Chapter 221 We Would Gladly Die Fighting
To eliminate the threat from Pirates, it seems there is no other way than to obtain Protection from a Great Pirate of the New World.
As for the Marines, hah.
Although Fish-Man Island is located directly below Shambles, not far from Mary Geoise, the center of the World Government, and Navy Headquarters Marineford, Neptune knows that Humans are quite discriminatory towards Fish-men.
Even though Fish-Man Island established diplomatic relations with the World Government hundreds of years ago, in the eyes of Humans, the Mermaid and Fish-man of Fish-Man Island are still just variants of Fish. The only difference from before is perhaps that the undisguised discrimination has become slightly more restrained now.
But that's all. As a crucial location for Pirates entering the New World, the difference in status between Shambles and Fish-Man Island in the World Government's eyes can be described as worlds apart.
While Neptune pondered with gritted teeth, he also began to seriously consider which Great Pirate in the New World he should seek Protection from.
Roger Pirates is naturally the first to be excluded. If they were to hang the Roger Pirates' Flag on Fish-Man Island now, it would not only have no Protection effect, but would instead bring a huge crisis to Fish-Man Island.
Not long ago, when the Roger Pirates came to Fish-Man Island to take away that Poneglyph, Neptune also learned about the general situation of the Roger Pirates.
Apart from Roger, Whitebeard is a good choice. In terms of Strength, Whitebeard is undoubtedly a figure standing at the pinnacle of the Sea, and with the Whitebeard Pirates' Strength in the New World, Whitebeard's Flag can definitely protect Fish-Man Island. After all, the Pirates who come to Fish-Man Island are ultimately aiming to go to the New World.
And the most important point is that Whitebeard has a very good Reputation. Even if Fish-Man Island seeks his Protection, they don't have to worry about being oppressed.
In this way, Whitebeard rose to the top candidate position in Neptune's mind.
However, the troublesome problem now is that Fish-Man Island cannot contact Whitebeard for the time being.
And people from the Four Emperors BIGMOM Pirates have already landed on Fish-Man Island at this critical juncture, and it seems that the BIGMOM Pirates are here to provide 'Protection' to Fish-Man Island.
"According to Intelligence from the Frontline, after the ships under the BIGMOM Pirates landed on Fish-Man Island, they proceeded towards Gyoncorde Plaza, and those Pirates who occupied Coral Hill, Water Wheel Town, and are scattered throughout Fish-Man Island are now gathering in groups towards Gyoncorde Plaza, seemingly having received Orders from the BIGMOM Pirates."
The Guard continued to report the Intelligence just relayed from the Informant.
Hearing this, Neptune's headache worsened. Originally, if it was just the BIGMOM Pirates, Fish-Man Island still had some bargaining chips, and might be able to delay negotiations until they contacted Whitebeard.
But now, with the News of the Pirates from Coral Hill and other places converging towards Gyoncorde Plaza, this Hope is almost non-existent. The high-end Combat Power of the BIGMOM Pirates, coupled with the Pirates on Fish-Man Island, the Power they gather is already enough to directly break through Dragon Palace City.
That's right, facing the Pirate Power gathered at Gyoncorde Plaza, with the Military Strength of Dragon Palace City, they can't even manage a one-sided defense.
"Understood, you may step back."
Neptune took a deep breath.
"Right Minister."
After the Guard retreated, Neptune looked at the Seahorse Fish-man Right Minister below the Throne and ordered:
"Immediately send someone to notify the Guards of Fish-Man Island to avoid conflicts with the BIGMOM Pirates as much as possible. Also, send someone, no, you personally take someone to meet the BIGMOM Pirates, and invite the person in charge to Dragon Palace City. Remember, no matter what their intentions are, do not take the initiative to attack."
"Yes."
Although he knew this might be a mission of no return, the Right Minister still agreed and immediately began to prepare for it.
After the Right Minister left the Palace, the Left Minister looked up at Neptune and hesitantly asked, "Your Majesty, we would gladly die fighting, why does Your Majesty choose to Surrender first?"
"..."
Neptune was silent for a while, then sighed: "Perhaps this is the only Method to resolve the crisis. Our Fish-Man Island's Power is too Weakness, I dare not gamble."
"But the other side is the BIGMOM Pirates..."
The Left Minister was about to continue, after all, BIGMOM's Reputation in the New World was not very good.
"I know."
Neptune interrupted the Left Minister's Words.
"As far as I know, the Captain of the BIGMOM Pirates, Charlotte Linlin, has always planned to build Totto Land in the Totto Land Sea Area, and Fish-men can undoubtedly occupy a place in it. As long as we express our willingness to Surrender, presumably the BIGMOM Pirates will not go too far. And the most important thing is that with Big Mom's Power, she has the Ability to protect our Fish-Man Island..."
In fact, Fish-Man Island's Strength is still very strong. Whether it is the racial Talent of Mermaid or Fish-man, it is quite good. An Ordinary People Fish-man has more than dozens of times the Power of Ordinary People Humans, not to mention the special Races among Fish-men.
But these are all compared to Ordinary People. Humans who have undergone constant Training can easily deal with Fish-men like Ordinary People dealing with Ordinary People.
And the Pirates who can reach Fish-Man Island from Shambles are naturally not Ordinary People, so Fish-Man Island is in a very awkward situation.
And Neptune, as the King of Fish-Man Island, due to the Strength issue of Fish-Man Island, can only watch helplessly as the situation becomes increasingly severe and deteriorates.
In fact, he is also very clear.
If the situation cannot be improved, Fish-Man Island will head towards its end, it is only a matter of Time.
After all, Mermaid Girl are good playthings, and Fish-men are excellent Slaves. For the vast population base in the World, Fish-Man Island is really Weakness.
It is precisely because he sees through this that Neptune has the idea of seeking Protection from Pirate Crew.
After all, in Fish-Man Island and the New World, the Flag of a top Great Pirate is more deterrent than Navy Headquarters.
It sounds like a Hell Joke, but this is the fact.
Neptune frowned, suddenly feeling that the light in the entire Palace seemed to dim all at once.
It was at this moment that a cry of surprise came from outside the Great Hall, from the Right Minister who should have gone to handle matters.
"You, you... how could you be here...!?"
"Hmm?"
Hearing the Right Minister's cry of surprise, Neptune and the Left Minister in the Great Hall tensed up, subconsciously looking towards the outside of the Great Hall, but the Gate blocked their Line of Sight and they could not see the situation outside.
Just as they were wondering what was happening outside, they saw the Right Minister retreat into the Great Hall with a solemn expression, nervously looking outside while holding his Weapon.
Neptune realized that something was wrong, and suddenly stood up, grabbed the huge Trident placed aside, and looked solemnly towards the direction of the Palace Gate.
"Right Minister, what happened? What happened? What happened?"
The Left Minister couldn't care about his image at this time, and asked anxiously, but his habit of repeating a sentence still couldn't be changed, only the speed of his Words was much faster.
"Your Majesty Neptune... Nicholas is outside, Ni-Nicholas is here!"
"What?"
Looking at the Right Minister who couldn't say a complete sentence for a long time, and hearing Nicholas from the Right Minister's mouth, Neptune frowned suddenly, feeling a very ominous premonition in his heart.
The Left Minister hurriedly stood in front of Neptune, looking nervously at the Palace Gate.
This was almost a subconscious move for him. Although his Strength might not even withstand a single strike from Neptune's Trident, this did not affect his loyalty.
(End of Chapter)