As Hardinge's corpse was delivered to Fishman Island by Underworld brokers, the sea ban that had lasted for over a month was finally lifted.
However, the lifting of the ban did not mean the impact of this incident had disappeared. The closure of the route to Fishman Island affected not only pirates and underground traders, but even caused a certain shock to the economy of the entire Grand Line.
Fortunately, due to the nature of the Grand Line, the connections between islands were not very tight; otherwise, the consequences would have been even more severe.
The Marines at Sabaody Archipelago let out a sigh of relief as the pirates lingering nearby gradually left. This was undoubtedly good news for them. On the other hand, the Marines in the New World became more alert, preparing to deal with the incoming influx of pirates.
Normally, pirates would pass through as well, but it was rare to see their numbers accumulate to such a scale.
However, it didn't take long for the Marine outposts in the New World to notice something strange.
Unlike the pirates of the past who would swagger arrogantly after entering the New World, these pirates seemed utterly terrified, with no intention of fighting at all.
Based on their experience sailing through the first half of the Grand Line, the earlier the enemy they encountered, the weaker they usually were.
Fishman Island, as the endpoint of the first half and the starting point of the New World, had already shown them its terror during the period of the sea ban.
Back when those Super Rookies formed a massive fleet and descended, they had been watching from behind. That battle hadn't just been about destroying bubble coatings and using the ocean environment to fight.
They had even seen a towering figure moving like a phantom across the pirate ships—each movement leaving behind countless corpses. From beginning to end, those pirates had been unable to inflict any effective damage on him.
They did not understand concepts like the final boss appearing in the beginner village, or a senior officer of the Demon King's army blocking the newbie respawn point.
In the minds of these pirates, if the very first stage was already this terrifying, how strong would the enemies ahead be?
In a sense, Nereus had helped the Marines of the New World suppress the arrogance of these pirates.
Meanwhile, within the Underworld, a meeting had begun.
"Everyone, this troublesome matter has come to an end, but we should come up with a countermeasure. I believe you've all felt just how significant the impact of Fishman Island's sea closure can be.
During this time, everyone has suffered losses to some extent, whether superficial or deeply damaging."
Through the brokers' coordination, a large number of Den Den Mushi were gathered together. Combined with electronic screens obtained from Future Island, it formed a kind of teleconference for the Underworld.
A few people appeared with their real faces, but more of them only revealed dark silhouettes.
"We need to reach a unified goal, but first I'll make my stance clear. I don't want to go against Nereus. It's not worth it. If we really anger him, I won't be able to withstand his retaliation."
Fishman Island itself was capable of self-sufficiency. Trade blockades simply don't affect them. Moreover, with the Levely approaching, the channels behind these people had more or less received some information.
It wouldn't be long before the Ryugu Kingdom would once again appear at the Levely as an affiliated nation, and it would most likely reach agreements with other affiliated nations.
For people in gray industries to try to threaten a complete nation. That's just a fantasy.
Relations between nations can change overnight—countries that were hurling insults at each other one day might unite the next for the sake of benefits.
No one would refuse to interact with a nation because it is absolutely strong, but if you appear weak and easy to bully, most will swarm in to take a bite.
As for Nereus's reputation… the World Government and their subordinates have been working very hard, and since those targeted this time were pirates and Underworld merchants, those nations wouldn't empathize with them at all.
After all, Nereus locking down the route to Fishman Island didn't affect them crossing the Red Line, except for the Deul Kingdom where Hardinge was from.
Moreover, the current speaker was certain that if he tried to rally these people to unite against Nereus, someone would immediately turn around and sell him out to Nereus.
"During the years he's been in power, although he does collect some trade taxes, overall it's still far more reasonable than dealing with Mariejois."
To be honest, he missed the old, weak Fishman Island. Thinking back, that version of Fishman Island had been wonderful, but those days were gone forever.
"As long as the trade tax is paid, Fishman Island does indeed guarantee the safety on that route, making that deep-sea passage more stable.
What we need to do is prevent them from sealing the seas again."
At this point, the speaker paused and looked toward a nearby screen.
Unlike the anxiety of the others, the person on that screen appeared completely calm, even looking as if he were enjoying the spectacle.
"Lord Umit, you are the closest with him. You should know some inside information, right?"
"Fishman Island doesn't want to cut off trade routes, no one goes against money. But if another citizen of the Ryugu Kingdom comes to harm… that's what he said."
Umit relayed Nereus's words exactly, or rather, his very presence here represented Nereus.
For Fishman Island, sealing the seas was like their nuclear weapon. If it wasn't used at least once, merely talking about it wouldn't let anyone understand just how powerful it truly was.
Now, using the Hardinge incident as a medium, Nereus had already achieved the effect he wanted.
After demonstrating military deterrence, this threatening weapon would instead not be used lightly again. Otherwise, it would go from someone who might go mad to someone who truly was mad.
People will try their best to avoid provoking someone who might go mad, minimizing the risk to themselves.
But if someone is truly a madman, the outcome is different.
"This is also good news. Everyone, I propose that if anyone in the Underworld dares to target Fish-Men or Merfolk again, we deal with them ourselves first.
Anyone who would push the entire Underworld to the brink for such petty gains, there's no place for them in the Underworld."
"Seconded."
"Agreed."
"No problem."
Affirmations came one after another through the Den Den Mushi. The profit-driven Underworld, in order to protect its own interests, quickly reached this agreement.
When force cannot achieve the goal, and the cost exceeds that of compromise, then compromise becomes the choice.
Nereus had not completely cut off their path, he had merely set a few rules.
Until someone could defeat Nereus underwater, their stance would not change.
Even the pirates of the New World held similar thoughts. Rather than letting Nereus create such a situation again, it would be better to placate him before he flew into a rage.
As for the pirates in the first half of the Grand Line, fewer of them had realized this yet. It would take some time.
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