Chapter 39: Fish-Man Island Marine Branch!
Two months have passed like a River of Time since Doflamingo left Mary Geoise. It was now mid-April.
However, for the people living on the Grand Line, months were simply months, completely unrelated to climate or season.
Furthermore, the Reverie in June was drawing closer and closer.
"Your Majesty, since February of this year, incidents of Human Pirates breaking in and attempting to abduct Mermaids have been continuously increasing. This month, it has become even more rampant. Four incidents have occurred in just two weeks. Fortunately, the Sea King Army managed to catch up in time and rescue the people, but it still resulted in over a hundred Warriors being injured. Your humble servant believes that if this continues, the situation will become even worse."
Inside the luxurious Main Hall of Ryugu Palace on Fish-Man Island, the Catfish Fish-Man Left Minister looked at King Neptune on the Throne with deep worry.
"It's all because of that Great Pirate Treasure rumor..."
King Neptune covered his forehead in distress. The rumor was so widespread now that even he, living ten thousand meters beneath the Seabed, had heard of it.
"But what can we do? The basic Strength of Fish-Men is indeed ten times that of Humans, but how could the Human Pirates who have fought their way through the First Half of the Grand Line to reach here possibly be Mortals?"
"Ultimately, it's because we don't have an Expert holding down the fort..."
Hearing the King's words, the Left Minister also had nothing to say. The Warriors of the Sea King Army were not weak, but they were just 'not weak'. Let alone in the New World, they couldn't even be considered very strong in Paradise.
"Your subordinate, greetings, Your Majesty!"
Just then, the Seahorse Merman Right Minister rushed in and reported, "Your Majesty, the World Government Ship and Marine Warship are waiting outside the main gate for entry."
"Quickly invite them in!"
King Neptune's eyes lit up, and his mood gradually became excited. He had a premonition that the troubles Fish-Man Island was currently facing would soon be resolved.
After a half-hour that felt like an eternity to the Mermaid King, Coulson, whom he had met before, and a tall Marine Officer walked into the Main Hall.
"Welcome, welcome, welcome Director Coulson back to our Fish-Man Island as a guest!" King Neptune appeared very happy and enthusiastic.
"Long time no see, Your Majesty the King." Coulson showed his signature Smile, then introduced the person beside him.
"This is Vice Admiral Aokiji from Marine Headquarters, also a newly promoted Admiral Candidate."
Kuzan looked at the giant Mermaid King sitting on the Throne and greeted him politely, "Hello, I am Kuzan. Please take care of me in the future."
"Uh, hello, hello." King Neptune didn't know what to say, so he turned his gaze to Coulson and asked, "What brings the two of you here this time?"
Coulson maintained a gentle Smile on his face.
"According to the previously signed Communique on the Establishment of Equal and Friendly Relations between Humans, Merfolk, and Fish-Men, I have brought the Merfolk and Fish-Men from Mary Geoise and all Affiliated Countries. Your Majesty can dispatch personnel to receive them."
"Really?"
King Neptune immediately stood up and excitedly instructed the Left Minister beside him.
"Quickly take some people to see!"
"Yes, your humble servant will go now!" The Left Minister was also very excited.
In the past, trying to get the Celestial Dragons and those Nobility to return the Mermaids they had bought would have been a pipe dream, a fantasy.
Seeing the Left Minister's figure disappear outside the Main Hall door, King Neptune expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Coulson and the World Government.
Seeing this, Kuzan on the side sighed in his Heart. Although he didn't know why, the World Government seemed to have changed a lot recently.
Drum Kingdom was like this, and Fish-Man Island was also like this. These were all acts of Justice that he had witnessed firsthand and even participated in.
This made Kuzan, whose passion had not yet cooled, unconsciously feel a significant increase in his goodwill towards the World Government.
Coulson waited for King Neptune's excitement to calm down before speaking again, "Your Majesty the King, besides helping with the escort this time, Vice Admiral Aokiji is also preparing to establish a Marine Branch on Fish-Man Island. He will be responsible for related matters in the coming years."
"Marine Branch!"
King Neptune was startled, then immediately remembered that there was indeed such a clause in the Communique. He asked, "May I ask how many Marines will be stationed here, and where will the Branch be built?"
Coulson did not answer this question; instead, Kuzan was responsible for replying, "The tentative plan is for me to bring the first batch of one thousand Headquarters Marines to be stationed on Fish-Man Island. After the main facilities of the Branch are completed, another four thousand Marine Soldiers will be stationed here."
After he finished speaking, Coulson continued.
"The construction of the Marine Branch will be handled by the Construction Team brought by our Administrative Department. As for the location of the Branch, a decision will be made after Professionals conduct a survey. We hope Fish-Man Island can provide some support."
"Hahaha, of course, no problem. However, I thought you wouldn't come until at least after the Reverie." King Neptune laughed heartily.
"If everything goes smoothly, according to the construction period, building from now should be completed around the time the Reverie ends," Coulson said with a Smile.
"I see!"
"Then, before the Branch facilities are completed, where will Vice Admiral Aokiji and the Marines be stationed?" King Neptune asked curiously.
Kuzan replied, "During this period, we will live on the Warship, ensuring we don't affect the Residents."
"How can that be! Although our Fish-Man Island is not large, we have plenty of places that can accommodate a thousand people!"
King Neptune naturally didn't want to treat Kuzan and the Marines poorly. He knew very well that his Citizens would rely on their protection for a long time to come.
"Alright, Left Minister, take the Marines to temporarily station at Waterwheel Town in the north, and then have the Artisans quickly build a batch of Shell Houses!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Then I'll trouble you."
Kuzan thanked him politely, then followed the orange-skinned Seahorse Minister out. However, Coulson, who remained, did not leave immediately.
"Your Majesty Neptune, according to the Communique, Fish-Man Island can also station Troops on Sabaody Archipelago. We have cleared out Area 62."
King Neptune scratched the back of his head awkwardly and laughed, "Ah, this... I'm very sorry, we thought this matter wouldn't proceed until after the Reverie, so we haven't had time to discuss it yet."
Coulson didn't mind, just nodded, and continued, "Also, regarding the matter of dispatching Mermaids or Fish-Men to join the World Government, Marines, and various other departments, I have brought the number of Fish-Men the Marines wish to introduce and a list of important Fish-Men this time."
"Oh? Tell me!" King Neptune was very curious about how many Fish-Men the Marines would allow to join, and who the so-called important Fish-Men were.
"Marine Headquarters will introduce a first batch of two hundred Fish-Men Tribe or Merfolk Tribe members in total. Among them, the Merfolk Tribe will primarily handle administrative work, while the Fish-Man Tribe will form a Fish-Man Unit."
As he spoke, Coulson took out a white paper from his pocket, on which were recorded the Names of several Fish-Men.
"The important Mermaids are Fisher Tiger, Jinbe, and Aladdin."
King Neptune was startled when he heard these three Names, then looked confused, "I've heard of Fisher Tiger, but Jinbe, Aladdin, who are they?"
"According to Intelligence, the twenty-two-year-old Whale Shark Fish-Man Jinbe and the Many-Bearded Weasel Merman Aladdin are currently serving in your Sea King Army."
Outside, the Catfish-faced Left Minister looked strangely at the Mermaids and Fish-Men disembarking from the World Government Ship.
Outwardly, they seemed fine, with no injuries or disabilities. However, their cheerful, smiling faces seemed a bit too optimistic, didn't they?
They had been Slaves before, after all.
However, the Left Minister could only Shake his Head in the end, assuming these people were simply too happy.
After all, being able to return to Fish-Man Island alive was indeed something to be thankful for.
Author's Note: Fish-Man Island Marine Branch! Jinbe joins Marine Headquarters! From now on, Whitebeard won't have anything to do with Fish-Man Island~~
Author's Note: The next chapter will be updated tomorrow afternoon. Unless the plot requires continuity, it's better to post them separately. It's good to get more exposure. Oh, right, the Collection for this Book is now over 300, and there are 80 Follow-up Reads, but the Comments haven't increased at all. Alas.
(End of Chapter)