10,000 meters below the sea, Dragon Palace Kingdom, Fishman Island Royal Palace.
Neptune returned intact from Mary Geoise.
As a rare opportunity to attend the World Conference, they went to fulfill Otohime's wish, wanting the Fishmen and Mermaids of the Dragon Palace Kingdom to have the right to move to the land.
But clearly, his expectations were dashed; Shirahoshi was almost captured.
If it hadn't been for that Heavenly Celestial Dragon who had visited Fishman Island years ago, Shirahoshi would have truly become a slave.
But that was only one Celestial Dragon, and many others held malice towards them, including the Kings attending the conference… only the King of Alabasta was somewhat amicable, but he also died during the World Conference.
There seems to be no possibility of reconciliation with humans.
Sorry, Otohime.
Maintaining the current situation, preventing Mermaids and Fishmen from hating humans, is already the limit of what he can do.
The World Government has brushed it off, the protection is gone, and now Neptune is overwhelmed.
After all, every year he has to guard against the Pirates passing through Fishman Island, ferocious Pirates, even if one citizen is abducted, it terrifies them.
The feeling of being constantly targeted is unbearable.
Previously there were Whitebeard and Big Mom for protection, but now there's nothing, they must defend themselves.
"Father…"
It was at this moment, Eldest Prince Fukaboshi approached, holding a Radio Snail.
"Oh, it's Fukaboshi. What's the matter?" Neptune asked deeply.
Fukaboshi raised the Radio Snail, with a shell with a number written on it attached, and said: "From the Disaster side, requesting to speak with you..."
"Disaster?"
Neptune paused, "We have no dealings with him, right?"
Even if there were, they'd be no good dealings.
The Fur Race came over and snatched many treasures, which have no use in the underwater world, all recovered by citizens from the deep sea, but being robbed mysteriously represents an attitude in itself.
They initially thought Disaster wanted to conquer here, but later found out that apart from that time they took the treasure, there were no other moves, and since Disaster has never visited Fishman Island, over time, they no longer cared about it.
Not all Pirates are interested in Fishman Island.
Maybe Disaster is one of those.
But now suddenly there's a call, do they have new intentions?
Or is it that his tentacles can't resist reaching out to Fishman Island.
"Father!"
Fukaboshi couldn't hold it in as Neptune was pondering.
"Whitebeard, Big Mom, Disaster... who will be next?"
Fukaboshi looked up at this King of Dragon Palace Kingdom with a gigantic physique but for some reason seemed hunched and small at this moment.
"Fukaboshi..."
"Father, we can't continue like this! Dragon Palace Kingdom need not depend on humans! We don't necessarily long for the land or yearn for the sun!"
Fukaboshi clenched his fists, "I'm sick of living relying on protection! No one is reliable! Mother's wish, however good, if it can't be achieved, it's meaningless!"
"Since we can't achieve anything, let's leave it as it is! Let the sea stay as sea! We can use our racial advantages to make those folks never dare to underestimate us!"
Fukaboshi shouted: "Father, to protect Dragon Palace Kingdom, I'm willing to do anything!"
Neptune stared at him blankly, finally sighing, "You're right, there's no one reliable."
He took the Radio Snail, dialed the number on the shell, "I'll make it clear to Disaster, if it's war they want, then let's have war. Beneath the sea, we fear nothing!"
For those who need oxygen and ships to travel, Fishmen have natural advantages in the sea.
As long as the idea of living harmoniously with humans is abandoned, even the Four Emperors, even the World Government cannot thoroughly invade!
Fishman Kingdom, never enslaved!
Clack.
The Radio Snail was connected with a sound, transforming into a wildly mocking face.
"Disaster!"
Neptune just expressed himself, ready to let more words out when the Radio Snail represented face snickered and said:
"Yo! Neptune, first meeting. Want to live on land and feel the sunlight? I grant you that right."
Neptune blinked, swallowing the words back down his throat, but recalling his eldest son's words, he stiffened his resolve, frowned, just about to speak.
At that moment, a familiar sound rang in his ears, and he saw Fukaboshi stammer, "Re...really?"
...
"Hehehe, as long as you submit to me, whatever you wish, I shall grant. You can even be like the Big Mom Pirates and Beast Pirates. If you're unsure, send someone to O'hara, we'll discuss it in detail."
"You can raise my flag now, but my demands must be met."
After finishing, Sage hung up the phone, smiling at Lily: "Done."
"Sounds easy."
Lily said: "And, Neptune seems to desire it more than us."
In the previous call, Sage didn't even negotiate terms, no threats or enticements were used, just the simplest opening line, asking the Fishmen if they wanted to try living on land, and immediately the other side agreed.
Sage hadn't begun discussing terms, briefly mentioned Fishmen treatment, and the other side was already deeply moved.
He had Fishmen under him and simply used them as examples; the result was the other side's excitement tempered by caution, giving Lily the impression of a tense anticipation...