"The Deep-Sea Gold Rush Project?" Neptune was the first to speak, his brow furrowed in a mix of confusion and anticipation.
The name alone sounded like a grand scheme deeply connected to Fish-Man Island.
Whitebeard, however, remained silent, his sharp gaze fixed on Mike.
His eyes reflected deep contemplation and shock.
The moment Mike uttered the project's name, countless speculations flashed through his mind.
"Deep-Sea Gold Rush," Whitebeard repeated under his breath, as if savoring the weight of the words.
His eyes gradually widened as the idea in his mind grew clearer.
For the past 800 years, since the dawn of the Great Pirate Era, endless treasures from sunken ships and lost battles have been swallowed by this vast ocean.
It wasn't that no one had thought of recovering these riches; the problem was that the ocean depths were the domain of the Sea Kings, making any such venture tantamount to suicide.
With their vast lifespans and near-human intelligence, the Sea Kings had long become the true rulers of the deep.
But with the assistance of Fish-Man Island, everything changed.
The merfolk could communicate with fish, allowing them to navigate the dangers posed by the Sea Kings.
Meanwhile, the fish-men were natural-born divers, possessing innate advantages for retrieving treasure.
With their dedicated cooperation, all of those boundless riches... would fall into Mike's hands.
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard's deep laughter rumbled through the halls of Ryugu Palace.
His gaze settled on Mike once more, holding an unprecedented seriousness.
"You brat... you've had this all planned out from the start, haven't you?"
There were many powerful individuals in this world, but few were like Mike—not only strong but also possessing extraordinary insight and meticulous logic.
He was a true combination of strength and wisdom, and that was what made him terrifying.
On these seas, the truly frightening ones weren't just the strong, but the monsters who were both powerful and brilliant.
Whitebeard frowned, then sighed.
"No wonder Kuzan is so confident. With your support, he essentially gains access to inexhaustible wealth."
That submarine loaded with gold would eventually run out, but the treasures buried beneath these seas were practically limitless.
Whoever controlled these depths would control the future.
"You're absolutely right," Mike nodded slightly, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
"That's why we offer Fish-Man Island our protection. In return, Fish-Man Island assists us with the 'Deep-Sea Gold Rush Project.'"
As his words fell, the room descended into a brief silence.
With sufficient funds, the development of places like Alabasta could proceed without regard for cost, and Kuzan's "New Marines" could truly begin.
All of this was extremely beneficial for him.
The more developed these nations became, the more places he'd have to visit and enjoy.
Not to mention, the Red-Light Districts in various countries could introduce more trendy entertainment, and more innovative architecture could be built.
As for the New Navy, with those workaholics eradicating every troublesome pirate around, would he ever need to work overtime?
Not a chance.
His smile widened as the mental calculation clicked into place.
'All I need to do is laze around and enjoy life to the fullest!'
A delightful vision instantly formed in his mind: sipping tea at headquarters, shooting the breeze with Garp and discussing battle experiences; casually chatting with Kizaru about "Lazy Justice" while fishing; challenging Issho to a few rounds of gambling and easily crushing him.
Even more enjoyable was the thought of cruising around this vast ocean in his submarine, reconnecting with past lady friends and embarking on fateful encounters with new ones.
'Now, this is what I call living!'
With that in mind, Mike turned his gaze toward King Neptune.
The king's support was crucial to the project's success.
King Neptune frowned slightly, deep in thought.
After Mike's brief explanation, he had gained a preliminary understanding of the plan.
Mike needed their help salvaging undersea treasures, and he had already demonstrated his strength and sincerity.
So what was there to hesitate about?
But... there was still one issue that even he, as king, couldn't resolve on his own.
"Captain Mike," Neptune spoke after a moment, his tone solemn.
"Assistance isn't a problem. But... the rift between our people and humans hasn't truly been bridged yet."
Whitebeard's gaze slowly shifted to Mike with a playful smile tugging at his lips.
He had come to understand the kid's temperament.
Though Mike might seem careless on the surface, his mind was sharp and meticulous.
The issue Neptune raised might seem thorny, but for this kid? It wasn't a problem.
Mike casually leaned back in his chair, his eyes exuding a lazy confidence.
He didn't rush to speak, instead raising a hand slightly to signal his butler forward.
Kuro immediately stepped before the group, his movements crisp and precise, bowing deeply to everyone present.
As Mike's aide, he had been briefed on the detailed plans.
In the future, Fish-Man Island would reestablish diplomatic relations with human nations, and the first country to do so would be one under Mike's command—Alabasta.
Kuro straightened his posture, his expression radiating unshakable confidence.
"As Captain Mike's chief aide," he announced.
"I will now explain the Fish-Man Island Reform and Opening Plan in detail."