On Fishman Island, the assembled Neptune Army still maintained a state of constant readiness.
The sea ban had caused a large number of pirates to gather on both sides of Fishman Island. Now that the ban was lifted, these people immediately tried to pass through Fishman Island, resulting in a noticeable increase in traffic on the island.
However, these people were all near Fishman Island and had just experienced the sea ban incident—the lingering deterrence was still there. No one dared to harbor any ill intentions, and there was even a sense of mutual supervision among them.
If another Merfolk were to go missing and Fishman Island couldn't figure out who took them, wouldn't they just sink all of them?
That was what many pirates were thinking. To return safely to the surface, no one wanted to get implicated.
After repeated crackdowns and this show of overwhelming force, these pirates had finally come to understand what true terror meant.
At the same time, the Neptune Army of Fishman Island also gained a sense of confidence through this operation.
They realized that perhaps they weren't as weak as they had thought.
During this sea ban operation, Nereus hadn't personally taken action at all. Relying solely on his reputation, he made those who were capable of threatening ordinary Neptune Army soldiers in the sea hesitate.
With such powerhouses effectively canceling each other out, those pirates couldn't stir up any waves in the deep sea.
This somewhat alleviated the weakness that Fishman Island had accumulated over the past several hundred years. Taking advantage of this momentum, Nereus began to implement new reform policies.
It wasn't about expanding the army. Even with Fishman Island's massive external income, a standing army of fifty thousand was already somewhat excessive relative to its population base. Instead, it was about establishing a militia system different from the standing army.
"Militia… it doesn't affect normal production work or regular duties, and through a small amount of training, people can learn to use weapons and basic skills. Is it like those people on the island who learn Karate and Jujutsu at the dojos?"
Inside Ryugu Palace, Nanamo looked at the newly drafted policy and didn't quite understand the system.
"There are still differences. Those people can only be considered physically stronger, with somewhat greater combat ability. In real emergencies, they count as high-quality soldiers.
But before reaching superhuman levels, individual strength is still limited. With some training, militia members can form combat capability much faster.
If I remember correctly, according to the World Government's classification, one would need a Power Level exceeding five hundred."
At this point, Nereus turned to look at Amphitrite beside him.
"Amphy should understand this better than you. Luna is currently on Delta Island, and the traits of the Minks fit this development concept well. When necessary, everyone can be a warrior.
However, in terms of overall physical talent and combat ability, the Lunarians and Minks are still superior. Giants are similar; even before adulthood, they already possess considerable combat strength.
Our situation is different, our advantages are different, so what we need to master is also different. Nanamo, what was the fundamental reason this sea ban could be carried out?"
At this point, Nereus suddenly asked Nanamo a question as if testing her.
"Hmm… because you're strong, Dad. You can make those powerful individuals not dare to act recklessly."
"Correct. That's a form of deterrence. After making those people suffer a bit, I won't casually impose another sea ban.
But the methods Fishman Island can use are not limited to just this one.
The blockade of sea routes targets pirates and the Underworld, but as for other affiliated nations, it's not like we have no options.
Although I don't want to see that kind of situation, we still have to prepare for the worst. There happens to be a militia class today. Go attend one session, and you'll understand what I mean."
If no contingency measures are prepared for malicious incidents, when something actually happens, they'll be caught completely off guard.
"Hermes, why do I feel like something's not quite right?"
Before long, on the way to the Academy District, Nanamo kept feeling that something was off, yet she couldn't quite pinpoint it.
"Princess Nanamo, you mean…"
"This afternoon should be combat training. According to the usual routine, Amphy and I should be sparring. But this time, Dad told me to go attend that class. Doesn't that mean only the two of them are left in Ryugu Palace?"
Nanamo had already excluded attendants and similar personnel from consideration. Aside from them, the officers and those who required Nereus's personal training all seemed to have been assigned other tasks.
"Amphy had this kind of idea a few years ago… I feel like they're trying to increase the population, and that would…"
"That would mean any future children might threaten your status as heir. Have you finally realized that?"
Nanamo suddenly heard the sound of rain hitting the ground. Hermes's body had suddenly become like a lotus pod, continuously sprinkling droplets of rain.
As a cloud, it could not only shed tears from its "eyes"—when its emotions were intense, it could also enter this kind of raining state.
"What are you talking about? I just think I might get more younger siblings. As for being the heir… if Dad ever steps down, it must be because he's tired of sitting in that position. He's a 'vampire'! How could he possibly grow old?
I even suspect that the reason I haven't grown taller is because of him. Maybe he secretly did something to me…"
Crack… crack…
Nanamo faintly heard a strange sound, like something petrifying and splitting apart. Only then did Hermes realize just how important a detail it had overlooked.
Nanamo, however, didn't care much about it. Hermes was a cloud. Even if it really split apart, it could just piece itself back together and revive on the spot.
Soon, Nanamo arrived at the militia training site. It wasn't on the island itself, but in the Sea Forest, where there were many sunken ships—ready-made teaching materials.
Because there were quite a lot of people, and Nanamo deliberately concealed herself, not many noticed her arrival.
The instructor at this time was Den, introduced by Tom, and the teaching material was a ship that had sunk but was refloated using bubble coating.
"Pay attention! This here is the keel—the core of a ship, like a person's spine! The seams of the planks near the keel are relatively weak points.
Start from these positions and quickly carve out several holes. They don't need to be large, about thirty centimeters is enough.
The force of the water will rapidly expand the breach. Unless there's a Devil Fruit user on board, the people on the ship won't be able to seal it in time.
Besides that, there's also…"
Just as Nereus had said to Tom before, what needed to be taught here was not how to build ships, but how to destroy them, preparing for the worst possible scenario.
If that day really came, "unrestricted submarine warfare" would truly take place on this sea.
When close to the surface, powerful individuals could indeed suppress attacks from the seabed, but it was impossible for every ship to have such a powerhouse.
Yet with just a bit of training and suitable tools, every resident of Fishman Island could punch a hole in the bottom of a ship within a single minute…
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