"Wait, what's going on? That Saint also ca?"
On Holp's side, they had originally planned to set off now and head to Ryugu Kingdom to demand soone, but suddenly heard the news of Rosse's appearance.
Rosward, on the other hand, reacted extrely calmly. He glanced at Holp, who seed to be regretting sothing, and said disdainfully, "He ca, so what? He even ca on my ship. What's so surprising about that?"
"He ca on your ship?", Holp widened his eyes.
The more he listened to this, the weirder it sounded.
'Why would Saint Rosse co to Fish-Man Island?'
'Why would he hide his identity?'
'Why would he co on Rosward's ship?'
All these suspicious points tangled together, making Holp extrely restless.
He had studied Rosse before, that was absolutely a Celestial Dragon who was flashy down to his bones.
Any little thing, and he'd want to broadcast it to the world, dying to share his feats with others.
Soone like that, how could he possibly hide his identity and sneak to Fish-Man Island?
'There's sothing fishy inside!'
"What are you spacing out for? Hurry up and go!", Rosward urged.
But before Holp could figure it out, under Rosward's urgent push, he no longer had ti to think too much.
At this point, the arrow was already on the string, he had no choice but to release it.
He was already pushed onto the fire by Rosward and could only head to Ryugu Kingdom first.
'Let's hope… Rosse-sama's purpose in coming to Fish-Man Island isn't Ryugu Kingdom,' Holp comforted himself internally, bringing Rosward along as they set out toward Ryugu Kingdom.
Over there, the concubine selection was just about to start. Once Neptune announced Sabina as the new queen, it would be their turn to take the stage.
———
[Fish-Man District]
Rosse and Otohi had just arrived when they stopped in their tracks due to the crowd of fish-n.
"Queen Otohi, Fish-Man District welcos your visit."
The portly whale shark Fish-Man Jinbe stood at the front of the Fish-Man group and bowed his head toward Otohi.
"I'm no longer a Queen, Jinbe," Otohi gently shook her head, denying the title of Queen.
She squeezed Rosse's hand tightly, signaling him to stay calm.
Rosse, of course, didn't mind. Since Otohi had made her decision, today he was just an observer.
If he really had to make a move, it would have to wait until the Whitebeard Pirates showed up.
Four division commanders wanted to take him down, what an insult.
"Compared to Neptune, we respect you more," Jinbe spoke solemnly, looking at Otohi with undisguised reverence in his eyes.
The forr Otohi was a pure and kind person.
Soone like that might not be understood by many, but Jinbe, who aspired to walk the path of a hero, had sincerely respected her from early on.
It was precisely because of people like Otohi that Fish-Man Island wasn't too far gone.
But now—
Jinbe looked at this sowhat unfamiliar Otohi with faint worry in his heart.
'Even soone like Queen Otohi, who used to be as pure as a white lotus, has she changed into soone unfamiliar too?'
"Jinbe, ever since Tiger left, you've beco the leader of Fish-Man District. I want to ask you a question," Otohi raised her head, her gaze falling on Jinbe, "If I want to create a new Fish-Man Island, one without oppression, where all races are equal, will you follow , or remain here in Fish-Man District?"
This was the final chance she was giving Fish-Man District.
If Jinbe refused, then she would not return here again.
The hundreds of thousands of fish-n here, how many lived or died would depend on their own choices.
Her new Fish-Man Island would have no place for them.
"New Fish-Man Island?", Jinbe was stunned. He hadn't expected Otohi to throw out such a bombshell right after they t.
And not just him, the other fish-n behind him also looked at Otohi with changed expressions.
So were confused, so doubtful, so mocking, so full of anticipation… All kinds of emotions mixed together.
Although, in general, the fish-n of Fish-Man District had little affection toward rmaids, they still understood what kind of person Otohi was.
Otohi was the only one who held a high position in Ryugu Kingdom, yet was willing to co to Fish-Man District to deliver supplies, and try to persuade them toward kindness.
Due to all kinds of reasons and oppression, they didn't feel they deserved kindness.
But Otohi's existence was the only light in their lives.
Even though they lived in darkness, they still believed Otohi would fulfill her promise, not deceive them.
If Neptune had co, they'd only think he was making false promises, trying to trick them out of Fish-Man District to sell them off as slaves.
"Queen, regarding your idea, I offer the highest respect. I personally am willing to follow you and support you. But I cannot represent Fish-Man District, nor can I speak for all fish-n," Jinbe bowed again, giving Otohi the highest reverence.
At the sa ti, he voiced his own thoughts and difficulties.
Before coming, he had already t with Shyarly and heard from her about the possible future disasters awaiting Fish-Man District and Fish-Man Island.
Now, combined with Otohi's words, it was clear: if they refused, what awaited Fish-Man District might be the prophesied fire of destruction.
But even setting those things aside, Jinbe was still willing to support Otohi.
Though Otohi might be a bit idealistic, the world she envisioned was undeniably a beautiful future for Fish-Man District.
"Gather everyone in Fish-Man District. Anyone willing to co with , whether Fish-Man or rmaid, sign your na," Otohi spoke softly, then her tone suddenly turned stern, "But there's sothing I must say first. In the new Fish-Man Island, no evil acts will be tolerated. I can forgive past wrongs, but from the mont you sign, any wrongdoing will be punished strictly by the rules."
"Queen, if you can guarantee we can survive, no one would willingly commit evil," Jinbe said earnestly. He had never done bad things, but he knew well what his kin were like.
But he had always believed that it was the environnt that shaped their behavior.
If the fish-n of Fish-Man District could live like the rmaids of Ryugu Kingdom, earn a good enough wage through work, easily support themselves and their families, no one would commit those evils.
The reason there were so many criminal acts here was simply due to a lack of resources.
Any resource had to be fought for with one's own hands.
In such an environnt, how could kindness bloom?
"The World Governnt will grant a new land island, where rmaids and fish-n can both live. Mr. Rosse, who stands beside , you all should know him too."
"In the early stages, he will provide a 100 billion Berries interest-free loan to help us build the new island. During this period, he will also help us develop various industries. Only when we are prosperous enough will we begin repaying the loan," Otohi explained frankly. These were the terms Rosse had offered her.
And in her eyes, it was already extrely generous.
100 billion Berries, under normal circumstances, was enough to cover the expenses of 5 million people on Fish-Man Island for ten years.
Even for building a new Fish-Man Island, this was a massive amount of support.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
User Comments
0 comments from readers