When Brian returned to Ryugu Palace from the Sea Forest, all matters on Fish-Man Island had already been settled.
At the port of Fish-Man Island, Brian's black warship was long prepared, with a massive coating bubble completely enveloping the entire vessel.
On the warship, hundreds of members of the Maid Corps were busily moving about, each attending to their duties.
The wealth had been tallied, strategic supplies had been loaded, and the accumulated value of the entire Fish-Man Island Kingdom had nearly been drained dry by Brian.
It was time to set sail once more.
Inside the main hall of Ryugu Palace, however, the atmosphere was as heavy as the mud of the deep sea.
King Ægir, this once-great monarch, now sat upon the symbolic throne, his massive frame appearing weary and aged. Beside him were his son, the current King Neptune, three ministers, and Tiger, whose expression was complex.
They had all witnessed Brian's iron-fisted purge and efficient plundering firsthand. They had lost their nation's sovereignty, the royal family's dignity, and their hope for the future.
At this moment, Brian entered the hall slowly, accompanied by Otohime and the two Mythical Zoan Beast Girls, Griffin and Leona.
His gaze swept over the assembly, carrying an air of lofty scrutiny and unquestionable dominance.
"King Neptune, have all the transfer procedures for Fish-Man Island been completed?" Brian spoke, his voice calm yet imbued with absolute authority.
King Neptune glanced at his father, sighed silently, and replied, "Lord Brian, the wealth and history accumulated by our people over centuries—you have taken it all."
Summoning the last vestiges of his dignity, he asked, "So, how do you intend to deal with Fish-Man Island? Will you depart directly, or will you enslave us completely?"
All the ministers and Tiger stared nervously at Brian, for this question concerned the future fate of Fish-Man Island.
The corner of Brian's mouth lifted, revealing a meaningful smile.
"Enslave? Rule?" He shook his head disdainfully. "The resources of Fish-Man Island are no longer significant to my conquest."
"But to leave it completely unattended is impossible given Fish-Man Island's geographical location, and it does not align with the Rocks Pirates' way of doing things."
Brian shifted his tone and turned his gaze to the Mythical Beast Species Griffon Girl, Griffin, standing behind him.
"Griffin, step forward."
Clad in golden feathers, Griffin stepped forward imposingly. Her lion's head and eagle's eyes radiated an overwhelming pressure that surpassed even the apex predators of the natural world.
"I have decided that Griffin will lead a small team to garrison Fish-Man Island," Brian announced in a resonant voice, declaring his final decision.
This decision caused King Neptune and all the ministers to jolt in shock, their faces filled with astonishment and confusion. They had expected Brian to leave behind some human officer or a powerful Beast Girl, never imagining that a Mythical Zoan would personally take charge of the garrison.
After all, strictly speaking, Fish-Man Island had submitted to the Rocks Pirates. How did it come to this, where Beast Brian alone decided everything with a single word?
Brian continued, "This squad will be led by Griffin as captain, responsible for surveillance, maintaining stability, and handling any emergencies."
He called out the names one by one: "Tiger Girl Yin, Leopard Girl Xuan, Cat Girl Miling."
"The four of you are members of the Cat Girl Squad and will be stationed together on Fish-Man Island."
Upon hearing their names, Tiger Girl (Yin), Leopard Girl (Xuan), and Cat Girl (Mi) immediately stepped forward solemnly and responded in unison, "Yes, Master!"
The name "Cat Girl Squad" plunged the great hall into dead silence.
King Neptune was too shocked to speak.
A Mythical Zoan Beast Girl whose strength he couldn't even perceive, along with three Beast Girls of Rear Admiral level, forming a permanent garrison—such a configuration was utterly terrifying.
Tiger's expression also changed. He had thought Brian would withdraw all forces, leaving behind a mess, but he never expected the other party to adopt the highest level of military occupation.
"Your Majesty, what exactly is your intention in leaving behind such a powerful force?" Tiger asked gravely, keenly sensing the threat hidden behind this move.
Brian glanced at him sideways, his eyes brimming with confidence and control.
"My intentions are simple. First, although Fish-Man Island is barren, its geographical location is crucial—it is the only passage from the first half of the Grand Line to the New World. I need an absolutely loyal transit station."
"Second, Fish-Man Island is the territory of our Rocks Pirates (Note: This is the current situation; in a year, it will be his territory). I will not tolerate any infringement or harassment of my territory by the World Government, the Navy, or other pirates."
"Third, Otohime is my reserve Beast Girl. The stability of her homeland is directly related to her state of mind."
Brian deliberately mentioned Otohime, causing a flicker of complexity to cross her face, which ultimately settled into resolve.
"The garrison will last for six months. After that, another elite squad led by a Mythical Zoan or Ancient Type will come to rotate in."
Brian went on to announce the rotation system, a decision he had recently made.
Fish-Man Island was a place he ultimately could not let go of, especially since Shirahoshi would be born decades later—it had to be firmly kept under his control.
As a transmigrator, Brian had already begun laying the groundwork decades in advance, all for the sake of the Sea King—
This rotation system plunged King Neptune and his ministers into utter despair, as it meant the Rocks Pirates' control over Fish-Man Island would be long-term and continuous.
"Griffin, your tasks are only two: maintain order and ensure loyalty," Brian said, looking at Griffin with a stern tone. "Any signs of rebellion—no need to seek permission, eliminate them directly."
"Yes, Master!" Griffin's golden eyes gleamed with a bloodthirsty light.
Afterward, Brian said no more. He calmly looked at King Neptune. "The handover is complete. From today onward, the supreme authority over Fish-Man Island belongs to the Rocks Pirates. You and your royal family are merely tools to manage this city."
"I hope you are wise enough not to make any foolish moves."
Having said this, Brian paid no heed to the expressions on their faces. He turned directly and, leading Otohime, Leona, and Griffin, left Ryugu Palace once again in a grand procession.
A deathly silence fell over Ryugu Palace.
Tiger clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging, his wild heart filled with rage and helplessness.
He knew that in the face of absolute power, justice and freedom seemed so pale.
King Neptune, meanwhile, slumped completely in his throne.
He saw clearly that the era of Fish-Man Island had come to an absolute end.
The fate of all the merfolk and fish-men on their entire island had been forever nailed beneath the flag of the Rocks Pirates by a human pirate and his Beast Girl Legion.
Now it was the Rocks Pirates, and in the future it would be the Beasts Pirates. For the rest of its existence, Fish-Man Island would find it nearly impossible to escape Brian's grasp.