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Neptune, with a distressed look, handed a letter to his two trusted confidantes, the Left Minister and the Right Minister.
"This is a letter from Big Mom (Charlotte Linlin). She wants us to hoist the Big Mom Pirates' flag and pledge allegiance to her from now on!"
After reading the letter, both men's faces turned grim.
"Your Majesty! Though Whitebeard is gone, the Whitebeard Pirates still exist! If we change allegiance so easily, the reputation of Fish-Man Island will be ruined!" The Left Minister spoke emotionally, his heart aching.
"Furthermore, we would completely offend the Whitebeard Pirates!"
It was well known that Neptune and Whitebeard had an excellent personal relationship, which is why Whitebeard was willing to lend his flag to Fish-Man Island for protection. Whitebeard had only just died, and now they were going to defect to one of Whitebeard's former enemies?
If word got out, who would ever look at Fish-Man Island with respect again?
Neptune understood all this. He said helplessly, "But! Linlin has already issued a final ultimatum! She is sending her fourth son, Charlotte Oven, to take over Fish-Man Island and wants us to prepare the sweets we owe her!"
"This is a powerhouse only slightly below the Three Sweet Commanders! And now the Whitebeard Pirates are struggling to protect themselves. Can we really stop Oven on our own?"
Both the Left Minister and the Right Minister fell silent.
This was Fish-Man Island's biggest problem: a lack of high-tier power!
Even Jinbe, who was once a Warlord of the Sea, was only considered second-tier on the Grand Line. He might be able to stop Oven once. But what about the next time?
They wouldn't even need Linlin herself; just one of the Three Sweet Commanders, coupled with a few strong subordinates, would be enough to bring Fish-Man Island to ruin!
After all, they only had one Jinbe, while the Big Mom Pirates had thirty-four ministers! And that didn't even count her subordinates who weren't related by blood!
Reject Big Mom? Where would Fish-Man Island get the confidence to refuse?
At that point, the room fell into a heavy silence. It was humiliating! Truly humiliating! In front of these great powers, Fish-Man Island was nothing more than a dish to be consumed! Anyone who wanted it could try to take it!
"Your Majesty! Why have you urgently summoned me?" A stout, blue figure walked in.
It was Fish-Man Island's current strongest fighter, the former Warlord, Knight of the Sea Jinbe!
The Left Minister handed him the letter and repeated the situation. Jinbe's brow furrowed after listening. Linlin was someone they couldn't afford to offend. The Whitebeard Pirates were great benefactors. They were truly stuck between a rock and a hard place!
After long deliberation, Jinbe sighed.
"Your Majesty! We must contact the Whitebeard Pirates."
"I have some relationship with Ace. If we explain the situation clearly to him, perhaps..."
Jinbe trailed off. Perhaps Ace would agree to them changing the flag. However, that would mean the bond between them would be severed forever!
Whitebeard's flag symbolized Whitebeard himself. For Fish-Man Island to replace it would be an insult to Whitebeard's honor!
It would mean Fish-Man Island was admitting that the Whitebeard Pirates were inferior to the Big Mom Pirates!
How was that different from directly slapping Ace and the others in the face?
What? They would claim it was done out of necessity due to circumstance?
Heh heh! Who had protected Fish-Man Island all these years?
Seeking the benefits but unwilling to take the risks? There was no such easy deal in this world!
Jinbe took a deep breath, his expression slowly hardening.
"I will bear all the responsibility myself!"
"Once this matter is settled, I will personally go to the New World to apologize to Ace and the others!"
Neptune looked at Jinbe, opening his mouth to speak and then closing it several times. In the end, he could only sigh deeply.
Jinbe wasted no time, taking out his Den Den Mushi and calling Ace.
Click!
The call connected, and Ace's cheerful voice came through.
"Is that Jinbe? How have you been? The World Government hasn't been bothering you, have they?"
After the War of the Best, Jinbe's Warlord status was revoked, and he now carried a bounty of over 400 million Berries. Jinbe managed a faint smile.
"I'm hiding in the deep sea; the World Government can't do anything to me!"
Ace nodded. The World Government couldn't overcome the advantage of the Fish-Man race.
"So, what do you need?" Ace's voice held a hint of eagerness and excitement. He had followed Auguro's formula and successfully created Thermite. The terrifying high temperature had genuinely shocked him.
After studying this terrifying flame for several days, Ace felt he was finally grasping some key insights and was eager to capitalize on his progress. Thus, he wanted to end the call quickly and immediately elevate his own flames!
If he succeeded, the Whitebeard Pirates could remain a stable force in the New World!
Jinbe's round face was contorted in pain, but the safety of Fish-Man Island was at stake, so he had to steel himself and speak.
"Ace! Big Mom has sent people to forcefully occupy Fish-Man Island! We truly lack the strength to resist, so... Pops' flag... may have to be taken down!"
Silence.
The Den Den Mushi was completely silent. The Transponder Snail, which had transformed into Ace's likeness, became incredibly cold and indifferent.
After a long while, Ace's voice finally came through.
"So, you are preparing to seek the protection of that Linlin woman?"
"Ace, there are over a hundred thousand ordinary Fish-Men on the island. We truly can't disregard their safety!" Jinbe explained with a deeply humble tone.
"Heh! What a fine 'we can't help it'!" Ace's voice was frigid, chilling to the bone. The Whitebeard Pirates, even when being beaten back by Blackbeard, had not had a single traitor or deserter!
"Jinbe, I've always appreciated your refusal to answer the Marines' summons back then." Ace's tone remained flat, seemingly accepting the situation.
"Since you wish to find a way out for Fish-Man Island, then do as you please! I wish you all the best for your future!"
With that, Ace immediately hung up the phone. Because of the past favor, Ace would not seek trouble with Fish-Man Island or Jinbe. But from this moment forward, they would go their separate ways!
Putting down the Den Den Mushi, flames of fury raged in Ace's eyes. Pops had only just died, and everyone was already treating them like a piece of fat meat, trying to take a bite!
"Pops! Please wait! I will ensure the name of Whitebeard rings throughout the sea once again!"
Ace's gaze fell on the pile of powder on the table. He grabbed a handful and ignited it with his Devil Fruit power. Instantly, the white flame of the Thermite burned fiercely. Ace stared intently at the fire. He had to master this flame as quickly as possible and acquire the strength to compete in the New World!
Blackbeard, Linlin... He would make these audacious rivals understand that even if Pops was dead, the name of Whitebeard was not something they could insult!
Fish-Man Island.
Jinbe put away the Den Den Mushi, his face etched with sorrow. This was the tragedy of the weak! They could only struggle for survival in the narrow gaps left by the strong!
"Your Majesty! Prepare to receive the Big Mom Pirates!" Since he had made the choice, he had to see it through!