"Judging by how turbulent things are down here, and how much the environment has changed, there's a very good chance this plan will succeed."
As the chief steward, Robin oversaw an enormous intelligence network. She was perfectly clear about Fish-Man Island's current precarious situation—and exactly who was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Tenma stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression utterly calm.
"Whether it succeeds or not doesn't really matter."
There was a casual, overbearing dominance in his voice.
"Don't forget—our real prey on this trip is the newly born Sea King."
Hearing this, Yamato blinked her wide, curious eyes and tilted her head at Tenma.
"Huh? But didn't you have Caterina deliberately apply pressure earlier? I thought you were pretty interested in Fish-Man Island as territory."
Tenma turned his head slightly, the corner of his mouth lifting into a playful smile as he shook his head.
"Valuing something and caring about it are two different things. At my current level, my perspective has already changed."
He paused, his gaze seeming to pierce through the deep sea and look toward a far more distant future.
"Especially now that our mechanical legions are beginning to take shape—when they're capable of sweeping everything aside."
Yamato scratched her head, still looking a little lost.
Robin, however, sharp as ever, immediately understood and nodded faintly.
A person's ambition and attitude always expand alongside the power they hold.
As Tenma's closest confidant, she knew better than anyone just how terrifying the things he was tinkering with in that forbidden research base truly were.
Compared to those epoch-making black technologies, the Fish-Men's vaunted tenfold strength and underwater combat ability were, at best, icing on the cake.
They were merely a kind of combat reserve the General had once found appealing.
Now? At most, they were dispensable.
At this moment, the pirates and slave traders who had been knocked unconscious by Conqueror's Haki had long since been dragged away like dead dogs by the arriving soldiers.
A human trafficking problem that had plagued Fish-Man Island for years was instantly resolved in the face of absolute power.
But Neptune had no time to care about the fate of those traffickers.
Compared to restoring order, the King of Ryugu Palace knew exactly what posture he needed to take right now.
The three of them descended slowly onto the solid ground of the bay.
Neptune, who had been waiting there, shuddered violently and hurried forward in deep respect.
On closer inspection, fine beads of cold sweat densely covered the forehead of this massive king.
"Welcome, General Tenma, to Fish-Man Island!"
Neptune's voice trembled slightly, his face plastered with a deferential smile.
"I have already ordered the highest-level state banquet to be prepared in Ryugu Palace, to welcome Your Excellency."
The smile looked forced—an obvious attempt to suppress panic.
After all, the man before him was someone who had cut his way through Big Mom's Sweet Commanders and forcibly ascended the throne of an Emperor of the Sea.
The sheer disparity in status made Neptune's heart pound wildly; he feared that even a single wrong word could invite annihilation.
"Lead the way."
Tenma spoke only two words.
Hearing this brief reply, Neptune's tightly wound nerves loosened just a fraction. He let out a quiet breath.
He quickly stepped aside, guiding the trio toward Ryugu Palace like a humble tour guide.
It had to be said—Neptune had gone all out this time.
The main hall of Ryugu Palace was dazzling beyond words.
A massive round table was laden with Fish-Man Island's unique delicacies.
Top-grade seafood, premium sashimi, aged wine—everything imaginable, rich aromas filling the air.
In the center of the hall, a group of graceful, stunning mermaid dancers swayed to melodious music, their supple waists moving in hypnotic rhythm.
Their dance was as fleeting as a startled swan, exuding the unique allure of the deep sea.
Neptune had clearly done his homework. He knew the Flying General's preferences well.
Taking advantage of the earlier disturbance caused by the Big Mom Pirates, he had deliberately raised the reception's standard.
Even the desserts had been swapped out for delicate confections better suited to Tenma's tastes.
Seeing Tenma lift his wine cup, his gaze roaming over the dancers as if in a decent mood, Neptune finally gathered the courage to raise his own cup, smiling ingratiatingly.
"For someone of your stature, who shakes the New World itself, to grace Fish-Man Island with your presence—it truly is an honor for our entire race."
Tenma took a sip of wine. His eyes sharpened instantly.
"Enough with the pleasantries. You know I don't come knocking without a reason."
Neptune's hand stiffened around his cup, his smile freezing in place.
He knew full well that this guest had ill intentions.
Neptune waved his hand, dismissing the dancing mermaids and the attendants.
Soon, only he and Queen Otohime remained in the hall, the atmosphere turning heavy at once.
"May I ask what business brings the Flying General all this way?" Neptune asked, forcing the words out.
"Heh heh heh…"
Tenma let out a low laugh that echoed through the empty hall, sending chills down the royal couple's spines.
It was the calm before a storm—deeply unsettling.
"These past days must have been hard on Fish-Man Island, hm?"
He hadn't yet stated his demands, but those words alone made Neptune and Otohime's hearts leap into their throats.
This tone was all too familiar—exactly how extortion always began.
Sure enough, Tenma set down his cup, tapping the tabletop lightly with his finger.
"The World Government has become a mere decoration. It can't protect you—and it even wants to kick you out of the allied nations."
He leaned forward slightly, the pressure intensifying.
"Have you ever considered… finding a different tree to take shelter under?"
"This…"
Neptune and Otohime exchanged glances, seeing fear and helplessness mirrored in each other's eyes.
Such a sensitive topic left them momentarily speechless.
Neptune stammered, "Changing allegiances like that—"
Before he could finish, Robin interjected gracefully, her tone calm but razor-sharp.
"Fish-Man Island didn't receive an invitation to this World Summit, you know."
She smiled faintly as she dropped a bombshell.
"From what we know, quite a few Celestial Dragons have already declared their intention to turn Fish-Man Island into a full-scale slave supply zone."
"Those allied nations eager to curry favor with the Celestial Dragons will surely support it at the conference. Once the wall collapses, everyone pushes it down—you understand the consequences."
After shattering Neptune's psychological defenses with brutal reality, Robin introduced herself at leisure.
"I'm Robin, General Tenma's chief administrator, responsible for intelligence. These reports are absolutely reliable."
Queen Otohime instinctively looked at Robin.
Born with powerful Observation Haki that allowed her to hear the voices of hearts, she immediately knew Robin wasn't lying.
But when she tried to listen to Tenma's heart—
She found nothing.
It was like a bottomless void.
At that moment, Tenma cast her a casual glance.
Those eyes were like blades, instantly piercing her mental defenses.
Otohime went pale, hurriedly withdrawing her ability and clutching Neptune's arm tightly.
This was an extremely dangerous signal.
Sensing his wife's fear, Neptune's heart sank even further.
Robin pressed the advantage, continuing her verbal assault.
"Also, according to our investigation, Queen Otohime has spent years running around collecting signatures, hoping to move your people to the surface—to see the real sun. Isn't that right?"
She shifted slightly, directing everyone's gaze toward Tenma.
"Our General possesses the power to remake heaven and earth, to create land out of nothing."
"The New World is vast. Carving out a brand-new island for you to live on would be effortless."
Neptune and Otohime both turned to look at Tenma.
Flying General—the title itself represented absolute power.
A being who could freely rewrite continental geography through dual Devil Fruit abilities.
Robin's words struck straight at Queen Otohime's deepest longing.
Living under true sunlight was a dream passed down through generations.
Even with the Sunlight Tree Eve illuminating the depths, it was still artificial. Who wouldn't want the real sun?
Fish-Man Island was inherently ill-suited for mass relocation.
Otherwise, their ancestors wouldn't have built the colossal ark Noah.
And given the Fish-Men's precarious status among humans, without the ocean's protection they would be easy prey on land.
Even if the petition succeeded, it would require genuine protection from the World Government.
But now, the World Government was not only unreliable—it was openly hostile.
Tenma was different.
He was the absolute emperor of the lawless zones. His word was iron law.
Gathering her courage, Queen Otohime asked in a trembling voice:
"If we went to Wano… can you guarantee true peace between humans and Fish-Men?"
This was her life's greatest wish—and her greatest fear.
She wanted relocation not just for survival, but to erase racial barriers and truly understand humanity.
"In my territory, we follow General-first doctrine."
Robin answered in Tenma's stead, her tone domineering and confident.
"As long as the General speaks, no one dares act out of line. That won't be a problem."
Then she abruptly shifted gears, turning the tables.
"Compared to us, shouldn't you be more worried about yourselves? After the Tiger incident, the island's residents hate humans to the bone."
The words were harsh—but painfully accurate.
Neptune felt stifled, like he was being forced to beg for help, yet he dared not argue.
Otohime thought even further ahead.
Setting aside the World Government's stance, Tenma truly was the only one who could help her realize her dream.
"I'll do my best to guide everyone… to change those beliefs."
Her gaze was resolute as she stated her position.
"Otohime…" Neptune turned toward his wife, wanting to speak—but stopping himself.
Robin looked at Tenma, meeting his eyes. The groundwork was complete.
At last, Tenma spoke, his voice lazy yet imbued with unquestionable authority.
"Honestly speaking, I didn't come here because I wanted Fish-Man Island itself."
Neptune froze, nearly throwing out his back at the sudden turn.
So all that talk earlier—was it just toying with them? Or was their nation simply beneath his notice?
Neptune clenched his fist beneath the table, but his face showed no trace of dissatisfaction.
"Then… what exactly does General Tenma mean?"
He felt like a puppet on strings, his voice full of frustration.
Tenma tapped the rim of his wine glass, the clear sound ringing out.
"As far as Fish-Man Island is concerned, I've always had just one objective."
His gaze grew deep and shadowed.
"The mermaid princess born four years ago—or rather… the little girl who inherited the title of Poseidon."
He smiled faintly and spoke her name.
"Shirahoshi. That's right, isn't it?"
The air in the hall seemed to freeze solid.
The royal couple's faces drained of all color.
Shirahoshi was only four years old!
Worse yet—she was one of the ancient weapons capable of destroying the world: Poseidon!
How did this man know Fish-Man Island's greatest secret?!
Neptune finally understood why Tenma had looked down on the entire island.
Compared to an Ancient Weapon, Fish-Man Island truly meant nothing.
"Roger left an inscription on Skypiea mentioning Poseidon on Fish-Man Island. Otherwise, why would you think I'd bother coming all this way?"
With a casual sentence, Tenma shoved the blame squarely onto the already-dead Pirate King.
Neptune cursed Roger's ancestors up to the eighteenth generation in his heart.
"So now, I'm giving you two choices."
Tenma raised two fingers, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather.
"First: I don't take Fish-Man Island—but I will create a landmass large enough for you to live on and provide full protection."
"The price is total submission. Everyone must swear allegiance to me and to Wano, signing binding contracts. Those who refuse can stay behind and fend for themselves."
"Second: I plant my flag here and use my name to shield you through this crisis."
"In exchange, I take a portion of your elite population—and… Shirahoshi."
Neptune's heart turned ice-cold.
No matter which option he chose, Shirahoshi would be taken. There was no room for negotiation.
"Do you intend to reject both options, Neptune?"
Tenma's voice suddenly turned cold. The temperature in the hall seemed to plunge.
"Don't let the fact that we're sitting here drinking fool you into forgetting what I do."
In that instant, the façade of negotiation shattered, revealing naked coercion.
Any thought of resistance Neptune had was snuffed out by that terrifying pressure.
The entire Ryugu Palace trembled faintly, as if in fear.
At that critical moment, Queen Otohime stepped forward and made the decision for them both.
"We accept the second option!"
"Otohime!"
Neptune whipped his head around in disbelief.
Even Robin raised an eyebrow in surprise.
According to her analysis, the Queen—who had devoted her life to relocation—should have chosen the first option.
Only Tenma, his Observation Haki active, had anticipated this outcome and remained calm.
Queen Otohime took a deep breath and continued:
"However, I have one request. Please allow me to accompany her and take care of Shirahoshi."
Tenma gave them one day to prepare.
The moment he left, the reception room exploded into chaos.
"Your Majesty! Have you lost your mind?! Taking Princess Shirahoshi into the New World—that den of wolves?!"
The Left Minister, a catfish Fish-Man, trembled with agitation.
"That's right! You're the Queen Mother of a nation! How can you place yourself under another's roof? This is far too serious—we need to think it through!"
The Right Minister, a seahorse Fish-Man, was equally frantic.
Neptune, who usually defended his wife most fiercely, stood there like a mute.
He was unwilling. Heartbroken. Yet powerless.
"I've made my decision."
Queen Otohime's expression was resolute as she swept her gaze over the ministers, finally resting on Neptune.
"If we chose the first option, given the island's current public sentiment, most would stay. What then? Do we let them die?"
She understood her people all too well.
Neptune closed his eyes in pain.
It was an impossible dilemma. To save the greater whole, the smaller family had to be sacrificed—an indirect form of political marriage.
"And Shirahoshi's power is unstable. Someone must guide her emotions."
Her words carried deeper meaning. The ministers didn't understand—but Neptune did.
If Shirahoshi lost control and Poseidon's power erupted, who knew what that mercurial General might do?
Going along was both to protect their daughter—and to monitor and soothe her.
"I also want to see for myself whether humans and merfolk can truly coexist peacefully under that General's rule."
"No matter the outcome, we must take this risk for the next generation."
"And besides—since the moment he descended, we've been fish on the chopping block. We never had the right to bargain, did we?"
Her gentle voice struck like a hammer against every heart.
Silence followed. Dead silence.
After a long while, Neptune finally spoke hoarsely:
"This is practically emigration. Afterward… it may be very hard to return."
"Nothing in this world is absolute."
Otohime leaned against her husband's broad shoulder, soothing him softly.
"I heard it—Shirahoshi isn't a tool in his eyes."
"I've already spoken with Administrator Robin. Wano doesn't restrict travel."
"As long as Shirahoshi can earn that lord's favor, perhaps one day… our entire race can move there."
Inside the luxurious guest room of Ryugu Palace, Robin attended to Tenma while quietly complaining.
"If you had your eye on the mermaid princess from the start, why not just say it outright?"
In private, Robin shed her administrative authority, her tone carrying a hint of feminine petulance.
"I really thought you planned to swallow Fish-Man Island whole. I prepared so much material for nothing."
Tenma reclined comfortably on the couch, watching Robin use her Flower-Flower Fruit to eavesdrop outside. He chuckled.
"Isn't this better? At least your eloquence has improved."
"Some words had to come from you—to stir their hearts, so the rest of the play could unfold."
"If I'd laid everything out from the start, I'd still get what I wanted—but that would've been coercion. Now, it was their choice. The mindset is completely different."
Tenma stretched lazily, confidence radiating from him—the calm assurance of someone who held everything firmly in hand.
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