The Eve Sunlight Tree, which supports the entire Sabaody Archipelago, also connects to Fish-Man Island.
It transmits sunlight and oxygen through its trunk to Fish-Man Island, making it the City of Light in the dark depths of the sea.
Therefore, Michael's method of communication was theoretically feasible.
Especially for a special individual like the Mermaid Princess, she would surely sense this power from the Voice of All Things.
"So... what are you doing?" Joy Boy asked curiously, watching Michael. "Bored and decided to bring me up for no reason?"
"You idiot... Of course, I'm using your name as bait," Michael said with a grin. "You've heard of the Mermaid Princess from Fish-Man Island, right?"
"Uh, yeah, I've heard of her... but what does that have to do with me?"
"Do you still not realize your own significance?" Michael kicked Joy Boy in the backside. "You're the 'Sun God,' 'Nika,' the 'Drums of Liberation'... This era belongs to you—well, Joy Boy, not the former king of the Great Kingdom."
"Wait, what does that have to do with the Mermaid Princess from Fish-Man Island?"
"Tch, just Shut up and watch."
With that, Michael ignored Joy Boy and walked to the shore.
Most of the area was surrounded by the Revolutionary Army's ships, leaving only this crescent-shaped bay relatively quiet.
But as time passed, Michael began to doubt himself.
What if the Mermaid Princess's perception wasn't as strong as he thought?
What if she was asleep and didn't respond at all?
While Michael was lost in his thoughts, swirling whirlpools finally appeared on the sea surface.
The whirlpools grew larger and larger, eventually covering almost the entire bay.
"This!" Joy Boy excitedly stepped forward, "Is this the legendary mermaid princess arriving?"
"Weren't you just acting indifferent a moment ago?"
"I merely doubted your method of delivering information," Joy Boy shrugged. "But I've never questioned the existence of the mermaid princess... And for some reason, I feel waves of familiarity coming from beneath these whirlpools."
"After all, you're practically a collection of genetic material from all races... That must include the fishmen too. The fishmen merely chose to return to the sea, but never said they wouldn't interact with the Great Kingdom... That's different from the giants." Michael pointed at the nearby whirlpool,
"It's only because you have Devil Fruit powers that you haven't jumped right in."
As they spoke, the center of the whirlpool gradually revealed a majestic, beautiful yet kind-faced giant mermaid in luxurious attire.
Michael could confirm - this was the mermaid princess of this era.
The mermaid princess emerged onto the water's surface accompanied by the armed guards of Ryugu Kingdom.
Her gaze instantly locked onto Michael and Joy Boy.
"Humans... It was you who called for me, correct?" The mermaid princess slightly bowed her upper body above water.
"Then you two must be 'Sun God' Joy Boy and the legendary 'End', am I right?"
"Oh? You know about me too?" Michael was surprised. "I thought you'd only be interested in Joy Boy."
"The renowned 'End' - even in the depths ten thousand meters below, I've heard countless stories about you."
"So your Fishman Island... has quite smooth intelligence channels?"
"The fishmen of our island have much more frequent contact with Sabaody Archipelago and nearby waters than you'd imagine."
As she spoke, the mermaid princess never took her eyes off Joy Boy.
Her gaze was filled with destiny's determination.
"Fishman Island has an ancient legend - periodically, an enormous mermaid princess is born who can summon and communicate with all Sea Kings... eventually making them her allies," the mermaid princess smiled.
"And I seem to possess such power."
"Honestly, all that doesn't matter much... I just want to know your name." Joy Boy crossed his arms, looking slightly troubled.
"I can't keep calling you 'mermaid princess', can I?"
"My name is... Nereus."
"Nereus... That sounds rather awkward."
"Casually commenting on others' names isn't a good habit."
"Ah, my apologies." Joy Boy grinned while pointing at his head. "Sometimes my brain doesn't work quite right..."
"Alright, let's save the discussion about names and etiquette for later..." Michael promptly interrupted the conversation between Princess Nereus and Joy Boy, which was starting to stray off-topic.
"Nereus... would you like to join me and Joy Boy in overthrowing the Great Kingdom?"
"I've heard of the rebellion's existence... but are you certain you can defeat the naturally gifted Lunarian Race and the Bakanian Race?"
"Them? Naturally gifted?"
A faint, disdainful smile appeared on Michael's face.
"Naturally gifted can no longer be used to describe them."
"From today onward, this world will belong to the era of Devil Fruits."
...
Although Princess Nereus felt an inexplicable innate fondness for Joy Boy, at her core, she was still the spiritual symbol and guardian of Fish-Man Island.
Thus, Michael didn't hesitate to promise Princess Nereus numerous benefits.
He even pledged to cede the Sabaody Archipelago to Fish-Man Island as its territory above the sea.
Of course...
History had taught Michael that the Fish-Men and Merfolk would, without a doubt, fail to seize this opportunity.
But for Michael, who had no intention of altering history, making a few empty promises was well within his acceptable range.
As long as the main course of history remained unchanged, minor deviations in the details... were inconsequential.
After all, everything would eventually be rewritten and erased by the World Government later through the "Void Century"...
And not just others in this era—even Michael himself would only appear in the written records left behind by Joy Boy.
"Since we've agreed, then when the time comes, the coastal regions of the Great Kingdom will be entrusted to your Fish-Man Island."
"Though I dislike war... I will give it my all."
Having just witnessed the army of Devil Fruit Users, Princess Nereus made her pledge before Michael and Joy Boy.
The Ancient Weapon, "Poseidon," was now in place.
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