You passed the gates and followed after the king's underlings. You accelerated your pace to stand next to the Minister of the Right:
"Where's Jimbei?" you demanded.
"Huh?!" the seahorse fishman cried out in surprise, disbelief written on his face.
"I need to see Jimbei. I can only gain more information by speaking with him. Those fishmen....They aren't normal!"
"Unfortunately I do not know the exact location since he was exiled. However, I think I may have an idea. Do you know about the Sea Forest?"
"I've heard of it..."
" It is located northeast from Fishman Island, also known as the Ship Graveyard. You should easily find it by following this direction"
"Thank you" you nodded to the fishman, and headed forward to pass through the long tube leading outside the bubble of the royal palace.
However, by arriving in the other bubble, you remembered that there was no water there. And it's at this same moment that the Realm decided to close itself to avoid disturbances that could be lethal to the world and your whole body. You blinked in horror, gazing down below at the ground who was meters away from you. You let out a scream as you fell toward you death and rebirth, your arms swinging in every direction.
You yelled for Steven, who burst outside your pockets to transform. The tree monster grabbed your waist, putting you on his shoulder.
"Besiege!"
Steven extended vines from his arms, stopping your fall by making a tree sprout out of the ground. The two of you landed on a branch, and he turned back to his wooden doll form.
"Now....I need to find an exit and get to this Sea Forest" you murmured. "I'm sure by seeking the entrance I could find a way out"
It wasn't easy at first, without having a clear map of your environment and how the citizens were avoiding to answer your questions. In fact, you threatened a poor old fishman. Twice. And now he was 'kind' enough to show you the way and how to get to the Sea Forest as quick as possible. Once you got to the entrance of Fishman Island, you had to sneak between pirates who were probably searching for you and noisy mermaids.
"Animal Realm: Delphinus" you whispered, turning into a dolphin and jumping outside the bubble.
You immediately felt the pressure of the sea weighting on your back. You hoped that the range of the Realm was wide enough for you to enter the next bubble where the Sea Forest was situated at. There was certainly easier ways like a train or something like that to get you to this place, but since the whole kingdom was under siege by the New Fishman Pirates, you didn't want to take a risk.
You saw it at the distance, relief washing you. You passed through the bubble at the same time you transformed back into a human. It was about time.
"(y/n)?" called a familiar voice, and you looked up to see Robin with a backpack over her shoulder.
"Robin!" you cried out in surprise. "So that's where you were all this time"
"Yes. I was searching for a Poneglyph in this forest...The Sunny is also there with Franky"
"Good. I hope the others found their way here too. It's urgent!" you spoke, standing on your two feet and taking the archaeologist's hand. "Lead the way"
"Wait, (y/n)..." Robin stopped you. "There's something I've been meaning to ask. By reading the Poneglyph, I found a particular passage...Do you know someone by the name of Joy Boy?"
You froze on the spot, something that Robin quickly noticed and noted in her mind. There was a long pause, and you finally looked back with a curious expression. However, the black haired beauty thought she saw something else completely for a moment behind your (e/c) eyes.
"Joy Boy? Who is he?" you asked finally, looking lost. "I don't know anyone by that name..."
"He was simply mentioned. A man from the surface world that played an important role in the history of Fishman Island. The text was mostly about him apologizing for not fulfilling a promise"
"Hm...And what does it have to do with me?"
"I was simply curious if you somewhat remembered this man in a previous life"
"I see. Unfortunately, I don't" you said, facing the opposite way. "Let's see if the others are here too..."
Robin didn't comment any further as you walked away. She eyed your back for a few seconds, before following you quietly.
When you reached the Thousand Sunny, you didn't expect to see Jimbei and Luffy fighting each other. Your brow was twitching in irritation while Robin sighed, a small smile on her lips. As the two morons were about to clash again, you walked to the two and stopped right in the middle.
"(y/n)!? MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!" cried out in panic Luffy, his body steaming by entering in Gear Second.
"(y/n)-san?!!" exclaimed Jimbei.
"(y/n)-swan!!!!!!" shouted Sanji, his visible eye turning into a heart.
You cracked your knuckles as the rest watched you in horror, yelling at you to step out of the way before it was too late. Shadow covering your eyes, you lifted your fists in the air and landed a hard punch on the fishman and your captain's head the moment they got close to you. A loud sound echoed in the forest as they collided with the ground, large bumps terribly swollen appearing on their body.
"Will you stop it already?! This isn't the time to act like children!" you growled, lifting your head to glare at Luffy and Jimbei. "If I see you fighting again, I will plunder you both until you are six feet under! Understood? Sushi-kun? Moron-kun?"
"Y-Yes, ma'am...." groaned the young boy and the fishman in unison.
"EHHH?! WHY DID ROBIN AND (Y/N) COME OUT OF THE FORES?!" cried out Chopper in surprise.
"(y/n)-sama!!!" sobbed Shirahoshi, throwing herself at you while grabbing your whole form in her hands.
"What did I tell you about the crying business?!" you snapped angrily. "Do you want me to slap you too?!"
"Because that was considered 'slapping'?" sweatdropped Nami, deadpanning at you.
"Are you okay, you two?!" demanded the reindeer, staring at the panting forms of Jimbei and Luffy.
"Think...about it Luffy" stated the fishman, sitting up. "What will happen if you guys resort to violence now on the Fishman Island? Every time fishmen tried to open their hearts to humans, humans disappointed them. 'Humans are very violent'. 'Humans hate and look down on fishmen'. What happened in the past planted those twisted ideas in fishmen's minds. In the case of Arlong, many fishmen believe that humans hunted him because he was a fishman. If you, the people who beat Arlong, fight Hody now, what do you think will happen? Even if it helps the island overcome this crisis, witnessing you people knocking down Hody who is standing against humans...would make the islanders to think that things will never change"
"But, Jimbei...We have to rescue our crew" stated Sanji, puffing out smoke from his cigarette. "And if nothing is done, Hody will rule the Fishman Island. We have so many friends on this island. Hey, Hachi. You've been trying so hard to hide who did that to you but you said a while ago...that Hody attacks those fishmen who are sympathetic to humans. Did you get beaten by them because you spoke up for us?"
The octopus who was laying on the ground with bandages covering his body flinched, releasing a simple grunt as an answer and Nami gasped.
"Hatchin, is that true? Hody and his crew did that to you?" asked Keimi worryingly.
"I can't...." Hachi closed his eyes.
"Jimbei. I think part of the reason Luffy wants to fight is because this is your home. I heard that you helped our captain and (y/n)-swan when they had their back against the wall" continued the chef. "We can't thank you enough for that. And if Luffy wants to fight, we will go along with him! We can't just leave the island like that. We have reason to fight! The reason is...."
You groaned when Sanji's eye turned into a heart and twirled around the two confused mermaids who looked at him.
"Because Keimi-chan is here!~ And Shirahoshi-chan's here too!" cooed Sanji. "Yes! This country is the Mermaid paradise of my dreams!"
"Sanji-kun"
The blonde haired man stopped short and froze in terror at the sound of your voice. He slowly stared over his shoulder to see you crossing your arms over your chest, a dark shadow covering your forehead. Your eyes were almost glowing red, teeth gritted in a snarl.
"B-B-But m-mo-more importantly, we-we have (y/n)-swan h-h-h-he-here!!" stuttered the chef, paling when your face darkened.
Luffy and Jimbei both stood up, facing each other in silence with furrowed brows.
"Get out of my way, Jimbei! You gotta let me go!" ordered Luffy.
"No, I won't! Leave it up to me!" replied the fishman.
"You bastard!" snarled your captain, now ticked off. "Then I'll just beat my way past you!"
"I'll fight you as many times as I have to till you understand!"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
"Will you both stop it already?!" came your angry voice.
Cue the Sea Forest to shake again wildly and more swollen bumps on top of Luffy and Jimbei's head. They were facing the ground, grunts of pain escaping their lips as you hovered them with your shaking fist. Shirahoshi looked horrified, her face paler than normal. Nami simply sighed once again while Sanji commented about your beauty and incredible strength.
"She could tear down buildings with her own bare hands..." murmured the navigator.
"I-Is it a common thing at the surface?" the Mermaid Princess asked with trembling lips, and the ginger haired woman gave her a nervous smile.
"Don't worry. It's only with her"
"I can hear you both!" you barked, whipping your head in their direction.
"Outta my way!" Luffy yelled, too stubborn.
"No, I won't let you go!" retorted the fishman.
"E-Excuse me, but they are going to kill Father-sama!" stuttered Shirahoshi.
"I'm gonna kick those guys' asses!"
"How many times do I have to tell you? I said 'Wait'! Let me finish! How would you describe our relationship?"
"We're friends!" responded your captain without hesitation, and Jimbei nodded.
"That's right. It's such a simple relationship, but the fishmen and humans couldn't establish it and have been struggling to do so for years. When I left you the message 'Don't fight against Hody', I meant 'Don't fight him recklessly'....Don't rush! If you just go and beat Hody up, people on the island will think that you are just another violent human bully. Instead, I want you to become the hero who will save the Fishman Island!"
"Hero? No way!" exclaimed the ebony male, and Jimbei did a doubletake.
"NANI?!!!!"
"We are pirates! I love heroes but I don't wanna be one! Do you know what heroes are? Say there is a chunk of meat. Pirates will have a banquet and eat it, but heroes will share it with other people. I want all the meat!"
"THAT'S NOT HOW YOU DEFINE A HERO, YOU CRETIN!" you yelled.
"I will let you have your meat just as long as you do as I tell you!" sweated Jimbei.
"Okay" agreed bluntly Luffy.
"EHH?! THAT EASY?!" said Chopper in shock.
"In the simplest terms, I will call for your help so I want you to respond. First, Megalo and I will get caught voluntarily and enter the plaza" explained the fishman, and said shark pointed at itself in surprise. "While they are paying attention to us, one of you sneak out of Megalo's stomach and..."
"Out of his stomach?" Luffy raised an eyebrow, and Megalo looked like it was about to vomit.
"They will have the letter from the Celestial Dragons. It is something Queen Otohime acquired 10 years ago, at the risk of her life and it will define the future of this island! And they will also have the key to free the King. We need to get our hands on those 2 things. Who is up to it?"
"I'm good at stealing! I can do it with Robin" proposed Nami, and the other woman smiled with a nod.
"All right. Once you free the King, I will call for Luffy-kun's help. And once Luffy-kun emerges gallantly, out of Megalo's body, people will notice that Luffy-kun and I are working together. Princess-sama, you wait somewhere completely safe outside of the plaza. And after we pass you the letter, flee with the freed King and the Princes. Meanwhile, the rest of you, get to the Ryugu Place now and save your friends. And then, hurry to the plaza with them. Now - about how to rescue your friends in the Ryugu Palace...Figure out yourself!"
"YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT US, DO YOU?!" snapped Sanji.
"Okay! Super count on it!" Franky struck his pose. "We have the Sunny! We'll figure it out!"
"Once this is all set into motion, how do you think the citizens will respond?"
"Both the citizens of the Fishman Island and the outlaws of the Fishman District respect Jimbei-san" answered Hachi.
"Uh-huh. So if they find out that Boss trusts Luffy-chin with his life, to save the King, they'll root for you, Luffy-chin!" smiled Keimi.
"Hm...." Luffy said, looking unsure about the plan because he couldn't act freely on his own. "I am only doing this because you asked me to, Jimbei! It's uncomfortable having everybody cheer me on"
"Yeah, we're not used to that treatment" you grunted.
"I'd fight the king of the devils himself if the Mermaids-chan cheered for me!" cried passionately the chef.
"Thank you!" said Jimbei, bowing his head.
"That settles it" mused Robin.
"Okay, let's do it!" stated Nami with a determined expression, and then noted the thoughtful look of Jimbei. "Is there something wrong?"
"....Should we pick a codename for this operation?"
"WHO CARES, SUSHI-KUN?!" you screamed.