The confidant's words made him swallow the curse words he was about to speak. Spandine has considerable backing; that guy is someone he can't afford to provoke. Looking at this well-connected individual before him, he had no choice but to endure this time.
He decided to find a place where this person could muddle along without doing any real work from now on.
The thing he hated most was such well-connected individuals who always got a share of the credit but were never around to take the blame when things went wrong.
"This matter doesn't have much impact, does it?"
"Not much. To be precise, this is a situation discovered by the Science Corps and passed along to us afterward."
"From Vegapunk?"
"That's right."
"Alright, got it. You continue with your tasks, and make sure to hand over everything that young man is handling as soon as possible. If this delays something major, we're in trouble. Remember, never assign such tasks to well-connected individuals again; I have no idea where this bookworm came from."
After handling all these matters and summing up the new intelligence to be reported, he pulled out a small Radio Snail.
"Sir, it's me. Do you remember me? I have a small problem here..."
To reach his current position, he must have some capabilities. However, he is a superior officer, not a frontline agent, so apart from ability, obedience and personal connections are also crucial.
Spandine could elevate his incompetent son Spandam to the position of CP9 Commander because, after all, both Spandine and Spandam are obedient to those above and fulfill all tasks said from above.
Gyarados, although not yet as widespread as Magikarp, have already caused some impact. Initially, they thought it was an ordinary Sea Beast, but now it clearly seems to be a specially modified creature.
Now, in the dossier on Gyarados, they've added a tag suggesting it might be one of Queen's experimental products. It's not uncommon to release modified creatures into The Sea; even Vegapunk has done such things.
Presently, outside a certain research facility in the New World, a cargo ship is transporting two water tanks containing slumbering Gyarados. They went to great lengths, paying a certain price in casualties, to capture them.
"Why do we have to catch such monsters..."
"Don't ask things you shouldn't; this matter doesn't concern us."
There are two reasons for capturing Gyarados. One is that Vegapunk wants to see if Queen, who used to be part of his team, is truly such a genius to accomplish this.
On the other hand, he recently has a concept for a mechanical Sea Beast Legion.
Vegapunk has many ideas running through his mind, constantly coming up with new notions. Although he is currently under the control of the World Government, he also has reasons to utilize their funds, since scientific research involves substantial expenditure.
Queen, Asie, and Nightin each year spend a significant amount of money on similar research projects.
Feeling that he lacks enough time, Vegapunk even created his clones to have multiple selves conducting research simultaneously.
His achievements in the mechanical Sea Beast Legion are limited, but a wondrous creature like Gyarados naturally arouses sufficient interest.
Moreover, regarding the connection between Gyarados and Magikarp, there still hasn't been a definitive conclusion. Few have witnessed a Magikarp's evolution scene, and even those who have were too shocked to leave evidence.
If one must find the person with the most research on evolution, it should currently be Nico Robin, as only those under the banner of the Hundred Beasts have chances to closely observe evolution; however, even with observation, they cannot understand what precisely causes this power.
No one could have imagined that an inconspicuous Magikarp would transform into that after evolution.
...
Meanwhile, when Tiger returned to Fishman Island, Fishman Street was far from peaceful.
Unlike Rushaka, who had long harbored suspicions, or the shock of Mandfeish's friends, some people simply couldn't accept Mandfeish's identity, such as Ah Long.
Defeated by a fishman, he doesn't mind; Tiger, Jinbe, many fishmen could do that. But losing to a human underwater struck at his self-esteem.
"How can a human breathe underwater? How can humans do such things?! It's impossible!"
"Ah... Ah Long bro... stop! What are you going to do?!"
Seeing Ah Long suddenly pick up a weapon wanting to leave, several subordinates hastily grabbed onto him.
"Let go, don't stop me!"
"You can't, Ah Long bro, you're no match for him!"
Hearing this, Ah Long seemed even angrier, but at this moment, a voice calmed him down.
"Ah Long, what are you doing? Haven't seen you for so many years, still so impulsive."
"Big bro?!"
Tiger holds a transcendent status on Fishman Street; most fishmen from Fishman Street respect him greatly, and Tiger is virtually the only one who can absolutely command Ah Long.
"Ah, how have these years treated you all? How about Jinbe?"
"All good. Jinbe has become the leader of the Kingdom's army. Big bro, where have you been this year? Why haven't we heard anything about you?"
"Some private matters, let's say I've seen how the world works."
The life of a slave is a topic he completely avoids; if possible, he wouldn't mention those years for the rest of his life.
"Why are you still so impulsive, what happened?"
"Big bro, it's like this..."
Looking at the newspaper in hand and Ah Long's description, Tiger seemed to understand something.
"Are you saying... it was red before?"
"Yeah, it even looks a bit like you, big bro."
"I see. Ah Long, let this matter rest..."
He knows better than anyone why World Government ships appeared here; you could say Mandfeish took the fall for him. Moreover, even though he resents the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, he doesn't spread those feelings to all of humanity.
"Alright, if you say so, big bro, then so be it."
Ah Long did not even ask why. To be honest, he also has complex feelings about Mandfeish. Despite revealing Mandfeish's identity, his actions over the years have significantly aided many fishmen.
With Tiger's request, it was just right for Ah Long to agree readily.
"Alright, you all do as you please; I need to see King Neptune."
"Got it, big bro, I'll notify the others. Your return is a big deal."
...
Meanwhile, in Dragon Palace City, Neptune was eyeing the trade proposal put forth by Kojiro. The idea of opening a department store on Fishman Island hadn't caught his attention, and Kojiro received immediate approval.
However, when it came to Kojiro's proposal on mining rights and an arms order, he hesitated.
"What's wrong, King Neptune? As a king, you should understand the importance of arms. Forgive me for being blunt, but the quality of Fishman Island's weapons is too poor. Upgrading them would at least improve your ability to protect your citizens."