"You... I..."
Oak's blunt statement that Shirahoshi was Poseidon made Neptune's head buzz. Doubt and fear coexisted within him, and for a moment, he had no idea how to respond.
He knew perfectly well what Poseidon meant. It was a power capable of changing the world's balance. Once word got out, Shirahoshi would draw the scramble of countless forces. With Fish-Man Island's strength, they could not protect her. That was why he had carefully concealed this secret all along, not daring to leak even a trace of it, intending to make plans only after Shirahoshi truly awakened.
But now...
Oak knew about it. And who was Oak?
He had once been a member of the Rocks Pirates, who had ruled the entire New World and struck fear across the seas.
He was a terrifying figure from the same era and of the same rank as the current Four Emperors—Whitebeard Newgate, Kaido of the Beasts, and Big Mom. If Oak set his sights on Shirahoshi, Neptune did not even dare imagine the consequences. No matter what, Fish-Man Island could not protect Shirahoshi!
His expression stiffened as he looked at Oak, who nodded at him.
"You're right. I need Poseidon—the power within your daughter Shirahoshi that has yet to fully awaken!"
Oak's words sent a chill through Neptune.
So it was true!
He closed his eyes in pain, struggling with a choice in his heart.
Should he make a desperate stand and refuse to hand Shirahoshi over no matter what, or trade Shirahoshi for the safety of all Fish-Man Island?
In Neptune's eyes, if he refused to hand over Shirahoshi, Oak would inevitably move against Fish-Man Island. At that point, even bringing in Whitebeard would be useless. Besides, given Whitebeard's relationship with Oak, it was hard to say whom he would support.