Dragon Palace.
Jinbe truthfully recounted the agreement he had reached with Reddy, without mixing in any personal feelings.
This matter concerned the dream that Fish-Man Island had been chasing for so long. He did not want to favor Reddy just because he had a good impression of him.
"This is really unbearable."
The Left Minister did not believe that Reddy could help realize Fish-Man Island's long-held dream without demanding anything in return. He kindly advised, "Jinbe, you value benevolence and justice, which is good. However, you are too trusting of others."
The Right Minister was also skeptical and voiced his doubts, "A man with a 4 billion berry bounty, the fifth emperor of the sea... Does he really have no ulterior motives toward Fish-Man Island?"
There is no such thing as a free lunch.
This saying is not only believed by humans but also by the fish-men.
"But since that man is recognized as the fifth emperor of the sea, he probably wouldn't deceive Jinbe."
This matter concerned Fish-Man Island's future and the will of the late Queen Otohime. Prince Fukaboshi participated in this meeting and suggested that they could first invite Reddy to Dragon Palace as a guest. They could then judge Reddy's true intentions based on various details.
The other two princes agreed with their elder brother's opinion.
Jinbe shook his head. "If he really had ulterior motives toward Fish-Man Island, he wouldn't waste effort deceiving us. Since he could annihilate the Navy's punitive force and even repel Kaido and Big Mom, could Dragon Palace stop him?"
The Left and Right Ministers were left speechless.
This made perfect sense.
Fish-Man Island was located at the intersection of the New World and Paradise, occupying a strategically important geographical position.
It had always faced harassment from pirates who wanted to enter the New World to make a name for themselves.
It was only after Jinbe accepted the World Government's recruitment and became a Warlord that the pirates entering Fish-Man Island became slightly more restrained.
However, although Jinbe was strong, he was far weaker than monsters like Kaido and Big Mom.
If Reddy could repel those two monsters and annihilate the Navy's punitive force, who could stop him if he really wanted to attack Fish-Man Island?
Who would dare to stop him?
"Father, I will go invite Dr. Reddy to Dragon Palace as a guest."
Prince Fukaboshi volunteered, expressing his willingness to accompany Jinbe to welcome Reddy to Dragon Palace.
The other two princes also agreed.
King Neptune sighed. "I know you all have placed high hopes on Dr. Reddy."
How could he not understand his three sons?
Ever since Queen Otohime was assassinated, his three sons had been actively working to fulfill their mother's wishes.
When Jinbe brought back news that their mother's wish might be realized, his three sons were clearly moved.
However, as the king of Fish-Man Island, he could not be so impulsive.
He had to take responsibility for the fish-men and merfolk.
Prince Fukaboshi and the others fell silent, quietly waiting for their father's next words.
"But..."
King Neptune, as they feared, used that word and changed the subject, raising another difficult point. "How will the World Government deal with Fish-Man Island?"
Everyone, including Jinbe, fell silent.
Yes.
The World Government's attitude was the key constraint on Fish-Man Island.
Although, thanks to Queen Otohime's relentless efforts, Fish-Man Island had become a member state of the World Government and gained the right to attend the Reverie, the fish-men were still discriminated against.
This was all intentional by the World Government.
A Fish-Man Island that coexisted harmoniously with humans did not serve the World Government's interests. A Fish-Man Island that was discriminated against but still sought to align with humans was what satisfied the human nobles' sense of superiority.
By satisfying these human nobles, the World Government could more easily rule the world.
Prince Fukaboshi's expression darkened, but he struggled to argue, "As long as Fish-Man Island rises into the sky, the World Government won't be able to threaten us anymore?"
King Neptune smiled bitterly.
He had been to Mary Geoise and had personally witnessed former great pirates who once roamed the New World reduced to slaves of the Celestial Dragons.
The World Government—or rather, the Celestial Dragons—had far deeper reserves of power than what was visible on the surface.
Reddy had the strength and was not afraid of the World Government.
But what did Fish-Man Island have?
Moreover, at Queen Otohime's funeral, his daughter Shirahoshi had awakened the ability to control giant Sea Kings. This was another factor that made it difficult for him to make a decision.
If Fish-Man Island rose into the sky, his daughter, who was suspected to be the ancient weapon Poseidon, would lose her most important significance.
"We could migrate to the East Blue."
Jinbe suddenly remembered that Amazon Lily was planning to migrate to the East Blue and quickly mentioned it.
The East Blue was already tacitly recognized by the world as the territory of the fifth emperor of the sea, Dr. Reddy. If Fish-Man Island migrated to the East Blue, the World Government might not dare to take action against them.
Or they could take an even more direct approach: join Reddy's faction and accept his protection.
"Father!"
Prince Fukaboshi became excited.
Migrating Fish-Man Island to the East Blue was a stroke of genius.
Although accepting Reddy's protection might seem cowardly, it would fulfill their mother Queen Otohime's wish and allow all citizens to live under the sun.
The Left and Right Ministers hesitated to speak.
The migration of Fish-Man Island to the East Blue was a major issue.
They could accept Reddy's protection.
But would the other citizens be willing?
After all, not everyone was willing to submit to others.
What if some fool provoked that man and angered him, leading to retaliation against Fish-Man Island?
That man was publicly recognized as the fifth emperor of the sea, the infamous Evil Scientist!
King Neptune was conflicted.
His thoughts were similar to those of the Left and Right Ministers. He didn't care whether they accepted Reddy's protection.
What he cared about was what would happen if Fish-Man Island angered Reddy in some way.
Would they have to kneel and beg for forgiveness?
As the king of Fish-Man Island, doing so would inevitably cost him the support of the fish-men and merfolk.
King Neptune remained silent for a long time, unable to make a decision. He didn't even agree to invite Reddy to Dragon Palace as a guest, fearing that doing so would provoke the World Government's retaliation.
Prince Fukaboshi, his two younger brothers, and the Left and Right Ministers couldn't say much and could only wait patiently.
Seeing this, Jinbe sighed inwardly.
Emotionally, he trusted Reddy. However, King Neptune's hesitation was not without reason.
He had considered these issues during his journey.
In the end, he chose to trust Reddy, believing that this man he admired would handle Fish-Man Island's affairs fairly.
But he was only the former captain of Dragon Palace's guards.
Even now that he had become a Warlord, Fish-Man Island was still ruled by King Neptune.
So he compromised and once again proposed inviting Reddy to Dragon Palace as a guest.
On one hand, he wanted to use facts to make King Neptune truly understand this man of great magnanimity.
On the other hand, he wanted Reddy to personally experience Fish-Man Island in every sense.
He hoped Reddy's attitude in handling such matters would reassure King Neptune.
The third reason was a bit of personal desire.
He hoped to use Reddy's reputation to persuade King Neptune to compromise and realize Fish-Man Island's long-held dream.
Prince Fukaboshi, supported by Jinbe, earnestly advised, "Father, Dr. Reddy is Fish-Man Island's most distinguished guest. We shouldn't make him wait outside for too long."
The other two princes agreed wholeheartedly. They even worried that leaving such a man waiting outside for too long might anger him.
Perhaps the two princes' concerns alerted King Neptune and the Left and Right Ministers. They stopped hesitating and immediately arranged for Prince Fukaboshi and the other two princes to accompany Jinbe and invite Reddy to Dragon Palace as a guest.
Soon, a grand procession left Dragon Palace.
Jinbe stood beside Prince Fukaboshi and shared his complicated feelings while explaining his plan. "Prince Fukaboshi, I hope..."