Chapter 335: The Government's Actions
Brett didn't linger long in that country with the two children. After sending the royal family and nobility's savings skyward to rain down across the nation, they departed.
Naturally one visit couldn't change this country. Or more realistically—how long could those citizens actually keep the scattered gold, jewels, and money?
But that was meaningless, wasn't it?
This had nothing to do with Brett. His only goal in visiting that island was giving the two children a lesson.
The journey continued. Brett would bring Shirahoshi and Nana to more islands, more countries.
To let these two children see the world's true face.
Then let Shirahoshi make her own judgment.
Brett naturally hoped Shirahoshi would side with him, making Poseidon's power crucial support for future change. But he was unwilling to force this child.
He wanted Shirahoshi to make her judgment based on her own will, then lend him her aid.
In the latter half of Sea Circle Calendar year 1515, the two children traveled with Brett on an unprecedented, unforgettable journey. As they traveled, time slowly passed.
The World Government's center, Mary Geoise's Pangaea Castle.
"Hasn't that bastard Brett been absent from Fish-Man Island for quite some time?"
The Five Elders—constantly monitoring Fish-Man Island's movements—discovered something amiss.
Though Brett had never been one for public appearances on Fish-Man Island, he'd never deliberately hidden his whereabouts either. Nearly every other day he'd appeared at the Mermaid Café on Coral Hill to meet his girlfriend.
But now, he hadn't appeared for a very long time.
"Where has he gone?"
Saint Saturn furrowed his brow, his tone very grave.
He couldn't help being grave.
Without question, that Brett fellow was currently the World Government's greatest enemy.
Even Rocks who'd commanded that sinister fleet, or the Pirate King who'd reached the Final Island, posed less threat to the government than this guy.
The government should pay attention to his every move. The slightest carelessness might lead to an even grimmer situation.
The government had verified this many times through previous cooperation and confrontations.
"Perhaps that guy's planning something again!"
Saint Warcury made a reasonable guess. "Don't forget what Lord Imu told us before!"
"If there are no surprises, that guy has already obtained—"
"The Ocean Sovereign's power!"
Previously, Lord Imu—who held the highest position in the World Government—had summoned them and delivered the worst possible news.
The previous Sea King riot occurred because Poseidon had awakened.
The ocean's true sovereign had awakened her power!
This newborn sovereign could only be a beautiful mermaid princess.
And conveniently, King Neptune of the Ryugu Kingdom had an adorable daughter.
Brett still didn't know Shirahoshi's Poseidon identity had been exposed.
So he also didn't know how panicked the Five Elders currently were.
Are you kidding? Pluton's blueprints had long since fallen into Brett's hands. Now Fish-Man Island's Poseidon had awakened!
The worst-case scenario the government faced was that Pluton had already been constructed! Fish-Man Island simultaneously controlled two Ancient Weapons! Add the Dyna Stones Brett had previously seized—
How terrible the government's current situation was—the Five Elders didn't even dare think it through.
Put it this way: if not for that mysterious Lord Imu backing them, they'd already be considering surrendering to Brett.
Brett already had two Ancient Weapons in hand. Who dared oppose him?
Realizing Brett wasn't on Fish-Man Island and might be plotting something again, the Five Elders immediately ordered the government to go on high alert, searching for Brett's whereabouts across the entire sea.
They quickly had results.
When Brett had rescued that merchant ship from pirates, he'd taken no secrecy measures. Though the merchants—following a principle of avoiding trouble—had handled the pirates themselves without reporting to the government.
But once the government operated at full capacity, naturally news quickly reached their ears.
"Brett appeared in the New World with two young mermaids?"
Saint Ju Peter said in surprise. "Could this be another scenario where young mermaids wandered into the sea and Brett went to rescue them?"
"Probably not."
Saint Mars shook his head. "According to those merchants' descriptions, one of the two young mermaids Brett brought was likely Neptune's daughter—Mermaid Princess Shirahoshi!"
"The Mermaid Princess!"
The Five Elders' expressions grew grave.
Speaking of the Mermaid Princess meant Poseidon.
"Which means Brett is very likely still roaming the New World with the Mermaid Princess right now!"
Saint Nusjuro in his white robe holding his sword spoke somewhat excitedly. "Without question, this is our best opportunity!"
The best opportunity to move against Brett, and the best opportunity to move against Poseidon.
Though they didn't know what that Brett fellow was plotting, if they could seize this chance to capture both Brett and the Mermaid Princess in one fell swoop, Fish-Man Island's threat would completely vanish. This world would return to government control.
"Have the CP stop worrying about other matters and search the New World with full force!"
Saint Saturn made the final decision, calling out loudly. "And Kaido and Charlotte Linlin's side—don't forget to notify them! Have them participate in the search too!"
Regardless, the New World was territory dominated by the Pirate Emperors. The Beasts Pirates and Charlotte Family wielded enormous influence there. With their help, the search would naturally go much more smoothly.
The World Government began mobilizing again.
News quickly reached the Beasts Pirates and Charlotte Family.
Both sides barely hesitated before readily agreeing to the government's request.
For both Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, Brett was their greatest enemy—an existence that must be crushed.
Then—
Brett received the news.
"In any case, Brett, be careful. Right now the government, Navy, Beasts Pirates, and Mama are all searching for your whereabouts."
The person on the phone warned gravely.
"I understand. I'll be more careful going forward."
Brett smiled.
See? The benefits of having many friends—hadn't they already become apparent?