Manaphy, who has long stayed in the deep sea, also received an invitation from Neptune.
Because he is well acquainted with Shirahoshi and has a good relationship with the family, he was able to sit on Neptune's shoulder.
Both Neptune and Otohime are well aware of the terrifying power hidden within Manaphy's seemingly small body, a power comparable to the Sea King, and even the Sea King Type would give him face.
Also arriving here were Tiger and Jinbe. As soon as the war at the summit ended, Jinbe left there, while Tiger had long been on Fishman Island.
In the days without Jinbe, he was the one responsible for defending Fishman Island, while the newly established New Fishman Island was entrusted to Mandfeish and Nereus.
At this time, Jinbe and Tiger were also waiting here as attendants.
"King Neptune, don't worry, nothing unexpected will happen, the Master won't interfere in such matters.
Even when we were flying Whitebeard's flag, the Hundred Beasts offered us protection, let alone now."
"I hope so."
In fact, Neptune was thinking even further. He and Whitebeard were friends, and it was due to this relationship that Fishman Island initially received Whitebeard's flag.
Whitebeard died at the hands of Kaidou in a duel, and that was Whitebeard's choice, which Neptune couldn't say anything about. But Whitebeard's last declaration made Neptune feel very conflicted.
That statement would inevitably lead to more pirates appearing on the sea, and the increase in pirates would impact Fishman Island.
He could guess that Whitebeard had some special thoughts. From a personal perspective, he could understand Whitebeard, but from a king's standpoint, he couldn't accept it.
"Here they come."
Manaphy suddenly spoke to himself and then left Neptune's shoulder, taking out a piece of Bubble Coral and flying towards the Origin.
...
"Master, long time no see... strange, it's a bit cold on the ship..."
Upon arriving on the Origin, Manaphy abruptly felt a chill, then saw the half-dormant Regice.
After returning to the Origin, Regice became sluggish, directly finding a corner to simulate an iceberg.
Most of the cold was retracted into its body. Yet, even so, Regice was still like a large air conditioner.
Yamato was indifferent to this, but Page One and Ulti were not. Their instincts drove them to the furthest place away from Regice.
For example, Page One was at the stern observing the fish in the deep sea, seemingly contemplating the chances of catching the air force, while Ulti went to a cabin room to rest until Manaphy boarded the Origin, and they didn't return to the bow.
"Long time no see, Manaphy. Does Neptune have any other thoughts?"
"No, he's just worried about the future of Fishman Island, so he's hosting a banquet to settle the flag issue as soon as possible."
"At least he's a king with some responsibility."
"Master, this way please, Neptune has been waiting a long time."
Guided by Manaphy, Arceus and his entourage followed Neptune to Dragon Palace City, where in the banquet hall, Otohime was already waiting with her children.
Kaidou didn't care about the trivial stuff, he was just eyeing the strong liquor brewed on Fishman Island.
Liquor born in the deep sea has a very special aroma, and the process isn't too complex, so after drinking, Kaidou quickly promised to lend the flag.
And the Dragon Palace Kingdom had already prepared Kaidou's flag.
Creating a pirate flag isn't difficult; any skilled artist can draw one in a few minutes, but hoisting a pirate flag requires acknowledgment from others.
If one uses another's flag without authorization, it will invite retribution from the flag's owner.
Then Neptune spoke of other matters.
"In addition to the original mining shares, Fishman Island can also provide sweets, which are our specialty, selling well in the market."
An island flying a pirate flag is considered a tributary nation of the Sea Emperors and must offer tribute annually for protection, but the Hundred Beasts aren't particularly concerned with sweets.
They are not Charlotte Linlin, who has an obsession with food. The Fishman Mining Company is where the Hundred Beasts see value in lending their flag.
However, the Hundred Beasts did not reject Fishman Island's tribute; they simply didn't demand expansion of food processing plants as Charlotte Linlin would, just asking for things to be maintained as they are.
In Dragon Palace City, the Mermaid Dancer showcased her graceful figure, dancing beautifully in the hall, while Queen was utterly mesmerized.
Kaidou was busy consuming Fishman Island's liquor reserves, with half of the strong liquor at the banquet being consumed by Kaidou. While there was singing, dancing, and a harmonious atmosphere, the ministers of the Dragon Palace Kingdom had already taken the Hundred Beasts' pirate flag to the entrance.
...
"Be careful! First put away Whitebeard's flag properly!"
That flag ultimately provided Fishman Island with protection for a long time. Even though Whitebeard is dead, for the safety of Fishman Island, they decided to change the flag, but the gratitude hasn't been forgotten.
So the people of Fishman Island carefully put it away.
But before they could hoist the Hundred Beasts' flag, a new group of uninvited guests arrived at Fishman Island.
Some pirate members who had just entered Fishman Island suddenly turned hostile, planning to target the residents of Fishman Island.
That's their purpose for coming here. After hearing about Whitebeard's death, many pirates targeted his former territory.
Those eyeing Fishman Island weren't few, and given the rarity, Mermen have been absent from the market for years, so if they could seize the opportunity to catch a few Mermen to sell at auction, they wouldn't have to worry about their future financial problems.
However, the seahorse right minister, accompanied by the Sea King Army, intercepted them in time, leading to a standoff.
Currently, the stronger forces of Fishman Island were at the banquet in Dragon Palace City, with only the regular Sea King Army left outside, so the right minister didn't act rashly.
"Humans, do you know what you're doing?"
The right minister walked to the forefront, angrily questioning the pirates before him.
"Doing what? Of course, capturing slaves! Whitebeard is dead! That human traitor can no longer protect you!"
Interest drives people to do crazy things. The price of Mermen has remained high, especially as Fishman Island has changed drastically over the past years, with no Mermen abductions happening consecutively for years.
Keimi's incident doesn't count; her abduction process was indeed too absurd.
Whitebeard's flag made many dare not act recklessly. With the news of Whitebeard's death, greed naturally reignited in them.
"You're a seahorse, right? Although you're a man, you're an exotic species, and should fetch a high price, unlike that catfish; normal people aren't interested in that kind of merman."
Looking at the dark-faced catfish merman left minister, the leading pirate showed a look of disdain.
The commotion here also caught the attention of other nearby pirates, with some beginning to stir, but within less than a minute, their attitudes changed.
The despised left minister wasn't angry, he just silently picked up the item behind him and placed it in its original position.
Due to the special environment, Fishman Island also experiences wind, which is deeply connected to the local Tree breezes, generally referred to as tree wind.
At this moment, under the influence of the tree wind, the Hundred Beasts pirates' flag fluttered in the wind, revealing the new Skull Flag's ferocious smile.
"Apologies for being a catfish merman, but you must recognize this flag, right?"
The left minister adjusted his attire and even pointed to the new flag, displaying an even more smug expression.
"I truly apologize, but many are willing to offer us protection, not everyone is as filthy inside as you."
"Hund... Hundred Beasts?!"