Jesus Burgess's eyes lit up as he looked at the table full of delicious food.
He swallowed hard and looked at Roy.
Roy nodded.
"Eat."
Jesus Burgess immediately grabbed a huge lobster and started taking big bites.
"Mmm! Delicious! So delicious!"
He ate while giving indistinct praise.
Lafitte and Van Augur also picked up their food and began to savor it.
Indeed, these marine specialties are hard to find outside of China.
The banquet proceeded in a lively atmosphere.
After a few rounds of drinks, Neptune suddenly asked,
" Captain Roy, how are Fisher Tiger and the others doing on Hachinosu?"
Roy nodded.
"Very good."
" Fisher Tiger is now in charge of patrolling the waters around Hachinosu, and the others have their own assignments."
They are all living fulfilling lives.
Neptune nodded with satisfaction.
"That's good, that's good..."
He sighed.
"Back then, Otohime always hoped to achieve peaceful coexistence between the Fish-Man Race and humans."
"Unfortunately... the World Government..."
He paused, then didn't continue.
Although Roy knew that Queen Otohime's dream was impossible to realize, he wouldn't say it outright, and could only offer words of comfort.
" Queen Otohime's wish will be fulfilled."
"One day, the Fish-Man Race and humans will be able to truly live in peace."
Neptune looked at him, a hint of gratitude flashing in his eyes.
" Captain Roy."
Roy put down his glass and asked,
" Neptune, what's the situation on Fish-Man Island lately?"
Neptune's expression changed slightly, and he remained silent for a few seconds.
Then, he slowly opened his mouth.
"To be honest, Captain Roy, things haven't been going well lately..."
Roy raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Neptune sighed.
Roger's death ushered in the Great Pirate Era.
"In recent years, the number of pirates has surged, and the number of pirates and slave traders pouring into Fish-Man Island has also increased."
"They captured Fish-Man as slaves and sold them all over the world..."
"Although we used Whitebeard's connection to fly his pirate flag on the island, which deterred some people..."
"But there were still some audacious individuals who secretly infiltrated and captured isolated members of their tribe."
Neptune clenched his fists tightly as these words were mentioned.
" The Ryugu Palace has limited military strength and cannot protect every member of the clan."
"We can only advise them to stay in safe areas and avoid going out."
Roy listened in silence, without saying a word.
Neptune took a deep breath and looked at Roy.
" Captain Roy, I have a favor to ask."
"You say."
Neptune stood up, bowed deeply to Roy, and solemnly said,
"I hope... that the Roy Pirates ' flag can be flown simultaneously on Fish-Man Island."
"Let everyone know that Fish-Man Island is protected not only by Whitebeard, but also by Hachinosu."
"This might deter those audacious individuals."
Roy looked at Neptune, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.
Hang your own flag...
This is tantamount to publicly declaring that Fish-Man Island is their territory.
If they agree, it means they will officially intervene in the defense of Fish-Man Island, and they will have to take action if Fish-Man Island encounters trouble in the future.
But at the same time--
The strategic value of Fish-Man Island is immeasurable.
The soon-to-be-born Poseidon, Shirahoshi, is even more priceless.
Furthermore, Fisher Tiger and his Sun Pirates are all compatriots from Fish-Man Island.
Both morally and logically, this request should be granted.
Roy the pros and cons for a moment, then nodded.
"Can."
Neptune's eyes lit up.
"Real?!"
Roy smiled slightly.
"Certainly."
Fish-Man Island has always been our friend.
" Fisher Tiger and the others are my partners too."
"Protecting the hometowns of our friends and partners is a matter of course."
Neptune stood up excitedly and bowed deeply.
" Captain Roy!"
Thank you so much!
Roy waved his hand.
No need for such formalities.
He paused,
"However, it would be best to inform Whitebeard about this as well."
"After all, his flag flies here too."
"I don't want this to cause any unnecessary misunderstandings."
Neptune nodded repeatedly.
"Understood, understood!"
"I will explain this to Mr. Newgate myself!"
Roy nodded and took a small Den Den Mushi from his pocket.
Blub Blub... Blub Blub...
A moment later, the call was connected.
Tesoro's voice came from the other end.
"Boss?"
" Tesoro, contact ' Big News Morgans ' Big News Morgans immediately."
"Have him issue a statement--"
"From this day forward, Fish-Man Island will enjoy the protection of Hachinosu."
"No one, no force, may capture Fish-Man as slaves on Fish-Man Island, nor may they violate the peace of Fish-Man Island."
"Otherwise, it would mean becoming enemies of Hachinosu."
On the other end of the phone, Tesoro paused for a second, then said...
"Understood, boss."
"I'll contact Big News Morgans immediately."
The call ended.
Roy put away the Den Den Mushi and looked at Neptune.
"Nailed it."
"Tomorrow, the whole world will know this news."
Neptune was so moved he almost cried, and bowed deeply again.
" Captain Roy! Thank you!"
Roy smiled slightly, raised his glass,
"Alright, don't be so polite."
"Let's keep drinking."
"We're friends, aren't we?"
Neptune wiped his eyes, sat down again, and raised his glass.
"Come! To Captain Roy! To Hachinosu!"
Everyone raised their glasses.
The banquet continued.
The atmosphere was even more enthusiastic than before.
Neptune felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders and was much more relaxed, constantly urging his companions to drink.
Jesus Burgess ate with abandon, his face piled high with the remains of various foods.
Lafitte and Van Augur also relaxed and savored these rare delicacies.
Sudden--
Roy's brow twitched slightly.
Under the Observation Haki, the Sea Kings Fish-Man Island began to stir.
They swam faster and the distance between them shortened.
Those enormous, previously quiet structures seemed to have been suddenly brought to life by something.
Roy closed his eyes and activated his Observation Haki to its fullest extent.
The aura of those Sea Kings became increasingly clear in his perception.
They seem to be communicating with each other.
Although Roy didn't have Roger's ability to " Voice of All Things," the Telekinesis-Telekinesis Fruit directly granted him the ability to capture the consciousness of living beings.
Those vague thoughts entered his mind intermittently—
"King..."
"The baby is about to be born..."
"Wait..."
"Call..."
"Eight hundred years..."
" Joy Boy..."
Roy's pupils contracted slightly.
king...
born...
Eight hundred years...
Joy Boy...
He really is Poseidon!
Just then--
The banquet hall doors were suddenly pushed open!
A guard rushed in, his face filled with panic.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
Neptune frowned.
What's the matter that's causing such a panic?
The guard was panting heavily.
"Your Highness! Your Highness is about to give birth!"
Neptune's expression changed drastically, and he abruptly stood up.
"What?!"