One Piece: Nobody knows Devil Fruits better than me.

Chapter 323 Princess Shirahoshi
Sabaody Archipelago, back room of 'New Shakky's Bar'.

"Huh!? 'Pluto' Rayleigh?"

Guided by the barbecue restaurant owner, the Straw Hat crew arrived at the bar and exclaimed in surprise at the white-haired old man in front of them, almost lifting the bar open.

"Haha, that's just an old name—as you all probably know, I officially retired not long ago."

"Now everyone here calls me Lao Lei."

Rayleigh swirled his wine glass, smiling as he looked at the pirates in front of him.

His gaze lingered for a moment on the straw hat Luffy was carrying on his back, and a complex mix of emotions and understanding flashed in his eyes.

"Is it him? The kid Shanks was talking about?"

Rayleigh thought to himself.

Upon hearing this, the Straw Hat crew naturally understood what Rayleigh was talking about.

As the whole world knows, not long ago, 'Pluto' Rayleigh fought against the 12th Zodiac Snake, who was then known as 'Sword God', on Amazon Lily, and was ultimately defeated by Snake.

Many people on the high seas said that this Hades had died on Amazon Lily, but they never expected to see this legendary figure in the Sabaody Archipelago.

"So, you were the one who guided the pirates to Sabaody?"

Nami suddenly realized.

It makes perfect sense that the Pirate King's right-hand man is guiding the pirates.

"That's it."

Rayleigh took a sip of his drink and said with a smile.

“Because of what those guys from the Zodiac caused before, the situation in Sabaody Archipelago has become a bit complicated lately. So Shakky and I discussed it and decided that we can’t let the new seedlings die out silently.”

He said, "However, they have to be interesting pirates—those who only know how to plunder and are still confused about their own ambitions are of no use to me."

Just as mentioned before.

Having already decided to retire, he actually had no intention of causing trouble again.

But the Sabaody Archipelago is a special place – it is a key area for traveling to the New World.

The Starhunting forces that have been active here recently are far too powerful.

Rayleigh had recently observed the Star Hunters, so he knew very well that if he didn't help, most of the pirates who had recently arrived at Sabaody Archipelago would likely perish at the hands of the Star Hunters.

Knowing that a new era was about to begin, Rayleigh no longer intended to get involved in much of anything.

But at the very least, he hoped to bring a perfect end to the Great Pirate Era that Roger had started.

Rayleigh pondered to himself, but at that moment the Straw Hat crew was quite excited.

Rayleigh's words clearly acknowledged that they were 'interesting pirates'.

This is a considerable honor.

"However, judging from your words, it seems you don't recommend that we go to Fishman Island for coating recently?"

Nami looked at Rayleigh and said with a frown.

"But wouldn't staying on this island only make things more dangerous?"

As soon as she finished speaking, a female voice rang out from the side: "The same question that the 'Surgeon of Death' and the 'Captain's' crew asked you before."

The answer is both yes and no.

As they were talking, Xia Qi, who had just gone to the front hall to serve drinks to a group of guests, returned to the back hall.

"The Sabaody Archipelago has indeed been dangerous for pirates lately, but only a few Star Hunter officers, such as 'White Hunter' Smoker and 'Big Mouth' Hans, have been patrolling there."

"The truly dangerous ones are Black Xie, who has recently been in charge of overseeing the situation at Sabaody Archipelago, and most of the troops don't actually intend to launch a large-scale crackdown on pirates."

As she spoke, she held up a slender finger: "Their main targets are only pirates who are 'trying to coat' their shells."

As she spoke, she exhaled a puff of smoke: "In addition, they have recently blocked many idle port entrances and hired a large number of coating craftsmen to coat their warships in them."

"So as long as you don't try to get someone to apply the coating, and you're a little careful not to cause trouble, then you shouldn't attract too much trouble."

Upon hearing this, several of the more intelligent members of the Straw Hat crew frowned.

"Yo ho ho ho—they're only capturing pirates who're trying to coat their ships, and even coating warships. Are they going to start a war on Fishman Island?"

Brooke went even further and gave the answer directly.

"It doesn't necessarily mean they're going to war with Fishman Island. They might have other purposes for their coating voyage, such as wanting to ambush a great pirate in the New World?"

Reiju shook her head and said this.

"However, if that's the case, then as Miss Shakky said, going to Fishman Island for coating these days is indeed a very dangerous choice."

She said in a deep voice.

But as soon as these words were spoken, the other brainless members became dissatisfied.

"What? Just the navy!"

"That's precisely why we should head to Fishman Island immediately, isn't it?"

“I’ve heard of ‘Black Xie,’ but that guy is just a general candidate, isn’t he?”

"Idiot, what do you mean by 'just'? Are you that good at fighting?"

They started chattering noisily.

Rayleigh remained silent.

His expression was also somewhat somber.

He certainly knew the information Xia Qi mentioned.

Based on his and Xia Qi's judgment, the Star Hunting Force's appearance also seemed to indicate that they had some kind of intention towards Fishman Island.

However, due to the Roger Pirates' 'friendship' with Garp, he had a deep understanding of Garp and thus discovered more anomalies.

For example, he knew very well that although Garp seemed like a carefree guy.

In reality, when carrying out naval missions and conducting business, he was an extremely reliable person—he might act recklessly, but at least he would have a meticulous plan and would not underestimate any enemy.

That is why the Roger Pirates were repeatedly driven to the brink of defeat by him over the years.

But this time...
"It's too rough."

Rayleigh knew this very well.

"According to intelligence, Garp didn't even come to Sabaody Archipelago, and that new generation of Marines' 'Black Xie' clearly isn't trying to hide it either. Recently, many Fishmen have noticed something's wrong and are starting to feel uneasy."

It's very strange.

This is Rayleigh's assessment of the Starhunter Force's recent actions.

This is also why he chose to help these pirates recently—he has many friends on Fishman Island, and he always needs to make some preparations.

"Well, it seems that as long as we keep a low profile, we won't be in any danger on the island, right?"

Sanji has already begun to summarize the situation.

"Whether or not to immediately coat the ship and head to Fishman Island can wait until tomorrow to discuss it—in any case, we need to resupply anyway, and the meat on the ship is almost gone!"

Franky nodded upon hearing this: "There are also spare parts."

Chopper jumped up too: "There are also medicinal herbs! Medicinal herbs!"

The Straw Hat crew quickly reached a consensus—whether or not to head to the New World immediately was still up for debate, but replenishing supplies was the top priority no matter what.

"Well, in that case, let's split up into several groups."

Afterwards, they made their assignments: Zoro would go check out the knife shop on the island, Luffy and Chopper would go with Reiju to buy some medicinal herbs, Sanji and Brook would go with Nami to buy food and sea charts, and Franky and Usopp would go with Usopp to buy spare parts and ammunition.

Listen carefully, no matter what, you absolutely must not cause trouble!

Nami said seriously, "You've all heard it, this island is very dangerous lately."

Zoro and Luffy: "That's right! Usopp and Franky, you guys better watch out!"

I'm talking about you two!

Nami rolled her eyes in anger, glaring fiercely at the two troublemakers.

Then, amidst the commotion, the Straw Hat crew split into three groups and dispersed. Meanwhile, on Fish-Man Island, at Ryugu Castle...

A huge tower stands in the city.

Strangely, a large number of weapons were stuck on the outside of this tower for some unknown reason.

They seemed to have been projected from afar, penetrating deep into the tower.

"Princess Shirahoshi, the situation is quite unstable lately—please be careful even inside the Hard Shell Tower. If you notice anything unusual, immediately notify this old minister through this button, and this old minister will rush here to protect you at all costs!"

A seahorse dressed in armor, carrying a katana, and holding a trident said this.

He is the 'Minister of the Right' of the Dragon Palace, responsible for security and defense.

"Yes, Your Excellency, please rest assured, I will be careful."

Before him stood a gigantic, beautiful fish-man with flowing pink hair, who timidly nodded and picked up the small button handed to him by the Right Minister.

That was none other than Princess Shirahoshi, the most noble princess of this Dragon Palace.

"Yes, then this old minister is relieved."

After hearing this, the Right Minister left with peace of mind.

Shirahoshi watched the Right Minister's departing figure, her watery blue eyes filled with worry.

"Giggle!"

Beside her, a shark dressed in clothes also came up, seemingly to comfort her and tell her not to worry too much.

"Mecaro, do you think the humans are really going to attack Fishman Island?"

"This fulfills my mother's wish from back then."

Shirahoshi murmured to herself.

Although she has been unable to leave the hard-shell tower for years, she has been able to do so because of her pet Mecaro.

So Shirahoshi knew about the news that had recently spread almost throughout Fishman Island.

The humans on the sea are gathering an army, seemingly intending to attack Fishman Island.

This still worried Shirahoshi.

She was worried about her father and brother—as the kings of Ryugu Palace and the rulers of Fishman Island, they were bound to protect their people.

At the same time, she was worried that if war broke out, wouldn't that mean that her mother, Queen Otohime's, sacrifices in the past were meaningless?

"Giggle."

Mecaro naturally couldn't offer any valuable answer, and could only nuzzle Shirahoshi with a worried expression.

But it is precisely at this moment
"Your mother's wish was nothing but a naive and ridiculous 'daydream' that could never be realized."

Inside this hard-shelled tower, which should have been empty except for Shirahoshi and Mecaro, a voice suddenly rang out.

And then the sound rang out.

"Buzz!"

Streams of starlight slowly filled the hard-shell tower.

From within the starlight, illusory images appeared one after another.

Then, a figure emerged from the starlight!
"!!!"

Bai Xing was taken aback upon seeing this, and then subconsciously revealed a fearful expression: "An intruder!?"

She pressed the button in her hand almost instinctively.

But
"clatter!"

The next moment, he realized that the button she pressed did not make a sound, or to be more precise, it didn't feel like she had pressed a button at all.

She looked down and then discovered that the button in her hand had been replaced with a beautiful thing she had never seen before.

"This is."

Shirahoshi's eyes twitched.

Immediately afterwards, she heard a response.

"This is a 'sunflower'."

With that answer, Bai Xing saw a figure emerging from the starlight, carrying a book.

“I heard Loki say that Princess White Star longs to go to the land to see real forests, the sun, and the flowers that are unique to the land.”

"So I brought you one as a gift—this flower is a creation of my power, and it will never wither."

"Lord Wu Wu Ma!?"

And through the horse-head mask on the other party's head, and the 'Loki' mentioned in the other party's words.

Shirahoshi was already certain of the other party's identity.

She was both surprised and delighted.

"Have you arrived at Fishman Island?"

Her words were somewhat hesitant, clearly indicating that she rarely communicated with strangers in this way.

But then, she looked curiously behind Wu Ma: "Where are Lord Loki and the other giants? Didn't they come with you?"

"."

Wu Ma glanced helplessly at Shirahoshi: "Loki and Dorry's physiques are too conspicuous—if they appear on Fishman Island, it would be tantamount to directly showing the World Government the trump card of this battle."

"So they and the Esther are still hidden in my 'imaginary world,' and I will make contact with you."

"oh oh."

Bai Xing then realized that her question was rather silly.

But then, she immediately noticed a key point in Wu Ma's words.

"Lord Wu Ma, you just said that the World Government said so, is it true? Are humans really going to attack Fish-Man Island?"

"To be precise, it was 'the people from the World Government' who were going to attack Fishman Island."

Wu Ma corrected: "I am also human, but I have no interest in attacking Fishman Island."

Upon hearing this, Bai Xing was also taken aback.

But then, my heart still tightened involuntarily.

"I...I'll go and inform my father and brother right away."

She gritted her teeth and said this.

But before she could make a move, Wu Ma waved his hand, and the surrounding starlight slowly stopped Bai Xing's movements.

"There is no need to inform King Neptune and His Highnesses."

He said calmly.

"They are also influenced by Queen Otohime and have 'hope' for the World Government, which may make it difficult for them to make decisions—in such situations, indecisiveness is fatal."

"I will tell you the facts, and you can tell them when you have time later."

He looked at Shirahoshi with a serious expression.

"In fact, your father and your brothers' power is insignificant in the face of the power that is about to descend upon Fishman Island."

"Only you, Princess Shirahoshi."

"Only your strength can help in this war."

As he spoke, the encyclopedia of fruits in his eyes became clearly visible.

[A bloodline-based energy creation, 'Soul Bloodline Modified Creature - Giant Frilled Mermaid - Shirahoshi,' has been discovered, containing 'Power of Wishes - God - God of the Sea (Sea King)'.]

Those who possess this bloodline factor's source energy and willpower can communicate with all creatures in the ocean and command them to obey their commands.

(End of this chapter)