"Wow! So much fun! Akiue Hoshi, don't run!"
Luffy, encased in a bubble, darted through the seawater, grinning as he chased Akiue Hoshi, who swam ahead making funny faces.
"Compared to human lands, life underwater is indeed dim, cold, and a bit barren," Shirogai remarked, floating inside a bubble in King Neptune's palm. He observed the shadowy Fish-Man Street below, hands behind his back, shaking his head with a quiet sigh.
"But your Fish-Man Royal Family's ideas are far too naive. Do you truly believe that by blunting your fangs, dulling your claws, and humbling yourselves to curry favor with passing humans, you can gain respect for your people?"
King Neptune fell silent, reflecting on Shirogai's words. He neither refuted nor contradicted them, simply nodding repeatedly with respect.
"Yes, you are right."
It was not obsequiousness, but respect for someone far above him in power and intellect.
The figure before Neptune was not just a supreme pirate; he was a top strategist who had founded a super-powerful force. With his experience in creating the Sky Island Alliance and rapidly expanding it in under a year, Shirogai was more than qualified to teach this aging king. On any other day, Neptune, co-monarch of the Fish-Man and Merfolk races, would likely have had no right to meet such a legendary figure.
Even though he lived deep underwater, King Neptune understood the world's currents. He knew how many kings, nobles, and wealthy merchants sought an audience with this God King Shirogai.
A contingent of Fish-Man guards followed at a careful distance.
"Is that the God King Shirogai, with a bounty of ten billion Berries?" whispered one.
Three Fish-Man princes watched nervously, hearts racing. They must not offend him. Even with their forces, they would vanish instantly if he chose to act.
This was a legendary pirate, a being stronger than Whitebeard, one of the Four Emperors, and recognized as the strongest in the world. They had also witnessed the Den Den Mushi recording of Marineford, seeing him revive tens of thousands with apparent ease. The awe and respect in their eyes were palpable.
"Do not be nervous. I am merely offering advice. After all, you are still the King of this country," Shirogai said, reading Neptune's humble request.
Even if the king had made mistakes in the past, it was clear that he genuinely wished to protect his people now — preventing capture, enslavement, and human rights abuses.
"Showing weakness will never earn the respect of humans who bully the weak and fear the strong. It will only invite more harassment. Even those who never intended to oppress your people will see weakness as an opportunity. If you join the World Government in this manner, it will be no different from sending a lamb into a tiger's den," Shirogai said, pointing toward the distant, illuminated Fish-Man Island.
"Your people have never been at fault. All mistakes lie with the Royal Family. You knew humans coveted your people for their beauty, yet chose to abandon military force, hoping to earn respect through negotiation."
A mocking smile played at the corner of Shirogai's mouth.
"Does your Royal Family have no heritage? Do you not understand a simple truth? What cannot be won in war cannot be won at the negotiating table."
King Neptune froze, murmuring under his breath, "What cannot be gained in war cannot be gained at the negotiating table…"
In that instant, the king understood why Shirogai had previously dismissed Queen Otohime's efforts as naïve. She had tried to use her citizens' pledges of non-retaliation to gain rights for Fish-Men and Merfolk to live openly on land. Could such gestures sway truly evil people? Nonsense.
"Then, must we reclaim our rights by force?" Neptune asked bitterly, aware of humanity's overwhelming numbers. Even if Fish-Men were stronger physically, the sheer gap in population and resources was terrifying.
"In this world, the strong are respected," Shirogai said, watching Fish-Men gather in the distance, radiating aggressive energy.
"If I were an ordinary human, could I meet the King of Fish-Men? If you were ordinary, would I speak so freely? This world has always respected the strong. Your Royal Family, however, has been deluded by illusions of love, peace, and equality, forgetting that these are rewards for winners, earned after triumph."
"You see peace among the World Government's allies, yet fail to see how many nations have been annihilated by the Marines, or destroyed in Buster Calls. You see love, but not how entire races have been exterminated under the guise of it. And equality? It remains unachieved by any allied nations, as Celestial Dragons and nobles look down on all equally."
Shirogai shook his head with a wry smile.
"If I were in power, I would be puzzled by you naïve fools emerging from the deep sea, ignoring the law of the strong. Do you intend to seize rewards without risk? Placing your necks before the blade of those more powerful? Is it any wonder they do not hesitate to strike?"
"Then… are the actions of the New Fish-Man Pirates justified?" Neptune asked, frowning.
"Shame brings courage. Understanding your own strength is true strength. As a pirate, I may be treated as an equal by a king, with courtesy. But I do not beg for respect. Force is not the only means, but it is indispensable," Shirogai said.
Before Neptune could respond, Fish-Men from Fish-Man Street surged around Luffy's bubble, eyes blazing with hatred.
"It's humans! Those humans with filthy hearts! Humans must die!"
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