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Even if Hikaru made excessive demands, they would likely comply without hesitation.
Lightning flashed unsteadily across the sky as Hikaru appeared on the high platform at the center of the square.
Upon seeing him, the right minister hurriedly coughed twice into his Den Den Mushi, signaling the gathered crowd to quiet down.
Hikaru quickly surveyed the scene and noticed Jinbe's left hand with all his fingers broken. The corner of his mouth twitched. This blue warrior had actually listened to him and severed his own fingers as an apology. How ruthless toward himself.
He shook his head. The loss of fingers on Jinbe's left hand wouldn't significantly impact his combat abilities. He could still serve as a valuable Fishman fighter on the front lines.
The merfolk and Fishmen were today's focus. Now that they had arrived at the Sky Island, it was time to put them to work.
Hikaru calmed his mind and activated his thunder powers to amplify his voice:
"I believe everyone has already learned about Fishman Island's current situation after these past few days of excitement."
"Here, you have fulfilled your thousand-year dream. You no longer need to endure discrimination from land-dwellers. You'll only interact with the people of Sky Island, who are blessed people like yourselves, and you can freely enjoy the sunshine and fresh air."
"Of course, you must also fulfill your corresponding duties and make proper contributions to this heavenly kingdom."
"Considering the diversity among species, I've decided that all 'ambitious individuals' from Fishman Island can volunteer to join my God's Judgment Group. After proper screening, you'll participate in the grassroots management of Fishman Island."
"The laws and penalties of the Kingdom of God will be posted here. These represent the minimum standards every citizen of the Kingdom must uphold."
"After thorough investigation, my priests discovered that merfolk and Fishmen prefer to live separately. The current arrangement on Fishman Island reflects this preference..."
The priests exchanged confused glances: When did we conduct any investigation?
"Therefore, starting today, all Fishmen will relocate to the new Fishman Island east of the current location. The current Fishman Island will be renamed Mermaid Island..."
Afterward, Hikaru briefly outlined their required duties, including but not limited to: mining and processing various minerals, extracting and refining oil, manufacturing bubble coral, reclaiming wasteland, and cultivating crops, tea, and fruit.
Of course, in this chaotic world of pirates, arms dealing remained the most profitable venture—a business that would expand significantly after Doflamingo's elimination.
Once the general arrangements were made, Hikaru waved his hand and departed from Gyoncorde Plaza.
Fishman Island had a population of approximately 500 million—the largest number of people he had conquered since leaving Sky Island. He had made a personal appearance to demonstrate the importance of the occasion and to better appease the populace, ensuring their cooperation.
After several lightning-quick movements, Hikaru arrived at Shyarly's private manor. Following an intimate exchange with Shyarly and the mermaid attendants, he said to her with satisfaction:
"Your mermaid café is still too small. You should train more mermaids~"
Shyarly snorted coldly, feigning displeasure. "Aren't all these mermaids enough for you? I heard you arranged for all the merfolk to move to another island. Are you planning to claim all the beautiful mermaids on Mermaid Island for yourself?"
"Eh? How did you know?"
Shyarly raised her shark tail and pointed toward the display screen in the center of the hall.
"Master Hikaru, you realize there was a Den Den Mushi at Gyoncorde Plaza, right?" Camie chuckled, using her small hands to massage Hikaru's stiff muscles.
Hikaru laughed. That wasn't what he had been asking about, but...
Over the next few days, Hikaru's life was simple and monotonous. He spent time with the mermaids, lulled Shirahoshi to sleep, and sampled the "clouds" crafted by Nami. The shrine goddess and mermaids like Shyarly and Shirahoshi became well acquainted with each other.
How well acquainted? Robin and the others certainly knew the extent.
...
New World, the waters near Punk Hazard.
During afternoon tea, Hikaru led a group of priests to the island. The place remained deathly silent, with poisonous residue still lingering in the air.
Fortunately, they came prepared. The soldiers advanced steadily, protected by chemical suits and gas masks.
Finding Punk Hazard wasn't difficult. Hikaru simply relied on Shirahoshi and dispatched priests in three directions (or more) according to the Log Pose readings for the New World, conducting a thorough search.
In the current timeline, Punk Hazard had not yet transformed into the Island of Ice and Fire following the decisive battle between the admirals.
A year ago, Caesar Clown had returned here after escaping from the prison ship. He had dispersed the highly toxic substances on the island and resumed his evil experiments on the prisoners.
Shortly afterward, Caesar began collaborating with Doflamingo and Kaido to create SAD, a substance only he could produce—an essential component for manufacturing artificial Zoan-type Devil Fruits.
[At present, Caesar had not yet partnered with Big Mom to initiate the gigantification experiment. That would only begin after the final battle between Aokiji and Akainu.]
"Field: Electromagnetic Field!"
As Hikaru and his group ventured deeper, all monitoring Den Den Mushi that entered the electromagnetic field were overwhelmed by the strong electric current and fell unconscious.
The PH troops and former prisoners of Punk Hazard monitoring the research facility stared in confusion at screens that had gone dark.
This was a notorious poisonous area—they couldn't imagine anyone would be foolish enough to come here seeking adventure...
Law had never been here before, so Hikaru and his companions encountered no strange creatures as they approached the research facility.
Looking at the tightly sealed entrance, Shura asked respectfully in a hushed voice:
"My Lord! It seems we have no choice but to force our way in."
Hikaru frowned. All electrical equipment within the electromagnetic field had been disabled by him, including the door mechanisms. Opening it would be simple—he could easily push it open with minimal force.
What gave him pause was that once his men entered, they would inevitably create noise.
It would be disastrous if the artificial Devil Fruit that Vegapunk had created—based on the Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Model: Azure Dragon—were destroyed in the ensuing chaos. That fruit was something he absolutely needed to obtain.
If he could use white thunder to claim the artificial Devil Fruit as well, then he would be like grabbing a live wire—electrifying.
(Momonosuke would arrive just days before Luffy reached Punk Hazard two years later.)
This artificial Azure Dragon Fruit was considered a failure by Vegapunk because its dragon scales were pink instead of blue. However, in the world of One Piece, apart from its appearance, its abilities matched those of the genuine Azure Dragon Fruit.
This meant he wouldn't need to confront Kaido to obtain the same fruit abilities. Combined with his other Devil Fruit powers, wouldn't dealing with Kaido become even simpler?
Momonosuke had managed to bite Kaido and make him howl in pain just days after consuming the Devil Fruit. This demonstrated the immense potential of this fruit—capable of transforming even a child into a formidable fighter.