"Jinbe! Nice to meet you. I'm Kuina. Hello!"
As the highest-ranking officer among the four present and someone who could be considered Jinbe's equal in status, Kuina naturally stepped forward first.
In truth, Kuina was Wright's junior disciple. Although she was still young, she was indeed of the same generation as Jinbe.
Tashigi and Kuina addressed each other as sisters, making them peers, but Ace and Cavendish…
Ace was Wright's disciple, and given Sabo's connection, he was still considered Wright's junior. This naturally placed him a generation below Kuina and Tashigi.
As for Cavendish, while he was technically of the same generation as Kuina and Tashigi in social standing, almost everyone in Marine Headquarters knew that he was practically half a disciple of Admiral Wright.
Due to Wright's age—just 32 years old—the core of his forces was mostly composed of people of his own generation. However, he never hesitated to mentor promising young Marines who upheld the ideals of justice.
Cavendish, in particular, was one of the students Wright was most satisfied with. In swordsmanship, combat skills, and real battle experience, Wright personally guided him on many occasions.
Although Cavendish had trained under Zephyr, which technically made Wright his senior brother, both he and the entire Marine Headquarters knew he wasn't qualified to address Wright as "senpai" just yet.
After all, Zephyr had trained countless elite officers in the Marines, but among them, only Wright had been recognized as an equal by the Three Admirals from the moment he graduated.
Even Smoker was an exception, and that was largely due to his personal friendship with Kuzan.
Cavendish, despite his boundless narcissism, had enough self-awareness not to presume familiarity with Wright.
Because of this, Cavendish was often seen as a generation below Wright. Combined with his close relationship with Ace, the two were frequently considered equals.
"Hahaha! Major Kuina, I've heard great things about you—the remarkable swordswoman who inherited the Float-Float Fruit from 'Golden Lion' Shiki!"
Jinbe laughed heartily. "And not just because you are Admiral Wright's junior disciple—your reputation is well earned!"
"You flatter me... That makes me feel unworthy. The Float-Float Fruit was a gift from my senior brother, after all."
Kuina replied modestly. Jinbe was incredibly strong, and even with the Float-Float Fruit, she would struggle to gain the upper hand against him—especially in the ocean.
"I recognize everyone here—Lieutenant Tashigi, Lieutenant Junior Grade Cavendish, and Lieutenant Junior Grade Ace. Admiral Wright certainly has an outstanding group under his command!"
Jinbe was well-acquainted with the rising stars around Wright and showed no surprise at their presence. However, Ace had been frowning and deep in thought ever since he saw Jinbe—this blue-skinned man seemed oddly familiar.
"Ah… No need to just stand around. This is your first time here, right? Let me show you around Fish-Man Island! Even Admiral Wright was enchanted by its beauty back in the day!"
Jinbe waved to Aladdin, signaling him to continue his own tasks, before leading the four on a tour.
"As we've traveled through Fish-Man Island, the citizens have been remarkably welcoming to us. Not just because we are humans, but also because we are Marines."
As they followed Jinbe through the island, Tashigi remarked, "When I first joined the Marines, there were still many different opinions about Fish-Men. But now, you barely hear such sentiments anymore."
"Admiral Wright almost single-handedly changed this situation—he is a great benefactor to Fish-Man Island."
Jinbe smiled. "I was there at the time. The way Admiral Wright orchestrated everything and resolved the crisis with such ease still fills me with admiration whenever I think about it."
"Most of what people are discussing now seems to be preparations for migrating to the surface. Are you really certain this will work?"
Cavendish twirled a rose he had somehow acquired, looking puzzled.
As a former prince, even if his primary concern was his own popularity, he still had some understanding of national affairs.
For a small country, relocating the entire population was already a daunting task. But for Fish-Man Island, where an entire species was involved, it seemed nearly impossible.
"Tour vehicle!"
Jinbe called out, summoning a floating Bubble Fish. The group climbed aboard, and with Jinbe at the controls, they soared above the island, taking in the breathtaking view.
"Fish-Men can move freely in the ocean. As long as proper security measures are in place and unnecessary conflicts are avoided, reaching the designated surface location is not an issue."
"We've also prepared numerous ships and other means of transportation. After all, we won't be migrating all at once—Fish-Man Island still needs to be defended. This will be a gradual and long-term process."
Jinbe sighed. "The initial phase of the migration will be the most challenging. The general population cannot move to the surface immediately. We will first deploy an elite guard force to establish a secure presence, and only when the surface settlement is fully prepared will it be opened to civilians."
"That makes sense."
Kuina nodded. The early stages of any pioneering effort were fraught with difficulties, but with Marine support, it would be significantly easier.
"Jinbe… What about Whitebeard? How do you plan to handle that?"
After hesitating for a long time, Ace finally spoke up, causing Jinbe to pause.
"Wright-sensei told me that Whitebeard's words and his flag have protected Fish-Man Island for over a decade."
"I know you must have considered this issue. One of the reasons I came here was to see for myself just how much the name 'Whitebeard' means to Fish-Man Island!"
A heavy silence filled the tour vehicle.
Kuina, Tashigi, and Cavendish were equally interested in the answer. As young elites of the Marines, they knew Fish-Man Island's fate would impact them as well.
"In truth, I just returned from apologizing to Father."
Jinbe's words shocked all four of them.
It was common knowledge that Jinbe and the Sun Pirates referred to Whitebeard as "Father."
Whitebeard and King Neptune of the Ryugu Kingdom were close friends. That alone was enough reason for Whitebeard to protect his friend's nation.
But Jinbe and his crew, known for their loyalty and honor, had never openly pledged allegiance to Whitebeard's banner. Yet, out of deep respect, they still addressed him as "Father."
"King Neptune and I both foresaw this situation… We cannot compare the debts we owe to either Whitebeard or Admiral Wright, but for the sake of our people living proudly on the surface…"
Jinbe's expression was solemn. "We have no other choice!"
"So I went to the Moby Dick to personally apologize. Fish-Man Island has betrayed his kindness. That is our shame—but I will bear it alone. Even if Father kills me on the spot, I will accept it without regret!"
"But to my surprise… When I explained everything, Father just laughed and said—"
Ace and the others held their breath. What was Whitebeard's response?
"Fish-Man Island is my territory. Whether you live there or not has nothing to do with my protection!"
Jinbe's face was firm.
"Father… is granting us his blessing!"
"He has personally lifted the final chain binding Fish-Man Island!"
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