In front of Carlo, Silas naturally would not say his son Neptune was too weak for him to consider taking aboard.
"Carlo, your son is only twelve, right? What I am about to do is very dangerous. Let us wait until he grows up a bit more."
Hearing Silas's refusal, Carlo could only sigh.
"Sigh, I was too hasty."
Come to think of it, even he would not let a twelve-year-old child board a ship.
But the White Wolf Pirates were among the few pirate crews that did not discriminate against Fish-Man Island and had good relations with them, plus they were powerful enough to protect Neptune.
If Neptune could make a name for himself under the White Wolf Pirates, it would greatly benefit his future return to inherit Fish-Man Island's throne.
Simply put, it was about gaining prestige.
But Carlo's thinking was too naive. Being a pirate was not child's play, and the newcomers on Silas's ship were not gentle, humble children.
Though Rocks got along well with Newgate and Linlin now, that was because both were talented monsters. Even Rocks could not say his growth rate would surpass theirs if they started from the same line.
Though Ripley's talent was not as good as the others, her position had changed from frontline fighter to logistics manager. With the Mini-Mini Fruit's support, Ripley's role in various battles was not to be underestimated.
Moreover, in the White Wolf Pirates' internal tournament, Rocks still had not beaten Ripley!
As for Stussy?
What combat ability did a doctor need?
Kozuki Toki?
Just a passerby!
If an ordinary person joined the ship, it might be fine short-term, but over time, without showing talent or usefulness, Silas feared he would be subjected to cold violence from the new crew members.
So Silas had strict requirements for recruiting new crew members.
At least be able to withstand pressure from Rocks and the others!
Could Neptune do that?
Silas was not optimistic.
So Neptune should stay obediently on Fish-Man Island, meet his Princess Otohime, and eventually give birth to cute little Shirahoshi.
Silas did not plan to stay long on Fish-Man Island.
Though Fish-Man Island's scenery was beautiful and the mermaids with human upper bodies and fish tails had their own charm, Silas had not forgotten his purpose for coming here.
However, Silas had just said Neptune could not withstand Rocks's pressure.
Someone who could withstand the pressure had arrived.
Sea Circle Calendar Year 1463. You, having become a great pirate with widespread fame, encountered fellow great pirate Golden Lion Shiki on Fish-Man Island.
When the strong meet, conflict is inevitable.
Having just established good relations with Fish-Man Island's current King Neptune, you absolutely will not stand by and watch Golden Lion's crew kidnap Fish-Man Island's fish-men!
I established good relations with Neptune?
Silas looked at the eight-meter-tall Neptune, who was deferential before him, calling him "Uncle Silas" repeatedly.
Well, system, you are right!
"Though we have urgent business returning to the first half of the Grand Line, my Observation Haki sees you have a small problem again."
Seeing Carlo's expression change, Silas smiled.
"Since we have decided to let Fish-Man Island use my reputation, having pirates cause trouble here is disrespecting me."
"In the New World, pirates value reputation more than life!"
Coral Hill.
This was a prosperous town in Fish-Man Island's southeast. Many mermaids and fish-men worked here during the day, returning to their residences at night.
When night fell, some pirates, merchants, and even fish-men hiding their identities in Coral Hill would secretly target isolated mermaids.
That was right.
Though over ten years ago, following Silas's recommendation, many fish-men escaped Fish-Man Street origins and were employed by mermaid royalty after training, with lesser ones getting ordinary guard work; large numbers of fish-men still lacked proper jobs, becoming unemployed vagrants.
And driven by massive profits, some fish-men would also target mermaids, kidnapping them to hand over to slave traders.
"Haha, ordinary humans are only worth 100,000 Belly. Dwarfs and long-arm tribes are similar, but giants and mermaids... male giants are worth 10 million Belly, and female mermaids are worth 15 million Belly... those are astronomical prices!"
A human pirate laughed while patting a fish-man's shoulder.
"Thanks for providing the route this time! Otherwise we could not have avoided your kinsmen catching such premium goods!"
"Tch, as long as you pay."
Slapping away the human pirate's hand, though helping humans capture his own kind, this did not mean the fish-man would show humans a good face.
In this fish-man's view, mermaids who squeezed their living space were no better than humans.
Since they were all annoying, it was better to use these annoying creatures to make a huge profit.
Behind them, a bound mermaid girl struggled while glaring at them angrily.
But the pirates paid no attention.
They would not get angry at their valuable merchandise.
"Hey, Shiki, take this mermaid back to the ship. Our target is not just one mermaid. We are taking advantage of Fish-Man Island's current weak defenses to make a killing!"
Butler, the mastermind pirate captain, laughed heartily. Though he did not know who Fish-Man Island's king had gone to welcome, when the king left, guards naturally had to follow.
So Fish-Man Island's internal defenses became vulnerable.
Perfect for their opportunity.
"One mermaid is 15 million Belly. Just catch a few more, and I will not need to go to the New World. Would not living it up at Sabaody Archipelago be better?"
Though a pirate with a 50 million Belly bounty, not weak even in the New World, "Rock" Butler had always lacked ambition, as did his crew.
Adventuring in the New World was too dangerous!
Better to stay at Sabaody Archipelago. If they ever ran short of money, they could just visit Fish-Man Island and get however much they needed.
Only Shiki, the new crew member, remained expressionless.
Bullshit!
I came to challenge this world and went to sea to replace White King Silas! Who wants to be a human trafficker with you!
Shiki roared unwillingly in his heart.
But having just gone to sea, he was merely a newcomer. Not only had he encountered the current captain immediately upon setting sail, but he had also been beaten down in less than two rounds.
Now forced to conspire with them... how could he not be frustrated?
Might makes right.
Shiki felt what he needed to do now was endure!
Fortunately, he had not exposed being a Devil Fruit user.
Though he could escape if the opportunity arose, given his vengeful personality, if he did not kill his captain before running, Shiki felt he would never sleep well again!
But soon, Shiki would not need to worry about these things.
Because his captain was stopped before getting far.
"So you are the ones catching mermaids on Fish-Man Island while we landed?"
A young voice came from nearby.
Shiki turned to look, his pupils contracting to pinpoints upon seeing the young man.
"Son of Evil Omen, Rocks D. Xebec!"
Still with disheveled black hair and an annoyed expression from being sent on errands, Rocks gripped the long sword at his waist.
"The old man said Fish-Man Island is under his protection from now on."
"Anyone who dares kidnap mermaids on Fish-Man Island dies without mercy!"