Fish-Man Island, Ryugu Kingdom, Audience Hall.
"Although I don't know why the Navy specifically requested you two as key Fish-Men to be introduced, given their demand and considering this rare friendly cooperation between humans and our Fish-Man Island, as the King, I hope you two can consider agreeing to it," King Neptune, seated on his throne, earnestly expressed his request to Jinbe and Aladine, who stood below in their Neptune Army uniforms, rather than issuing a direct order as a monarch.
Jinbe and Aladine exchanged glances, both seeing determination in each other's eyes, and then spoke in unison with remarkable synergy.
"Your Majesty, we are willing to accept the Navy's invitation and contribute to the equal friendship between Fish-Men and humans!"
"Hahahaha!"
King Neptune was greatly comforted by their response and let out a hearty laugh, saying, "That's wonderful, thank you, thank you, truly thank you!"
He then proceeded to explain the details personally.
"According to the Navy, after you two arrive at Marineford, Jinbe, you will be granted the rank of Lieutenant Commander and will lead the newly formed Fish-Man unit, while Aladine will be a Major and serve as the unit's deputy."
"You two will also be responsible for teaching Fish-Man Karate to the Navy, and in return, the local Navy branch will teach swordsmanship to our Neptune Army, representing one of the practical aspects of our equal cooperation."
Hearing this, Jinbe hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, with my current level of Fish-Man Karate, I might not be able to teach much. Compared to me, Brother Tiger would be more qualified."
At twenty-two years old, Jinbe indeed felt somewhat inadequate in terms of strength, but to say he couldn't teach Fish-Man Karate to the Navy was pure modesty.
"Fisher Tiger, huh? But he's out on another adventure and hasn't returned yet," King Neptune said helplessly.
"When he comes back, I'll have a good talk with him. Perhaps by then, you'll be able to meet at Marineford. In the meantime, Jinbe, you'll be in charge, alright?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will do my utmost!" Jinbe, seeing the King's resolve, no longer declined.
Aladine, standing beside him, had no objections either. He and Jinbe were good friends, and he was well aware of the significant gap in both talent and strength between them.
However, he was quite interested in human swordsmanship.
"Your Majesty!"
At that moment, the Minister of the Left, a catfish merman, entered. King Neptune smiled and asked, "Minister of the Left, what brings you here?"
"Your Majesty, the construction team from the World Government's administrative department has decided on the location for the Navy branch and has started construction."
"Oh, where is it?" King Neptune asked curiously, with Jinbe and Aladine also paying attention.
"Near Mermaid Cove. The reasoning is that pirates primarily target mermaids, so placing the Navy branch there will allow for closer protection. Additionally, the area is on the surface, with ample sunlight, making it suitable for human habitation," the Minister of the Left explained.
In Fish-Man Island, the hierarchy from top to bottom consists of the noble district where Ryugu Castle is located, the commoner district on the surface, and the dark district underwater. The primary factor distinguishing these layers is sunlight.
The closer to the sunlight, the more prestigious the area!
King Neptune smiled and said, "Well, you've chosen a good spot. Alright, let's proceed. Have our craftsmen go over to assist as well. The people from the World Government might not be familiar with the environment here."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
As the Minister of the Left was about to carry out the order, a soldier from the Neptune Army rushed in, knelt halfway before King Neptune, and reported loudly.
"Your Majesty, an incident has occurred at Mermaid Cove where a fish-man maliciously attacked a human construction team!"
"What?!"
King Neptune, the Minister of the Left, Jinbe, and others were all shocked. Everyone knew that if the situation was too severe, they might face the wrath and sanctions of the World Government.
Although the World Government's attitude had become much friendlier recently, it didn't mean they had forgotten their past dominance and assertiveness.
"Minister of the Left, take some men and go investigate immediately!"
"Ah, yes, I'll go right away!" The Minister of the Left hurriedly responded. At this moment, Jinbe, who was standing nearby, spoke up, "Your Majesty, may we two also go and take a look?"
"Yes, yes! Since the Navy values you two, your presence will surely be helpful!" King Neptune, now somewhat flustered, agreed.
Soon, the Minister of the Left led Jinbe, Aladine, and a team of thirty Neptune Army soldiers to the civilian area, leaving only King Neptune and the Neptune Army guards stationed in the grand hall.
"Sigh, I hope nothing serious has happened."
A sigh spread through the opulent Ryugu Castle.
Twenty minutes earlier, at Mermaid Cove.
As the construction team from the administrative department selected the site, hundreds of human workers in uniform began cleaning up and organizing the construction area, while unloading construction machinery and equipment from the ships.
The lively atmosphere naturally attracted the attention and curiosity of many nearby mermaids and fish-men, who had never seen so many humans since their birth.
"What are those iron monsters? They even make rumbling noises!"
"They're all wearing the same clothes, just like the Neptune Army. How interesting~"
"I heard they're from the World Government, and they even brought back our captured brethren!"
"But what are they doing here?"
Beautiful mermaids, with enchanting looks and graceful figures, either immersed in the lake or sitting on seashells, gazed at the passing construction team and the Navy guards stationed nearby.
At the same time, more and more fish-men, who had heard the news, began to gather. Their appearances were much rougher and more varied, with sizes ranging from three to four meters tall to just one or two meters.
However, what the mermaids and fish-men didn't notice was that their presence was also a rare visual feast for the human construction team and the Navy.
The mermaids in the cove, to these mostly male humans, were like a dream from a fairy tale, breathtakingly beautiful, especially since they were all wearing bikinis.
As for the fish-men, they were given only a brief glance, just to acknowledge the existence of such bizarre species in the world, before the humans' attention returned to the mermaids.
This led to neither the construction workers nor the Navy soldiers noticing the malicious and disdainful gazes among the crowd of fish-men.
"Arlong, why are there so many of these lowly humans here?"
Chew, a fish-man with a protruding mouth resembling a kissing gourami, spoke in a low, disgusted voice, one hand tucked into his shorts pocket.
"Indeed, what is the Neptune Army doing?" Kuroobi, with his muscular arms adorned with large fins, also expressed his dissatisfaction.
"It must be that Ryugu Castle has struck some deal with these inferior creatures," Arlong, now seventeen years old, clenched his fists in anger, his eyes turning red.
They all grew up in the dark alleys of the Fish-Man District, abandoned orphans who had been exposed to the darkest aspects of both their environment and human nature from a young age.
Especially Arlong, who as a child yearned for the sunlight and all the beautiful things he had heard about in the human world. But as he grew older, the humans he encountered were evil, despicable, and even cowardly.
He gradually accepted the view that humans were an inferior race and fish-men were the superior race, believing that such weak and lowly creatures were unworthy of enjoying those beautiful things and didn't even deserve to stand on equal footing with fish-men.
"We can't let them succeed; we must stop all of this!"
Arlong fiercely declared his decision to his group of sixteen or seventeen-year-old companions.