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I posted the wrong chapter 437 yesterday, this is the correct chapter!!
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"By agreeing to the Thunder Emperor's demands, we can finally migrate Fish-Man Island to the surface. We can enjoy the warmth of the sun instead of remaining forever in this sunless abyss. This is a blessing for every citizen of our race!" Queen Otohime pleaded, laying out the stakes for Neptune and Jinbe.
"If we refuse, I fear that as of today, Fish-Man Island will vanish from the face of the earth entirely!"
"But Big Brother Tiger died at the hands of that man! No Fish-man would ever be willing to live alongside their greatest enemy!" Jinbe growled, his eyes fixed on Arthur.
"Insolent fish!" Hancock snapped, her eyes flashing with fury. "The Thunder God Pirates don't need the likes of you. Lord Arthur's target is solely this little girl!"
Hancock spoke the cold truth. With Arthur's overwhelming power, he could forcibly take Poseidon whenever he pleased, Fish-Man Island possessed no means to resist.
Neptune, whose heart was tied to his people, weighed the pros and cons. Once he calmed his emotions, he knew there was only one logical path forward.
"Lord Arthur," Neptune asked solemnly. "If Fish-Man Island joins your territory, will we truly have a place of our own? Once we reach the surface, will we be protected from the threats of the New World's pirates?"
This was no time for a prideful stand. If he were a lone man, Neptune would gladly die for his honor. But as a king, he had to consider the lives of millions of his subjects.
Arthur offered a calm smile. "Once Fish-Man Island joins my waters, it becomes a part of the Thunder God Pirates. Every Merfolk and Fish-man will fall under my absolute protection."
He even considered allowing certain Fish-men who wished to remain pirates to form the 10th Division of his fleet.
"Very well!" Neptune made his decision, abandoning Jinbe's protests to fully cooperate with Arthur's plan.
..............
By midday, the news had reached every corner of the island: Fish-Man Island was relocating to the New World under the Thunder Emperor's flag. They were going to live on the surface, just like humans.
While the island sat at a crossroads of the Grand Line, it was still 10,000 meters deep, information didn't flow as freely as it did on the surface. Many Merfolk knew nothing of the Thunder God Pirates' terrifying reputation, they only knew the joy of finally being able to live a normal life. They fantasized about the sun, the forests, and the land animals, leaving behind the dark, seaweed-choked depths.
However, in the Fish-Man District—the slum that stood in stark contrast to the beautiful Merfolk residences—the atmosphere was poisonous.
"Big Brother Jinbe! We will never agree to move to that man's territory! Have you forgotten the grudge for Big Brother Tiger? Curse those humans!"
Arlong, Hody Jones, and their cohorts were seeing red. Their rage was so absolute they wished they could tear Arthur into pieces right then and there.
"We have no choice," Jinbe said, his voice heavy with defeat. "We have no power. We can't even resist... I intend to lead the Sun Pirates to Whitebeard's territory and never return to Fish-Man Island. Will you follow me?"
"Whitebeard might protect us, but he's still a human. He won't start a war with the Thunder Emperor for our sake... Jinbe, have you forgotten you're a Fish-man?" Arlong spat, his teeth bared.
"Stop dreaming! I will never forget Tiger's death, but the only outcome of seeking revenge now is the total annihilation of our race. If you won't follow me, where else can you go?"
"Hmph... If I can't go to the New World, and the Marines occupy the Grand Line, what about the Four Seas?" Arlong made his choice, turning to Hody Jones. "Will you come with me to the East Blue to take our revenge on humanity?"
"No," Hody replied coldly. "I want to strike out on my own. I will seek my own revenge through my own strength!"
"Vander Decken, what about you?"
"Me? I'm staying right here on Fish-Man Island! To marry the Mermaid Princess is my ancestor's greatest dream!!"
The four factions of the Fish-Man District parted ways. Jinbe headed for the New World to serve under Whitebeard, Hody Jones planned to carve out a kingdom for himself in the Grand Line, Arlong set his sights on the "weakest sea," the East Blue, and Vander Decken IX remained with the Flying Pirates, lurking in the shadows of the island.
..............
"You want Shirahoshi to be trained by the Thunder God Pirates?" Neptune and Otohime exchanged a look of profound worry.
"She's only six years old. Isn't it a bit too early for her to be exposed to such things?"
"Early? What a pathetic thought," Arthur sneered. "Because she is the Ancient Weapon Poseidon, she must have the power to protect herself!"
The events that had transpired today on Fish-Man Island were significant enough that they couldn't be hidden forever. With a presence like Arthur involved, the World Government would inevitably find out. With their resources, they would deduce Shirahoshi's identity in a heartbeat.
The world already suspected Arthur's War Fortresses were an advanced version of the Ancient Weapon Pluton. Now, he had Poseidon as well. Even if the World Government didn't declare war immediately, they would use every underhanded tactic to eliminate her. To them, a strategic weapon that cannot be controlled must be destroyed—the same logic they applied to Vegapunk.
Vegapunk lived in a laboratory on Raijin Island and had no interest in the outside world, making him unreachable. But Shirahoshi was a child. Did they really expect to lock her in the Hard-Shell Tower for the rest of her life?
Hiding was not the style of the Thunder God Pirates. If trouble came, they would slaughter it.
Poseidon was invincible in the ocean, but what about on land? She needed to learn to protect herself. Arthur planned to hand her over to Stussy, the strongest woman in his crew, or send her to Amazon Lily to learn the Kuja's style of combat and Haki.
Arthur waved his hand dismissively, his patience for their hesitation wearing thin. If Otohime's unique Observation Haki hadn't been so valuable for research, he would have started breaking things long ago.
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"YOUR MAJESTY!!"
The catfish Fish-man, the Left Minister, came sprinting into the hall, his face a mask of panic.
Otohime tensed, worried that the minister's rudeness would anger the Thunder Emperor, but Arthur didn't seem to care.
"What is it? Why are you so flustered?" Neptune asked, his voice dark.
"Jinbe, Arlong, and Hody Jones are leaving the island! Such disloyalty!" The minister gasped, leaning on his staff. "But worse... Vander Decken IX has arrived at the palace with the Flying Pirates... to propose marriage to the Princess!!"
"What?"
The departure of the others was expected, but Decken? Did the man have a death wish, trying to make a move while the Thunder Emperor was in the room?
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