Of course, such balancing acts were not uncommon in the New World—but few carried them out as openly as Fish‑Man Island did.
Yet given its unique position deep beneath the ocean, no other race could easily seize or control it.
Only Fish‑Men and Merfolk were truly suited to survive and rule here.
Even the World Government, fully aware of the kingdom's double‑sided dealings, had little choice but to turn a blind eye.
In fact, they often provided resources and support to help maintain stability.
After all, a secure and self‑governing Fish‑Man Island was far more beneficial to the Government and the Marines than a chaotic or occupied one.
King Neptune understood this well—and it was exactly what gave him the confidence to act as he did.
Still, despite his privileged status and the tacit approval of the world's major powers, Neptune felt no sense of security when facing the El Pirates.
In truth, El had no hidden agenda. He viewed Fish‑Man Island merely as a stopover on his journey, nothing more.
But the sheer power his crew possessed was enough to make any ruler uneasy.
Even if El intended no harm, the arrival of such a formidable force demanded caution.
Neptune's wariness did not go unnoticed by El.
Though he could not yet tell exactly what precautions the king had taken, he cared little either way.
Friendly or hostile, Fish‑Man Island was no longer a power worthy of his concern.
"Please, Lord El, this way!"
The ruler of the Fish‑Man Kingdom, the Knight of the Sea himself, had come out in person to welcome them—an honor rarely seen in the island's history.
"Thank you for your warm reception, Your Majesty."
Though puzzled by such treatment, El returned the courtesy.
The El Pirates were powerful, but far from the arrogant, unruly crew rumors described.
As long as they were not provoked, they were reasonable enough—as the island was discovering firsthand.
Seeing their calm demeanor, Neptune let out a quiet sigh of relief.
This was his first time meeting them in person; until now, he had only heard reports from the World Government and passing pirates.
He had feared that such young, rising captains might be quick to anger.
But so far, they were proving far more composed than expected.
If only I had known this sooner… Neptune thought to himself.
Perhaps I would not have gone so far as to ask the Whitebeard Pirates for help.
Besides, securing the aid of an Emperor's crew came at a cost.
Even with his friendship with Whitebeard, such a favor was never free.
The resources consumed by the voyage alone would have to be covered by Fish‑Man Island.
Fortunately, the kingdom had its own means of income.
From the giant trees that grew in the deep sea, they harvested the sap used to create the protective air bubbles needed to travel through the ocean floor.
This was one of their key industries—and exactly the reason El and his crew had stopped here.
Back at Sabaody Archipelago, they had first coated their ship.
Now, at Fish‑Man Island, they were renewing that coating.
Only with this protection could they cross the depths and enter the New World.
The only other route to the New World was to climb the Red Line—a feat possible for a single powerful individual, but nearly impossible for an entire pirate fleet.
Even the El Pirates, for all their strength, had to abide by the natural laws of this world.
If Fish‑Man Island remained as welcoming as it appeared, it would be a welcome convenience.
Yet it was impossible to ignore the deep‑rooted divide between humans and Fish‑Men.
Even here, many still harbored intense hatred toward humanity—most of them gathered in the lawless Fish‑Man District.
Many there were orphans whose parents had been captured and sold into slavery by human traffickers.
If Neptune had not been warned in advance and made thorough preparations, the El Pirates might have been met with hostility the moment they approached the gates.
Because of their reputation, Neptune had cleared the area beforehand, ensuring only the island's highest officials were present to greet them.
Beyond its strategic value, Fish‑Man Island was rich in resources.
Though the deep sea was not entirely safe, its vast territories and abundant riches belonged almost entirely to the Fish‑Men.
In recent years, their trade and cooperation with the surface world had grown, bringing in new goods and technologies that further boosted their prosperity.
It was also a place of unique culture and delicacies—most notably its desserts, which had even won the approval of Charlotte Linlin, one of the Four Emperors.
If not for Whitebeard's protection, Big Mom might have long since invaded the island, largely for its famous cuisine.
And now, those same treats were being laid out before the El Pirates.
"Please, Lord El, do try these. They are a source of great pride for our kingdom."
A high‑ranking official personally extended the invitation, while Neptune himself observed from a respectful distance.
The El Pirates' senior officers were being treated with the utmost respect and hospitality.
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