After ending the call with Bright, the Five Elders were still somewhat confused.
The blond Five Elder spoke in surprise. "There are ores beneath the sea?"
Humanity knew far too little about the deep sea. The only seabed region humans had ever reached was Fish-Man Island, but there had never been any talk of undersea mineral deposits there before.
"Contact the Science Unit."
The bearded Five Elder said, "I think we need a professional to give us some advice."
The so-called professional was Vegapunk. Though geology and mineral deposits were not his main field, as the world's greatest scientist, that man knew a little about everything.
"Mineral deposits?"
Vegapunk's voice came through the Den Den Mushi. "Isn't that obvious? Mineral deposits are simply all kinds of sedimentary accumulations. They exist above the sea, so naturally they exist beneath it too."
"In fact, their reserves and variety are far greater than those on land."
The call ended.
"So, the fish-men have begun mining the undersea deposits?"
The bearded Five Elder said.
"Only they can mine them."
The bald Five Elder said in alarm, "Fish-Man Island is about to become extremely sought-after."
"We could find a way to seize Fish-Man Island." The blond Five Elder made a startling suggestion.
"Impossible. Just as Neptune said, they only need to destroy Fish-Man Island's bubble. Fish-men and merfolk can still survive in the sea, but humans would be finished."
The bald Five Elder shook his head. "Rather than pinning our hopes on Fish-Man Island, we should pin them on Vegapunk."
"Didn't he previously develop the Fishman Potion that can enhance the human body? He has already cultivated an elite squad within the Science Unit. So can he go a step further and give humans some fish-man traits?"
The Five Elders were all slightly stunned.
"It's