Chapter 123 - going through Fishman island

As the Iron Whiskers glided closer to their destination, a remarkable sight began to emerge in the distance. Ryu and Yoruichi stood at the prow, anticipation plastered on their faces, as the fantastical silhouette of Fishman Island came into view.

Amidst the turquoise embrace of the ocean, Fishman Island was a radiant jewel encased in a giant bubble that glittered beneath the crystal-clear waters. A web of shimmering coral reefs, resplendent in their myriad colors, grew across every meter of the island. Each rainbow-colored formation was a marvel on its own, but when combined with the island, it was a breathtaking sight.

Majestic buildings, their spiraling towers mimicking the natural splendor of marine life, rose from the sea bed. Their luminescent walls echoed the vibrant palette of the coral structures. The sunken cityscape was a symphony of innovation and art, where organic curves were integrated with artificial technology to create an enchanting underwater scenery.

"This place looks magical," Yoruichi commented while leaning against the ship's railing, her eyes reflecting the vibrant hues of Fishman Island.

"Yeah, I wonder if there are a lot of people here. It looks like a prime area for tourists," Ryu added, resting his arms on the railing beside her, his expression filled with curiosity.

Yoruichi threw a sidelong glance at him, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Well, considering how this place looks, I'm sure that this place is swarming with people. But you're not planning on selling souvenirs, are you?"

Ryu raised an eyebrow at her statement before letting out a light chuckle that bounced off Iron Whiskers' hull. "Nah, I wasn't thinking about selling stuff. Though I want to do it now, imagine opening a shop that sells various things from different universes," he quipped with amusement.

"Not gonna lie, that sounds like fun. Maybe make a wandering trader persona?" Yoruichi smirked after thinking the idea over.

"We can try it out, but let's reach the island first," Ryu smiled with anticipation as Iron Whiskers arrived at the edge of the large bubble that covered Fishman Island.

Going through the bubble, the ship's coating was stripped as it got integrated into the gigantic bubble. Feeling the fresh breeze again, Yoruichi let her hair fly around as Iron Whiskers gently glided across the water.

"Is this... A lake inside a sea?" Yoruichi said with a touch of bewilderment as she looked down at the water.

"I guess. It is a pretty weird concept, now that I think about it. Oh, there is someone coming here," Ryu commented as he waved towards a merman hurriedly sail towards them on the back of a giant eel-looking creature.

The merman in question was an enormous, muscular shark merman, with a wide chest and large arms. He has a long face, framed by wavy light-blue hair flowing down to his shoulders. He had a sharp, pointy nose, and a dot of some sort printed on the middle of his forehead. He had gills on his massive neck and a dark blue tail with light blue polka-dots.

He wore a dark garment around his waist, held up by an extremely long blue sash. He also donned a light blue long band, which passed over his shoulders, drawing a circle around the back of his neck, and falls down to his waist, seemingly floating behind him. Lastly, he carried around a gold trident in his left hand.

"...You don't look violent. May I know why you've come through an illegal entry with a ship that looks like a weapon of mass destruction?" The merman asked with an unusually calm tone given the situation.

"Oh, was that an illegal entry? We didn't know there was a gate or anything of the sort, our bad. By the way, you're quite calm, given the situation," Ryu replied.

"Well, I've yet to meet an intruder that waved at me. That, and no one's stupid enough to cause trouble in Whitebeard's territory. Especially when the man himself is in town," the merman remarked with a shrug.

"Oh, Rayleigh also mentioned him. Who's Whitebeard, exactly?" Yoruichi asked with a curious glint in her eyes.

The merman looked at her, a bit taken aback, but quickly composed himself.

"You didn't do your research, huh?" he asked, almost chuckling, as he sat on the edge of his creature, the water churning beneath him as his tail casually swished back and forth. "Well, Whitebeard, or Edward Newgate as he's less commonly known, is one of the Four Emperors who rule over the New World and is also known as the strongest man in the world. Each emperor has islands that belong to their territories, and ours is under the protection of Whitebeard. He's a man of formidable power and respect."

"The world's strongest? Sounds like someone that's worth meeting. You said that he's here, right? Given that we illegally entered his territory, I think we should go apologize," Ryu said with an intrigued tone.

"There's no need for that. You made an honest mistake, there is no need to interrupt Whitebeard for it. He comes here to relax, he likes the serene atmosphere. Taking away from that might land you on his bad side. If you simply want to apologize to someone, as a price of this kingdom I accept your apology," the merman said.

"Oh, well that's nice, thank you. We still want to meet him, though," Yoruichi said with a mischievous smile as she sat on the ship's railings, her legs dangling in the air.

"...Very well. He's having a drinking party on the other side of the island if you want to meet him. Good luck getting to him, though. Oh, and leave your ship here," the merman instructed.

"Alrighty. Tell the Shinobi where to dock the ship, Yoruichi and I are heading out," Ryu smiled as he snapped his finger, teleporting himself and Yoruich onto the land.

"Well, let's see what this place really has to offer," Yoruichi said excitedly as she stretched her arms upwards.

As the two made their way into the island, their silhouettes moved lazily against the backdrop of the mesmerizing underwater panorama, their forms casting dynamic shadows over the multicolored coral reefs below. As they made their way through the quieter alleys.

Ryu, ever the enthusiast, jumped up to the coral towers, his fingertips brushing against the vibrant outgrowths, curious as to their texture. He admired the array of radiant colors beneath his fingers, an appreciative smile on his lips.

After a bit of walking, Ryu and Yoruichi found themselves in the pulsating heart of Fishman Island - the bustling marketplace. The rhythmic pulse of the island's lifeblood washed over them, every beat carrying an intoxicating mix of music, laughter, and the hum of lively chatter.

Drawn by the vivid swirl of colors, Ryu found himself in front of a humble stall, where an elderly fishman displayed his wares with a glint of pride in his wrinkly eyes. Trinkets and baubles, carved from the treasures of the ocean, were arranged meticulously, each piece glistening under the refracted sunlight.

Ryu, a grin playing on his lips, picked up a pendant fashioned from mother-of-pearl, marveling at the rainbow sheen that danced over its polished surface. Tossing the elderly fishman a fat stack of belly, Ryu pocketed the trinket.

Meanwhile, Yoruichi made her way to a curious cluster of glowing sea flowers. Seeing her fascination, a local artisan, his scales shimmering in the filtered sunlight, guided her hand to the soft petals, showing her how to weave a sea-flower garland. Yoruichi's nimble fingers quickly adapted, weaving intricate designs, her agile and precise movements caused the vendor to clap his hands in delight.

As the two met back up, they gave each other the presents they prepared.

"Is this handmade?" Ryu marveled at the luminous sea-flower garland Yoruichi handed him. "I didn't know you could make things like this," he chuckled, slipping it over his head with a grin. His eyes lit up, clearly taken by the effort behind Yoruichi's gift. "This is truly something, Yoruichi. Thanks." Her delighted smile glowed under the soft radiance of the flowers, mirroring the twinkling colors dancing around Ryu's neck.

On the other hand, Yoruichi's fascination was directed toward the varicolored mother-of-pearl pendant that Ryu pulled out of his pocket. "This is beautiful," she admired, her fingertips tracing the delicate carvings. Ryu, with a playful wink and a sweeping gesture, handed it to her. "I feel like mine can't compare now, but I hope you like it." Ryu sighed. Yoruichi accepted it with a radiant smile, clearly happy with the gift.

Continuing on their way, the two eventually reached their destination, indicated by the sound of the Whitebeard pirates celebrating loudly.

The drinking party of the Whitebeard Pirates was a vibrant spectacle set against the backdrop of the underwater paradise. Long tables laden with exotic underwater fruits, various seafood dishes, and countless barrels of rum painted a festive picture.

And at the end of the series of tables was a man who commanded respect with his mere presence.

A towering figure of an intimidating 6.66 meters, Whitebeard was a man of colossal proportions. His muscular frame, even in his elder age, was sculpted to an almost superhuman degree. His weathered face was etched with lines of age, particularly around his vibrant yellow eyes, and a series of jagged scars decorated his chest, telling tales of countless battles. His broad back bore the mark of his crew, the unique Jolly Roger symbol, a purple skull with a crescent white mustache atop a purple bone cross.

His attire was as striking as he was. A black bandana crowned his head, contrasted by a billowing white captain's coat adorned with his Jolly Roger symbol, draped over his broad shoulders. Always bare-chested, he wore light, loose pants tucked into his tall black boots, cinched by a pirate's sash. Despite his formidable demeanor, medical sensor machines and an oxygen mask were his constant companions, taking slightly from his intimidating presence.

Whitebeard, even with IVs stuck into his veins, presided over the lively scene with a jovial demeanor. His hearty laughter seemed to ripple through the surrounding waters, and his eyes reflected warmth for his crew. The atmosphere was abuzz with laughter, playful banter, friendly competitions, and crude yet affectionate jokes.