Putting Pressure on the Government!

Ian learned from the newspaper that King Neptune of the Ryugu Kingdom was going to attend the Reverie.

The main reason was that Fish-Man Island's participation in the Reverie was so shocking that major newspapers reported on it extensively.

The Reverie is held every four years. Each time, the World Government invites dozens of Kings from Affiliated Nation to Mary Geoise to discuss the events of the past four years and decide on the government's direction for the next four years.

Strictly speaking, the Reverie is the highest authority of the World Government.

The resolution, reached through a vote by dozens of Kings in person and a remote vote by the King of all Affiliated Nation, carries even greater authority than the Gorosei, and must be thoroughly implemented even by the World Government.

Of course, this is only true in theory.

Fish-Man Island has been World Government Member States for two hundred years, but despite the forty or fifty Reverie held over those two hundred years, Fish-Man Island has never received an invitation to participate in any of them.

Forget about traveling to Mary Geoise to attend the Reverie; the King Fish-Man Island throughout history weren't even eligible to participate in remote voting.

They had no right to participate in decision-making regarding the various matters proposed by the King at the Reverie, let alone the right to know about them.

Everyone else has attended Reverie, except you.

It feels like everyone's made plans to have an inpart party, but you weren't invited.

This is American-style bullying.

However, this long period of neglect, which lasted for two hundred years, was broken this year.

Fish-Man Island has received an unprecedented invitation from the World Government, and King Neptune of the Ryugu Kingdom has officially accepted the invitation and will attend the World Government Reverie.

This is indeed an unprecedented event.

Will this improve relations between humans and Fish-Man Island?

Almost all the newspapers were discussing this.

Ian, however, simply rubbed his temples, feeling a slight headache.

He put down his newspaper and looked somewhat wistfully at the two people fidgeting on the sofa opposite his desk. "What do you think?"

"It must be a conspiracy by the World Government!"

Jinbe and Fisher Tiger, who had been invited by Ian to discuss the matter, responded almost simultaneously in the next second.

"Yes, no matter how you look at it, this is a conspiracy by the World Government."

Ian sighed softly, "But it seems Neptune doesn't think so."

"Both Neptune and Queen Otohime are too naive."

Fisher Tiger gritted his teeth. "Do they really think this is the World Government trying to ease tensions with Fish-Man Island?"

How could that be!

Two hundred years of discrimination and bullying—how can they simply vanish like smoke?

Fisher Tiger knew better than anyone that the Celestial Dragons, who reigned supreme over Mary Geoise, were the ones who had purchased the most Fish-Man and mermaid slaves in the world.

They have absolutely no goodwill towards Fish-Man Island.

"What could be the reason for this?"

Ian was also a little confused, as this scene was not in the original work at all.

In the original work, the World Government invited Fish-Man Island to a meeting, but that wouldn't happen until twelve years later.

By then, Shirahoshi had grown up, and when the Straw Hat Crew fought the New Fish-Man Pirates, the Sea King's agitation would inevitably prompt the World Government to take some action.

But what's the reason now?

Princess Shirahoshi is only four years old, and Aquaman's abilities have not yet fully Awakening.

Could it be that the government has realized the strength of its Fish-Man Unit, so they are preparing to create a Fish-Man army in the same way?

"We must stop King Neptune and Queen Otohime from doing something foolish, Lord Ian!"

Jinbe quickly said, "Mary Geoise is far too dangerous!"

"Let's ask the person directly involved."

Ian took out Den Den Mushi and dialed a number.

Luckily, he had Neptune's contact information, otherwise he would be completely at a loss now.

Frankly, Ian didn't care what happened to the Neptune.

After all, his cooperation with Fish-Man Island is now on the right track, and even if that country changes its king, everything will remain the same.

But these two are Shirahoshi's parents.

Neptune is therefore extremely important.

The call was answered very quickly after the Den Den Mushi dialed.

"Ian?"

Neptune's somewhat surprised voice came through.

"Neptune, I saw in the newspaper that you're going to Mary Geoise for the Reverie?"

Ian spoke.

"Oh--oh! You've heard about it too!"

Neptune's voice sounded somewhat guilty.

"How could I not have heard? It's all over the newspapers, hasn't it?"

Ian couldn't help but glance at Jinbe and Fisher Tiger.

Both of them clenched their teeth.

"King Neptune, what exactly happened?"

Jinbe couldn't help but lean closer and shout, "Don't you know how dangerous Mary Geoise is? Don't you know how vicious the Celestial Dragons are?"

"Jinbe?"

Neptune was somewhat surprised. "You're here too?"

"And me too."

Having undergone a complete transformation, Fisher Tiger was also keeping a very low profile within the Sun Pirates, quietly spoke up.

"Fisher Tiger? You're here too?"

"How could I possibly pretend I didn't know about something this big?"

Fisher Tiger's voice was also very serious, "Neptune, what exactly is going on? In my memory, you're not someone who easily trusts humans?"

Neptune paused, "Otohime is determined to attend this Reverie. As you know, she has always advocated for reconciliation with humanity, and she says this is the best opportunity possible."

"To be honest, it's all thanks to you Ian."

"My credit?"

Ian raised an eyebrow.

You can't even manage your wife, so you just shift the blame, huh?

Neptune, you're really despicable now.

"Yes,"

Neptune said, "Otohime said that you made so many Fish-Man and mermaids migrate to the sea and live in harmony with humans, which proves that her claim is correct."

"So she won't miss this opportunity no matter what."

Ian's lips twitched. "Neptune, didn't you even try to persuade her?"

Neptune remained silent and did not answer, but everyone knew the answer.

Idealism can be deadly.

"In addition,"

Neptune finally spoke, "Actually, I also think this might be an opportunity."

"Because Ian, haven't you already proven that to us?"

Neptune said, "Not all humans are hostile towards us; there are still many who are willing to accept us."

"The World Government may harbor malicious intentions, but not all the Affiliated Nation at the Reverie are like that! This is a great opportunity to let the world truly understand Fish-Man Island!"

"I'm sorry, Ian, but please believe me, this will not affect our cooperation in any way."

"I will arrange everything. Only Otohime and I will go. If there is any danger, then let the two of us bear it!"

Ian sighed.

Excellent!

In the end, it really has become my problem.

Is this what they mean by "if you've never seen daylight, you won't yearn for light"?

Jinbe and Fisher Tiger both looked at Ian.

Neptune had gone this far, and they couldn't find any way to stop them.

After all, the World Government still represents most of the world. If Fish-Man Island could truly gain the World Government's recognition, its centuries-old dream might actually be realized.

No matter how well the Beasts Pirates do, they are still just pirates at heart.

Ian let out a soft sigh of relief, his voice turning serious, "Neptune, don't you have something more crucial to say?"

"This... Ian, what do you mean?"

Neptune's voice sounded inexplicably flustered.

"For example,"

Ian said calmly, "What consequences will there be if you refuse the World Government's invitation?"

"..."

Neptune suddenly fell silent.

"So, King Neptune,"

Jinbe immediately exclaimed in surprise, "The government coerced you?"

Neptune hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, "Government officials said that if Fish-Man Island rejects the government's friendship, then Fish-Man Island will become an enemy of the World Government."

A very simple and direct threat.

But it should work pretty well.

How many people in the world would have the courage to oppose World Government?

The World Government doesn't even need to get involved; there are countless ways to deal with Fish-Man Island.

"This--"

Jinbe clenched his teeth in anger.

"That's despicable."

Fisher Tiger was also panting heavily. "Are the rules of the World Government completely insignificant to them?"

Fish-Man Island is, after all, Affiliated Nation of the World Government!

"Sorry, Ian,"

Neptune said apologetically, "I'm sorry to have worried you for nothing."

Ian pursed his lips. This is really troublesome.

To reiterate, it doesn't matter what happens to Neptune and his wife, but Aquaman absolutely cannot have any problems.

Without her parents' company, it's hard to say whether Shirahoshi can grow into the naive and innocent girl she was in the original work.

What if he turns evil?

It's better for Shirahoshi to be simple.

More importantly, what will happen to Shirahoshi if the Neptune are taken advantage of by the government?

Ian sighed. There was nothing he could do. He said, "Then go ahead, Neptune. Go do what you want to do."

"Lord Ian!"

Jinbe exclaimed in disbelief.

"As friends,"

Ian waved his hand to stop him from getting excited, and added, "All I can do is ensure the safety of your trip to Mary Geoise."

Jinbe and Fisher Tiger were both taken aback.

"Ian?"

Neptune, equally taken aback, stammered, "You—"

In short,

Ian said, "Remember to contact me immediately if you encounter any problems."

He hung up the phone on his own initiative.

"Lord Ian, what are you planning to do?"

Jinbe couldn't wait to ask.

"We need to put some pressure on the World Government."

That's what Ian said.

Jinbe and Fisher Tiger exchanged a glance.

What does it mean to put pressure on World Government?

Even the Beasts Pirates would find it difficult to do something like that, right?

What is Lord Ian thinking?

Ian, however, simply informed his two intelligence assistants on his own.

He told Morgans and Stussy,

"Find the location of the Moby Dick as quickly as possible!"

Don't forget, although the Beasts Pirates are Fish-Man Island's closest partners, Fish-Man Island also has another true protector.

I need to talk to Whitebeard; hopefully he can be more rational.

Otherwise, they couldn't just descend upon Mary Geoise to support Neptune and his wife, could they?

If I go, I'm afraid I really won't come back.

Let's take a more roundabout approach.

With the Reverie approaching, the world has become a little quieter.

The navy, which had been pursuing and intercepting the Revolutionary Army, began to consolidate its forces and dispatched a large number of ships to the various invited Affiliated Nation to welcome the distinguished King.

In Alabasta.

"I'm off."

King Cobra waved to his wife and daughters who had come to see him off, "Go back now."

As one of the few countries under the government that can be called a superpower, Alabasta's King is naturally invited to every Reverie.

Cobra has participated in many Reverie.

But this time, his eyes were more resolute than ever before.

Queen Lily's letter stated that the world awaits Alabasta's answer.

Before giving an answer, take a good look at this world that is gradually becoming unfamiliar to him.

The seas ruled by pirates are known as the safest in the world, yet war rages among the Affiliated Nation of the World Government.

In Prodence.

"Hahaha! Long time no see, old friend!"

Elizabello boarded the warship with a hearty laugh; old friends were already waiting for him on board.

He is King Riku from Dressrosa.

His son-in -Kyros was responsible for protecting him.

Looking at his old friend who still wore a smile, King Riku couldn't help but ask, "Are you really going to do this, old friend?"

Elizabello's expression darkened slightly. "Ian is one thing, he's a pirate after all! But the government is threatening me to hand over the King Punch! I'll make the Gorosei give me an explanation!"

King Riku sighed.

He doesn't think he can reason with the World Government.

Dressrosa is not far from this country.

The King's departure had no impact on the country; people simply continued their lives as usual.

However, this occurred at the Donquixote Family's estate outside the city.

Doflamingo leaned back on the sofa, observing the two girls in front of him with great interest.

They appeared to be sisters, both with green hair. The difference was that the older sister's hair was a lighter shade of green, and she looked to be about eighteen or nineteen years old. She was tall, voluptuous, and quite beautiful.

The younger sister looked much younger, around ten years old, wearing a half-length dress and a bear-shaped shawl.

"Fufufufu! Welcome to the Donquixote Family."

Doflamingo couldn't help but laugh as he looked at the still somewhat nervous sisters.

"Monet."

He looked at the woman, who appeared to be about eighteen or nineteen years old, and said, "And..."

The burning gaze fell upon the younger sister, a burning gaze so intense it was almost worthy of being dragged out for target practice.

"Sugar!"

Fish-Man Island.

The Neptune were probably the last Reverie participants to depart, since Fish-Man Island is only about 20 kilometers away from Mary Geoise as the crow flies.

"Hoshigaki, I'm entrusting my younger brother and sister to you."

Queen Otohime was still giving instructions to her eldest son, who was only twelve years old this year.

"Leave it to me, Mother!"

The eldest prince of the Ryugu Kingdom was unaware of the risks his parents were facing on this trip; he simply patted his chest and loudly assured them.

Meanwhile, Neptune was also discussing the upcoming arrangements with the kingdom's ministers who had come to see him off.

He whispered, "If we don't come back, we're counting on you!"

The ministers, with tears in their eyes, nodded solemnly nonetheless.

Thus, the Neptune embarked on their first journey to the sea.

Not long before that.

"Lord Ian! We've found track to the Moby Dick!"

Ian received a call from Morgans.