One Piece: Davy Jones, Captain of the Terror Ghost

Chapter 193 193: What Will Happen on the Deep-Sea Route, No One Can Say for Sure

From that day forth, Fish-Man Island belonged to Davy Jones—whether in practice or by law.

With a gray-feathered quill, King Neptune signed his name on a prepared document and handed it to Davy Jones.

It was an informal, transitional agreement—a temporary one that would later be replaced with a more thorough and elaborate version.

Davy Jones took the parchment. At that moment, only Neptune, Scholar Catfish, and General Seahorse remained with him in the grand hall.

To be honest, the people of Ryugu Kingdom were under tremendous psychological pressure before Davy Jones. They knew full well that this 1.45-billion-Berry pirate could tear the three of them apart with ease.

Even if they summoned every guard in the palace, it would make no difference—the outcome would be the same. It would only take him a little longer.

Davy Jones signed his own name beneath Neptune's. A faint ghostly-green light shimmered along the quill's tip and the parchment.

Immediately, Neptune felt a strange sensation—like an invisible chain had pierced his heart and linked him directly to that contract.

There was no pain, but he could feel it binding him.

"The contract is now in effect,"

Davy Jones said, setting the quill into its black holder. His tone carried a deep, mysterious resonance.

Neptune suddenly understood: any contract signed with Davy Jones bore a supernatural and absolute binding force, ensuring the terms would be fulfilled.

That document effectively granted Davy Jones most of Ryugu Kingdom's core authorities—the right to station troops, raise armies, collect taxes, enact laws, and more.

In short, Neptune would remain king in name, but above his throne now stood a higher seat of power. From this day onward, Davy Jones held ultimate authority over Fish-Man Island's major affairs.

Neptune had become, in essence, a minister managing Fish-Man Island on behalf of Davy Jones.

Scholar Catfish and General Seahorse watched their king sign away the island's sovereignty, hearts sinking with quiet despair—yet they could do nothing.

They both knew the truth: no pirate who offered "protection" ever did so without expecting payment in return.

Every Emperor of the Sea had their own demands.

Those under Big Mom's protection had to acknowledge her sovereignty, fly her flag, and pay ten tons of sweets every month.

Her pirates would be stationed on Fish-Man Island—ostensibly as protectors, but in reality to keep Ryugu Kingdom in check, ensuring no rebellion.

If, however, the Sun Pirates—Fish-Man Island's own—joined Big Mom's ranks and garrisoned the island in her stead, the arrangement would be far simpler.

Kaido of the Beasts, on the other hand, demanded weapons, factories, and Zoan-type artificial Devil Fruit users.

In some ways, compared to Kaido, Big Mom—or even the World Government—Davy Jones's demands were far lighter.

Still, when Neptune thought of Big Mom, his anxiety flared. Tugging at his great orange beard, he said gravely:

"Captain Davy Jones, since Fish-Man Island now falls under your protection, I must warn you—Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, has always set her sights on this island."

"I've heard,"

Davy Jones replied, lighting his pipe.

"She and Kaido are busy devouring Whitebeard's old territories. But sooner or later, when they're done, they'll turn their eyes here."

Several tentacles drew out a pouch of tobacco and a box of matches. A strike—snap—and he lit the bowl. A thin wisp of smoke curled upward.

Neptune nodded, his red nose twitching beneath his bushy mustache. He shared everything he knew:

"The Big Mom Pirates center around Charlotte Linlin herself, bound by blood into the kingdom of Totland.

She has nearly a hundred children, each holding an important position.

"Among them, the Sweet Commanders—Katakuri, Smoothie, Cracker, and Snack—are her four strongest subordinates, the first three possessing truly fearsome strength.

"Big Mom will never give up on making Fish-Man Island her territory. Even if one of those Sweet Commanders comes here, our forces could never withstand her wrath."

"I see,"

Davy Jones said coolly, unimpressed.

"But before worrying about Big Mom, I'm more interested in Fish-Man Island itself."

"Fish-Man Island itself?"

Neptune looked puzzled. Could anything be more pressing than the threat of Big Mom?

"This island," Davy Jones continued, "is the gateway between Paradise and the New World.

So why," his gaze sharpened, "do you not charge a toll?"

"A toll…? You mean we could charge one?"

Neptune blinked, then admitted softly,

"We just didn't want to cause trouble…"

Fish-Man Island had long been the one exploited and oppressed, never the oppressor. Neptune's reign had focused on survival—on keeping his people safe from slavers and marauding pirates.

For the citizens, that alone was enough.

Davy Jones exhaled a ring of pale smoke. His grin widened.

"I understand—you didn't wish to act like pirates.

But times have changed. Fish-Man Island must change as well."

Neptune exchanged uneasy glances with Scholar Catfish and General Seahorse before asking carefully:

"What sort of change?"

And Davy Jones laid it out plainly.

"From now on, every vessel—merchant, passenger, or pirate—that passes through must pay a protection fee and toll.

"In return, the Davy Jones Pirates will guarantee safe passage along the entire deep-sea route—from Sabaody Archipelago to Fish-Man Island, and from there into the New World."

"Of course, they're free to take the Red Line, or the Calm Belt, or skip Fish-Man Island altogether and dive straight into the New World…"

His tone grew cold.

"But if they choose the deep-sea route, and something happens to them without paying tribute—

then may fortune favor them."

In the depths below, after all, lurked the Kraken, Surume, and other sea beasts—primordial giants still ruled by instinct and hunger. If a few ships went missing, who could prove otherwise?

A chill swept through Neptune, Scholar Catfish, and General Seahorse. They understood perfectly well—this wasn't a warning.

It was a threat.

After business was done, Davy Jones attended a grand banquet in the Ryugu Palace, where he once again saw Princess Shirahoshi.

She escorted her brother Prince Fukaboshi, who still bore bandages beneath his robe. Though his face was pale, he carried himself with princely dignity, while Shirahoshi looked delicate and radiant beside him.

They both bowed and offered heartfelt thanks.

Fukaboshi had learned from his sister what had transpired afterward. He felt deep gratitude toward Davy Jones—but also a gnawing unease for Fish-Man Island's future.

Whether they liked it or not, from this day onward, the fate of Ryugu Kingdom—and of all Fish-Man Island—was bound to this one great pirate.

Wherever the Davy Jones Pirates sailed, Fish-Man Island would follow.

After the banquet, Davy Jones stayed one more night in the palace. The next morning, unhurried, he set out for the Sea Forest.

In just one night, rumors had spread like wildfire—thanks in part to Alvida's generous "persuasion."

Now, as Davy Jones walked through the streets, the people of Fish-Man Island no longer looked at him only with fear.

In their eyes, there was something else—a sense of security.

Before, that feeling had come from Whitebeard, Fisher Tiger, Jinbe, and King Neptune.

But Whitebeard and Tiger were gone. Jinbe had vanished. Neptune stood alone. Fish-Man Island desperately needed a new power to protect it.

Perhaps… Davy Jones was that power.

They thought so silently, though none dared approach him.

Arriving at the Sea Forest, Davy Jones found the Terror Phantom still docked there.

A crowd had gathered—Alvida, Hatchan, and others had followed the original plan and brought all the Supernovas to this place.

Among the crowd were also one familiar face and one stranger.

Alvida removed her white hat and hurried forward to greet her captain. Seeing his curious glance toward the newcomers, she explained:

"Captain, you already know Madame Shyarly. From now on, she's agreed to serve as our key figure for intelligence and public sentiment on Fish-Man Island. Her newly rebuilt Mermaid Café in Coral Hill will operate as one of our subordinate outposts."

"Oh?" Davy Jones arched a brow. "That woman suddenly changed her mind?"

He remembered their first meeting—outside the desolate Fanged City—when she had refused to have anything to do with them.

Though her relationship with Arlong had been strained, blood was blood. Something powerful must have driven her to reconsider.

But Shyarly's motives were not money, nor power—they were hope.

Hope that Fish-Man Island's fate would remain in the hands of fish-men and merfolk, and that it would one day find the right path forward.

Alvida relayed Shyarly's words simply:

"Madame Shyarly believes we can protect Fish-Man Island—and perhaps guide it toward a new future.

Maybe even fulfill Queen Otohime's dream, in our own way."

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