"A mermaid marrying a human?"
"Yes, Brother Ah Long, you also find such people unreasonable, right?"
Ah Long indeed felt something was off, but he thought the one out of line was Hody.
Otohime had been carrying out her activities for a long time, but it was only recently that there was any progress. Not to mention a mermaid marrying a human, the last mermaid closely associated with humans dated back to the era of the previous Sea King.
Perhaps some ordinary mermaids had similar experiences, but they were too unknown, completely unnoticed.
The term "marrying a human" on Fishman Island was tantamount to being named outright, and besides Rushaka, you couldn't find a second person.
But Hody didn't notice the change in Ah Long's expression, still engrossed in his monologue.
"Lately, those people are still going to human amusement parks. What's so good about human things? The upper echelons of Fishman Island have gone mad; they've forgotten that the Fishmen are the most noble species. Those humans should be humbly trampled underfoot.
Only trash likes human amusement parks."
With those words, Ah Long's face also darkened, and Hody thought he had persuaded him.
"Brother Ah Long, we should take action. You should lead Fishman Street to make a change! Those guys should be cleansed; they've insulted the noble bloodline of the Fishmen!"
At this moment, Ah Long suddenly understood what Sharley felt when looking at him before. Hody's words sounded very jarring to his ears, especially when he insulted those who liked amusement parks. Wasn't that talking about him?
Other Fishmen might have visited once or twice, but he was the only one who stayed there continuously, and Hody's cleansing plan seemed completely wrong.
Based on the scope he designated, Ah Long himself seemed to be a target for cleansing.
Tiger was his big brother, and Tiger had always advocated not to blindly hate humans.
Ah Long himself was a regular visitor to amusement parks, and Sharley and Mandfeish seemed to have some unclear relationship. So, as Sharley's brother, what was he supposed to think?
But after all, Hody was still a Fishman, so Ah Long did nothing and calmly patted Hody on the shoulder when he was passionately speaking.
"Hody, you're too radical. How can you do such things to your fellow Fishmen?"
"Brother Ah Long..."
"And just going to amusement parks, that's nothing. Who doesn't like to play? There are many jerks among humans, but there's always one or two good people too. Your ideas are still too immature."
Then Ah Long simply left without taking Hody's words to heart. There were many people in Fishman Street who dared to say such things, but none acted on it, most just indulged in empty talk.
He had fought some human pirates near Fishman Island before, and then it was a life led by the Sun Pirates under Tiger's leadership. Besides that, he was just a big talker, knowing well his level in the Grand Line.
His favorite target for big talk was Jinbe because Jinbe wouldn't do anything to him, making it very safe.
Watching Ah Long leave, Hody didn't call out to him, but the look in Hody's eyes had changed, losing the former admiration.
"Brother Ah Long, you've been corrupted too.... It's still up to me to save the Fishman Race...."
Since childhood, he had been instilled with the idea that humans were the true villains. There were many like him on Fishman Street, which is why Jinbe didn't recommend Otohime make too much of a commotion at the present stage.
But none were as deeply affected as Hody. Hody himself hadn't experienced any persecution, yet he was the most fanatical, unwavering in his beliefs.
Hody didn't take immediate action but started planning something.
....
Tiger and Mandfeish were still on their way back, while on the Red Earth Continent, Tesoro obtained a seemingly luxurious sheet of paper. With this, the subsequent plan could continue.
"Ha ha, Tesoro, you really are something. If you had such connections, you should have said so earlier, then I wouldn't have had to go to such lengths to handle those things for you."
"I have no connection with them; maybe they just have a fondness for me."
"How can that be? Those are the Heavenly Celestial Dragons. Forget it, when you open for business, I'll come and give you a gift."
"No need for gifts, but do come often."
"Certainly, certainly. I have work to do; we'll meet again."
A man who appeared to be an official left Tesoro's presence, seemingly very respectful. Tesoro then returned to his domain, placing the paper on the table.
"Persian, don't touch that. That license took a lot of effort."
"Meow?"
"In short, it's very important. You go bask in the sun for now."
After placing Persian on the cat climbing frame on the balcony, Tesoro looked again at the special license.
"Why was it so smooth this time? Didn't you say someone was putting obstacles in your way before?"
Stella returned with Uta, and apart from Cindry, who had a separate residence due to her age, An and Uta lived with them in a semi-adopted state. Stella felt that Tesoro had been busy with this affair for a long time.
"Is it Baccarat's luck?"
"Probably not. This time, a Heavenly Celestial Dragon family suddenly gave in. Those people wouldn't dare to go against the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, but I haven't had much contact with this family. Perhaps they see the profits in it too."
The license was actually a ship's certificate, or rather, a declaration of independence, something Tesoro had prepared for that entertainment city.
The gigantic ship, which took years to build, was mostly complete, and the Grand Tesoro was ready for its maiden voyage, just awaiting such approval.
Ordinary ships certainly didn't need such measures, but the Grand Tesoro, measuring ten kilometers long, was ostensibly a ship but was, in reality, a floating city on the sea.
Without the tacit approval of the World Government, such a ship simply couldn't sail and operate at sea, which was what Tesoro was busy with.
He hated the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, but their power was most useful. His aim was to replace taxes with heavenly gold, making this place the economic center of the Underworld.
Earlier, that official intended to skim off more profits during the process. He was about to succeed, but there was suddenly a change above, with the Figarland Clan suddenly stepping in to support Tesoro's endeavor.
The involvement of the Figarland Clan also affected certain things. Tesoro had originally built connections with some of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons through money, using this relationship, he amassed a lot of wealth, also bringing enormous profits to the Heavenly Celestial Dragons.
Worried about losing their cash cow, they readily agreed to the matter. With support from two families, everything naturally went smoothly with the World Government, and the Grand Tesoro transformed from a ship into a special independent nation.