The chapter of Fish-Man Island officially turned its page. Brian's target was the broader, more brutal New World.
At the highest point of Ryugu Palace, the massive black flag of the Rocks Pirates arrogantly fluttered in the currents.
The skull pattern on the black flag seemed to sneer, becoming Fish-Man Island's new totem, a symbol of fear.
"Griffin, Yin, Xuan, Mi, I leave Fish-Man Island to you. Stay in contact; we'll rotate in half a year."
At the harbor, Brian looked at the four Beast Girls before him and gave them careful instructions.
Griffin nodded, her expression solemn. "Yes, please rest assured, Master. This humble one will protect Fish-Man Island well."
"Please rest assured, Master!" Yin, Xuan, and Mi also nodded in unison, their faces equally serious.
This was the first time Beast Girls were being deployed on a long-term mission far from Brian's side, and everyone took it very seriously.
Brian nodded, sweeping his gaze over the large crowd of fish-men and merfolk in the distance. These onlookers had come to see the spectacle, though their faces were filled with terror.
For the vast majority of fish-men and merfolk on Fish-Man Island at present, Beast Brian, and even his subordinate Beast Girl Legion, were figures terrifying enough to make children stop crying.
Brian didn't mind. Having chosen a rule of iron and blood, he had anticipated all this.
After arranging everything, Brian took one last look up at the distant Ryugu Palace, taking in the frightened and horrified gazes of Neptune and the others. He then turned and walked toward the warship.
The Beast Girl Legion moved in sync beside him, and Otohime and the entire Maid Corps also boarded the ship.
Splash~
Splash~
The warship started. Its massive propellers churned the water in the deep sea as the black submersible warship, like a leviathan of the depths, slowly departed from the bubble of Fish-Man Island.
Standing in the command room, Brian looked through the observation window one last time at the black pirate flag snapping in the wind atop Ryugu Palace. That flag was not just the banner of the Rocks Pirates; it was Brian's declaration of war against the World Government and the old era.
The mission on Fish-Man Island was complete. He had successfully turned a strategic stronghold into an absolutely obedient base of subjugation, completely isolating the World Government and the Navy, and providing a solid foundation for his future independence and conquest of the New World.
"Full speed ahead, destination: the New World!" Brian gave the order. The warship shot forward like an arrow from a bow, cutting through the deep sea as it raced toward the end of the Grand Line.
The black submersible warship slipped away quietly, leaving behind only the black flag of the Rocks Pirates atop the tower of Ryugu Palace, like an undying shadow.
The Cat Girl Squad led by Griffin Girl Griffin took over all military and political authority on Fish-Man Island with cold, ruthless efficiency.
With such a massive storm erupting on Fish-Man Island, it was impossible for the news to be contained.
In less than a day, countless News Coos traversed the entire world. From the rarely-traveled Calm Belt to the "lofty" Red Earth Continent, everyone received the latest World Economic News.
The front-page headline featured the menacing black flag flying over Ryugu Palace, accompanied by a striking title: "The Deep Sea Falls! Brian, Senior Officer of the Rocks Pirates, Declares Fish-Man Island as Private Territory!"
This news, like a sudden tsunami, instantly swept across the entire world, its impact even surpassing the incident months ago when Brian kidnapped a Celestial Dragon.
Because this time, it was a true seizure of territory!
Especially since what the Rocks Pirates had occupied was Fish-Man Island, a crucial transportation hub in the Grand Line.
Looking back over the past few hundred years, this island located ten thousand meters beneath the sea had never truly escaped the control of the World Government.
To be precise, Brian's actions this time were yet another unprecedented first!
Holy Land Mary Geoise, the true center of power in the world.
Inside the residence of the Five Elders, the atmosphere was oppressively heavy. The air was thick with a triple aura of anger, decay, and unease.
They held the latest newspaper in their hands, each Elder's face grim to the extreme.
"Dereliction of duty! The royal lineage of the Ryugu Kingdom is utterly foolish!"
"Is that old fool Aegir dead? To be so incompetent, truly useless, a foolish old man as stupid as a pig."
Saint Marcus Mars, the Warrior God of Environment, slammed the newspaper heavily onto the table, the sound echoing through the hall.
As the one among the Five Elders who placed the greatest importance on appearance and decorum, Saint Marcus Mars rarely lost his composure like this. It was truly because the impact of this incident on the World Government was indeed significant.
"A World Government-affiliated nation maintained for hundreds of years, so easily snatched away by a pirate! It is said that Brian not only seized control of the Ryugu Kingdom but also destroyed the history of Fish-Man Island and openly hoisted a pirate flag!"
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the bespectacled Warrior God of Finance, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, his tone carrying deep concern.
As the only man among the Five Elders not dressed in a suit, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro subtly projected the image of the leading figure among the five.
The First Generation Kitetsu in his hand seemed to sense his anger and helplessness, trembling slightly. The sword's hum was not loud, yet it was piercingly sharp.
"The issue is not Aegir's foolishness, but Brian's efficiency and ruthlessness."
"He plundered the resources accumulated by Fish-Man Island over a century, then left a Beast Girl squad to garrison it! This is a complete mockery of our World Government's authority!"
"From the moment he kidnapped the Celestial Dragon, we should have realized that this Brian is a strategic monster, not just a mindless destroyer!"
"Now, the deep-sea passage has fallen into enemy hands. This means the Rocks Pirates possess a safe, concealed supply line to the New World that bypasses Navy patrol areas."
"Our strategy against Rocks must be reassessed!"
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the Warrior God of Agriculture, his gaze sharp, his voice cold as steel: "The loss of Fish-Man Island is merely a catalyst."
"More importantly, this incident occurred on the eve of our planned final confrontation with Rocks. This will have significant repercussions!"
His eyes turned to another bald Elder as he questioned: "What is the current progress of the Marine Headquarters' preparations?"
"Has Kong's troop mobilization, development of new weapons, and deployment of targeted tactics against those monsters under Rocks reached eighty percent of our expectations?"
The questioned Warrior God of Justice, Saint Topman Warcury, shook his head and replied gravely, "According to Kong's report, the strength of the Rocks Pirates is growing too rapidly, posing immense difficulties for intelligence gathering and tactical planning."
"Especially this newly joined senior cadre, Beast Brian, who has only been with them for a few months—he is a major variable. Kong's side indicates the challenges are enormous, and a specific timeline cannot yet be determined."
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the room once again grew tense.
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