Brook's words hung in the air, and King Mars of Fishman Island fell silent for a few seconds. Two Poneglyphs, stored for generations in the Sea Forest, held secrets lost to time. Over seven or eight centuries, Fishman Island had forgotten most of their meaning—nobody even knew what was carved on those ancient stones!
But if their ancestors had preserved them, they must have some purpose. Mars hesitated, unsure of what to do.
Yet, hearing the iron resolve in New World overlord Brook's voice, Mars knew resistance was futile. Rather than sour relations with Brook, why not just hand them over?
He hoped his ancestors wouldn't curse him for this. After all, he was securing a powerful ally for Fishman Island!
"Since Captain Brook wants them, take the Poneglyphs. But in return, I ask that Fishman Island falls under the Hell Pirates' protection. Let your flag fly over our island! Naturally, we'll offer a trove of treasures as thanks!"
After a brief pause, Mars agreed to Brook's demand, laying out his own request and awaiting Brook's response with hopeful eyes.
"Yohohoho! No problem at all! From now on, Fishman Island is under the Hell Pirates' wing!"
Brook didn't hesitate, cheerfully accepting King Mars' proposal. Fishman Island would become a prime recruiting ground for his underwater forces!
"Thank you, Captain Brook! Fishman Island is in your hands now!"
Mars beamed at Brook's swift agreement, signaling the underwater band and mermaid dance troupe to resume their performance. The banquet hall erupted into even greater revelry!
Fishman Tom solemnly handed the Hell Pirates' flag to King Mars, entrusting him with caring for Ariel, their apprentice crewmate.
He emphasized Brook's high regard for Ariel, explaining that she had the potential to become a true powerhouse. For now, though, she was still a frail mermaid, and Tom urged Mars to ensure no harm came to her.
Mars took note, suddenly seeing Ariel in a new light. He'd assumed she was just a random recruit, but Brook's faith in her hinted at extraordinary talent!
...
After the feast, Redfield, itching to move, grabbed muscleman Tom and set off on the Golden Ark to the Sea Forest to retrieve the two Poneglyphs.
Meanwhile, King Mars led Brook to the treasure vault of Ryugu Palace, inviting him to pick out whatever caught his eye. The Hell Pirates were infamous for their wealth—Golden Island and the Golden Ark screamed "filthy rich"!
"King Mars, I've heard your vault holds a national treasure called the Tamatebako. Any chance you'd part with it?"
Brook's mind flashed to the mysterious Tamatebako stolen by Hody Jones in the original One Piece story. It contained the notorious ES drug, a potent enhancer that could massively boost physical abilities in a pinch, with dramatic results.
The catch? Its brutal side effect—shaving years off the user's lifespan, accelerating aging, or even killing them outright!
Still, with Vegapunk, the future's greatest scientist, on their side, Brook figured they could tweak the formula. Even if they couldn't, the drug could serve as a last-ditch, life-saving trump card.
A small dose wouldn't cost too much lifespan, and in a do-or-die moment, a forbidden drug like this could be a game-changer!
In the One Piece world, other enhancers existed: Alabasta's Hero Water, and Dr. Indigo's SIQ drug, all famed for their boosts.
Hero Water, used by Alabasta's elite royal guards to fight Crocodile, granted a temporary power spike. Decent effect, but the cost was steep—death within minutes! Clearly, the Nefertari, descendants of the 20 Kings, had some serious tricks up their sleeves for their dead-man-walking squads.
SIQ, derived from IQ plants, turned beasts into terrors, unlocking abilities like electric fangs or fire-spitting shells. Downside? The creatures became savage and near-uncontrollable. Still, Vegapunk could probably crack that puzzle too!
The only side-effect-free option was Okama Island's Emporio Tension Hormone. It restored stamina or boosted combat prowess instantly—a perfect recipe.
Brook planned to collect these enhancement secrets in the future, tasking Vegapunk with refining them into flawless potions!
"Brook-sama, the Tamatebako holds a dangerous drug that devours lifespan. To me, it's no treasure—it's a curse!"
"My ancestors kept it locked in the vault, so I never disposed of it, just sealed it away. How did you even know about it?"
Mars' curiosity piqued. The Tamatebako had been hidden for years; word of it shouldn't have leaked!
"Er, I read about it in an old tome from the Tree of Knowledge. It mentioned Fishman Island and just happened to note the Tamatebako!"
Brook's mind raced, conjuring a quick excuse. From now on, any historical secrets could be pinned on the Tree of Knowledge—blame it on his bookworm habits!
"Oh, I see! I read in the papers that Brook-sama had one of men float the entire Scholars' Island of Ohara into the sky. What incredible power!"
Mars briefly toyed with the idea of Fishman Island soaring through the clouds but dismissed it. Without the sea, what advantage would fishmen and mermaids have? He dropped the thought.
"Since Brook-sama wants it, the Tamatebako is yours!"
Mars didn't cling to the treasures. His only wish was for Fishman Island's safety, free from relentless pirate raids and slaver attacks.
With the Hell Pirates' protection, those threats would dwindle significantly, even if they couldn't vanish entirely.
...
Brook followed Mars into the treasure vault, a dazzling chamber worthy of Ryugu Palace. Exotic riches sparkled in every corner, a pirate's dream come true.
Basketball-sized luminous pearls, chests brimming with ping-pong-ball-sized pristine pearls, multicolored gems, and gold piled into small mountains...
If Shakky, the crew's treasure hound, were here, she'd be grinning ear to ear. Even Brook felt a twinge of greed—nobody ever complained about too much loot!
His eyes landed on a solitary object atop a table, cushioned by rare fur: a mysterious crystal orb, radiating an otherworldly aura that tugged at the heart.
"This is the legendary Divination Crystal, a peerless heirloom passed down through Fishman Island's generations. Sadly, it hasn't found its master yet—no one can wield it,"
Mars explained with a hint of regret, wishing someone from Fishman Island could unlock the orb's power and become the island's next prophet.
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+280 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg