The subsequent descent was peaceful, and no ignorant sea beasts or mighty Sea Kings came to provoke this glowing little ship.
Of course, that might have had something to do with the terrifying Conqueror's Haki aura leaking out from Naruto's body. Even if beasts had only instinct rather than reason, instinct alone was enough to warn them not to approach this man.
Eventually, faint light began to glow from below, fish lanterns dotting the darkness like stars on the seafloor. Naruto ended his half-doze and stood up, stretching lazily.
That was when several figures swam into view in front of the Tempest.
They were fishmen, broad-shouldered, with the sharp features of true deep-sea warriors. Just the aura rolling off them made Arlong, from Nami's hometown, seem laughable in comparison.
"Pirates? Or Marines?"
The leader narrowed his eyes. It was the first time he had ever seen someone descend to Fishman Island alone, without a crew, with only a small coated ship.
"Not a pirate," Naruto answered simply, his tone calm but assured. "I'm just a traveler."
Naruto had always been clear about his identity. He wasn't a pirate. He wasn't a Marine. He was Naruto Uzumaki, and that was enough.
And truthfully, he already knew whose men these guards were.
"Make way!"
Before the leading fishman could press further, another silhouette sliced through the water from afar, fast and powerful. A shark fishman, broad above the waist but narrowing toward the tail, appeared. Tattooed upon his thick neck was the number 8.
Naruto's brows lifted slightly. An old acquaintance.
Whitebeard Pirates, 8th Division Captain: Namur.
It was Namur who had been entrusted with the long-term defense of Fishman Island. Ever since Whitebeard had declared the island his territory and placed it under his protection, Fishman Island had become a safer haven than ever before.
Before this, fishmen had been prime goods in the slave trade. Year after year, countless pirates, traffickers, and human scum infiltrated the island, hoping to make their fortune off the backs of fishman slaves.
After Whitebeard's declaration, far fewer dared to try.
And yet, those who still dared were all the more dangerous. These were men brazen enough to believe they wouldn't be caught, or reckless enough not to fear Whitebeard's name at all. For a time, Fishman Island's peril had actually spiked.
To resolve this, Pops dispatched Namur himself, the only fishman captain in his entire fleet, to garrison outside the island, alongside a handful of allied crews, to keep watch.
As for pirates who simply wished to pass through on their way to the New World, Whitebeard never stood in their way.
"Namur, it's been a while."
The moment Naruto spoke, Namur halted abruptly, eyes narrowing before recognition dawned.
It had been many years since their last meeting, back during Whitebeard's banquets on the Moby Dick. Ace had not even joined then.
Do not be fooled by Namur's fierce shark features, his deep voice, or his silence. Naruto, who had once shared sake with him, knew this man's heart: sharp and cold on the surface, but gentle beneath.
Recognizing the blond troublemaker, Namur's normally stoic face cracked just slightly. A smile, small but undeniable, tugged at his mouth.
"…Nice ship."
His comment was aimed at the Tempest, bobbing proudly within its bubble coating. In his memory, Naruto had never owned a flagship. He always seemed to appear and vanish, riding beasts or borrowing ships.
Naruto grinned boyishly and scratched the back of his head.
"Haha, right? I think so too."
Truthfully, he was very proud of Tempest. The little boat suited him perfectly.
"Go on in."
Namur signaled to his subordinates, who immediately parted and opened the way. He had no doubt about Naruto's character.
"How about joining me on the island? Let's have a drink like old times."
Naruto's grin widened, as though the years had melted away.
But Namur simply shook his head. "Next time."
Naruto blinked, then sighed knowingly. "Tch… Whitebeard's idea again, huh? That old geezer…"
Namur didn't flinch at the insult. He knew it was just Naruto being Naruto. After all, Pops cherished the boy in his own way, like an adopted son. Their banter was nothing new, and the other captains had long grown used to it.
"Alright, alright, I'll shut up," Naruto relented with mock annoyance, waving as he guided Tempest toward the gate. "See you next time then."
With Whitebeard's declaration, Fishman Island enjoyed absolute security. But Pops's orders had always been clear.
They could guard the seas around Fishman Island.
They could protect its people from traffickers and threats.
But they could not interfere in the island's internal affairs. They were not to step inside, lest the people feel uneasy having pirates living among them.
That was Whitebeard's way. Different from Big Mom. Different from Kaido.
Naruto respected him for it.
Still, it didn't stop him from grumbling when it meant his drinking buddy couldn't join him for a few rounds.
The entry into Fishman Island itself was smooth. No opposition, no hindrance.
With Whitebeard's flag flying, what was there to fear? If someone strong enough to defeat Namur came hunting, Fishman Island's ordinary guards would not make a difference anyway.
Once Naruto drifted through the giant bubble gates, he casually sealed the Tempest away beneath his skin.
That was the beauty of the technique: sealing space "froze" whatever entered. Even the fragile bubble coating on Tempest would not deteriorate while sealed; it would last indefinitely, as if paused in time.
Flexing his shoulders, he felt a faint tattoo shimmer on his back, marking the ship's presence. Then it faded beneath his clothes, unseen.
The streets of Fishman Island bustled with life.
What had once been dreary and cautious now flourished with color and joy. Fishmen and merfolk filled the avenues, laughing, trading, and shouting over one another. Humans, by contrast, were rare. Naruto's blond hair and whisker-marks drew curious stares, but nothing more.
Naruto smiled. He had to admit, under Whitebeard's protection, this place had bloomed.
Rely on the World Government for peace? As if.
These people knew better than anyone what chains felt like.
His stomach growled loudly.
"…Food first," Naruto muttered.
Yes. First food. Then old friends. Priorities.
He wandered the coral-paved streets, sniffing the air eagerly. Perhaps the old taverns still stood. Perhaps he could find again those skewers of spiced fish meat, those stalls selling fragrant coral wine.
Afterwards, of course, he would visit Ryugu Palace. King Neptune should still be alive, though perhaps his back pain had worsened. Hopefully, the old man could still sit with him to drink.
If not, Naruto had medical ninjutsu now. He could help ease the ache before they shared a jug.
"Oh, damn!"
Naruto suddenly slapped his forehead mid-stride, startling a passing mermaid.
He had almost forgotten.
If he was visiting old friends, he needed a proper gift.
By now… that timid little girl Shirahoshi should have grown into a young lady.
A foxlike grin spread across Naruto's face.
Alright, Princess. Time for a gift you won't forget.