🎊🎊HST: Chapter 132/137

Chapter 132: Won't You?

Soon, the Wind Rider arrived once again at the Sabaody Archipelago.

As usual, Gecko Moria stayed behind to watch the ship while Caelan led everyone to take care of the tasks.

"He's back again!"

"The God Slayer, Caelan, is here!"

At the docks, many sharp-eyed individuals immediately recognized Caelan.

After all, it hadn't even been a week since Caelan defeated Silvers Rayleigh in the Sabaody Archipelago and killed two Celestial Dragons.

Caelan had become a hot topic across the entire archipelago.

Countless people admired him.

This is what a real man should be like!

But when Caelan appeared before them, they were overwhelmed with fear once more.

He was the lawless God Slayer who dared to kill Celestial Dragons.

A monstrous villain that even the Marines couldn't do anything about.

The overwhelming disparity in strength left them trembling from the depths of their souls.

Pedestrians froze, not daring to move a muscle.

Only after Caelan and his group had walked away did they wipe the cold sweat from their brows and rush to report to their respective factions.

For a time, every group that received the news—no matter how arrogant they usually were or how fiercely they competed—fell into silence.

"Am I really that terrifying?"

Caelan shook his head helplessly and led the group straight to the tavern where Shakky ran her shady business.

Inside the tavern, Rayleigh, Shakky, and the Straw Hat Pirates all noticed Caelan and his crew.

They had approached so boldly, without even attempting to hide their presence.

"Are you here to cause trouble for me?"

Rayleigh's heart tightened as a sense of foreboding washed over him.

He still hadn't recovered from the memory of Caelan fighting Borsalino, Akainu, and Garp.

This was a monster—far beyond what an old man like him could handle.

The only thing he could be grateful for was that Caelan was no longer a bounty hunter and couldn't be exchanged for money.

The Straw Hat Pirates, on the other hand, were much more animated.

"He looks so familiar... I feel like I've seen him somewhere before."

"Idiot! That's the swordsman who caught us last time!" Zoro reminded, chewing on a blade of grass.

In Zoro's mind, Caelan's status as a swordsman was the most important.

"Damn it! He took all the beauties with him!"

Sanji and Franky glared at the group of stunning women surrounding Caelan, filled with envy.

There weren't any girls on their ship.

At this rate, even Chopper was starting to look attractive.

"You two idiots, are you trying to get us killed?!"

Usopp grabbed Sanji and Franky in panic.

They had been completely outmatched by Caelan before, and Usopp was still terrified of him.

Reminded of the past, Sanji and Franky sobered up instantly, clearly recalling the fear of being crushed by Caelan.

As Caelan stepped into the tavern, Rayleigh took the initiative to greet him.

"Caelan, do you need any information?"

"I came to find you and Shakky," Caelan said casually, glancing at the Straw Hats.

He hadn't expected Rayleigh to go from mentoring one person to teaching a whole group.

So the so-called wise teacher Rayleigh was misleading a bunch of newbies again.

"If there's anything you need, just say it," Rayleigh said bitterly.

The thing he feared most had happened.

He could only hope this man wouldn't make any excessive demands.

"I'm heading to the New World. Help me coat two ships," Caelan said nonchalantly.

One was the Wind Rider, and the other was Gecko Moria's ship.

Even though Moria's presence was barely noticeable, Caelan wouldn't forget about his own people.

"No problem!"

Rayleigh breathed a sigh of relief and agreed immediately.

This was a simple request.

As long as it didn't involve breaking his old bones, he was fine.

"One more thing. Hancock will be following me to the New World. You and Shakky need to look after Amazon Lily," Caelan added.

I knew it wouldn't be that simple!

Rayleigh cursed silently.

Not only was he asked to coat ships, but now he also had to take care of Amazon Lily.

It was obvious Caelan was treating him like a hired hand.

His peaceful retirement was being ruined by this guy.

"You'll do it, right?"

"Or do you want to spar with me again before you agree?" Caelan said, patting Rayleigh on the shoulder with a deep tone.

He didn't have the patience to negotiate.

If Rayleigh refused, he'd beat him up again.

"No problem. Go to the New World with peace of mind. I'll make sure Amazon Lily is protected!" Rayleigh promised, patting his chest with a helpless expression.

If he refused again, he'd just be looking for trouble.

His old bones couldn't endure another beating from Caelan.

"Good. How long will the coating take?" Caelan asked.

"It'll be done in a day and a half," Rayleigh replied simply.

"Thanks for the help," Caelan said with a rare gentle tone.

He only spoke so politely because it was free.

"Anything else?" Rayleigh asked, glancing at Shakky and the Straw Hats.

He was clearly worried that Caelan might target them.

"Don't worry. As long as you do your job, they'll be fine," Caelan said with a smile.

"I understand. You can leave for the New World the day after tomorrow," Rayleigh responded, still a bit gloomy.

"Wait, take those two with you to help out," Caelan said, pointing at Sanji and Franky.

"You want me to take them? Can I ask Shakky instead?" Rayleigh rubbed his hands nervously.

What good were two perverts? His wife was clearly more useful.

If anything happened, he'd rather have his wife around.

"No."

Caelan refused coldly.

The rest would stay behind as hostages.

Although he trusted Rayleigh to work diligently, having two hostages would definitely keep him motivated.

"Let Luffy and the others go instead! We'll stay!" Sanji and Franky protested.

They were willing to stay behind if it meant their crewmates could go free.

Besides, even if they died, they'd die surrounded by beauties.

They were straight to the very end.

"Get out!"

Caelan shouted, kicking Sanji and Franky over to Rayleigh.

"…"

Rayleigh dragged Sanji and Franky out of the tavern.

Coating two ships in a day and a half was no easy feat.

To make it happen, he'd have to call in two coating specialists to help.

As for Sanji and Franky… well, they were better than nothing.

Thinking about the expenses, Rayleigh winced in pain.

"All the money I earned with my own body is going to be gone again."

Caelan clearly had no intention of paying. Rayleigh would have to foot the bill for the coating and the labor.

"Whatever. Worst case, I'll sell myself again," Rayleigh sighed.

All of it was just to get Caelan out of there as quickly as possible.

As long as Caelan remained here, Rayleigh would never know peace.

It was better to send him to the New World and let him kill those pirates over there.

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Jaz for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 133: Young Dreams

Inside Shakky's tavern, only Luffy, Zoro, Shakky, Caelan, and his group remained.

Shakky was quite thoughtful. She served a cocktail to each member of Caelan's group, and even handed a glass of juice to Perona.

When the wine was handed to Hancock, her emotions stirred noticeably.

Boa Hancock, the current Empress of Amazon Lily, and the pillar of the island's strength, had always kept an eye on her. She also knew Hancock suffered from lovesickness.

Now it was clear that Caelan was the cause of Hancock's condition—and he had treated it well.

But if the empress followed Caelan, then who would rule Amazon Lily?

"Were you the previous empress?" Hancock looked at Shakky with some disdain.

She resembled a dried-up peony, not beautiful at all.

As expected, she was the most beautiful empress Amazon Lily had ever seen.

"Yes. I didn't expect you to know my identity." Shakky admitted openly, not minding Hancock's disgusted gaze.

Who wasn't a great beauty in their youth?

When you grow old, let's see if you can maintain it better than me.

"In that case, I entrust you with the throne of Amazon Lily," Hancock said.

"From now on, I will follow Caelan to explore the New World!"

She threw herself into Caelan's arms, smiling joyfully.

"…"

Shakky didn't even know what to say.

After glancing at Caelan, she immediately understood his reason for coming today.

It was clearly to put Hancock at ease so she could follow him to the New World.

So… he left the mess to her?

She, the former empress of Amazon Lily, was just a prop in their little act.

How pitiful.

But Shakky gave Caelan another look and decided to follow her heart this time.

This young man reminded her of Rocks.

No, even more powerful than the former Rocks.

"Go explore. Leave Amazon Lily to Rayleigh and me," Shakky said as she lit a cigarette, her tone tinged with melancholy.

From now on, her peaceful retirement would come to an end.

She and Rayleigh would guard Amazon Lily against wind and rain.

As for Rayleigh being a man and not permitted to set foot on Amazon Lily, that was a minor issue.

There were plenty of islands nearby. They'd just pick one to station him.

"Thank you," Caelan smiled and expressed his gratitude.

Hancock also smiled, her heart light.

With Rayleigh and Shakky's protection, she no longer had to worry about Amazon Lily.

"You're welcome. Anything else?" Shakky asked casually, blowing out smoke.

Now that she knew Caelan's real purpose, she felt more relaxed.

It looked like he wouldn't cause any major trouble in the next two days.

"Not much, really. Just wondering—are there any Celestial Dragons on Sabaody right now?" Caelan asked casually.

Hm? What?

You want to go after the Celestial Dragons again?

Are they really that worth killing?

Shakky inhaled a puff of smoke the wrong way, and then the backlash made her cough violently.

After a moment, she finally caught her breath.

"It's been less than a week since you killed two Celestial Dragons. They're scared out of their minds. There's no way they'd come back here!"

"Besides, word of your appearance in the Sabaody Archipelago must have spread by now. There's even less of a chance they'll show up."

Shakky responded, clearly annoyed.

If Caelan killed two more Celestial Dragons, she couldn't imagine how furious the World Government would become.

What kind of pursuit would he face?

But she was completely wrong. The World Government would not easily act against Caelan.

At least, not until they found a way to counter his God-Slaying Spear.

"What a shame! I was hoping to blow off some steam for Hancock and make a little money too."

Caelan sighed in disappointment.

The reward he received last time for killing Celestial Dragons had left quite an impression.

It would've been nice to do it again.

"Caelan, you're really something…" Shakky was speechless.

Others feared the Celestial Dragons as if they were ferocious beasts.

But to Caelan, they were just mobile piggy banks—ready to be emptied at will. He trampled on the dignity of the so-called World Nobles like it was nothing.

Still, Hancock must be overjoyed.

Shakky turned to look at her.

Tears sparkled in Hancock's beautiful eyes, her emotions on the verge of spilling over.

Shakky knew what Hancock had gone through as a child. She understood Hancock's deep hatred toward the Celestial Dragons.

A partner like Caelan… was exactly what she needed.

With that thought, Hancock lost interest in chatting with Shakky and turned her full attention back to serving Caelan, with Rindo by her side.

The rest of the girls surrounded Shakky, engaging in lively conversation.

From time to time, silver-bell-like laughter rang out.

In the corner of the tavern, Luffy was happily eating, completely unaware he'd become a hostage.

Zoro stared intently at Caelan's sword, his eyes unmoving.

Because he used both spear and swords, the massive greatsword was no longer ideal for dual wielding. The black blade, Shusui, had become Caelan's new weapon.

"That blade looks like Mihawk's," Zoro thought silently.

The blade gleamed like water, exuding a chilling aura.

Its deep black color covered the entire surface, radiating murderous intent.

Thinking of Caelan carrying such a formidable weapon—and knowing he was a true swordsman—Zoro couldn't help but be stirred.

Just a week ago, he'd been defeated in a single move. He hadn't even seen Caelan's form clearly.

Now, after training under Rayleigh, he had made some progress in his swordsmanship.

He knew the gap between them was still massive. Caelan was not an opponent he could defeat yet.

But his warrior spirit surged.

He wanted to try.

"Caelan, please fight me!"

Zoro took a deep breath and issued his challenge.

His loud voice echoed through the tavern, drawing everyone's attention.

Shakky and the girls were still chatting, Hancock was tending to Caelan, and Luffy was eating and drinking without a care.

"Haha! Go for it, Zoro!"

Luffy gave a thumbs-up, sincerely cheering for him.

He admired Zoro's spirit as a swordsman more than anything.

"Is he crazy?" Shakky and the other women stared at Zoro in disbelief.

How could he have the courage to challenge Caelan?

This was the man who had fought two Marine Admirals and a legendary Vice Admiral—and walked away.

"A nobody dares to challenge Caelan. I won't allow it!" Hancock raised her brows, about to punish Zoro.

But before she could move, Caelan stopped her.

"I accept your challenge."

Caelan gripped the black blade Shusui and looked at Zoro.

He had nothing better to do anyway. Might as well have some fun.

A young man with a dream needed to experience the dangers of the world.

Looking at Zoro's determined face, Caelan showed a wicked smile.

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Jaz for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 134: Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū

Zoro and Caelan stood opposite each other in the open space outside the tavern.

Everyone around them watched the battle with serious expressions.

Usopp gritted his teeth, afraid that Zoro would be killed by Caelan's sword.

Luffy, on the other hand, was full of excitement, cheering loudly for Zoro.

"Young people these days are really full of energy," Shakky said lazily, taking a drag from her cigarette.

Zoro's fearless pursuit of swordsmanship was something she deeply respected.

For a moment, she seemed to see echoes of the powerful swordsmen she had met in the past.

But Zoro was facing a real monster now.

According to Rayleigh, Caelan's skill in swordsmanship had fully reached the level of a true great swordsman.

His sword techniques were sharp and domineering, and even Rayleigh had no interest in taking them head-on.

"I really want to see this playboy get beaten up,"

Next to Shakky, Nami and the other girls whispered among themselves.

No matter how understanding they were, all of them wanted to get closer to Caelan.

Obviously, his recent behavior of constantly attracting women had made them jealous.

Now, they were hoping to see Caelan get flustered.

Then they could gather around him playfully and tease him.

Unfortunately, that kind of scene was unlikely to happen.

Under the various gazes of the crowd, Caelan and Zoro stood face-to-face.

"Three-Sword Style, Zoro. Please guide me!" Zoro said solemnly, bowing to Caelan.

He knew full well this was a battle he couldn't win, and might even die from. But this was a true great swordsman—missing the chance to fight him would be a lifetime of regret.

Zoro gripped the Wado Ichimonji and Sandai Kitetsu in each hand, holding the famed sword Shusui in his mouth. He stood at full readiness.

Caelan stood calmly, holding his black blade, Shusui, in one hand. Switching from a greatsword to a standard katana, he intended to test it in real combat.

So this time, he didn't plan to overwhelm his opponent with brute force. He wanted to focus on skill.

He nodded slightly at Zoro, indicating he could make the first move.

Hss!

Zoro held his breath, concentrating fully on the smiling Caelan.

He didn't move his feet. His hardened muscles tensed like steel.

Once his breathing was perfectly aligned, Zoro suddenly stepped forward and charged.

Sandai Kitetsu and Wado Ichimonji crossed to form a slash, while Shusui in his mouth struck with killing intent, aiming to seal off Caelan's escape routes.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Caelan's black blade Shusui swept through the air in an arc, cleanly deflecting all three strikes.

The deadly opening move was easily neutralized.

"He saw through everything!" Zoro stepped back, watching Caelan with deep seriousness.

Caelan had completely read his sword movements, and even his follow-up variations. With a single circular swing, he had dismantled the entire assault.

It was a truly terrifying level of swordsmanship.

"Striking first isn't always the best," Caelan said with a smile, pointing his blade downward.

He hadn't used Observation Haki to predict the future—he refused to rely on such things against fellow swordsmen.

Among the strongest, relying too heavily on Observation Haki was a shortcut to defeat.

This was his true level of swordsmanship—and his personal philosophy.

In Fate, he could even qualify as a Saber-class.

Caelan recalled the feeling from before and adjusted his strength to match Zoro's level.

Then he shifted from defense to offense.

He stepped forward and slashed.

Bowing slightly, the black sword Shusui came down in a heavy arc.

Clang!

Zoro's face was serious as he crossed Sandai Kitetsu and Wado Ichimonji to block. Just as he prepared to counter with Shusui, Caelan instantly pulled away.

Then came the real assault.

Nine basic sword strikes were unleashed by Caelan in rapid succession at terrifying speed.

This was:

Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū : Secret Technique — Nine-Headed Dragon Flash!

From Rurouni Kenshin, the legendary dual-sword technique made its return.

Compared to Himura Kenshin's version, known for skill but lacking strength, Caelan's resembled that of his master, Hiko Seijuro—balanced in both strength and technique, without weakness.

"What a terrifying sword style..." Zoro saw a flurry of white blades attacking from every direction.

Caelan was using only one sword, yet his assault was fiercer and more overwhelming than Zoro's three blades.

Gritting his teeth, Zoro gave his all to defend.

A moment later, Caelan appeared behind him.

Cough, cough...

Zoro coughed twice, barely managing to stay upright, and looked at Caelan in disbelief.

That last technique had been too fast. He had barely blocked three of the most fatal strikes.

The remaining six had all landed on his body.

Now, six wounds marked him from head to toe, each about an inch deep.

"You're not bad," Caelan said, shaking the blood from his blade.

Even though he had only used strength on par with Zoro's, and had swung a move that should have used two hands with only one, Zoro had endured it and survived. That was worthy of praise.

"…"

Zoro remained silent.

He was covered in wounds, while Caelan's clothes were only slightly scuffed.

Such a gap wasn't something to brag about.

Feeling his condition, Zoro realized he still had strength for one more strike.

Adjusting his grip slightly, Zoro began to chant.

"The nine mountains and eight seas constitute one world!

A thousand of them form a small chiliocosm!

And when I gather and cube that chiliocosm, there's nothing I can't cut!"

The chant began quietly, then gradually grew louder.

As his voice rose, so did his aura, which had been suppressed just moments ago.

"…"

Caelan watched quietly.

He was impressed that Zoro could chant all that so clearly with a sword in his mouth.

And yet… he looked so uneducated despite saying so many words.

In the world of pirates, it seemed all Zoro had learned was how to slash and swing.

What a shame.

"Three-Sword Style Secret Technique: Three Thousand Great World!"

When his momentum peaked, Zoro let out a loud roar.

With the three swords in hand, he spun like a vortex, forming a whirlwind of blades and slashing toward Caelan.

"There's some power in that… but not much," Caelan said flatly.

Facing Zoro's ultimate technique, he felt it lacked the elegance and clarity of their earlier duel.

Two-Sword Style, Three-Sword Style, even Eight-Sword Style—they all had wider coverage and a greater area of attack.

But that came at the cost of precision and power. Their single-target lethality was weak.

Against thick-skinned monsters like Kaido and Big Mom, it was barely more than a scratch.

The same applied to someone like Caelan, who had an even thicker HP bar.

Besides, Zoro was still far too green.

He had already completely read the Three-Sword Style technique.

Sigh.

Caelan exhaled softly, his face calm.

He still held his sword in one hand and raised it overhead.

It was just a simple downward slash.

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Jaz for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 135: Distance

A simple downward slash to counter the storm-like Three-Sword Style.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Three clear clashes of blades rang out. Sparks flew.

Then, Zoro half-knelt on the ground. The three famous swords he cherished like life scattered across the floor.

The nearby onlookers wore expressions of quiet expectation.

"Not bad," Caelan said softly in praise.

Not only directed at Zoro, but also at the black blade in his hand.

The black sword, ranked among the 21 Great Grade swords, was a heavy blade. It was razor-sharp, capable of slicing a hair mid-air, and its toughness was so high that even a dinosaur standing on it wouldn't bend it a millimeter.

It suited his grand and domineering swordsmanship perfectly.

In the earlier battle, it performed flawlessly.

"A true great swordsman. You deserve the title," Zoro said sincerely as he looked up at Caelan.

Then he tried to pick up his swords again, but his injuries wouldn't allow it.

Usopp and Luffy quickly stepped in to support Zoro and gather his three precious blades.

"Caelan, when I become a great swordsman, I'll defeat you!"

Zoro declared with serious resolve, supported by Luffy and Usopp.

Caelan's swordsmanship had not only defeated him completely, but also opened a new path before his eyes.

This defeat had only strengthened his fighting spirit.

Hearing Zoro's words, Caelan nearly laughed.

To become a great swordsman and then think about defeating him—how naïve.

Rayleigh was a genuine great swordsman, and even he wouldn't dare to speak to Caelan so boldly.

Caelan sheathed Shusui, looked at Zoro, and said calmly,

"Right now, you're full of ambition."

"But once you become a great swordsman, you'll understand how big the distance between us is."

After hearing Caelan's words, Luffy shouted in disbelief, "Zoro will definitely grow stronger and beat you someday! He's the Pirate King's swordsman!"

Caelan glanced at Luffy but didn't bother replying.

It would take at least two years for Zoro to reach the level of a great swordsman.

By that time, even Caelan himself didn't know how strong he would be.

Even if his strength remained unchanged, with his current power, he could kill ten great swordsmen like Rayleigh in one shot using the God-Slaying Spear.

Zoro quietly looked up at the sky, lost in thought.

He didn't doubt Caelan's words. He had already done everything he could, but Caelan had only shown a fraction of his power.

Was Caelan really that powerful?

Maybe.

If being a great swordsman wasn't enough, then he would surpass it.

No matter what, he would one day stand before Caelan and defeat him.

Zoro, who loved the sword more than anything, was certain of that.

"You're that confident?" Shakky asked, clearly surprised by Caelan's earlier words.

But she believed him. Her years of experience told her Caelan wasn't exaggerating.

Which made it all the more terrifying.

A great swordsman held a position of immense power—either among the top three in a Yonko crew or as an elite Vice Admiral in the Navy.

He wasn't someone she could afford to offend.

Shakky looked at Caelan deeply, silently making sure to support his future plans more carefully.

Hancock following him might actually be a good thing for Amazon Lily.

With that thought, Shakky brought Luffy and the others back into the tavern to tend to Zoro's injuries.

Outside, the girls surrounded Caelan, none of them appearing surprised.

After all, compared to the enemies Caelan had dealt with before, Zoro didn't even rank.

Nami, Robin, and Gion were a little disappointed. They had hoped to see the scoundrel get knocked down for once.

"Tsk. Bullying someone weaker than you. Shameless," Nami said, crossing her arms and making a face.

"Looking for a fight?" Caelan raised his hand and gestured behind Nami.

How was that bullying the weak?

He was just giving the next generation a bit of training.

Only through the forge of battle could one truly become strong. That's a fact.

"Let's go have some fun nearby."

With his left arm around Uta and his right arm around Hancock, Caelan said casually.

"Aren't you going to keep an eye on them?" Vivi asked, tilting her head.

They had said the Straw Hats were hostages. Leaving like this seemed a bit too relaxed.

"There's nothing to see. We came here for help. We were just talking."

"There's still one day left until the coating is done. Staying here would just be boring."

Caelan said as he walked off, leading everyone to a hot spring hotel.

"Awesome! Let's go soak in a hot spring!"

The girls cheered in delight.

Relaxation sounded perfect.

After enjoying a group soak, Caelan took the girls around the area, visiting shops and local spots.

He also stocked up on supplies, including a few Eternal Poses and bubble corals.

The various forces in the Sabaody Archipelago remained silent, smart enough not to provoke them.

Soon, a day passed.

Early the next morning,

Rayleigh delivered the two coated ships to Caelan, fully completed.

He had even finished half a day ahead of schedule.

At the port, Rayleigh and Shakky came to see Caelan off together.

"What's this? Do you really want me gone?" Caelan asked with a smile, glancing at Rayleigh.

"No, I just don't want to waste your time," Rayleigh replied with a hearty grin, his expression calm.

"Then I'll take my leave."

Caelan didn't press the issue and turned to board the ship.

Rayleigh didn't truly relax until the two ships had fully submerged beneath the sea.

"Finally got him out of here."

Rayleigh wiped the cold sweat from his brow and sighed in relief.

It was never a good feeling to be around someone strong enough to tear you apart at any moment.

Especially a man with a certain hostility toward pirates. That made it even more uncomfortable.

"Let's go. We're heading to Amazon Lily too."

"Come to think of it, I haven't been back in a long time. I do miss it a little," Shakky said, a trace of nostalgia in her voice.

"You go on ahead. Once I sell myself again, I'll bring those brats to you."

Rayleigh shook his head and walked toward the auction house.

The coating work had cost him a fortune. He needed to recover the losses.

…

At the same time, many spies received word that Caelan had left the Sabaody Archipelago and was heading for Fish-Man Island.

Their previously held breaths finally released in relief.

As long as this god of chaos was around, they hadn't been able to sleep peacefully!

Thankfully, he was finally heading to the New World.

Now they didn't have to worry—at least, not for the time being.

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Jaz for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 136: Traffickers

The forces of the Sabaody Archipelago rejoiced at Caelan's departure, while the factions in the New World were deeply unsettled by his imminent arrival.

It could only be said that happiness doesn't disappear—it just transfers elsewhere.

In the past, some pirates in the New World had mocked Caelan, calling him a "false emperor who never left Paradise."

Now that Caelan was truly on his way, they all secretly wished he would just stay in the first half of the Grand Line.

Among them, Doflamingo was probably the most panicked of all.

At this moment, the man remembered by countless people had already set sail.

Guided by the Eternal Pose to Fish-Man Island, the Wind Rider and Gecko Moria's ship headed steadily into the depths.

Thanks to the Pose and Nami's exceptional grasp of ocean currents, what was normally a dangerous descent into the deep sea was as leisurely as a cruise for Caelan's crew. Even the enormous Sea Kings they passed left quietly once Caelan unleashed a burst of Conqueror's Haki.

Eventually, after enjoying the wonders of the deep sea, they reached the final stretch of their journey.

Amid the darkness of the deep sea, a single radiant place stood out—Fish-Man Island.

"It really deserves to be called the legendary underwater paradise. So grand!" Perona exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

Surrounded by massive corals and glowing with a soft halo, it truly looked like a dream.

In the endless dark seabed, it was breathtaking.

Soon, they drew closer to Fish-Man Island.

Nami piloted the ship expertly, guiding it into the port.

But just then, they noticed another coated ship nearby. Three ugly fish-men were dragging a bound mermaid girl out of it.

The mermaid had light green hair and a pink tail.

Her delicate, familiar face was filled with fear. Her mouth was stuffed, muffling her cries.

"…Is that Camie?" Caelan muttered, squinting.

Looking closely, he saw that the lead fish-man bore the mark of the Sun Pirates.

That confirmed it.

It was Camie, the mermaid girl with a naïve personality who had been kidnapped over 20 times already.

Now, it seemed she'd been captured by Macro again.

It was absurd. A fish-man trying to sell a mermaid to humans? Ridiculous.

Still, since they encountered it, they'd handle it.

Wherever they were, traffickers were the most detestable scum.

Just as Caelan was about to make a move and be the hero, an angry voice beat him to it.

"Damn human traffickers!"

Hancock's expression turned frosty as she glared at the three fish-men.

Having been abducted by traffickers in her past, she hated them with every fiber of her being.

In the next instant, she rode a bubble blown from a bubble coral and darted toward Camie.

With a few punches and kicks, she knocked out the three fish-men and carried Camie back to the Wind Rider.

"I just lost my temper… Caelan won't be mad at me, right?" Hancock asked apologetically, holding Camie in her arms.

"It's fine. If you didn't act, I would have."

Caelan shook his head lightly, speaking indifferently.

Hancock happily hugged him.

Meanwhile, Camie, still in her grip, rolled her eyes from the lack of oxygen.

Caelan quickly rescued Camie from Hancock's embrace.

If she didn't die from being trafficked, it'd be a tragedy to be crushed to death by her rescuer.

"Huff… I'm alive!" Camie gasped for breath, eyes wide in disbelief.

She'd been caught by Macro for the twelfth time and thought she was doomed.

Then she got rescued—only to nearly suffocate again.

What a turbulent life…

Sighing to herself, Camie looked at the people before her.

"My name's Camie. Thank you all so much for saving me!"

"I really didn't know what to do if no one came."

She bowed deeply, her gratitude sincere.

"No problem. Just a small favor," Caelan said casually.

By now, the other girls had gathered around, curiously examining Camie.

"Dear benefactors, is this your first time on Fish-Man Island?" Camie asked Caelan, tilting her head in confusion.

For some reason, the man felt familiar to her.

It was like she had seen him somewhere before.

"Yeah, it's our first time. Why do you ask?" Nami asked, eyeing Camie's pink tail with interest.

"Hmm, maybe I'm mistaken. I just thought I'd seen him before…" Camie scratched her head, looking embarrassed.

She didn't dwell on it. She often had little lapses like that.

"Can I touch your tail?" Nami asked gently.

Camie wanted to refuse, but Nami's eager eyes made it impossible.

"…Okay," she finally agreed after a short pause.

It was just a little touch. After all, her benefactors weren't being too demanding.

"I want to touch it too!"

"Me too!"

As soon as Camie relented, the other girls eagerly stepped forward.

"Um, can you all be a little gentler?" Camie asked meekly, sweat forming on her brow.

"Don't worry, we'll be gentle!" the girls assured her.

A dozen hands reached toward her tail, and Camie closed her eyes in nervousness.

"Hmm~"

Her cheeks flushed, and a soft sound escaped her lips.

Being touched by so many people at once was too much.

There was also a strange ticklish sensation.

"So amazing. It's a real tail!"

"Smooth and soft!"

"It doesn't smell fishy at all. It even has a nice fragrance."

Hearing all their comments made Camie even more embarrassed.

Fortunately, the girls didn't take it too far and quickly stopped.

"Hah~" Camie exhaled, finally able to relax.

"…Well, I want to touch it too. Is that okay?" Caelan asked at last, unable to resist the temptation of the legendary mermaid.

Of course, it was mostly because the girls' praise had stirred his curiosity.

"Ah!?" Camie's eyes widened.

A man… wants to touch her tail!?

"If not, that's fine." Caelan didn't press her.

If he couldn't touch Camie, he'd just touch Shirahoshi instead. Sooner or later.

"W-Well… you can," Camie muttered, blushing even more.

It's okay to let a man like him touch it.

Isn't there a saying in the human world? Repay a life-saving favor with your body?

With her permission, Caelan didn't hold back.

He gently slid his hand along her fish tail.

"Smooth, cool, and comfortable," Caelan said, objectively.

But to Camie, the feeling was completely different.

So hot!

She screamed internally.

His hand on her tail was far hotter than the girls' touches.

Even a light stroke made her body go soft, filling her with an unfamiliar, tingly feeling.

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Jaz for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 137: Fish-Man Island

When Caelan's hand left, it took Camie a while to recover.

"Dear benefactors, since this is your first time on Fish-Man Island, why don't you come visit my home?"
"My place is pretty spacious. I can entertain all of you!"

Camie looked at everyone and offered sincerely.

"Perfect, we just so happen to need a guide."

Caelan agreed without hesitation.

It would be much better to have someone introduce the area.

"Great! I'll make sure everyone has fun!" Camie said happily.

As Caelan's group continued their approach to Fish-Man Island, Camie excitedly began explaining the sights and features of the island.

Before long, the Wind Rider arrived at the island's official entrance, equivalent to customs inspection.

To enter, a security check by the soldiers was mandatory to ensure the safety of the island.

"Let's go. Let's get to shore first."

Under everyone's eager gazes, both ships passed through the entrance and docked at the port.

With that, the crew officially set foot on Fish-Man Island.

"We finally arrived at the land of the Fish-Men! It's so beautiful!" Nami said in awe, looking around.

"It really does feel like a dream," Robin added, reaching her hand out to feel the warm sunlight.

It was hard to believe that they were 10,000 meters beneath the ocean, with sun and clouds above them.

The area was filled with unique sights—gorgeous corals, seashells, and mermaids walking about.

Altogether, it truly lived up to its name as an underwater paradise.

While everyone was marveling, a group of merfolk hurried over from the distance.

"That's King Neptune, the princes, and the ministers!" Camie exclaimed in astonishment as she looked toward the entrance.

The ministers were arranged in two neat rows, with King Neptune and the three princes leading the way.

Such a grand procession was unprecedented.

She couldn't help but wonder why so many of the island's leaders had come out.

"Probably to welcome an important guest," Caelan said with a faint smile, already knowing the reason.

They had entered the island openly, so it was likely that the soldiers had reported their arrival.

To Camie's shock, Neptune led the group of ministers and stopped directly in front of them.

Despite towering over Caelan at twelve meters tall, King Neptune did not dare to look down on him.

Caelan possessed power that could shake the entire world.

Compared to him, Fish-Man Island—despite having Whitebeard's former protection—was just a small force.

"Welcome to Fish-Man Island. I am King Neptune, ruler of this island."

Neptune smiled and gave a formal salute.

As soon as he received the report, he had rushed to the port.

The arrival of a new Sea Emperor demanded the highest courtesy.

Moreover, this God Slayer might have special significance to Fish-Man Island.

Neptune recalled the image of Caelan in the newspaper, clad in golden Sun God armor, and his expression became more respectful.

"Hello, King Neptune."

Caelan gave a slight nod and glanced curiously at the three princes.

The eldest, Fukaboshi, was a large shark-type fish-man. The second, Ryuboshi, was an oarfish-type. The youngest, Manboshi, was a sunfish-type.
And then there was Princess Shirahoshi, a giant smelt-type mermaid.

Neptune himself was a coelacanth-type fish-man, and his late wife, Queen Otohime, had been a goldfish-type mermaid.

This family somehow included six entirely different species, completely defying normal genetics.

"Caelan, since you've come such a long way, why don't you let me host you at Ryugu Palace?" Neptune offered with a hearty laugh.

Caelan, who had reached the peak of the world at such a young age, was surprisingly approachable.

Neptune was even more convinced of his earlier suspicion.

"Then I won't refuse."

Caelan nodded in agreement.

He glanced subtly at Neptune, finding the king's enthusiasm a little excessive.

Still, it was a good chance to see what exactly the king had in mind.

"Excellent, excellent!"

Neptune laughed cheerfully and led the way.

Under his guidance, the group mounted sea beasts and headed toward Ryugu Palace.

Watching Neptune's over-the-top hospitality, Camie's mind was spinning.

"Caelan…?"

She suddenly realized why he had looked so familiar earlier. He was the famous God Slayer who had appeared in the newspapers so often!

She sneaked a glance at Caelan again, finding him even more imposing now.

…

Meanwhile, in Fish-Man District—

This area was controlled by the New Fish-Man Pirates, led by Hody Jones. It was effectively independent from the rest of Fish-Man Island.

In other words, they were the island's cancer.

"Boss, Caelan—the one who killed Arlong and his entire crew in the East Blue—has arrived."

"And he already took out Macro's group just after landing."

A fish-man reported the news to Hody Jones.

Both Arlong and Macro had been part of the Sun Pirates. They were considered heroes among the fish-men.

Arlong had even been an idol to many.

The New Fish-Man Pirates were founded to carry on Arlong's will and avenge their people against humanity.

"He killed Arlong… and Macro too?! Is this Caelan picking a fight with the New Fish-Man Pirates?!"

Hody flipped a table in rage, his expression fierce.

He believed he had inherited Arlong's will and sought to retaliate against humanity.

He absolutely couldn't forgive a human like Caelan who had killed fish-men.

"Boss, should we go after him? I heard he's the new Emperor of the Sea…" the fish-man asked nervously.

Even though they were at the bottom of the sea, Caelan's reputation had reached them.

Ever since the Celestial Dragon incident, his name had appeared in every newspaper.

The World Economy News praised him. The World Government slandered him. But no one denied his strength.

"What are you so afraid of?"

Hody's tone turned cold and commanding.

"So he's called the God Slayer. Can he really kill gods? Taking down two Celestial Dragons is nothing—I could do that too!"

"We've got 80,000 brothers. If each one kicked him once, he'd be meat paste!"

Hody was furious and completely dismissed Caelan's threat.

In his years dominating the seabed, every so-called strong human he'd fought had ended up the same.

They might have had a reputation, but he still beat them and used them as cannon fodder.

His pirate crew already had over 20,000 human slaves.

"Pass down the order! Mobilize all forces and attack Ryugu Palace!"

"I want the whole world to know what happens to humans who kill fish-men!"

Hody roared.

He was determined to trample Caelan underfoot and prove his strength to the world.

Through this battle, he also intended to seize Ryugu Palace and become the new ruler of Fish-Man Island!

(To be continued.)