Holy Land, Mariejois. Room of Authority.
In a large, brightly lit room, the Gorosei, the highest authority of the World Government, were gathered with a solemn air. They remained silent after the government's direct intelligence agency, CP, who were investigating in Fish-Man Island, reported their findings via a visual Den Den Mushi.
The Gorosei had previously sent the CP to find out what kind of deal or agreement Alucard had made with Fish-Man Island. This was because Fish-Man Island had once received a similar offer from Whitebeard to give them an island, but Neptune and Otohime did not accept it. The fact that Fish-Man Island had refused a gift from Whitebeard but accepted a suspicious island from Alucard was cause for great suspicion.
The New Fish-Man Island, in the New World, was a complex area of territory overlapping between two major pirate forces: it was in Alucard's domain but flew Whitebeard's flag.
Therefore, the CP didn't dare to enter and investigate. Instead, they focused on the original Fish- Man Island at the bottom of the Red Line, which was now home to more than half of the fish- men who still feared the surface. Neptune was currently their leader.
The CP agents disguised themselves as ordinary pirates to investigate Fish-Man Island. When they asked the local fish-men about Alucard's affair, everyone avoided the topic, as if they were psychologically traumatized by what had happened that day. After a closer investigation, they learned that the royal family had placed a gag order on the incident. No one was allowed to discuss it.
Finally, after capturing and torturing a few thugs in the Fish-Man District, they obtained the information. Alucard's subordinate, Wolf, had attacked Queen Otohime, and Princess Shirahoshi had cried, summoning the Sea Kings, after which the commotion had gradually subsided.
The Sea Emperor Poseidon was a royal family secret. Only non-royals like the Left and Right Ministers and Tiger knew about it. This was all they could learn from the common people.
Since the information they got from Fish-Man Island was insufficient to prove anything, but they also couldn't just attack the royal family, the government's attention shifted to the Sun Pirates who were currently sailing in the first half of the Grand Line. The captain, Tiger, and vice- captain Jinbe were both former high-ranking officials of Fish-Man Island. What's more, they were pirates, so it was completely justifiable to capture them.
A few hours ago, the Marines reported that the G-2 Base Commander, Kizaru, had led a team to take down the Sun Pirates' captain, Tiger. However, when they tried to interrogate him, he was rescued by Jinbe and his crew.
Afterward, one of the Sun Pirates' executives, a pirate named Arlong, single-handedly charged into Kizaru's base in an attempt to get revenge. Kizaru captured him, and Arlong confessed everything he knew. From Arlong's words, Kizaru learned that Tiger was mortally wounded in the previous battle and had died because no humans were willing to donate blood.
Kizaru didn't care about how a pirate with a bounty of just over 200 million Berries died; he was interested in the information he had extracted from Arlong.
Neptune and Otohime's youngest daughter had not made a public appearance since Alucard's group left Fish-Man Island. Although Princess Shirahoshi didn't appear in public as often as her three brothers, she still frequently attended Queen Otohime's classes to learn and interact with other fish-man children. But ever since Alucard had given Neptune and the others the island on the surface, Princess Shirahoshi had not been seen in public even once.
This was a very important piece of information. Kizaru immediately reported it to the government, which led to the Gorosei's current silence.
"The Sea Emperor... Poseidon," the Gorosei with the long white beard said. "Is there a possibility?"
The one with the crew cut and blond hair spoke up. "Indeed. There are rumors that the ability of the Sea Emperor, one of the three Ancient Weapons, is to control all marine life in the world, and there is also a legend that its true form is a mermaid."
Clank.
The bald, bespectacled Gorosei, who wielded a large white katana, held his sword in one hand while using his index and middle fingers to press his temple. He sneered. "I knew that ruthless bastard wouldn't be so kind as to give an island to Neptune. So this is what he was after."
"We can't let Alucard have Poseidon!" The Gorosei with the hooked mustache slammed his hand on the table, enraged. "We must, we must take back Poseidon!"
"We still need to investigate whether the mermaid named Shirahoshi is truly Poseidon, but we cannot afford to take any chances. We must prevent all possibilities," the last Gorosei, with curly hair, said. "Let's wait a few years. If that Shirahoshi is truly Poseidon and masters that power, combined with Alucard and his crew's strength, he could become a second Roger."
Pere pere pere...
The Den Den Mushi on the tea table rang. The blond Gorosei pressed the shell, and the calm voice of a man came through to the five of them. "The New World Marines have sent a report. The captain of the Kuja Pirates, Boa Hancock, has started an expedition. It's highly likely to be because their resources were severely depleted in their previous battle with Whitebeard and they need to replenish."
The blond Gorosei pressed the shell shut, and the Den Den Mushi closed its eyes. "The opportunity has come." The blond Gorosei turned to look at the other four.
"Immediately have the CP take over this operation. This is a top-level government secret," the long-bearded Gorosei said.
"What about the Marines?" the bald Gorosei asked.
"Poseidon is a matter of the highest importance. We cannot let them know, at least not now." The hook-mustached Gorosei's expression was grim. "All we need to do is give them the orders to act unconditionally. That will be enough."
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