On the platforms surrounding Gyoncorde Plaza, merfolk and Fishmen crowded together to witness this grand event.
Neptune had considered not choosing the Ryugu Kingdom for the treaty signing; he hoped to let the entire race remember this day of great historical significance.
Eastern Platform.
"Madam Shirley, has there been any change in the divination results?"
The Blue Fatty, Jinbe, sat cross-legged on the ground, his expression tense.
Madam Shirley placed both hands on the crystal ball, and after just a moment, she let go and shook her head gently.
"No, it's still the same as before!"
The Starfish Pappag hopped in front of them, shouting at the top of his lungs,
"Does that mean the future of Fish-Man Island is still held in the hands of those two—the one of mist and the one of fire?"
He was very anxious, "But now Your Majesty the King..."
Before Pappag could finish, the mermaid Camie took over,
"The person signing the treaty is only Taro alone!"
The starfish was interrupted by Camie and felt frustrated, "Camie, you cut me off again!"
Jinbe's expression grew even more solemn; although Madam Shirley's prophecies were never good news, they were always accurate.
Two people would decide the fate of Fish-Man Island; even if Taro was one of them, where was the other?
What changes would signing a treaty with only Taro bring to Fish-Man Island?
"Boss Jinbe, there's no need to worry too much; it's just a divination!" Shirley comforted him. "On the other hand, what about your injuries? Are they alright now?"
Although a long time had passed and a Fishman's recovery ability was extraordinary, the puncture wound left by Akainu still throbbed with pain.
Jinbe pressed his hand against the wound on his left chest and shook his head. "Don't worry about it; now is not the time to talk about this!"
Western Platform, Hody Jones, the Captain of the New Fish-Man Pirates, scanned the entire plaza with a cold expression.
He saw fear and anticipation among his spectating kin, which infuriated him; humans were an inferior and filthy race, and for Fish-Man Island to seek human protection was a disgrace.
Furthermore, he had heard that Neptune had actually pinned the hope of the entire race moving to live on the surface on that Marine.
Unforgivable!
"Zeo, are all our people here?" Hody Jones asked through gritted teeth, his eyes bloodshot.
A black-and-white striped Fishman gradually emerged from the ground beside him.
Due to his species' characteristics, Zeo could blend his body color with the surrounding environment, achieving a degree of visual invisibility.
"8,000 subordinates have assembled and are scattered around the plaza, Captain Hody!"
Nearby, the blue-ringed octopus Fishman known as Fish-Man Island's number one swordsman, Hyouzou, took a large swig of alcohol, his face slightly flushed as he let out a drunken burp.
"I don't care if it's the 'ink dragon' or a white dragon; today, I'm going to be a Dragon-slaying Swordsman!"
The New Fish-Man Pirates hadn't been established for long; Hody Jones had formed it in the name of inheriting Arlong's legacy after Arlong was defeated by Luffy in the East Blue.
In the past three months, it had developed rapidly, integrating the entire Fish-Man District and reaching nearly ten thousand members.
If Neptune hadn't suddenly decided to sign a treaty with this Marine, Taro, disrupting his plans, Hody Jones was confident he could have expanded the pirate crew to over 50,000 members.
"Taro really deserves to die!" Hody Jones cursed resentfully.
"And those two self-righteous guys who think they can demand whatever they want from Fish-Man Island just by using Big Mom's name... Hmph, once I kill Taro, I'll kill them as well!"
"Clang, clang!"
The smallest Fishman officer, Daruma, snapped his teeth together heavily, producing a metallic clashing sound. "Kill! Kill all the humans!"
In the crowd, Hatchan the Octopus slowly backed out and then accelerated wildly, running toward Jinbe on the other side.
"Boss Jinbe, this is bad!" He shouted in a low voice while still some distance away.
The Blue Fatty turned around. "Hachi? What happened?"
"Hody, he... he's going to..." Hachi panted, his words halting, whether from terror or from running too fast.
Just then, Madam Shirley straightened up and said softly, "He's here!"
Everyone couldn't help but turn their heads to look.
At the entrance of Fish-Man Island, Taro's flagship followed the dragon turtle ship slowly into the port. The imposing and lifelike dragon head on the prow made the hearts of most of the commoners on Fish-Man Island tremble, their eyes filled with fear.
But soon, the "ink dragon" stopped and advanced no further.
The sea beasts of Ryugu swam over and obediently carried Taro and his group of visitors toward the plaza.
Everyone's gaze focused on the backs of the rapidly approaching sea beasts.
Taro stood on the back of a sea beast, feigning composure while feeling somewhat dumbfounded.
What the hell is this!
Why not sign the treaty quietly in Ryugu Palace? Why come out to the plaza?
At this moment, he was in no mood to admire the grounds constructed from colorful coral, shells, algae, and pebbles.
He looked at the dense ranks of Ryugu guards in the plaza and the massive crowds swarming the surrounding cliff walls.
His heart felt a bit uneasy as an inexplicable sense of familiarity welled up.
This scene... it feels so familiar!
"Damn it, why does it feel like something's about to go wrong?"
Taro murmured softly, a premonition of disaster flashing through his mind!
When Princess Shirahoshi saw Taro appear, she immediately called for her pet shark Mekaro, wanting to go meet him, but she was stopped by her Two Royal Brothers.
"Shirahoshi, not in this situation! We represent the entirety of Fish-Man Island right now; you must be dignified!"
Hearing this, Shirahoshi immediately felt aggrieved, tears welling up in her eyes, looking as if she was about to cry.
Neptune shook his head gently. "It's alright. Let's go; we'll go out to meet him!"
As he spoke, he called for his whale mount and went to meet them. Shirahoshi followed closely behind him, while the two princes paused for a moment before following.
"Ho ho ho ho," Neptune laughed heartily. "On behalf of all the citizens of Fish-Man Island, I welcome your arrival, Taro!"
"Thank you for the hospitality of Your Majesty King Neptune and all of Fish-Man Island!"
Taro snapped out of his daze and nodded in greeting.
Today, Neptune hadn't gotten Taro's name wrong; he seemed to have his wits about him.
Zhou the Country Bumpkin didn't really understand diplomatic rhetoric and wasn't used to such occasions; this formal way of speaking made him feel extremely uncomfortable.
Neptune seemed to sense that Taro was a bit ill at ease and readily stepped aside with a grand wave of his hand.
"Taro, please!"
"Your Majesty the King, after you!"
The sea beast beneath Taro swam forward a bit, following half a body length behind Neptune.
"Lord Taro!" Shirahoshi moved closer to Taro's side and called out softly.
Taro smiled. "We meet again, Shirahoshi! We'll talk more once the official business is finished!"
Then he greeted the two princes as well.
It wasn't until they entered the Covenant Hall in the center of the plaza that Taro breathed a sigh of relief. He cracked his stiff neck and complained,
"King Neptune, setting the treaty location here has really made things difficult for me!"
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