAS THERE BEEN SOME KIND OF TROUBLEI" Neptune explains the history of Fish-Man Island. "HOHOHO! YOU HAVE IT BACKWARDS THERE, MY DEAR... IT IS NOT BECAUSE OF OUR ISLAND. IT IS MERELY THAT LONG AGO... FISHMEN GATHERED AND BEGAN TO LIVE IN THE LONE AREA OF THE DEPTHS WHERE DAYLIGHT SHINES. THAT COMMUNITY BECAME OUR ISLAND!!!" Nami exclaims in awe, "HIS NAME IS SEA GOD NEPTUNE-SAMA!!!" Neptune points out the massive roots. "WHY IS IT THAT THE AREA AROUND FISH-MAN ISLAND IS SO BRIGHT, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE TEN THOUSAND METRES UNDER THE SEAI!"

Neptune continues explaining the miracle of the undersea world. "AND WHEN NIGHT FALLS IN THE WORLD ABOVE, OUR WORLD TOO IS BATHED IN DARKNESS. THANKS TO THIS MIRACLE... EVEN IN THIS UNDERSEA WORLD, WE ARE ABLE TO LIVE A NATURAL LIFE, GOVERNED BY THE SUN UP ABOVE!!" The crew reacts with surprise as they approach the palace. "HOHOHOHO OHOH... WE WILL ARRIVE PRESENTLY." "HEY, SHAGGY OLD DUDE. I'M HUNGRY." "I'LL HAVE TO ASK FRANKY ABOUT THIS!!" "COULD IT BE CONNECTED TO THE 'TREASURE TREE ADAM' WHOSE WOOD WAS USED TO MAKE THE SUNNYI!" "THE ENTRANCE IS AHEAD OF US NOW." "THE 'SUNTREE EVE'..." Luffy stares in shock. "A ROYAL PALACE... I CAN'T WAIT!" Neptune announces, "NOW, ONWARD WE GO!! NEPTUNE HUNE!!" A guard calls out, "Y... YOUR MAJESTY!! I WILL LOWER THE ENTRYWAY AT ONCE!!" "HELLOI" Luffy screams, "AHHH!!" as bubbles surround them. "KEEP YOUR BUBBLES ON TIGHT." "HOEEEE BELL!!" "IT IS I!!"

The massive gates of the palace open with dramatic effect. "THE GATES WILL NOW BE OPENED!!" "WELCOME HOME, YOUR MAJESTY!!" Luffy and the others stare in awe. "WOOOOOW!! THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON!! WHAT A FUN-LOOKING PALACEEEEEE!!" "WHERE ON EARTH HAS HE BEEN...I!" The enormous Ryugu Palace comes into view, a grand structure with a dragon-like figure at the top. "KING NEPTUNE HAS RETURNED!!!" "WE HAVE ARRIVED!!!" "OHHHHH, WOW!! IT'S AWESOME!!! SO COOL!!!" Pappag complains, "IT MAKES PAPPAG-SAN'S MANSION LOOK LIKE A FLEA!!" "DON'T COMPARE THEM!!!" The palace label reads "Royal Palace of the Ryugu Kingdom Ryugu Palace". Neptune declares, "FEEL FREE TO MAKE YOURSELVES COMFORTABLE!! THIS IS MY HOME!!" "WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PALACE!!" The crew reacts with excitement as they enter the grand underwater kingdom.

Luffy stands sheepishly as King Neptune towers over him in the grand hall. Neptune scolds sharply, "IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO YOU OUT THERE, IT WOULD BE TOO LATE FOR APOLOGIES!! DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT KIND OF STATE THIS KINGDOM IS INI!" and continues, "AGAIN YOU LEAVE THE CASTLE UNANNOUNCED!! DESCENDING TO THE LOWER WATERS WITHOUT SO MUCH AS A RETAINER BY YOUR SIDE!! HOW MANY TIMES MUST YOU BE TOLDI! YOU MUST LEARN TO CONSIDER YOUR STATION!!" Luffy sweats with a nervous grin, thinking "HE GOT SCOLDED...!!!" while Shirahoshi apologizes profusely, "...I'M SORRY... I'M SORRY... I WILL BE MORE CAREFUL IN FUTURE..." and whimpers "OH DEARIE ME..." Neptune presses on about proper protocol for the princess. In the next panels Neptune demands to know where Princess Shirahoshi is and who saved Megalo from the kraken. Luffy is scolded again as the same apologies repeat.

The two ministers of the Ryugu Kingdom arrive in a flurry. The Minister of the Left (catfish merman) and Minister of the Right (seahorse merman) bow and report, "INDEED... WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED WORD FROM PRINCE FUKABOSHI, YOU SEE..." and "IT PAINS ME TO TROUBLE YOUR MAJESTY IMMEDIATELY UPON YOUR ARRIVAL WITH THESE GUESTS, BUT THERE IS AN IMPORTANT MATTER THAT REQUIRES YOUR ATTENTION!!" Neptune reacts with shock, "HMMMI" and "OH DEAR, OH DEARIE ME...!!!!" while the ministers explain the urgent news from Fukaboshi. Nami, Usopp, and Robin stand nearby; Nami asks "HMMI WHERE'S LUFFYI" as the group wonders about the sudden disturbance in the sacred palace.

Luffy sniffs the air and declares, "AHH...!!! THE SMELL DISAPPEARED!! IT MUST BE BEHIND THAT DOOR!!" and "YEP, IT'S THIS WAY... THE SMELL OF TASTY FOOD..." He and a fish-man attendant approach a massive reinforced door. Luffy marvels, "OOH... AHH..." and "...BUT THIS DOOR IS PRETTY HUGE AND THICK...!!!" while noting "AND THE WALL LOOKS PRETTY TOUGH, AS WELL. IT'S LIKE THE WALLS IN IMPEL DOWN!! JUST HOW TASTY IS THE STUFF IN HEREI!" He recalls, "HE SAID ZORO WAS HERE ALREADY, RIGHTI!" The attendant wonders if this could be the entrance to the banquet hall. Luffy slams against the door with a loud impact as the group tries to force it open.

Luffy enters a dark corridor, complaining "WHOA! IT'S PITCH-BLACK!!" and "BUT THERE IS PLENTY OF TASTY-SMELLING FOOD...!!!" He realizes "I GUESS THIS ISN'T THE BANQUET HALL...!!!" and soon finds himself in a vast pantry-like space filled with coral. He grabs food, exclaiming "I'M TOO HUNGRY TO CARE!" and "...IS THIS LIKE A BIG PANTRY, THENI OH, WHATEVER! I'LL JUST TAKE SOME!" Suddenly the coral comes alive; Luffy yells "WHAT'S THIS STUFFI! IT'S SO GOO OOOOFFT!!" and "LU... LHHHNNN NNNN..." as tentacles grab him. A mysterious figure appears in the jelly-like coral. Luffy shouts "WHOA!! WHAT IS THISI!" and "AAAHH...!!! I- IS SOMEBODY THEREI!" while an unseen voice wonders "HMMI DID I JUST HEAR SOMEONE'S VOICEI"

Luffy stares up in shock at the enormous mermaid towering over him, his face twisted in surprise as he yells, "WHOAAAA...!! IT'S A GIANT PERSON... I MEAN, MERMAID!!" The giant mermaid, Princess Shirahoshi, recoils with wide eyes and a flushed face, her long flowing hair and tail filling the panel as she clutches her chest and demands, "WHO EXACTLY MIGHT YOU BEI! I - IDENTIFY YOURSELF...!!!" She continues, "ARE YOU HERE TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT ON MY LIFE AS WELLI!! W-WELL, I'M NOT SCARED OF YOU AT ALL!!!" Smaller panels show Luffy tumbling through the air with a panicked expression, shouting "WHOO OOOAAA HHHH!!!" Shirahoshi's massive tail thrashes, sending Luffy flying as she cries out in alarm. In the background, Luffy is seen clinging to her while yelling "I AM THE DAUGHTER OF KING NEPTUNE!!! WHY SHOULD I BE..." and later "SOMEBODYYY!!! FATHEEEER!!! BROTHEEEER!!!" as he falls, exclaiming "WHOOOA, WHOOOA!! I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING!!!" A large identification box labels her "PRINCESS OF THE RYUGUU KINGDOM PRINCESS SHIRAHOSHI (GIANT WHITING MERMAID)" while impact effects and motion lines emphasize the chaotic encounter.

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