The formation of the Sun Army went far more smoothly than recruiting on Fish-Man Island.
The fishmen of Fish-Man District were already a rough crowd—hot-blooded, combative, and physically strong. There was no way they would join Neptune's Royal Army, but when it came to the Sun Army, led by Tiger—the man they had always admired—they felt no resistance at all.
And then there was that entire chest of gold.
A generous reward brings out brave warriors.
Fishmen were no different.
They had long grown tired of the poverty in Fish-Man District.
So Yemu barely needed to say anything. In an instant, the entire district burst into activity.
Even those who felt unsuited for combat rushed out of their homes after hearing the news, eager to try their luck and join the Sun Army.
Yemu accepted everyone. There weren't that many of them to begin with. If they couldn't fight, they could still handle miscellaneous tasks.
At this point, the most abundant thing on his ship was gold and jewels. Letting it sit there unused would be a waste.
Not to mention the treasure brought back from Shandora—just the loot seized from the treasure hunter ship alone had already filled the cargo hold to the brim.
Under Jinbe's lead, the fishmen who wished to join the Sun Army lined up one by one to register their names.
At the edge of the crowd, Hachi, still looking like a young fishman boy, stared at Yemu with surprise and admiration.
"Hey, Big Brother Yemu, you actually know Rayleigh-san?"
"Yes. Rayleigh-san is very grateful for you saving his life. Both Tiger and I have received his kindness. So this is my way of returning the favor. I'm promoting you to an Officer of the Sun Army. Make sure you work hard."
"But…"
Young Hachi spoke nervously.
"There are so many people who are stronger than me."
Indeed, ever since Yemu made the announcement, many fishmen had been looking at Hachi with confusion in their eyes, unable to understand how someone so young could become an Officer alongside Jinbe, Aladdin, and Arlong.
"That's exactly why. Starting today, you need to train harder and not let down my expectations."
"Th-this…"
Meeting the trusting gaze of the human before him, Hachi hesitated for a long moment before finally nodding gratefully.
"I understand, Brother Yemu. I'll work hard!"
"Good."
At that moment, a familiar voice called out from afar.
The Shark Fish-Man who had guided them to Fish-Man Island approached with two guards. Under the wary stares of the fishmen from Fish-Man District, he looked at Yemu and said,
"Um, Captain Yemu, King Neptune and Queen Otohime request your presence."
"I understand."
...
Ryugu Palace.
The moment Yemu stepped into the magnificent palace, King Neptune frowned deeply, his anger undisguised as he addressed him.
"Captain Yemu, this is not what we agreed upon. What you did in Fish-Man District was going too far."
Yemu looked genuinely puzzled and asked in return,
"Oh? What exactly is King Neptune referring to?"
Seeing this, Neptune's expression darkened further. He raised his voice, no longer caring whether it might offend Yemu.
"Privately recruiting soldiers in Fish-Man District! Do you even take me, the king of Fish-Man Island, seriously? Do you know what kind of people those from Fish-Man District are? They are lawless criminals! If you arm them, do you understand the kind of disaster that could bring upon Fish-Man Island, Captain Yemu?"
Instead of reacting angrily, Yemu laughed.
"How surprising. I never thought such words would come from you, the king of Fish-Man Island."
Neptune froze for a moment, then frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"What do I mean? This may be my first time on Fish-Man Island, but I've heard from Tiger that Fish-Man District used to be the orphan quarter of your kingdom."
"The people living there should all be former orphans of Fish-Man Island. So tell me, King Neptune, how did those orphans become the lawless criminals you now speak of?"
Neptune was instantly left in an awkward silence.
"Hmph."
Yemu let out a cold snort, then glanced at the Seahorse Merman Minister of the Right standing beside Neptune.
"As for recruiting soldiers, Minister of the Right, tell me this. In the past ten days, how many qualified merfolk warriors has your Royal Army managed to enlist? And how many more are still needed to properly defend Fish-Man Island?"
"This…"
Caught off guard, the Minister of the Right glanced uneasily at his king.
"Well… we still need at least three hundred qualified warriors."
Only then did Yemu continue.
"So do you expect Tiger, my companions, and I to remain on Fish-Man Island forever? Once we leave, even if I've lent you my name for protection, relying on outsiders instead of your own strength to safeguard your homeland… doesn't that sound ridiculous?"
Neptune was rendered speechless.
But after a moment, he spoke again.
"Recruiting an army is a right reserved solely for the royal family. What you are doing is raising a private army on Fish-Man Island. That is a challenge to the authority of the crown."
"A private army?" Yemu replied calmly. "If I didn't use Tiger's name, do you really think those people from Fish-Man District would join your Royal Army, King Neptune? And how long do you think Tiger, I, or our entire pirate crew can stay here? Once we leave, once Jinbe takes command of the Sun Army, won't they ultimately become Fish-Man Island's own forces?"
...
At that moment, Yemu and Neptune locked eyes.
Neptune knew very well that Yemu's intentions were not entirely pure. Yet in this moment, he found himself powerless.
The newspapers were right. Yemu, captain of the Sky Pirates, was a man with dangerously bold ideas.
Even though the Sky Pirates' presence had brought Fish-Man Island a rare stretch of peace over the past half month, Neptune still asked,
"When do you plan to leave Fish-Man Island?"
Yemu did not seem particularly concerned.
"Since King Neptune has already issued a dismissal, it would indeed be impolite for us to remain. I have two requests. If King Neptune agrees to them, we will depart immediately."
Neptune frowned.
"Go on."
"First, I've heard that Fish-Man Island once had a master swordsmith named Kaijin. I would like to meet him."
"Second, I'd like to know whether you possess any materials from the Sunlight Tree Eve. I hope to obtain some."
"I'm afraid that won't be possible," Neptune replied, shaking his head.
"Master Kaijin passed away long ago, so I cannot fulfill your first request. As for the second, the Sunlight Tree Eve is the mother tree of Fish-Man Island. We would never do anything that might harm her. So that request cannot be granted either."
"I see."
Yemu's brows drew together.
"Did Master Kaijin leave behind any disciples?"
"He did," Neptune answered. "But none capable of truly inheriting his craft. If you wish, Captain Yemu, I can summon them for you."
"In that case," Yemu said after a moment of thought, "let's change the first condition. I'd like to examine the library of Ryugu Palace."
"As for the second, since obtaining material from the Sunlight Tree Eve is impossible… would it be acceptable for me to observe it up close?"
…
Master Kaijin —> Vol.2 Chapter 17
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