[Two Days Later]
[Ryugu Kingdom]
Today's Ryugu Kingdom appeared especially lively.
One after another, female merfolks entered the palace, all of them carrying hope on their faces.
Atop a high tower stood Marco and the others.
Besides Marco and Vista, there were also two burly middle-aged men standing, their whole bodies exuding an incomparably wild aura.
"Is this method reliable or not? Will that person really come?", The brown-haired burly man Leviathan frowned.
He was the First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, once serving with Whitebeard in the Rocks Pirates. After its collapse, he followed Whitebeard to establish the Whitebeard Pirates.
In terms of age, he was even older than Whitebeard.
However, in his heart, Whitebeard had always been his big brother.
"That man definitely won't come, but based on the intelligence we've gathered recently, Otohime will definitely come. Even if Otohime doesn't come today, that Miss Nia will come," Marco explained beside him.
This time, they had come with a total of four commanders.
First Division Commander Leviathan, Third Division Commander Carlo, Fourth Division Commander Marco, and Fifth Division Commander Vista.
Don't look at it as just four commanders, but these were already the four strongest combatants in the Whitebeard Pirates aside from Whitebeard.
Although even combined, they still couldn't match Whitebeard's strength.
But after all, this was Fish-Man Island. Among them, two had no Devil Fruit abilities and could display strength even stronger than Whitebeard here.
"What's the use of capturing a woman?", Carlo was a bearded big man, with a background somewhat similar to Leviathan. Back during the Rocks Pirates era, he was already a follower of Whitebeard.
Furthermore, he was also the Bubble Fruit ability user.
With this kind of fruit, not only could he temporarily coat ships, but during underwater combat, it could also serve to isolate seawater.
It could be said, apart from Marco, they were all experts in underwater combat.
"Just look at Neptune's current ghostly state, didn't he change his mind quickly? He already forgot about Otohime completely," Carlo sneered as he glanced at the high platform not far away.
Neptune and Sabina were snuggled together, looking very affectionate.
If others saw this, they would surely think this was a couple that had been in love for a long time.
But who would have thought, Sabina had known Neptune for less than half a month.
"Women themselves aren't important, but the Celestial Dragons are all people who care about face," Marco chuckled and added, "Besides, even if Otohime doesn't come, isn't there still another target?"
"Marco, don't act recklessly," Leviathan glanced at Marco, this junior, his words carrying a warning, "Big brother doesn't want to fall out with the World Government. If it weren't for that Rosse going too far, we wouldn't have come. Also, it's best we don't appear openly. Have Carlo use his ability to create an accident, letting him die in the sea from an accident is the best outcome."
"I know, but we still have to lure him over first, otherwise, we'll be too passive," Marco shook his head.
He always had a hunch that the existence of Rosse would make it increasingly difficult for pirates to survive.
He didn't want that. That kind of world wasn't the one the Whitebeard Pirates were hoping for.
Roger had died, Golden Lion was captured, and the Red Count was now dead too.
Of the legendary pirates of the previous generation, only his old man Whitebeard was left now.
Even if they didn't make trouble for Rosse, he wouldn't let them go.
"Let's not think so much, it's about to begin. Damn, it's the first time I've seen so many beautiful female merfolks. If they could all be my wives, how great would that be," Vista looked down at the plaza below, which was already filled with all kinds of female merfolks.
Plump ones and slender ones, all types were present. No matter what type you liked, you could find an ideal target.
"Tch, if you really want that, I'll talk to Sabina and have her introduce you to two," Marco laughed out loud, teasingly looking at Vista.
He still preferred chatting with Vista. Leviathan and Carlo were too serious and always carried the image of elders. He still couldn't fully relax around them.
"Forget it, none of them are over 30. I have the will but not the strength," Vista pouted.
"Who said they have to be over 30 with legs?", Marco said irritably.
"Huh? You tried it?", Vista looked at Marco suspiciously. These days, Marco had been visiting places like merfolk taverns quite often.
"Ahem! I didn't," Facing the gazes of Vista and Leviathan, Marco of course couldn't admit it.
But he had to say, the feeling that merfolks gave him really couldn't be matched by other races.
"Tsk tsk, you damn bastard, enjoying the benefits without thinking of your brothers," Vista laughed and cursed, chuckling as he hooked his arm around Marco's shoulder, beginning to quietly discuss his experiences.
He and Marco were the same age, both just 26 this year, the prime of their youth.
This kind of topic, which pirate wouldn't like it?
———
[Fish-Man Island, Nia's Residence]
"Some things must be concluded now," Otohime took a deep breath, a hint of sadness on her face.
In fact, she had already made her decision two days ago.
On the day they arrived at Fish-Man Island, just after she arrived at Nia's place, she received a piece of bad news.
Three merfolks who had been nurtured with her bubbles had died in an accident.
According to Ryugu Kingdom's explanation, some Ammo Knights members were dissatisfied with Otohime's actions, thinking she had shamed the merfolks, so they took out their hatred on her children.
But that reason didn't hold water at all.
Those were not only her children, but also Neptune's children.
She entrusted Rosse to investigate this matter, and finally got an answer this morning.
It was Sabina who did it, instructing the Ammo Knights to assassinate the three princes.
Only she had the motive to do such a thing.
After all, starting today, she was about to become the new queen of Ryugu Kingdom.
This incident made Otohime realize even more clearly that even if she treated the world with kindness, the world wouldn't return it with kindness.
If that's the case, then cleanse it all, overturn and rebuild it.
Ever since she received the news two days ago, Otohime had begun to plan.
Two days was a bit tight, but enough for her to act.
"Saint Rosse, I earnestly beg you to protect the spark of Fish-Man Island," Otohime looked solemnly at Rosse beside her, her eyes full of pleading.
"After today's matter, I will lock down the entire Fish-Man Island. Ten days later, the Buster Call will be launched. You have enough time to select who you want to take," Rosse folded his arms and smiled.
The fact that Otohime could make the choice he wanted was already enough.
As for how many people would be taken, it didn't matter.
With a population of five million on Fish-Man Island, even if just one-tenth were taken, after a few decades, they could repopulate to the current scale.
Destruction leads to rebirth.
Fish-men and merfolks of Fish-Man Island, versus his fish-men and merfolks.
With both options before him, there was no question which one to choose.
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