Nereus issuing orders in this state meant it was not a momentary impulse, but a decision already made, with absolutely no room for negotiation.
As he spoke, Nereus picked up a portrait that had already been prepared beside him.
"Hardinge the Teleporter, the user of the Paramecia-type Warp-Warp Fruit. This is the man who dared to violate my ban and commit an unforgivable crime on Fishman Island…
Whoever brings his head before me will receive a bounty of 100 million Berries…
But until this matter is resolved, to ensure the safety of Fishman Island's citizens, all passage throughout Fishman Island is prohibited. Anyone not affiliated with the Ryugu Kingdom is forbidden from landing, and the undersea tunnel will be temporarily sealed."
This was not only aimed at the reckless newcomers who had just arrived at Fishman Island intending to head to the New World.
Those people, lacking an Eternal Pose for Fishman Island, would inevitably have to stay here for a period of time, waiting for their Log Pose to record the magnetic field again. The same applied to merchant ships.
Sailing the Grand Line was no easy task. Aside from individual point-to-point cargo missions, their commercial objectives typically covered every island along a route, mostly traveling from one island to the next by following the guidance of the Log Pose.
Compared to preparing Eternal Poses for every island, this method was far more convenient.
Most merchants chose to dock rather than bypass the island, largely because they could earn more at Fishman Island, even after paying a portion of commercial taxes.
Ships that possessed an Eternal Pose and had no intention of stopping at Fishman Island for supplies could normally pass directly through the surrounding waters, following the sea currents to depart.
Originally, it was like having both highways and national roads available at the same time. But Nereus's order forbidding all passage clearly targeted not just those trying to enter Fishman Island, but aimed to completely seal off the entire underwater passage.
Even the great pirates of the New World would be affected by this.
Those traveling via the Red Line would not care, but the entire Underworld and pirate community would be cut off on both sides of the Grand Line.
Pirates in Paradise generally lacked the ability to cross the Calm Belt, leaving them trapped with no way forward or back. As for pirates or underground traders in the New World, if they had the ability, they could choose to cross the Calm Belt and then traverse Reverse Mountain again.
It would cost about a year to make the journey and sail again.
"I am not discussing this with you, I am informing you. Anyone who wishes to travel to or from Fishman Island waters now has only two choices: kill him, or… kill me.
Whichever you choose, I will be waiting for you on Fishman Island."
With the same smile as on his wanted poster, Nereus signaled Morgans to end the broadcast.
"Your Majesty Nereus, for the follow-up newspaper, may I add some literary embellishment? I guarantee I won't change the meaning of anything you wish to convey, and it will make it even more intimidating."
Morgans took a few deep breaths to calm himself. Simply relaying it as-is felt like something was missing.
The effect of words and images was different. If he couldn't personally craft this report, it would be a lifelong regret.
For other news, Morgans would definitely add some dramatic flair.
But this manhunt order from Nereus…
Morgans feared that if he fabricated too much, he might become Nereus's next target, which was why he asked first.
"Write it here. Let me review it after you're done."
Glancing at Morgans, Nereus gave his instruction.
He chose Morgans because he knew the man's ability to spread information across the world. Requiring a review was because he also knew Morgans's tendency to fabricate wildly.
The report on God Valley had already given Nereus the feeling of reading about a parallel world. If Morgans were given a free hand to write, who knows what he might report.
While Morgans was still writing within Ryugu Palace, news of the broadcast had already begun spreading within certain circles, with Sabaody Archipelago being the first to be affected.
"Wait, what do you mean entry procedures are suspended?"
"It means we're not processing them, Bushishishi. Can't you understand something that simple?"
At Fishman Island's entry processing area, the atmosphere was unusually strange today. The usual gentle receptionists were nowhere to be seen, replaced instead by two burly men with physiques like giants.
Sebastian and Big Pan were stationed there, as Nereus knew that once this announcement was made, it would inevitably cause a significant impact on Fishman Island.
Once they weathered this wave, Fishman Island would make it known to the entire world what kind of consequences awaited those who attempted to abduct slaves here.
Can't withstand it? That possibility simply doesn't exist.
To deal with this impact, those without strong combat ability had already withdrawn to the main island. Those remaining outside were all powerful individuals capable of handling troublesome situations.
"We sailed here through countless hardships… What right do you have to stop us from passing?! We followed your rules and paid the fees to transit here!"
The rejected pirate looked unwilling, pointing at the notice Big Pan had just taken down as he angrily questioned them.
"Kid, there's no helping it. Your luck is bad. If you want to blame someone, blame this guy. He's the one who blocked your path."
Sebastian pointed at Hardinge's portrait beside him.
At this moment, Sebastian still had the patience to explain things properly. As long as the other party didn't make the first move, he wouldn't act either. After all, these people could theoretically become part of the force hunting Hardinge.
"But…"
"No 'but,' kid. This is our king's order. If you insist on forcing your way through, I won't stop you. But since you came here to go through procedures, you must understand our capabilities underwater.
Wait, or go capture that b*stard yourself and claim the 100 million Berry bounty. Those are your only options."
Seeing that the other party didn't know what to do for the moment, Sebastian pointed out a clear path.
Just as he said, those who came here to go through procedures already feared Fishman Island's power, so naturally they wouldn't dare to force their way through.
As for those who tried to break through directly, they were now facing an even harsher situation beneath the sea.
At this very moment, in the deep sea, natural sunlight had already been blocked by the depths, but the light transmitted by Eve still illuminated the area like broad daylight.
A pirate ship ignored Fishman Island's warning and attempted to force its way through, but soon, everyone aboard stopped what they were doing.
In the deep sea, countless points of light were approaching. A Neptune Army force numbering in the hundreds had already surrounded the ship.
Several Sea Beasts, each dozens of meters long, slowly closed in. Their dorsal fins cut through the water, stirring silent yet deadly currents. A sea rhinoceros pressed close to the bubble coating, its cold irises reflecting the small, pale faces of the crew.
And behind them, there were even more soldiers and Sea Beasts, like ghosts of the deep sea, impossible to count.
"Pirates, sink… or turn back. Make your choice."
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