Black Spear Swordfish Island was a massive island renowned for its fishing industry. Two major ocean currents of the New World converged here, creating unusual water patterns that nurtured one of the richest fishing grounds in the sea.
With its favorable climate, the island supported an extraordinary variety of marine life. More than 10,000 species of fish could be found here. Considering that only around 120,000 species had been recorded across the entire world, this single island accounted for nearly one-tenth of all known fish.
Of course, the deep sea still held countless unknown species, places far beyond the reach of ordinary humans.
Because of its abundant supply of rare and delicious seafood, rchants from all over the world gathered here. Even the attendants of the Celestial Dragons personally visited to purchase high-quality goods.
This constant flow of trade brought imnse prosperity. Despite lacking mineral resources, the island sustained a population of over 300,000 people, comparable to a small nation. The only real drawback was the strong scent of fish that lingered along the coastline.
For decades, thousands of ships set sail from this island every day. Yet despite such heavy harvesting, the yield never declined, a clear sign of just how vast its resources were.
Among its many exports, the most famous was the Black Spear Elephant Fish, the creature that gave the island its na. These massive fish could grow up to ten ters long, with a trunk-like extension on their heads resembling that of an elephant.
Their at was tender, rich in flavor, and even carried dicinal benefits. Because of this, their price remained consistently high.
These fish typically lived at depths exceeding one thousand ters, only surfacing during breeding seasons. As a result, very few places in the world could harvest them, making this island the primary supplier.
A standard Black Spear Elephant Fish sold for five to ten million Berries. The rare Black Spear Elephant King Fish could fetch fifty million, and in exceptional cases, even one hundred million Berries.
Such wealth naturally attracted pirates.
However, the island had long been protected, first by Whitebeard and later by Aether. Their presence kept most threats at bay.
Even so, its location near the borders of the Yonko made it a constant target. Kaido of the Beasts Pirates had coveted this island for years, launching multiple invasions that were previously repelled by Whitebeard.
This ti was different.
One of the primary goals of the Beasts Pirates was to seize this island or strip it of its wealth. According to estimates from the World Economic Journal, the island's total value rivaled that of a dium-sized kingdom.
At the port of Black Spear Swordfish Island, the atmosphere had completely changed.
A violent storm covered the surrounding sea.
The once-bustling harbor, where ships arrived and departed every minute, now stood nearly empty. No rchant vessels dared approach, and only a handful of local fishern risked going out to sea.
The sight of countless sails filling the horizon had disappeared.
Everyone knew war was coming.
While the main port was desolate, the secondary port told a different story. More than ten pirate ships were docked there, forming the Northern Fleet led by Diamond Jozu. Just two days earlier, they had been stationed at the front lines.
Now, facing the full advance of the Beasts Pirates, they had been forced into repeated retreats, already abandoning five islands. Even so, their enemies continued to press forward without pause.
At that mont, another pirate ship arrived, flying two flags.
It was the Spade Pirates, the Second Division.
Standing at the bow was Portgas D. Ace. The son of Roger rarely dressed so formally, but this ti he wore two layers, giving him a more composed appearance.
The arrival of a division commander imdiately drew attention. Among Whitebeard's commanders, Ace's strength ranked near the top. Only Marco could consistently surpass him.
As the ships connected, Diamond Jozu stepped forward with a wide grin. His massive fra cast a shadow as he approached, his five-ter height making Ace look small in comparison.
"Haha, Ace, you ca at the perfect ti," Jozu said, patting his shoulder heavily. "But how did you decide to head here?"
Ace winced slightly from the impact, rubbing his shoulder.
"I heard you were short on manpower, so I ca to help. Besides, I have wanted to face Kaido for a long ti. I even went to Wano once to challenge him, but I never got the chance to et him. I..."
Before he could finish, soone stepped in front of him.
A blonde woman blocked his path, her serious expression enough to silence him before she even spoke.
"Ace, you promised ," she said firmly. "You are not allowed to face soone like Kaido alone. You understand what it ans to fight a Yonko. You still need ti. For now, leave enemies like that to your father."
Ace scratched his cheek, clearly uncomfortable.
The ntion of Roger still irritated him, yet he could not reject her concern.
Ever since Aether appeared, more people had begun referring to him as Roger's son rather than Fire Fist Ace. That only made things more complicated in his mind.
"I am already an adult," Ace said with a helpless sigh. "You do not need to worry so much, Rou... Mother."
He corrected himself midway.
Back in Whitebeard's hotown, it had been difficult for him to call her that. After experiencing her strict version of maternal care, he had learned not to resist.
Rouge paid no attention to his hesitation. Her gaze remained fixed on the stormy sea, worry evident in her eyes.
"Ace, I know you are grown now. Perhaps I should not be too strict. But I cannot ignore the danger. I heard that during the Marineford War, your recklessness nearly got you seriously injured by Akainu."
Ace nodded quietly.
"I understand. I will be careful."
The atmosphere grew slightly awkward. Ace quickly turned to Jozu.
"This is my mother, Portgas D. Rouge. Mother, this is Diamond Jozu, my brother."
Rouge smiled gently.
"Thank you for taking care of Ace."
Jozu scratched his head awkwardly.
"It is nothing, really."
He could not help but feel a bit strange. Despite being Ace's mother, Rouge looked no older than soone in her early thirties, far younger than himself.
The fact that she had returned to life made the situation even more surreal.
Still, without realizing it, Jozu found himself acting like a respectful junior in front of her.
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