Chapter 117: Unequal Treaty Signing Day, Reversed Friends and Foes
[The ones passing through Fish-man Island are mostly pirates. By shifting the responsibility of cracking down on pirates in that sea area onto him, it might also cause him some trouble.]
[Hmm, let it be so. However...]
"Nereus, we can agree to your terms, but the corresponding condition is that we need you to help us filter some things in Fish-man Island at appropriate times."
Thinking carefully, Fish-man Island's location was quite good; it was a necessary passage for pirates and various gray industries of the underworld.
In the past, the World Government didn't care about that place. But given the current situation, as long as Nereus was willing to cooperate, the World Government seemed able to easily control the midpoint of the entire Grand Line and determine the comings and goings of certain pirates.
"No problem. I will act depending on the situation. Additionally, I want the right to station troops on the Sabaody Archipelago."
"What do you want that place for?"
"That is the gateway to Fish-man Island. Those pirates always have to pass through there before diving down.
Many people know nothing about what's below and always cause me trouble. This way, it will be easier for me to notify them in advance up there.
Don't worry, as long as the Marines don't proactively look for trouble with me, I won't slaughter them. Of course, you'd better restrict your subordinates; otherwise, unnecessary casualties could easily occur."
This was a result of geographical location. The Sabaody Archipelago was the closest land gathering place to Fish-man Island; it could be seen just by surfacing.
Whether it was Delta Island, the Marines' Red Port, or Marine Headquarters, none were as close to Fish-man Island.
For Fish-man Island to develop, it couldn't just hole up in this underwater corner. The Sabaody Archipelago played an important role akin to a port.
"You can do whatever you want in the Lawless Area, but other areas are off-limits."
The Sabaody Archipelago was a very special archipelago to begin with; it couldn't even be considered true islands. It didn't belong to any member nation, nor was it directly under the Marines or the World Government.
Even the Marines and the World Government only established bases in certain areas, even neighboring the Lawless Area. If they really had to give it up, it wasn't impossible.
"No problem, this area is enough. One more thing. I suppose you aren't blind; there is a Lunarian by my side. You know this, right?"
"Say no more. She is not a Lunarian. She just has darker skin, whiter hair, and happens to be able to use fire. We will clarify this point."
This time, without waiting for Nereus to say anything, Saturn guessed Nereus's purpose.
Even a massive bounty of 5 billion was cleared; what was one Lunarian in comparison?
Moreover, this Lunarian behaved completely ordinarily and showed no signs of endangering the World Government at all.
However, hunting down Lunarians was a convention of the World Government, so they could only change their rhetoric like this.
Previous negotiation experience told Saturn that it was best not to raise new ideas after rebutting; otherwise, the other party would come up with an even more troublesome demand.
This conversation continued for a while. Under various agreements, this negotiation was finally completed, also allowing the Five Elders to fulfill Imu's instructions.
"We shouldn't have anything left that needs continuing discussion."
"Then there is no point in you lingering here."
"It's time to leave. Even as a King of a member nation, without special business, one shouldn't stay here long."
The Five Elders didn't want to face this troublesome guy Nereus anymore. In a sense, they had signed quite a few unequal treaties today.
But it wasn't without gains. At least Nereus, this huge problem, could behave himself for a while.
There were still many troublesome guys on the sea, but the remaining ones, at least, weren't monsters like Nereus—someone who, if unwilling to compromise, was almost impossible to deal with.
The racial advantage of the deep sea was truly difficult to erase.
Having finally finished negotiating these things, they immediately made plans to see the guest off.
"Where did my meteor hammer go? This thing is a cultural relic of Fish-man Island; I just borrowed it, and I have to take it back."
"You few, go find that Poneglyph for His Majesty the King."
By this time, the ordinary Celestial Dragons had already been evacuated. After the negotiation started, Nereus had also withdrawn his river of blood. Although Mary Geoise was filled with the stench of blood, one could still stand on the ground.
Some CP agents and guards who gradually approached were ordered by the Five Elders to search for that Poneglyph.
Actually, in the past, the World Government had also tried to find these things. But it was said that Queen Lily of Alabasta set a trap for Imu, resulting in the World Government being completely unable to accomplish this.
If Nereus were researching this thing, they would be very resistant. But Nereus was clearly treating this thing as a meteor hammer to play with, so let him be.
They wouldn't care even if he found a few more to make into flails. Perhaps doing so could also eliminate the possibility of others researching this thing.
At this moment, whether it was the agents of the CP departments or the guards of Mary Geoise, they all understood the meaning in the Five Elders' words.
No matter what Nereus had done, since the Five Elders addressed him as "His Majesty the King" instead of derogatory terms like "sinner" or "pirate," it meant these big shots had already reached an agreement.
In that case, obedience was the right move.
To work in Mary Geoise, one either needed strength or keen insight. Those who had neither had long become corpses.
But at this very moment, the reinforcements sent by Marine Headquarters—who had received the report of "Mary Geoise under attack" from the Red Port—had also arrived atop the Red Line.
The one leading the team was Kong himself. Most Marines stayed at the Red Port, while Kong, the new Fleet Admiral, had charged up.
The moment he saw Nereus's face, a surge of anger rose in his heart. Salazar had a certain prestige in the Marines, and to Kong, he was also an extremely serious senior.
Seeing that Nereus still dared to come here now, and appearing before him in broad daylight, Kong immediately chose to attack.
Broad daylight, Mary Geoise, surrounded by heavy troops—in Kong's view, this was one of the few best opportunities to take down Nereus.
"Nereus! You bastard, you actually dare to show up here?!"
Boom!
Several cracks appeared on the Red Line beneath Kong's feet. His explosive burst even set off a series of sonic booms.
At this moment, all of Kong's Haki was concentrated on his fist. Adopting a posture that abandoned all defense, he threw a full-power punch.
And from Kong's perspective, Nereus neither dodged nor defended; he even smilingly greeted him.
In an instant, Kong's heart was almost completely filled with rage.
No matter what, this was too arrogant and dismissive.
But the next moment...
"Stop!!"
An angry shout came from the side. Then Kong saw Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, one of the usually high-and-mighty Five Elders, suddenly step in front of Nereus, looking as if he was going to block his attack.
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