"Wait, what's going on? That Saint also came?"
On Holp's side, they had originally planned to set off now and head to Ryugu Kingdom to demand someone, but suddenly heard the news of Rosse's appearance.
Rosward, on the other hand, reacted extremely calmly. He glanced at Holp, who seemed to be regretting something, and said disdainfully, "He came, so what? He even came on my ship. What's so surprising about that?"
"He came on your ship?", Holp widened his eyes.
The more he listened to this, the weirder it sounded.
'Why would Saint Rosse come to Fish-Man Island?'
'Why would he hide his identity?'
'Why would he come on Rosward's ship?'
All these suspicious points tangled together, making Holp extremely restless.
He had studied Rosse before, that was absolutely a Celestial Dragon who was flashy down to his bones.
Any little thing, and he'd want to broadcast it to the world, dying to share his feats with others.
Someone like that, how could he possibly hide his identity and sneak to Fish-Man Island?
'There's something fishy inside!'
"What are you spacing out for? Hurry up and go!", Rosward urged.
But before Holp could figure it out, under Rosward's urgent push, he no longer had time to think too much.
At this point, the arrow was already on the string, he had no choice but to release it.
He was already pushed onto the fire by Rosward and could only head to Ryugu Kingdom first.
'Let's hope… Rosse-sama's purpose in coming to Fish-Man Island isn't Ryugu Kingdom,' Holp comforted himself internally, bringing Rosward along as they set out toward Ryugu Kingdom.
Over there, the concubine selection was just about to start. Once Neptune announced Sabina as the new queen, it would be their turn to take the stage.
———
[Fish-Man District]
Rosse and Otohime had just arrived when they stopped in their tracks due to the crowd of fish-men.
"Queen Otohime, Fish-Man District welcomes your visit."
The portly whale shark Fish-Man Jinbe stood at the front of the Fish-Man group and bowed his head toward Otohime.
"I'm no longer a Queen, Jinbe," Otohime gently shook her head, denying the title of Queen.
She squeezed Rosse's hand tightly, signaling him to stay calm.
Rosse, of course, didn't mind. Since Otohime had made her decision, today he was just an observer.
If he really had to make a move, it would have to wait until the Whitebeard Pirates showed up.
Four division commanders wanted to take him down, what an insult.
"Compared to Neptune, we respect you more," Jinbe spoke solemnly, looking at Otohime with undisguised reverence in his eyes.
The former Otohime was a pure and kind person.
Someone like that might not be understood by many, but Jinbe, who aspired to walk the path of a hero, had sincerely respected her from early on.
It was precisely because of people like Otohime that Fish-Man Island wasn't too far gone.
But now—
Jinbe looked at this somewhat unfamiliar Otohime with faint worry in his heart.
'Even someone like Queen Otohime, who used to be as pure as a white lotus, has she changed into someone unfamiliar too?'
"Jinbe, ever since Tiger left, you've become the leader of Fish-Man District. I want to ask you a question," Otohime raised her head, her gaze falling on Jinbe, "If I want to create a new Fish-Man Island, one without oppression, where all races are equal, will you follow me, or remain here in Fish-Man District?"
This was the final chance she was giving Fish-Man District.
If Jinbe refused, then she would not return here again.
The hundreds of thousands of fish-men here, how many lived or died would depend on their own choices.
Her new Fish-Man Island would have no place for them.
"New Fish-Man Island?", Jinbe was stunned. He hadn't expected Otohime to throw out such a bombshell right after they met.
And not just him, the other fish-men behind him also looked at Otohime with changed expressions.
Some were confused, some doubtful, some mocking, some full of anticipation… All kinds of emotions mixed together.
Although, in general, the fish-men of Fish-Man District had little affection toward mermaids, they still understood what kind of person Otohime was.
Otohime was the only one who held a high position in Ryugu Kingdom, yet was willing to come to Fish-Man District to deliver supplies, and try to persuade them toward kindness.
Due to all kinds of reasons and oppression, they didn't feel they deserved kindness.
But Otohime's existence was the only light in their lives.
Even though they lived in darkness, they still believed Otohime would fulfill her promise, not deceive them.
If Neptune had come, they'd only think he was making false promises, trying to trick them out of Fish-Man District to sell them off as slaves.
"Queen, regarding your idea, I offer the highest respect. I personally am willing to follow you and support you. But I cannot represent Fish-Man District, nor can I speak for all fish-men," Jinbe bowed again, giving Otohime the highest reverence.
At the same time, he voiced his own thoughts and difficulties.
Before coming, he had already met with Shyarly and heard from her about the possible future disasters awaiting Fish-Man District and Fish-Man Island.
Now, combined with Otohime's words, it was clear: if they refused, what awaited Fish-Man District might be the prophesied fire of destruction.
But even setting those things aside, Jinbe was still willing to support Otohime.
Though Otohime might be a bit idealistic, the world she envisioned was undeniably a beautiful future for Fish-Man District.
"Gather everyone in Fish-Man District. Anyone willing to come with me, whether Fish-Man or mermaid, sign your name," Otohime spoke softly, then her tone suddenly turned stern, "But there's something I must say first. In the new Fish-Man Island, no evil acts will be tolerated. I can forgive past wrongs, but from the moment you sign, any wrongdoing will be punished strictly by the rules."
"Queen, if you can guarantee we can survive, no one would willingly commit evil," Jinbe said earnestly. He had never done bad things, but he knew well what his kin were like.
But he had always believed that it was the environment that shaped their behavior.
If the fish-men of Fish-Man District could live like the mermaids of Ryugu Kingdom, earn a good enough wage through work, easily support themselves and their families, no one would commit those evils.
The reason there were so many criminal acts here was simply due to a lack of resources.
Any resource had to be fought for with one's own hands.
In such an environment, how could kindness bloom?
"The World Government will grant me a new land island, where mermaids and fish-men can both live. Mr. Rosse, who stands beside me, you all should know him too."
"In the early stages, he will provide a 100 billion Berries interest-free loan to help us build the new island. During this period, he will also help us develop various industries. Only when we are prosperous enough will we begin repaying the loan," Otohime explained frankly. These were the terms Rosse had offered her.
And in her eyes, it was already extremely generous.
100 billion Berries, under normal circumstances, was enough to cover the expenses of 5 million people on Fish-Man Island for ten years.
Even for building a new Fish-Man Island, this was a massive amount of support.
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