Chapter 216

The underwater paradise of Fish-Man Island is inhabited by the Fish-Man and Merfolk races, distinguished by—

The Merfolk have human upper bodies and fish tails, resembling the legendary mermaids; Neptune's wife, Wang Fei Yiji, is a Merfolk.

Female Merfolk, after age thirty, can split their tails into two limbs, allowing them to move like human legs.

The Fish-Men, by contrast, have fish-like features on their upper bodies and human legs below, such as Sanji and Tegge.

Furthermore,

Merfolk typically do not eat fish, regarding them as companions, and are born with the innate ability to communicate with fish.

Fish-Men, however, do eat fish; Octopus Hachi is especially skilled at making takoyaki.

In terms of more refined abilities:

Merfolk are the fastest swimmers of all races; Fish-Men are born with ten times the arm strength of humans, and their physical capabilities far surpass those of ordinary humans.

Both belong to the same broad racial category, with no reproductive isolation, and can produce offspring.

Fish-Man Island, Neptune's Palace.

To welcome Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen's arrival at the palace, a series of Fish-Man delicacies were brought to the table by Merfolk maids, the hall glittering with gold and jade.

King Neptune raised his cup.

"My Lord Barzab, I deeply apologize for my earlier misunderstandings regarding you."

Not long ago, when Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen captured the Fish-Man A-Long, King Neptune was truly terrified, fearing Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen was no different from the other Celestial Dragons.

Executing anyone who offended them without hesitation.

Only just now, after Whitebeard called to plead, did Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen reveal his true intent—

To invite Sanji aboard his crew.

As for why he didn't use a normal method of invitation, Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen said: although he truly wished to win Sanji over with sincerity, he has been extremely busy lately.

He had no choice but to use a simple, brutal, and effective method.

A-Long just happened to walk right into the gun's muzzle.

Barzab raised his cup in response.

"Forgive me for causing you all such amusement."

There was no time to waste on Fish-Man Island; Barzab was desperate to track down the giant lantern fish and find pure gold.

Once, Barzab had been willing to spend time winning over Bao Jin Ni—that was when he had nothing else to do.

Sambel raised his cup and clinked it against Barzab's.

"Barzab, you haven't changed one bit since your days on the ship."

Back when you were on the O'Rojackson, your schemes were so numerous they gave people scalp-tingling headaches.

For example, when the Luo Jie Crew and the Whitebeard Crew met, you ordered Buggy and Shanks to specifically kick the interns in the cheeks of the Whitebeard Crew.

As a result, that black, fat Whitebeard intern lost three teeth in one go.

Saying this, Sambel raised his cup again.

"This one's to thank you for saving Buggy."

Barzab clinked his cup: "Uncle, Buggy is my brother—this was all I should have done."

Sambel grinned widely, unable to stop smiling.

He was glad that the Luo Jie Crew's comrade, Barzab, now ruled the seas, and heartened by Barzab's Heavy on Emotion.

Not everyone is willing to be Heavy on Emotion, but everyone wants to be friends with someone who is.

As for Barzab becoming a Celestial Dragon?

Nothing to say—let's drink our fill.

Unlike the warm, lively atmosphere of the banquet hall, Tegge, having just entered the palace, paced like an ant on a hot pan, frantic with worry.

He feared Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen might, in a fit of displeasure, order A-Long executed on the spot.

Tegge deeply regretted it—he should have kept A-Long close and disciplined him properly, so he wouldn't now be risking his life for his stubborn mouth.

Tegge seriously suspected: Was A-Long mentally ill? Why say that one extra sentence?

Did you think it made you look impressive, A-Long?

After passing through layers of messengers, Tegge finally met Wang Fei Yiji and quickly stated his purpose.

"Your Majesty."

"I will strictly discipline A-Long from now on. Please give him one last chance… If that's impossible, I'd like to meet with Senior Sambel."

Wang Fei Yiji's expression was unreadable—she seemed on the verge of laughter but forcibly held it back.

"Very well. Come with me."

Tegge, perhaps blinded by concern, failed to notice Wang Fei Yiji's expression and followed her into the banquet hall.

He saw King Neptune, Senior Sambel, and Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen chatting casually together.

Tegge froze in surprise for several seconds, then quickly decided to bypass Senior Sambel and plead directly to Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen.

"My Lord Barzab."

"Please spare A-Long this time—I am willing to trade my life for his."

Tegge believed: if a subordinate fails to be properly disciplined, it is the leader's responsibility—his life for A-Long's was worth it.

Barzab swirled his cup.

"I'm not a born killer—why would I want your life? Name another condition."

Tegge is one of the very few people in the pirate world whom Barzab truly admires,

For having climbed the Red Line barehanded, stormed Mary Geoise, and freed thousands of enslaved individuals of various races.

Like another person Barzab admires: the God Valley MVP, who rescued five hundred slaves—Bao.

Worthy of the title Hero.

He had always held some respect for the hero Saint Saint Saiwen, but since Jinbe had not yet been swindled onto the ship, it was unwise to show too much unusual emotion at this moment.

At this moment, Fisher Tiger's gaze happened to meet Senior Sanbell's, as if he had read the senior's expression.

"Lord Saint Saint Saint Saiwen."

"I wish to join the Morning Star Crew, trading the rest of my life's freedom for Arlong's life."

Saint Saint Saiwen silently set down his wine glass.

He admitted he was somewhat moved.

After all, recruiting one Jinbe was recruiting one; it was better to take both Fisher Tiger and Jinbe into the Morning Star Crew together.

Only children make choices.

Adults, of course, want it all.

Moreover, Inazuma was in urgent need of personnel, and Fisher Tiger's extensive travels and worldly experience were clearly very suitable.

Even the Flying Pirate Crew was short on people.

And when Saint Saint Saiwen, perceiving through Observation Haki, noticed a blue fat man sprinting wildly in this direction, he raised his wine glass again and silently counted down.

Finally, Jinbe burst into the banquet hall.

"Captain, Captain, I am willing."

Two fishmen, both vying to save Arlong, had submitted their applications to join the ship one after another; naturally, Saint Saint Saiwen had nothing to say against it.

"No need to argue; the Donghai Dihuang is large enough, and there are plenty of rooms on board to accommodate both of you."

Saint Saint Saiwen simultaneously extended his left and right hands.

"Welcome to the Morning Star Pirate Crew."

At that moment, Jinbe finally reacted, turning his head to look at Boss Fisher Tiger, whose face was full of grievance.

Oh no, Boss Fisher Tiger had been targeted too.

After Fisher Tiger extended his hand to shake, Jinbe hesitated not a bit and extended his hand to shake as well.

"Mr. Fisher Tiger, Jinbe."

"Yuzhi Xiliu and the others are in the adjacent banquet hall; you can go over and ask Yuzhi Xiliu for them."

Saint Saint Saiwen did not intend to kill Arlong directly; killing was the simplest form of punishment. Saint Saint Saiwen had many ways to make Arlong suffer more alive than dead.

Such as: asking Brother Kizaru to step in and lock Arlong up in the Impel Down underwater great prison for further studies.

Or devising a way to lure a certain black fat man who had just left the Whitebeard Crew to come to Fish-Man Island to recruit people.

He could even issue a decree of rape and slaughter across the Four Seas.

In short, with Saint Saint Saiwen's current strength and power, targeting a saw-tooth shark fishman who didn't even know Haki was nothing but easy.

With the longed-for helmsman Jinbe in position, plus the all-around talent Fisher Tiger as a bonus, Saint Saint Saiwen decided to leave Fish-Man Island as soon as possible.

Settle that giant lanternfish.