"Hmm, it's a wonder you're back from the Holy Land and still the same."
"…"
"Stop that idiotic activity at once!"
"You reformed a Celestial Dragon? Did they agree to build a giant fish pond for you all?"
"…"
"I know, I know! I'm not trying to mock you… When this World Conference concludes, I'll personally attend and support your idiotic ideal, alright?"
"Hmm, it's nothing, but I still have to remind you, this path isn't that simple. Nicuss's Merfolk Paradise can be your fallback, consider it my gift."
"…"
"Don't get too happy too soon. Haven't you even unified the voices within your own home? Better resolve that quickly… Feel free to use my name."
"…"
"Such inexplicable stubbornness, when my name would be more useful… Oh, Shirahoshi is also of age. When I return, I'll bring the little princess of Fish-Man Island with me."
"Mwahahaha, no need to thank me. You and I have been old friends for so long."
"Hmm ♦ Hmm → Hmm ♦"
After hanging up the den den mushi with Otohime, Nero let out a long sigh and muttered, "Is that so? That idiot's dream has also taken its first step?"
Flashing a brilliant smile, Nero pushed open the door and left the bedroom: "Hathaway, make today's lunch extra lavish!"
… "Kid, how about it? Are you interested in joining the Marine in the future?"
In the training room, Kuzan lazily extended an invitation to Kuina. Nero's disciple, it went without saying, would be a huge headache, so if he could get her into the Marine camp early, all the better.
"Uncle Kuzan, isn't it a bit too rushed for you to invite me at this time? I've only just started learning swordsmanship from Master Nero."
Kuina was practicing sword swings with a dumbbell almost her size. The personal invitation from an Admiral still flattered her.
But she didn't agree: "Besides, for something like this, I definitely have to follow Master's arrangements, right?"
"Ah, it's fine. If you can choose for yourself in the future, I hope you can prioritize the Marine."
Kuzan waved his hand. He didn't expect to succeed now; leaving a good impression first was enough. If it succeeded in the future, that would be even better.
"When a swordsman reaches a certain level, they need to challenge others to improve, right? So, if you come to the Marine, this problem can be easily solved."
Kuzan paused here and shrugged: "You know, in the Great Pirate Era, villains on the sea are endless. Your personality, compared to pirates or bounty hunters, makes the Marine more suitable for your development."
Kuina thought about it and felt that what Kuzan said made some sense. She no longer flatly refused: "If Master Nero agrees, I will consider it in the future."
"Ah, that's enough." Kuzan replied lazily. The seed had been planted; whether it would take root and sprout was up to time to prove… "Has Your Majesty encountered something good?" Everyone gathered around the lunch table, and Hathaway brought up the topic.
"Not really… Hmm, I suppose it is a good thing?"
It was a bit too much fuss. Nero was about to deny it but then reconsidered. She had specifically asked Hathaway to prepare something lavish, so there was nothing to hide.
So she spoke frankly: "It's nothing much, just that Otohime successfully returned from the Holy Land, and even reformed a Celestial Dragon. Also, Fish-Man Island might be living on land in the coming years."
"Eh? Queen Otohime?" Hathaway was also a bit shocked. She knew Otohime had returned to Fish-Man Island, but was Fish-Man Island really going to live on the surface?
Kuzan also frowned. He didn't believe that the residents of Fish-Man Island had the ability to survive on land.
Under human greed, both Merfolk and Fishman would only be hunted.
"It's alright, I will also lend that idiot a hand when the time comes." Nero also noticed Hathaway's concern: "I will also issue an imperial order to the underworld. Since Otohime has taken the first step, I, as her good friend, will naturally show my support."
At this, Nero's eyes turned blood-red, and a long-dormant demonic aura erupted, calming the sea.
"Those who are bold are often so because the price isn't high enough. I will show them true cruelty."
"Ah, Your Majesty's will shall penetrate all." Hathaway stopped eating, her right hand on her chest, bowing slightly.
Kuzan also stopped, his brow furrowed. Nero's Haki seemed even stronger.
'Well, well! It seems a bloody storm is unavoidable.'
Only Kuina showed no reaction to this. She was already used to Nero… No, that wasn't it. Kuina lay there quietly, having fainted thoroughly.
But there was no need to worry; there wasn't much air for her to breathe in the rice, so Kuina would soon wake up from the feeling of suffocation.
The training methods of strong masters in this world were always wild, focusing on 'as long as they don't die.'
"Hmm, it's easy for an idiot to dream, but to make their dreams come true, one needs to consider much more." Nero quickly retracted her Haki.
"Ultimately, as long as I want to, protecting a race is still very simple."
Her tone returned to being relaxed, and the scarlet in Nero's eyes receded. From her perspective, even with her name, it would be impossible to protect Fish-Man Island forever.
She would eventually leave, and then what awaited these Fishman and Merfolk was imaginable.
Life only reveres power. When order loses the power to maintain it, it will collapse.
The beginning of chaos has always been when the power of order is no longer absolute.
So at that time, it would only be a matter of time before Merfolk and Fishman returned to Fish-Man Island.
But as long as she was still around, such a thing wouldn't happen, and her lifespan would certainly be much longer than Otohime's, so Otohime's idea, even if a temporary measure, was fine.
Moreover, Nero found the act of escorting a dear friend's dream to be very cool.
"Kuzan, you can also inform the Marine and the World Government of this news later. It's best to prepare early while there's still time." Nero picked up her knife and fork again, spearing a piece of steak Hathaway had cut and putting it into her mouth.
"When I act, it will be like a swift thunderbolt. I won't hold back in the slightest on such matters!"
Nero spoke easily, with a hint of playfulness, but Kuzan smelled a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
As her former old rival, he knew that things Nero truly decided could not be changed. Just like her direct break with the Roger Pirates, and the battle at Marineford… Kuzan reached for the wine in the center of the table and poured himself a large glass.
He knew it; following Nero always led to many troublesome headaches like this.
Taking a sip of wine, Kuzan raised his glass and pondered. In any case, he would leave it to Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the World Government to worry about.
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