Chapter 151: A Suspected Population Increase, the Possibility of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Inside Fish-man Island, the assembled Neptune Army maintained a stance of ever-vigilant readiness, resting on their weapons and awaiting the dawn.
The sea ban had caused quite a few pirates to stockpile on both sides of Fish-man Island. Now that the ban was lifted, these people immediately wanted to pass through, resulting in a massive surge of foot traffic on the island.
However, these people had all been in the vicinity of Fish-man Island and had just personally experienced the sea ban. The lingering fear was still fresh in their minds, so no one dared to harbor any ulterior motives. There was even a mutual, unspoken agreement to monitor each other.
If another mermaid truly went missing, and Fish-man Island couldn't figure out who took her, wouldn't they just sink everyone to the bottom?
This was the prevailing thought in many pirates' minds. For the sake of returning safely to the surface, no one wanted to be implicated.
After several severe crackdowns and this display of absolute deterrence, these pirates finally understood—at least temporarily—the true meaning of terror.
Meanwhile, through this operation, the Neptune Army of Fish-man Island also discovered the meaning of confidence.
They realized that they weren't actually that weak.
During this sea ban operation, Nereus hadn't even personally made a move. Relying solely on his prestige, he forced those capable of threatening ordinary Neptune Army soldiers underwater to tread carefully and hold back.
With such powerhouses acting cautiously and neutralizing each other, the remaining pirates couldn't make so much as a splash in the deep sea.
This alleviated, to a certain degree, the cowardice that Fish-man Island had accumulated over hundreds of years. Riding this momentum, Nereus began to promulgate new reform plans.
It wasn't a military expansion. Even with their massive foreign income, a standing army of fifty thousand was already slightly exaggerated compared to Fish-man Island's population base. Instead, this was a militia system, distinct from the standing army.
"Militia... not affecting normal production work and regular jobs, but mastering the use of weapons and basic skills through light training. Like those people learning Fish-man Karate and Jujutsu in the island's dojos?"
Inside the Ryugu Palace, Nanamo looked at the newly drafted decree, not quite understanding the system.
"There is still a difference. Those people can only be considered to have stronger physical fitness and somewhat higher combat power. In an emergency, they are high-quality recruits.
But before reaching the superhuman level, an individual's strength is limited. Militias undergo specific training to form combat effectiveness more quickly. I recall that according to the World Government's classification, that requires a Doriki value exceeding 500."
Speaking up to this point, Nereus looked at Amphelite beside him.
"Amphelite should understand this better than you. Luna is currently on Delta Island; the traits of the Mink Tribe align perfectly with this developmental expectation. When necessary, every single person can be a warrior.
However, in terms of overall physical talent and combat ability, the Lunarian Tribe and the Mink Tribe are superior. The Giant Tribe is similar; they don't even need to reach adulthood to be a formidable fighting force.
Our situation is different, our advantages are different, and the things we need to master are also different. Nanamo, what was the fundamental reason this sea ban could be successfully enforced?"
Nereus suddenly threw a question at Nanamo, testing her like a pop quiz.
"Um... Old man, you are really strong, making those capable people too afraid to act rashly."
"Exactly. It is a deterrence method. After letting those guys taste some hardship, I won't just arbitrarily seal off the sea.
But the methods Fish-man Island can use are not limited to just this one.
Sealing the sea routes targets only pirates and the underworld. Actually, for other member nations, we are not without options.
Although I don't want to see that situation come to pass, we must prepare for the worst. Today there happens to be a militia class. Go listen to a session, and you'll understand what I mean."
If they didn't prepare emergency countermeasures for malicious events, they would be caught off guard when things actually happened.
"Hermes, why do I feel like something isn't right?"
A short while later, on the way to the academy district, Nanamo couldn't shake the feeling that something defied logic, though she couldn't immediately put her finger on it.
"Princess Nanamo, are you referring to..."
"This afternoon is supposed to be combat training. Normally, Amphelite and I would be sparring. With the old man sending me away to attend that class, doesn't that leave just the two of them alone in the Ryugu Palace?"
Attendants and similar staff were excluded from Nanamo's thought process. Aside from them, cadres or those needing Nereus's personal training all seemed to have been conveniently assigned other tasks.
"Amphelite has had this thought for the past few years... I keep feeling like they are trying to increase the population, so..."
"So that future children might threaten your position as the heir! Have you finally realized this?!"
Nanamo suddenly heard the sound of rain hitting the ground. Hermes's body was suddenly sprinkling raindrops like a showerhead.
As a cloud, he didn't just shed tears from his eyes; when highly emotional, he entered a rainy state.
"What on earth are you talking about? I just think I might get a younger brother or sister. Besides, inheritance... if the old man replaces me, it's definitely because he's bored of sitting in that seat. He's a Vampire! How could he ever grow old?
I even suspect that me not growing taller is the old man's doing. Maybe he secretly fed me something..."
Crack... Crack...
Nanamo vaguely heard a strange noise, sounding like something petrifying and cracking. Only now did Hermes realize exactly how crucial a point he had completely overlooked. His master was an immortal Vampire. His grand "succession drama" had crumbled.
Nanamo didn't really care about this. Hermes was a cloud; even if he truly shattered, he could piece himself back together and instantly revive.
Soon, Nanamo found the militia training grounds. It wasn't inside the main island, but in the Sea Forest. There were a large number of sunken ships here, serving as ready-made teaching materials.
Because there were many people, and Nanamo intentionally hid her presence, not many noticed her arrival.
The instructor at this moment was Den, introduced by Tom. The teaching material was a sunken ship refloated using bubble film.
"Watch closely! This is the ship's keel. It is the core of a ship, akin to a human's spine! The plank seams near the keel are relatively fragile parts of a ship.
By striking from these positions, you can quickly chisel out a few holes. They don't need to be too large; about thirty centimeters is enough.
The impact of the water current will rapidly widen the breach. Unless there is a Devil Fruit user on board, the people on the ship won't have time to plug it.
Aside from this, there are also..."
Just as Nereus had told Tom back then, what needed to be taught here wasn't how to build ships, but how to destroy them. This was also to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
If that day truly arrived, "Unrestricted Submarine Warfare" would genuinely unfold upon this sea.
When close to the surface, powerhouses could indeed suppress attacks from the seabed, but it was impossible for every ship to have such powerhouses aboard.
With just simple learning and handy tools, every resident of Fish-man Island had the means to blow a hole in the bottom of a ship within a single minute...
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