Deep beneath the sea lay Fish-Man Island.
The island's architecture was unique, filled with the atmosphere of the ocean and a dreamlike fantasy found nowhere on the surface.
At its very heart stood the magnificent Ryugu Palace, and within it, the throne room embodied the full dignity and solemn authority of the kingdom.
The moment one stepped inside, the first things to enter the eye were the enormous coral lamps.
They seemed like miraculous works of art bestowed by nature itself, giving off a deep blue glow like mysterious eyes from the depths of the sea.
Their soft yet cold radiance slowly spilled across the surrounding walls.
Those walls were not made from ordinary materials.
They were inlaid with countless dazzling pieces of mother-of-pearl, each one shimmering with a delicate luster beneath the light, as though stars had fallen into the mortal world and woven themselves into a breathtaking scene.
In that splendid yet silent atmosphere, King Neptune sat upon his throne.
His broad, powerful hand was tightly gripping a newspaper from the surface world.
Because he was using too much strength, the paper had already been crumpled, carrying the weight of his unease and worry.
Across the front of the newspaper, the blood-red words Marine Kill Order stood out sharply, burning like flames.
Under the fluorescent glow unique to Fish-Man Island, those words looked especially glaring, like a merciless verdict foretelling the storm to come.
"This time… there will be real chaos."
King Neptune's low voice slowly echoed through the hall like muffled thunder, every syllable filled with deep worry and helplessness.
His trident stood quietly at his side. The gemstones set into it gave off faint clinking sounds as his wrist trembled slightly.
The sound was soft, yet it seemed like the tolling of a bell of fate, enough to chill the heart.
Standing beside the throne, Prince Fukaboshi's face had gone as pale as paper, completely drained of color.
His usually agile fish tail had tightened unconsciously, and his scales spread wide from fear, trembling like fragile feathers in the wind.
His eyes were locked on the newspaper, clearly reading the inconspicuous yet crucial line printed in the corner.
Including all forces colluding with pirates.
The moment he thought of that, despair surged in his heart.
After all, Fish-Man Island had often provided supplies to the Whitebeard Pirates.
In the storm of reckoning that was about to arrive, they were undoubtedly standing right in the path of the gale, with disaster almost impossible to avoid.
"Father!"
Fukaboshi suddenly gathered his courage and stepped forward.
His hands clenched into fists without him realizing it, his pearl-colored nails digging deep into his palms and leaving faint marks, though he felt no pain at all.
His voice carried urgency and panic as he said, "Should we ask the Eternal Divine Kingdom for help? The Marines are serious this time. We will definitely be—"
He did not get to finish.
King Neptune suddenly raised his hand, signaling for him to stop.
The old king's gaze passed through the dome's mirror-clear crystal and looked straight toward the seemingly peaceful yet deceptive false sky above.
There, the thick, winding roots of the Sunlight Tree Eve continuously carried sunlight down from the surface, casting wavering patches of light across the seafloor.
They looked like dancing spirits, yet there was also something strangely unsettling about them.
After a moment of silence, King Neptune's gaze gradually became firm.
He slowly turned toward the Minister of the Left, who was standing respectfully nearby, and said in a steady, powerful voice, "Prepare a personal letter from me. Use the finest sea-sheep parchment."
The Minister of the Right panicked at once when he heard this and hurriedly swam forward, his face full of concern.
"Your Majesty! Wouldn't forming an alliance with the Eternal Divine Kingdom be too risky? After all, they are…"
His words carried fear and uncertainty toward the unknown.
King Neptune gave a faint bitter smile and pointed toward another newspaper on the table.
Printed on it was news of the prosperous development of Totto Land.
He slowly said, "Compared with the World Government, Ron at least fulfilled his promise to Big Mom."
The meaning was obvious.
In this unpredictable situation, cooperating with the Eternal Divine Kingdom was their only choice.
Outside the throne room, soft, hazy light poured through layers of pearl curtains that fell like a river of stars.
Through that precious barrier, one could clearly see the guards of Ryugu Palace swiftly gathering with tense expressions.
Their originally upright figures now appeared even more rigid and resolute, every movement carrying invisible pressure and urgency.
The coral bells, which in the past had sounded melodious and beautiful like music from heaven, suddenly changed tone in this strained atmosphere.
Now, they sounded like sharp warning bells, striking people's hearts again and again, ruthlessly announcing the sudden change in the situation.
Fukaboshi sat before an exquisitely carved stone table, the quill in his hand moving swiftly across the parchment.
His brows were tightly furrowed, his gaze focused and determined.
Fine beads of sweat had already appeared on his forehead, though he did not notice them at all.
The words flowed from his pen like running water, every character carrying the fate and hope of Fish-Man Island.
Neptune sat upright upon his ornate throne. For a moment, a trace of remembrance flashed through his deep eyes.
Within that light were the peace and tranquility of days long past, as well as his attachment to those better times.
But it lasted only an instant before that warmth was replaced by resolve.
He raised his head slightly, his gaze fixed firmly ahead, and spoke in a steady, powerful voice.
"A new era has already arrived. The old order has been broken. We need new allies to face the unknown challenges ahead together."
"Write this…"
"Fish-Man Island is willing to establish a permanent friendly relationship with the Eternal Divine Kingdom. With full sincerity, we hope—no, we earnestly request—their protection."
When the tightly sealed letter was solemnly handed over to the fastest oarfish messenger, it was as though all of Fish-Man Island had been frozen in place for an instant.
Then, immediately afterward, the entire island entered a state of full martial law.
Across streets and alleys, the lively, crowded shops closed their doors one after another.
Heavy wooden boards dropped down in succession, each one making a dull thud.
After receiving the emergency notice, the mermaid girls hurriedly packed up their belongings and rushed back to Coral Apartments with quick, anxious steps.
Their faces were filled with worry and unease, and their once-lively eyes had become dim.
Even Gyoncorde Plaza, normally the liveliest and most crowded place on the island, had become cold and deserted.
Only squads of patrolling guards moved through it with straight backs, their eyes sweeping vigilantly over the surroundings, refusing to miss even the slightest suspicious sign.
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