In the Ryugu Palace, Neptune, the three princes, and Caelan were gathered in a palace hall, discussing serious matters. After the crisis with the New Fishman Pirates had been resolved, Nami and the other girls began touring Fishman Island. They also visited the Sea Forest so Robin could read the Poneglyph there.
"Neptune, how do you plan to deal with those fishmen?"
Caelan took a sip of water and asked in a deep voice.
Neptune glanced at the three princes and fell into thought.
Although those fishmen had tried to seize control of Fishman Island, they were still his people. And there were far too many of them to deal with easily.
"How about we just let them go?"
"They are still my people, and they were all manipulated by Hody Jones."
Neptune sighed, his heart softening.
Besides, they hadn't caused that much damage in the end, so he decided to let them go.
As for trying to kill his entire family—well, they hadn't succeeded, had they?
"Do you have a son named Jesus or something?"
Caelan looked at Neptune like he was staring at a saint, completely speechless.
They tried to steal your throne and wipe out your whole royal bloodline.
For hatred like that, even exterminating them all wouldn't be overboard.
With such indecisiveness, no wonder Fishman Island couldn't develop properly.
"So, what do you think we should do then?"
"If we imprison them, we don't have the manpower. If we kill them, I really can't bring myself to do it," Neptune said with a bitter smile.
He knew that most of those fishmen were far from innocent and had committed plenty of crimes.
But Fishman Island had only 5 million residents. There was no way to allocate guards for 70,000 to 80,000 criminals.
And he couldn't bear to kill 2 percent of the island's population either.
"In that case, have them undergo labor reform to atone for their sins."
Caelan thought for a moment and proposed a solution.
Since Neptune didn't want to execute them, then they wouldn't be executed.
But releasing them outright would be a huge threat to stability.
"Labor reform?" Neptune didn't quite grasp what Caelan meant.
"Simply put, force them into high-intensity, unpaid labor. The profits they generate will be used to make up for the harm they caused."
"For example, if they're assigned to mining, each person must work 16 hours a day and meet their quotas. After ten years, they'll be considered reformed and can start over."
"For other jobs, the intensity and work hours would increase, and the reform period would be longer."
Caelan took another sip of water to moisten his throat as he explained it plainly.
This was his punishment—turning these fishmen into working drones. They'd have no salary, and they'd labor only to repay what they owed.
They would work until they dropped.
What's that? You say you can "start over" in ten years?
Digging for 16 hours a day, surviving even two years would be a miracle.
Technically, these people should just be called slaves.
But since Caelan was practically a sun god in Neptune's eyes, calling it "slavery" would tarnish his image.
Neptune looked at Caelan in shock, as if staring at a devil.
Mining was already brutal labor, yet you expect 16 hours of it a day—and for ten straight years?
Could anyone even survive that?
You had to understand, on Fishman Island, the hardest jobs didn't even come close to mining, and most people only worked eight hours a day.
Even then, many fishmen already found it exhausting.
"Caelan, would you consider adjusting this? It sounds a little… excessive."
Neptune asked cautiously.
"Excessive? Have you interrogated the officers among those fishmen? Do you know how many atrocities they've committed?"
Caelan scoffed, full of disdain.
He had already eliminated most of the New Fishman Pirates' officers, but there wasn't enough time to investigate everyone thoroughly. There were definitely some officers still among the remaining 70,000 to 80,000.
And don't forget—your wife, Otohime, died at the hands of these fishmen.
Her dream of peace between humans and fishmen was shattered by that same group.
"We're currently investigating. I believe we'll have results soon."
Sensing Caelan's rising anger, Neptune shrank back.
He quickly ordered Fukaboshi to retrieve the confessions from the fishman officers.
Before long, Fukaboshi returned, holding a report and looking furious.
"Father! Mother wasn't assassinated by humans, but by Hody Jones!"
Neptune was stunned.
Back then, it was Hody Jones who spread the claim that humans had killed Otohime.
Now it turned out to be the classic case of "the thief crying 'Catch the thief!'"
"Why? Otohime didn't have any grievances with him, right?"
Neptune asked, baffled. No matter how hard he thought, he couldn't understand why Hody Jones would go so far.
Otohime had always been kind, and she had helped Hody Jones on more than one occasion.
"The officers said it was because Mother advocated for reconciliation with humans. That made Hody Jones, who hated humans, furious."
"So he assassinated Mother and pinned it on the humans, just to destroy her dream!"
Fukaboshi's voice trembled with rage, his eyes filled with hatred.
"Damn it…"
Neptune nearly exploded in anger.
If you hated humans so much, why didn't you go fight them directly? Why kill my wife?
"Neptune, what do you think of my labor reform plan now?"
"The fishmen from the New Fishman Pirates all grew up under Hody Jones's ideology. If they aren't properly disciplined, they'll end up just like him."
Caelan smiled calmly as he watched Neptune seething with anger.
Sure enough, people only act when the fire's burning under their own seat.
"Caelan, I'll do as you say. I will make sure they undergo proper labor reform!"
Neptune finally made up his mind, his voice resolute.
Otohime once said that hatred should not be passed down to the next generation.
But if these radical fishmen were released without reformation, the next generation might all become like Hody Jones—and that would spell disaster.
"Let me make it clear—I'll be taking a portion of the profits they generate to fulfill some unfinished business."
Caelan said this in a serious tone.
Unfinished business?
In that case, I must help!
Maybe it'll even help fulfill the dream of fishmen living on land.
Neptune's eyes lit up and he responded quickly, "No problem. Everything they produce is yours. Even the treasures of the royal palace can be yours!"
"Wouldn't that be a bit too much?"
Caelan said with mock embarrassment.
"There's nothing wrong with that. Caelan, you're now the guardian of Fishman Island. It's only right."
"If you don't accept it, we'll feel guilty."
Neptune spoke tactfully.
"Then I'll respectfully accept."
Caelan nodded, seemingly reluctantly.
(To be continued.)