"Enough of this chattering…"
El waved his hand dismissively as his officers argued back and forth.
"We don't need to guess what Fish‑Man Island is planning. One thing is certain—they wouldn't dare raise a hand against us."
He was right. The island's forces had barely been able to suppress their own rebels, let alone stand against a crew as powerful as the El Pirates.
"For all we know, the Whitebeard Pirates simply detected the disturbance and are rushing here to defend their territory," El added.
There was some truth to his words, but most of the crew remained deeply suspicious.
This was the Grand Line, after all—the era of the Great Pirates. In such a world, even allies could not always be trusted.
Though the island had welcomed them warmly at first, no one could say for sure it was not a ploy.
Fish‑Man Island had long sworn loyalty to Whitebeard; setting a trap for them was not entirely out of the question.
Just as the crew was debating whether to strike first, a messenger arrived to announce that King Neptune was waiting outside, accompanied by his sons.
"Let them in," El said after a moment's thought.
"But Captain! This could be a betrayal! They might be planning something!"
"We can't let these Fish‑Men trick us!"
"Relax," El shook his head. "Even if I stood perfectly still and let them do their worst, what could they possibly do to me?"
His confidence was well‑founded.
The real reason for his crew's unease was not fear of a direct attack, but the possibility that Fish‑Man Island might interfere during the coming battle.
As natives of the deep sea, they could cause significant trouble if they chose to act.
Though the entire island was protected by a giant bubble that allowed them to breathe freely, if that barrier were shattered and seawater flooded in… only the Fish‑Men themselves would remain unaffected.
"Are you saying this was not your doing?" El asked, looking up at the massive figure of the Knight of the Sea.
"I swear it is true," Neptune replied, filled with regret.
He had searched in vain for a better solution, and now had no choice but to come and explain himself.
The Whitebeard Pirates were already close; if matters were not settled quickly, Fish‑Man Island itself would become the battlefield—and the results would be disastrous.
As king, he had a duty to protect his people, even if it meant paying a heavy price.
"Did you hear that?" El turned to his officers.
"Hmph! How do we know he isn't bluffing?"
"Maybe he just wants to gain an advantage between two powerful crews!"
The officers were not so easily swayed.
El smiled faintly.
He rarely involved himself in the finer details of the crew's daily affairs—leaving those matters to his subordinates.
His role was to oversee the bigger picture and embody absolute strength.
As long as he stood at the helm, the El Pirates would never fall.
But it was through the combined strength and wisdom of his officers that the crew would truly grow.
Even the strongest man could not succeed without loyal allies.
"To prove my sincerity," King Neptune bowed his head, "I and my sons will remain here with your crew, and act as mediators when the Whitebeard Pirates arrive."
This display of courage earned them genuine respect. To place their own lives and the future heirs of the kingdom in the hands of another crew was no small act of trust.
"How certain are you that you can convince them?" Crocodile pressed, sharp and unyielding.
Having sailed the Grand Line for years, he was no fool who trusted easily. Even with Neptune's show of good faith, he still approached the situation with the utmost suspicion.
"I… I cannot be sure," Neptune admitted honestly.
He had little confidence in his ability to influence either side. Though he knew both crews, the gap in power was far too great.
Any influence he or his people held was negligible. To speak of "mediation" was mostly a matter of saving face.
If he could truly sway the Whitebeard Pirates, Fish‑Man Island would not be in such a precarious position now.
Yet there was no other path forward—this was the only move left to make.
"You see? He clearly has no certainty, and his words are nothing but empty promises!" Crocodile frowned.
"Enough!" El's voice grew firm. "Stand down."
"I've already said it—whether this is connected to Fish‑Man Island or not, it is not worth our worry. If you have energy to spare, save it for the Whitebeard Pirates when they arrive."
El held little regard for the island's strength or position, but he would not speak too harshly in front of their king. Still, such formalities mattered little to him.
The real interest lay in the approaching enemy. While he ordered his officers to prepare for battle, he also intended to focus his own strength before the meeting.
After all, Edward Newgate, known as "Whitebeard," was called the Strongest Man in the World—and his crew stood among the very greatest of the Four Emperors.
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