The Whitebeard Pirates received a warm and grand welcome on Fish-Man Island.
Apart from Whitebeard himself, it was everyone else's first time visiting the underwater paradise. They were amazed to see fishmen all around and even mermaids.
Thatch and the others stared with wide eyes.
"So beautiful…"
"A mermaid! Mermaids, actual, living mermaids! Is she a mermaid princess?"
"It's my first time seeing a female mermaid. She's stunning."
They all crowded at the edge of the ship, marveling nonstop, gawking like tourists..
BONK! BONK! BONK!
Roy smacked each of them on the head with the barrel of his rifle, producing a hollow ringing sound like a ringing bell.
"What are you guys doing? Who told you to comment on people like that? Have some manners."
Marco and the others clutched their heads in pain, squatting on the deck with tears streaming down their faces.
"Ow, big bro, that hurts!"
"I was wrong, big bro!"
"Stop ogling people like they're exhibits. We're guests here—watch your mouths and don't cause trouble," Whitey Bay scolded, hands on her hips.
"We got it…"
Tearful, Marco and the others nodded.
Their earlier comments, though quiet, hadn't gone unnoticed. The fish-men had clearly heard, and Neptune's brow had furrowed slightly.
"Sorry about that, Neptune. It's their first time on Fish-Man Island," Whitebeard said with a hearty laugh.
"I understand, Newgate. But… when will humans stop discriminating against us fish-men?" Neptune replied.
"That day will come," Whitebeard said.
"…Will it?"
Neptune didn't seem interested in continuing the conversation and turned to lead them deeper into Fish-Man Island.
After docking, Blue deflated and began repairing the coating. Roy was worried, so he had FishMan Island's local coating craftsmen to double-check the work.
Once everything was confirmed safe, Blue waited at the docks for a ship heading to Sabaody.
Earning eight million Berries was no easy feat, it was life-risking money.
During their stay, Neptune hosted them generously. Namur introduced them to a young friend of his named Jinbe, just fourteen years old.
But the boy wanted nothing to do with humans. After learning that Namur and Aruwan had joined a human pirate crew and essentially "betrayed" their kind, Jinbe cut ties with them completely.
"I don't know you anymore. We're no longer friends," Jinbe said fiercely. Like many fishman, he harbored deep hatred toward humans.
"Jinbe…" Namur was crushed by the harsh ejection.
"It's alright. You'll meet again someday. When you do, you'll still be friends," Roy reassured him, patting his shoulder.
"Big Bro… really?"
"Really. Trust me."
"Yeah! I believe you, Big Bro!" Aruwan nodded vigorously.
After spending some time together, the two had grown to trust Roy deeply, both his judgment and his character.
"Blue, if you're staying on Fish-Man Island to wait for a ship, why not just come with us into the New World?" Roy asked.
"You're worried the coating might fail, right? Don't worry about it. I'll stay here. A ship comes through now and then, I'll find a way back to Sabaody," Bloo said, sipping his drink with a grin.
"Relax. I've taught that kid everything I know. Ask him if he has any questions."
He was talking about Blamenco, who had been training under Blue. By now, he had learned almost everything about ship coating.
"It's fine, big bro. I've got it. Leave it to me!" Blamenco said, flexing his muscles.
"Alright."
Only then did Roy agree to let Blue stay. They left from the other side of Fish-Man Island, floating upward on driftwood.
"What a beautiful place… I hope we can return someday," Marco and the others said, gazing down at the island from the ship's edge.
It looked like a crystal ball, but sadly, without sunlight, there was no warmth. The underwater light came from the giant Tree of Eve.
If that tree were ever lost, the entire island would be plunged into darkness.
It took them ten days to travel from Sabaody to the New World. Once back on land, the harsh weather gave them a brutal welcome.
"WHOA—WHAT THE HELL?!"
"Why is there so much lightning?!"
"The wind is insane!"
"Thank god we've got a new ship, this weather's terrifying!"
"Someone help, I'm gonna puke!"
A sudden storm struck. The New World was far more dangerous than any sea they'd ever known.
In the sixth year since their founding, the Whitebeard Pirates finally arrived in the New World.
"What's up with this system? It only gives me one coin per day. Am I really going to have to wait ten whole years?"
As dusk settled, Roy sat at the bow of the ship, holding a newly received coin from his daily check-in.
Six years had passed. The system merely acknowledged his sixth anniversary with no special reward.
At first, he thought there might be bonuses after a week, then maybe a month, then perhaps a year.
Now it seemed like he really would have to wait ten years. Who knew what kind of reward he'd get?
"Big bro, you okay?" said Vista, who was on night watch, practicing his swordsmanship. He noticed Roy staring blankly and walked over.
"I'm fine… Vista, do you think I'm useless?" Roy asked.
"There you go again, big bro. Pops told us to take care of you, so stop thinking like that. You're not a burden at all," Vista said, agitated.
"You've seen what happens to the powerless out here. It's not pretty."
"That's why Pops is so amazing. Without him, we'd all be dead. But Big Bro, you don't need to worry. Pops will protect you. We will all protect you. Getting stronger is for our family's sake."
"…Yeah."
Roy only nodded slightly, saying nothing more.
He had once thought, like other isekai protagonists, he'd show up in this world and become an unstoppable powerhouse.
But this was the reality…
He was barely above the level of Spandam, still basically useless.
Smart? Sure. But in a world where strength ruled, what good was that? His only real contribution to the Whitebeard Pirates was a single gold coin per day.
After entering the New World, this weakness felt more apparent. The New World was a paradise for pirates, and the enemies of the Whitebeard Pirates were all still here.
They had already been through several battles, each incredibly dangerous. Fortunately, Whitebeard's strength turned every crisis around.
As Roy was lost in thought, a shadow suddenly loomed overhead. He looked up quickly and grabbed a whistle from his pocket.
PHEEEEEEEEP!
The sharp sound echoed. Everyone in the Whitebeard Pirates snapped awake, Whitebeard himself tossing aside his blanket and grabbing his naginata.
"Zehahahaha! Newgate, you finally showed up."