Seated in Ryugu Palace, Finn turned a fist-sized black pearl over in his hands, marveling at it.
King Neptune and Queen Otohime sat beside him. Jinbei, showing a complete disregard for Neptune's safety, had deliberately positioned himself as far away as possible.
"A pearl as big as a fist…" Finn murmured, genuinely impressed.
Neptune smiled inwardly. You ignorant surface-dweller. This stuff is abundant here on Fish-Man Island. Only you humans would treat it like a treasure.
"Admiral," Neptune said aloud, "if you like it, Ryugu Palace can prepare a box of them for you when you depart."
"A box?" Finn blinked, stunned. He'd been an Admiral for years now, a high-ranking Marine officer for even longer, but this was the first time anyone had offered him a gift like this. Could this count as a bribe?
Still, after examining the lustrous pearl again, Finn nodded seriously. "Thank you, Your Majesty Neptune."
After a brief pause, he asked, "Is this kind of treasure common on Fish-Man Island?"
Neptune's expression shifted slightly. How do I answer that?
If he said it was common, wouldn't that make his gift seem cheap and disrespectful? But if he claimed it was rare, and their relationship improved in the future, Finn would eventually learn the truth. How embarrassing would that be?
Queen Otohime intervened smoothly, her smile gracious. "Pearls like this do exist in some quantity, but ones this large are quite rare. Fish-Man Island is different from the surface world, Admiral. Things that are unremarkable here may be priceless above, and things that are common here may be treasures on the surface."
Finn's eyes lit up with unmistakable interest. He hadn't paid much attention to Fish-Man Island's resources before, but now he was thinking: If I could establish trade with Fish-Man Island, how much money could I make?
If he placed this fist-sized pearl on the open market above, wouldn't nobles scramble to buy it at exorbitant prices?
Of course, the Marines couldn't handle such trade directly. In the end, it would depend on the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Thinking along these lines, Finn's gaze drifted back to Jinbei, standing in the distance. If this could really be accomplished, if Jinbei joined the Marines and secretly became one of the Seven Warlords, then as a Warlord, he could start handling this kind of business, just like Smoker…
Wouldn't that open up another massive revenue stream for the Marines?
As the Admiral currently in charge of Marine economic development, Finn was thrilled by the prospect.
His gaze toward Jinbei grew heated. How could this be some blue fat guy? This is the Marines' walking treasury!
Jinbei, standing far away, naturally noticed Finn's stare. A chill ran down his spine. Why does this guy's gaze look so… perverted?
I'm standing so far away, and he's still staring at me!
His wariness of Finn deepened.
But soon, Finn withdrew his gaze, returning his attention to the black pearl. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he shifted to the real purpose of his visit.
"Many years ago," Finn began, his tone measured, "the Marines have wanted to improve the relationship between Fish-Man Island and surface society. When we heard about Queen Otohime's ambitions, we were quick to express our support. You may have heard that Fleet Admiral Kong and Admiral Sengoku recently proposed releasing the imprisoned Fish-Man Island residents held in Mary Geoise. Unfortunately, the proposal was rejected."
Neptune's eyes flashed with anger. "That's exactly why Fish-Man Island and the World Government don't get along. We've been affiliated with the World Government for over two hundred years. We pay the Heavenly Tribute every single year. And yet the World Government treats Fish-Man Island like a marginalized territory, doesn't take our people seriously, and even allows them to be captured as slaves. It's shameless! They enacted a law abolishing slavery, and then they trample on it themselves!"
Finn nodded solemnly. "We in the Marines detest this as well."
He paused, his expression turning regretful. "Unfortunately, the Marines couldn't provide much effective assistance in that matter. We were even reprimanded by the World Government. However, before I came to Fish-Man Island, I personally dismantled the slave-trading operations in the Sabaody Archipelago. From now on, the Marines will strengthen our oversight of the Sabaody Archipelago and work to minimize these atrocities."
Hearing about the Marines' own struggles, Neptune felt a sense of kinship, as if they were fellow wanderers in a harsh world.
"Regardless, thank you very much, Admiral," Neptune said.
"It's nothing," Finn replied. "Actually, I came here with a specific purpose."
Neptune wasn't surprised. An Admiral traveling all this way wouldn't just be making a social call.
"Please, speak freely, Admiral."
"Right," Finn said. "Although we cannot change the World Government's attitude toward Fish-Man Island for the time being, the Marines still hope to strengthen our relationship and contact with Fish-Man Island. Perhaps in the future, we can use this as a breakthrough to fulfill Fish-Man Island's long-cherished wish, and Queen Otohime's dream, so that the people above the sea and the people beneath it can live in harmony."
Neptune remained skeptical. He had no real expectations that such a thing could ever happen.
But Queen Otohime's eyes sparkled with hope. "Admiral, do you have any concrete ideas?"
"I do," Finn said. "To be honest, the gap between our peoples comes from a lack of understanding. This ignorance has bred fear and rumors. I hope to increase Fish-Man Island's activity on the surface and slowly allow the world to re-recognize and understand you."
Queen Otohime nodded eagerly, then her expression fell slightly. "But for the people of Fish-Man Island, operating on the surface is extremely dangerous. How can we increase their activity under such conditions?"
"That's precisely why I'm here," Finn said. "After discussions at Marine Headquarters, we believe that if we can recruit Marine soldiers from Fish-Man Island, they will be secure. With the protection of Marine status, no one would dare capture a Marine as a slave. If such a thing were to happen, I, Finn, would be the first to take action."
"Recruiting Marines?" Neptune frowned. "If I remember correctly, before you even joined the Marines, Admiral, there was a similar policy. But not only did it fail to strengthen our relationship, it caused a rebellion within the Marines and further severed our ties. Is this really appropriate?"
Finn nodded. "I've heard Fleet Admiral Kong speak about that incident. But at the time, a large number of Fishmen were recruited all at once. Due to…"
"We're aware of the rudeness and violent tendencies of Fishmen," Neptune said quietly. "You don't need to tiptoe around it, Admiral."
Even Jinbei, standing far away, couldn't object. That was simply how most Fishmen were.
Moderates like him were rare.
"Yes," Finn continued. "Due to those reasons, the previous attempt ended badly. The Marines have learned from that failure. This time, we don't plan to recruit on a large scale. Instead, we hope to establish examples. Your Majesty Neptune, Queen Otohime, imagine if a Fishman Rear Admiral, or even a Vice Admiral, could rise through the ranks at Marine Headquarters. Wouldn't that benefit both of us greatly?"
Neptune fell silent, considering the proposal. Queen Otohime leaned forward eagerly. "Admiral, do you mean to recruit only elite individuals?"
"Exactly," Finn said. Then, as if noticing him for the first time, Finn pointed toward Jinbei. "For instance, that guard over there looks very suitable. He's strong, powerful, and though he's a Fishman, he doesn't give off the impression of being rude or violent at all. I imagine he's one of the few moderates among Fishmen?"
Neptune chuckled, nodding. "That's Jinbei. He truly is one of the rare wise men among Fishmen. He's not rude or violent in the slightest. I trust him deeply. He's the Captain of the Ryugu Palace Guards. I've long considered him a good friend."
Finn feigned surprise. "This guard is named Jinbei? Your Majesty, you trust him that much? That makes this even better. If we could recruit someone you trust to join the Marines, wouldn't that build a bridge between the Marines and Fish-Man Island? You could also use Jinbei to observe and judge whether the Marines are sincere about Fish-Man Island. The Marines, in turn, would focus on training Jinbei and setting him up as an example. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Neptune was still uncertain, but Queen Otohime spoke excitedly. "I think it's an excellent idea! If we can use Jinbei as a bond to strengthen our relationship with the Marines, it would be extremely beneficial for Fish-Man Island."
Neptune had to admit, the idea had merit. Though he didn't trust humans in general, he trusted Jinbei completely. And even though he disdained surface society, he held a certain respect, even awe, for the powerful Marines. If they could improve relations with the Marines, or even gain Marine protection, it would undoubtedly benefit Fish-Man Island.
Moreover, if Jinbei could truly become a pillar of the Marines and gain a voice within the organization, the benefits would be immense.
Thinking this over, Neptune turned to Jinbei. "Jinbei, what do you think?"
I think this is terrible! Jinbei screamed internally. But he didn't dare say it aloud.
I knew there was something wrong with the way this Admiral was looking at me. Is he trying to trick me into going back with him so he can… ravage me?
But at the same time, what Finn had said did make sense.
If this arrangement went through, it really would benefit Fish-Man Island.
Jinbei was conflicted. He loved Fish-Man Island deeply.
He glanced at Finn, who was casting what he probably thought was a "friendly smile" in his direction. Jinbei's heart sank. He gritted his teeth.
"I will obey Your Majesty's command."
If sacrificing me, Jinbei, can bring about an opportunity for change on Fish-Man Island, then so be it!
Let the storm come! I can withstand it!
Neptune hesitated for a moment, then said quietly, "How about… we give it a try?"
It wasn't a huge risk, and there didn't seem to be any downside. It was impossible that such a distinguished Admiral would travel all the way to Fish-Man Island just to trick Jinbei into being a slave on the surface, right?
That would be insane.
Finn hadn't expected the matter to be resolved so easily. He'd thought the deep-seated distrust between their peoples would require lengthy negotiations.
His eyes lit up. "Please rest assured, Your Majesty Neptune. Since I'm recruiting Jinbei to the Marines, he's my man now. I will definitely train him and take good care of him, so that he quickly becomes a talent! He will become a pillar of both Fish-Man Island and the Marines!"
Jinbei's mind latched onto the words "my man," and he felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. Sure enough, that guy has bad intentions toward me!
Seeing Finn's sincerity, Neptune nodded. "Alright, it's settled then. Let Jinbei join the Marines first as a trial. After that, I'll also select some other gentle Fishman warriors to accept Marine conscription."
"Hahaha, thank you very much, Your Majesty!" Finn laughed. "I truly hope the relationship between the Marines and Fish-Man Island continues to improve!"
It seemed everyone was happy.
Except for Jinbei, who was deeply unhappy and felt like he was walking into a trap.
Still, he was willing to sacrifice for Fish-Man Island. And he wasn't a pirate yet. As a guard of Ryugu Palace, he was a man of justice. Joining the righteous Marines shouldn't be a problem, right?
Right?
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