The ocean waves gently crashed against the coral reefs of Fishman Island, bathing the archipelago in a bluish glow. After the chaotic events at Sabaody, Sukuna and Maki had set sail, their ship cutting through the deep currents to reach the underwater stronghold, a key territory in the New World and the designated meeting place by Gojo. The atmosphere was heavy, marked by recent conflicts and the impending Marineford War. Sukuna, leaning against the railings, gazed at the horizon with an enigmatic smile, while Maki, at the helm, scanned the luminescent depths.
"Do you think he's going to pull off another one of his crazy ideas?" Maki broke the silence, raising an eyebrow.
Sukuna chuckled, his eyes sparkling with contained mischief. "Gojo? Crazy is his middle name. But that's why we follow him, right?"
Their ship soon emerged into the brilliant light of Fishman Island. The corals sparkled, air bubbles danced around the elegant structures of Ryugu Palace, and a crowd of Fishmen and Mermaids welcomed them. Sukuna and Maki disembarked. As soon as they set foot on the ground, the booming voice of Neptune, the king of the place, echoed.
"Sukuna! Maki! By Poseidon's beard, you look well!" exclaimed the giant, his trident shimmering under the aquatic reflections. Beside him, Shirahoshi, the mermaid princess, blushed timidly, her hands clasped against her chest.
"Neptune, always so loud," replied Sukuna with a teasing smile, while Maki bowed her head in respect.
"Gojo is already here, with the rest of the crew," added Neptune, his tone turning more serious. "He's waiting for you at the palace. And... he seems more agitated than usual."
Maki exchanged a look with Sukuna, a mix of amusement and apprehension in her eyes. "Agitated, huh? This should be interesting," she murmured.
They crossed the coral gardens, guided by Fishman guards, to a vast hall in the palace where Gojo's crew was gathered. The atmosphere was electric. Gojo, seated on an improvised chair made of solidified bubbles, wore his usual confident smile, his black sunglasses slightly lowered to reveal eyes sparkling with excitement. Around him, Choso, Yuki, Naobito, Yaga, and Yuta were animatedly discussing, their voices echoing in the room adorned with marine mosaics.
"Sukuna! Maki! Took your time!" exclaimed Gojo, leaping up, arms outstretched as if welcoming guests to a party. "Sabaody was quite a show, from what I've heard. You really made the Celestial Dragons dance, Sukuna."
"A bit of cleaning up, nothing more," shrugged Sukuna, a smirk on his lips. "They got what they deserved."
Maki stepped forward, arms crossed. "And you, captain? Spent your time renaming the island Atlantis or something?"
A collective burst of laughter shook the crew. Naobito, already half-drunk, raised his sake bottle. "Haha! She got you there, kid!"
Gojo pretended to pout before regaining his composure. "Alright, enough with the jokes. We have work to do. Marineford is approaching, and Whitebeard won't just stand by to watch Ace's execution. The world is about to change, and we'll be front and center."
Yuki, leaning against a pillar, crossed her arms with a smug smile. "Front and center, or blowing everything up, as usual?"
"Both, of course," replied Gojo, mischief sparkling in his eyes.
Sukuna sat on a coral seat, his eyes scanning each member of the crew. "So, who's coming to Marineford? I heard some prefer to play babysitter for the islands."
Yaga grunted, adjusting his glasses. "Nanami, Utahime, Toji, Shoko, Mei Mei, and Hanami are staying to protect our territories. The rest of us – Choso, Yuki, Naobito, Yuta, you, Maki, and me – are heading to Marineford. Is that alright with you, Sukuna?"
"Perfect," Sukuna replied, a predatory smile on his lips. "I can't wait to see how many admirals I can bring down before Gojo steals the spotlight."
Choso chimed in. "It won't be a simple battle. The World Government will do everything to protect its image. Sengoku, Garp, the admirals... they'll all be there."
"And Whitebeard too," added Yuta. "If we get involved, we'll have to choose our side... or create our own."
Gojo clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Exactly! And that's where it gets interesting. We're not just going to watch the show. We're going to redefine it." He paused, his smile widening. "We're setting sail in two days. Be ready."
Sukuna raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Gojo's confidence. "Two days? You seem very sure of yourself. What do you have in mind, Gojo? One of your usual surprises?"
Gojo leaned in slightly, his smile becoming almost ominous. "Oh, Sukuna, you're going to love this. I have a little gift for the World Government. Something that will shake Mariejoie to its core."
Maki furrowed her brow, exchanging a glance with Yuki, who seemed equally curious. "A gift? What is it, Gojo? Stop playing the mysterious one," she demanded, annoyed.
Gojo straightened up, his aura suddenly more imposing, as if the air around him vibrated with contained energy. "Let's just say..."
Sukuna's eyes widened slightly, a flash of surprise crossing his usually impassive gaze. "You're not really planning to..." he murmured, his voice tinged with a mix of respect and excitement.
Gojo nodded, his smile now darker. "With that, Ace's execution will be even more fun."
A heavy silence fell. Naobito stopped drinking, his gaze fixed on Gojo. Yuki let out an admiring whistle, while Yuta clenched his fists, impressed by their captain's audacity. Maki felt a shiver run down her spine. What Gojo was about to do was an act that would shake the world much more than he anticipated.
"You're going to unleash a storm even Whitebeard couldn't dream of," murmured Choso, a rare smile stretching his lips.
Gojo burst into laughter, breaking the tension. "That's the idea! So, get ready, we're setting sail for Marineford. And believe me, the world will never be the same after this."
Sukuna stood up, a satisfied smirk on his lips. "I knew following you was worth it, Gojo."
Neptune, who had been listening in silence, stepped forward, his gaze serious. "Gojo, you're playing a dangerous game. But... if anyone can shake the world, it's you. Fishman Island will support you, no matter what happens."