Once he entered the New World, the title of the world's strongest man would have to change hands.
When that time came, no matter what Kaido or Charlotte Linlin thought, Roy would be the first to stir up a great war and make the battle for the Four Emperors' balance of power arrive ahead of schedule.
With Tiger stepping forward next, the matter became very easy to handle.
Before long, a large group of people appeared in front of Roy and the others.
"Roy-san, our king wishes to meet you."
The one who came was the Minister of the Right from Ryugu Palace, and his expression was extremely respectful.
Neptune had sent the Minister of the Right, giving Roy more than enough respect. After Roy dismissed his crew members to move freely, the three of them still remained behind.
Ryugu Palace was located at the top level of Fish-Man Island, where sunlight could be seen. It was a massive, luxurious palace built from enormous coral reefs, shells, and other construction materials, with a giant dragon model coiled around it.
Under the Minister of the Right's guidance, Roy soon met King Neptune, along with the petite Queen Otohime beside him.
However, before King Neptune could even begin his greetings and pleasantries, Roy got straight to the point.
"How about hanging my flag over Fish-Man Island?"
Neptune and Otohime had clearly not expected Roy to say that, and both of them froze.
Otohime also discovered that she could not hear Roy's inner voice at all.
Roy did not like others prying into his mind. He had long since guarded both his body and mind completely with Ki Concealment, Zetsu, and a super defensive barrier.
"Roy-san, you…"
After a good while, Neptune finally reacted and carefully opened his mouth, but before he could finish, Roy interrupted him again.
"As for strength, after I enter the New World, I'll personally go find Whitebeard. When that happens, the answer will naturally become clear."
"…It is not a matter of strength."
"Tiger is on my ship and recognizes me as his aniki. I believe that with this connection, I will look after Fish-Man Island."
"Uh, it is not a matter of connection either…"
"Once the New World stabilizes in the future, I will specifically find an island on the surface for the residents of Fish-Man Island to live on."
Neptune: "…"
You already said everything that needed to be said. What… what else can I even say?
King Neptune helplessly glanced at Queen Otohime. After thinking for a moment, she did not answer Roy. Instead, she took out a Transponder Snail.
This Transponder Snail was very distinctive. It had two long crescent-shaped whiskers.
Roy recognized it at a glance as a special Transponder Snail of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Roy had no hesitation at all. He directly picked up the receiver.
After a burst of ringing—
"Gurarararara! What is it, King Neptune? Are you inviting me over for a drink, or is there another brat on Fish-Man Island who doesn't know his limits and has a bit of strength, thinking he can attack Ryugu Palace?"
A bold and heroic voice came from the other end of the Transponder Snail.
"Sorry, but I don't plan to attack Ryugu Palace. I just want to plant my flag on Fish-Man Island."
Roy spoke calmly. Even if the other party was currently the strongest man in the world, he would still not be Roy's opponent.
Of course, to truly decide victory or defeat, they would still have to fight face-to-face.
"Hm?"
The voice on the other end clearly dropped by a tone.
"And what brat crawled out of nowhere this time? You dare try to steal my Fish-Man Island?"
"You may have heard my name before. I'm Roy."
"Roy?"
The voice on the other end muttered the name once, then said with great interest, "You're that lightning brat, right? You were able to kill one of the Marines' top combatants, so you've got real skill. But…"
His voice instantly became deep again.
"That is no reason for you to act recklessly. You should know that the seas of the New World are completely different from Paradise in the first half of the Grand Line!"
"I know."
The corners of Roy's mouth lifted slightly, and his expression was fully reflected through the Transponder Snail.
"But I still have some confidence in my strength. The title of world's strongest may be changing hands very soon."
"Is that so? Then come as you please. I'll be waiting here for you to challenge me, and for you to take Fish-Man Island from my hands."
Click.
Roy ignored the dumbstruck Neptune and the visibly unsettled Otohime, and directly hung up the call.
"So, this has now become a matter between Whitebeard and me. It has nothing to do with Fish-Man Island anymore. What you need to do is quietly wait until Whitebeard and I finish fighting, then wait for me to send people over to change the flag…"
Roy said it as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
And in truth, it was only a matter of time.
King Neptune no longer knew what to say at all.
Otohime, meanwhile, looked at Roy with burning eyes and said, "Then, if Roy-san truly hangs his flag over Fish-Man Island, will we really be able to live on land?"
To Fish-Man Island, this did not seem like a loss at all. If Roy lost, the flag would still be Whitebeard's, the same as before.
But if Roy won, then they would finally be able to live on the land they had always longed for.
As for the World Government, their reach did not extend into the New World.
Even if Fish-Man Island truly had to give them an explanation, they could simply say they had not done it willingly and had been forced.
And as for whether Roy was telling the truth, Queen Otohime's Observation Haki gave her the intuition that it was true.
Even if it was false and he was deceiving her, at worst, they would still remain under the sea. There would be no real loss.
"Of course."
Roy answered very openly.
He truly did want to move all the fish-men of Fish-Man Island onto an island in the New World.
For pirates, Fish-Man Island was the only route from the first half of the Grand Line into the New World, so its geographical value was uniquely advantageous.
Roy had already made his plans. Once the battle that established the Four Emperors' balance of power ended, he would station people on Fish-Man Island.
Anyone who wanted to pass through Fish-Man Island and enter the New World would have to hand over one Devil Fruit!
This would be the toll.
If they refused to pay, hehe…
Then they could go back wherever they came from. If they wanted to resist, then the Thunder God Pirates would teach them a harsh lesson in minutes!
…
After chatting casually with Queen Otohime and the others for a while, Roy left.
During that time, he briefly paused time and touched Otohime.
After obtaining the information he wanted, Roy went to a bar on Fish-Man Island to drink.
It was rare to come to such a dreamlike island. How could he not enjoy himself properly for two days?
Beautiful fish-women and mermaids could be called every man's dream, and they were all very warm and enthusiastic.
(End of Chapter)
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