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Neptune stepped onto the high platform and addressed the gathered crowd.
"Fellow citizens! Today, pirates wreaked havoc on our Fish-Man Island! Fortunately, His Majesty Auguro of the Divine Holy Spirit Empire was here and helped us quell this unrest!"
"Please give your highest respects to His Majesty Auguro!"
A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted from the Merfolk and Fish-Men below.
Had it not been for Auguro's subordinates intervening, Fish-Man Island would have suffered casualties in this incident. This act of grace was one they would not forget!
Auguro stepped to the front amid the applause, and Neptune quickly lowered his hands to signal for silence.
Only Auguro's voice could be heard, slowly echoing across the entire plaza.
"I am delighted that the people of Fish-Man Island have chosen to trust me and join the big family of the Holy Spirit Empire!"
"In my initial discussions with Lord Neptune, I made a promise. I would help Fish-Man Island return to the surface world and take responsibility for its security!"
"I am pleased that today, I upheld my promise and protected all of you!"
At this, the crowd below erupted in thunderous, mountain-shaking cheers.
After so many years, someone had finally arrived to genuinely protect Fish-Man Island in a moment of crisis! At this moment, regardless of whether Auguro was a Human or Fish-Man, he was a hero to their island!
However, Auguro was not finished speaking.
"But I believe that besides offering protection when a crisis arrives, it is even more necessary to clearly state the position of my Divine Holy Spirit Empire to the outside world!"
"As I told Lord Neptune, anyone who dares to harm Fish-Man Island will receive the most brutal retaliation from Fish-Man Island and the Divine Holy Spirit Empire!"
"Therefore, today, let the blood of these pirates be the voice that broadcasts our message to the world!"
As Auguro's voice fell, an execution squad comprised of the Neptune Army and Shadow Dragon Guards marched into the plaza.
Special personnel were also present, holding a Den Den Mushi for a live global broadcast!
Auguro stood before the camera, his handsome face radiating a blend of authority and dominance. Having long held the title of Soul King, he now possessed an unmistakable presence of a supreme ruler!
"I am Auguro, the Soul King of the Divine Holy Spirit Empire!"
"I hereby announce to the world that Fish-Man Island is now under the command of the Divine Holy Spirit Empire. All its territories, people, and property are protected by the Divine Holy Spirit Empire!"
"We will lead Fish-Man Island back to the surface world. Any individual or organization that dares to harm Merfolk or Fish-Men, regardless of time, location, or identity, will face the retaliation of my Divine Holy Spirit Empire!"
"From the ends of the sea to the furthest land, we will pursue you relentlessly until death!"
"Consider this your final warning!"
As Auguro waved his right hand, the executioners' great swords swung down.
In an instant, over a hundred heads rolled onto the plaza.
Blood stained the pure white marble floor red.
This was a scene of tremendous shock and impact, yet the residents of Fish-Man Island were not fearful. Instead, they let out cheers that pierced the very clouds!
"Long Live His Majesty Auguro!"
"Long Live the Divine Holy Spirit Empire!"
Countless Fish-Men and Merfolk wept tears of joy, loudly shouting Auguro's name. They had spent countless years hiding timidly in the deep sea. Now, finally, someone was willing to help them and deliver the strongest possible declaration to the world on their behalf!
Fish-Man Island could finally stand tall! The wish held for eight hundred years finally had a chance to be realized!
Auguro's declaration quickly spread across the sea via the live broadcast. Those who missed the broadcast soon learned everything from the newspapers.
On the Moby Dick in the New World, Ace couldn't help but roar with laughter upon seeing Auguro's powerful statement.
"Hahaha! That's Auguro for you! He did what everyone else wants to do but dares not to!"
Marco shrugged.
"In the Paradise half of the Grand Line, he certainly has the power to back up those words!"
"Since the Marine Headquarters moved to the New World, there's no force left in Paradise that can compare to the Divine Holy Spirit Empire!"
A force that boasts more than three Admiral-level powerhouses is rare even in the New World. In this world, power is the right to speak!
On a small island, a group of pirates was celebrating with a joyous banquet.
"Hey, Shanks! Check this out!"
Benn Beckman shoved a newspaper into Shanks's hand.
Shanks reluctantly put down his liquor cup and mumbled, "Is there some big news again?"
He then read the news about Auguro taking over Fish-Man Island and issuing a stern warning.
"Tsk! This guy really can't stand being out of the spotlight!"
Shanks stroked his chin, and a look of gravity crossed his usually carefree face. For him, who pursued global balance, Auguro and the powerful Divine Holy Spirit Empire were an extremely unstable factor.
Shanks intensely disliked that feeling!
"Fortunately, it's only Fish-Man Island; it won't affect the overall situation," Shanks muttered softly, tossing the newspaper aside.
"Drink up, drink up!"
This was Shanks's method of maintaining balance. He only paid attention to the great powers like the World Government and the Four Emperors and completely ignored the immense suffering his so-called balance brought to ordinary civilians!
Perhaps, he simply didn't care. After all, he was an Emperor of the Sea, a grand figure!
Common citizens, who were like mere ants, weren't worth his attention. The most he would do was offer a casual helping hand if he happened upon someone in need.
Frankly, it was ridiculous to expect someone who grew up on a pirate ship to genuinely care about the masses.
At Whole Cake Island, Big Mom also saw the news.
"Mama-mama... He really caused a big stir, Auguro!"
Perospero, Big Mom's eldest son and the Minister of Candy, was furious.
"Mama! This scoundrel stole Fish-Man Island from us and is now so boastful! He clearly doesn't respect us!"
"Mama, I think we should teach this guy a lesson!"
The humiliating way Oven and his group had to leave Fish-Man Island greatly displeased Perospero, who was used to the arrogant ways of the New World. In his view, anyone who dared to challenge his mother's authority, like Auguro, should be eliminated immediately!
Big Mom, however, waved her hand.
"It's just Fish-Man Island; if he wants it, let him have it! There's no need to start a war over it!"
It could be said that a well-fed Big Mom was remarkably shrewd. Auguro's forces were not weak. If you declared war on him immediately after his public declaration, Auguro would undoubtedly fight to the bitter end, if only for the sake of his reputation.
While Big Mom didn't think she would lose, the cost of the battle would certainly be significant. It simply wasn't worth it for just Fish-Man Island!
"Wait until that fellow tries to enter the New World; then we'll give him a grand welcome!" A self-satisfied, cruel smile spread across Big Mom's face.