"Please, come in."
Just as Neptune and Jinbe were about to knock, they heard Kairos Flint's voice from within the room. It was as if he had sensed their presence before they even arrived.
Neptune, towering and broad, glanced at Jinbe. "You first," he said.
Jinbe nodded and stepped forward. With Neptune's massive frame, forcing his way in might crack the doorframe. So Jinbe entered alone.
He understood exactly what King Neptune's request meant.
After all, the man inside—Kairos Flint—was someone who had slain a Celestial Dragon. If he were a ruthless or lawless figure, it could spell catastrophe for Fish-Man Island.
But when Jinbe stepped into the room and laid eyes on Kairos Flint, he was momentarily stunned. He was so young—shockingly so. If Jinbe hadn't seen photographs of him beforehand, he might have mistaken him for a pampered noble instead of a man bold enough to strike down a Celestial Dragon.
Still, he didn't underestimate Kairos based on appearance. Instead, he gave him the utmost respect.
"Lord Kairos Flint, I am Jinbe. I heard of your arrival and came to greet you personally."
Kairos leaned back in his chair, regarding him coolly.
"Sit," he said. "Now tell me, what do you want from me with such a grand gesture?"
Jinbe calmly took a seat across from him.
"Lord Kairos, I think there may be a misunderstanding. We don't want anything from you. As long as you and your companions enjoy your stay, that is enough."
Now seated across from Kairos, Jinbe finally grasped the depth of his presence. It was intimidating—far more so than when he had stood before even Whitebeard. Compared to this young man, the decades-earned authority of Whitebeard felt slightly diminished.
"My partner and I are quite satisfied with your hospitality," Kairos replied smoothly.
"I'm glad to hear that. In truth, King Neptune and I came here simply because we had learned of your arrival, and we thought it important to greet you in person," Jinbe said respectfully.
The truth was, Fish-Man Island's peace was still maintained under Whitebeard's name. Though Whitebeard's health was declining, as long as the balance held, the island could remain safe for another decade.
But Jinbe and Neptune were not naive. They couldn't rely on temporary peace and ignore the future.
It was undeniable—Kairos had slain a Celestial Dragon and was now one of the most wanted men in the world. The World Government had put an astronomical bounty on his head:
10 billion Berries.
A bounty placed directly by the Celestial Dragons themselves—alive or dead.
But few were foolish enough to go after him. After all, he had destroyed a Buster Call and even repelled an admiral. That alone showed his terrifying strength.
There were very few individuals in the world capable of taking on Kairos Flint—and most of them were already pirates or high-ranking members of the Revolutionary Army. None of the Four Emperors—Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom, or Red-Haired Shanks—would ever follow the World Government's command to attack him.
So, at present, Kairos's only real threat was the World Government itself.
Jinbe and Neptune had spent long hours deliberating before deciding that drawing close to Kairos was worth the risk. If the Government found out, Fish-Man Island would be targeted. But then again, when the island had needed protection in the past, the World Government had stood idly by. It had always been Whitebeard's name that shielded them.
Still, Jinbe couldn't just come out and say that—at least, not at their first meeting. His plan was to get close to Kairos gradually and reveal their intention when the time was right.
But Kairos spoke first.
"You want to ally with me?" he asked calmly. "I'm the man who killed a Celestial Dragon. If you side with me, won't the World Government turn its full wrath on you? Or… are you betting that I'm the better option than the Government?"
The words hit like a hammer. Jinbe was stunned.
Too direct.
He'd hoped to ease into the topic. Instead, Kairos laid everything bare.
After a moment of stunned silence, Jinbe spoke again.
"Yes, Lord Kairos. To be honest… after much discussion, King Neptune and I have decided—we wish to seek your protection. We want Fish-Man Island to come under your banner."
Kairos's gaze sharpened.
"You understand what that means, right?" he asked. "You'll become the enemies of the Celestial Dragons. The World Government will see you as traitors. Fish-Man Island could be thrown into chaos. Are you ready for that?"
He didn't refuse the offer. In fact, Kairos welcomed it. Power made things easier. If he could send others to act on his behalf, that was ideal.
Jinbe nodded firmly. "We've already discussed it. Even if it means offending the World Government, we hope to gain your protection. Fish-Man Island is willing to become your sword, Lord Kairos."
This wasn't a personal decision—this was a carefully considered move after a full day and night of planning with King Neptune.
Initially, they had planned to build a relationship with Kairos first, then seek his protection later. But his frankness forced Jinbe to fast-forward the plan.
"You're not worried I might have sinister intentions?" Kairos asked. "After all, your Poseidon—your Sea King—has already appeared. Aren't you afraid I'm after that power?"
Jinbe's face went pale.
Thunderstruck.
Very few knew about Poseidon's existence. How could Kairos?
"I… I…" Jinbe stammered, unable to respond.
Kairos watched his reaction calmly, sipping his juice.
He had said it intentionally—to test Jinbe. To let them know he already knew about Poseidon. That way, if they surrendered, they would be aware of the risks.
Would he use Poseidon? That was unknown. But it was this unknown that made the decision difficult.
After a long moment, Jinbe gathered himself.
"Lord Kairos… please give Fish-Man Island the chance to serve you."
This was both a crisis and an opportunity. Princess Shirahoshi was still just a young girl. Whitebeard was aging, his injuries worsening. Even if he lasted ten more years, those years would not be peaceful.
The seas were restless. And when storms came, the first to face the brunt would be the Four Emperors.
Jinbe had weighed his options—an old man at the peak of his power versus a young man destined for greatness.
He chose Kairos.
"You've made a wise decision," Kairos said, smiling. "From now on, Fish-Man Island is mine."
"I'll have Morgans publish the news across the world. If you want to back out, now is the time."
But Jinbe's reply was firm.
"Fish-Man Island stands by its word, Lord Kairos."
He knew what that meant. If Morgans—the news king—spread the story, the entire world would know that Fish-Man Island was now under the protection of the Celestial Dragon slayer, Kairos Flint.
Kairos didn't yet have the prestige of Whitebeard, but that was natural—he hadn't been here long. Whitebeard's name had decades behind it.
Still, Kairos's fame was growing rapidly. His deeds—destroying the Buster Call, defeating Admiral Kizaru—had already shaken the world.
And one day, his name would eclipse even Whitebeard's.
Such a sudden shift might draw chaos to Fish-Man Island, but Jinbe believed it was worth it. They would be the first to align with the God-Slayer.
Kairos's next words sealed it.
"Anyone who attacks Fish-Man Island will be hunted down by my team—even the Four Emperors are not exempt. And your Sea King… let her grow up in peace. I have no interest in that power."
Jinbe exhaled in relief.
A man like Kairos—at least for now—seemed to keep his word.
Yes, the transition would invite enemies. But this decision might lift Fish-Man Island higher than it had ever dreamed.
They had cast their lot with the God-Slayer.
And they would rise—or fall—with him.
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