Chapter 42: Malice from Fish-Man District!
Fish-Man Island, Ryugu Kingdom, Reception Hall.
"Although I don't know why the Marines specifically requested the two of you as important Fish-men, since they have made such a request, and considering this rare friendly cooperation between Humans and our Fish-Man Island, as King, I hope the two of you can consider agreeing."
King Neptune sat on his Throne, sincerely expressing his request to Jinbe and Aladdin, who were wearing Sea King Army Uniforms below the platform, rather than issuing a direct Order with the dominance of a King.
Jinbe and Aladdin exchanged glances, both seeing the determination in the other's eyes. Then, with great tacit understanding, they spoke in unison.
"Your Majesty, we are willing to accept the Marines' invitation and contribute our Strength to the equal Friendship between Fish-men and Humans!"
"Hahahaha!"
King Neptune was greatly pleased upon hearing this and let out a hearty laugh, saying, "That's wonderful, thank you, thank you, I'm truly grateful!"
He then personally introduced the details.
"According to the Marines, after the two of you go to Marineford, Jinbe, you will receive the Military Rank of Headquarters Lieutenant Colonel and serve as the Commander of the newly formed Fish-Man Unit. Aladdin will be a Headquarters Major and serve as the Adjutant of the Fish-Man Unit."
"The two of you will also be responsible for teaching Fish-Man Karate to the Marines at Headquarters. At the same time, the Marine Branch here will teach Swordsmanship to our Sea King Army, which also represents one of the practical aspects of equal cooperation."
Hearing this, Jinbe said with some hesitation, "Your Majesty, with my level of Fish-Man Karate, it might be difficult to teach much. Compared to me, Brother Tiger is more qualified."
He was twenty-two years old this year, and his Strength was indeed somewhat lacking, but saying he couldn't teach Fish-Man Karate to the Marines was purely self-deprecation.
"Fisher Tiger, ah, but didn't he go out on an adventure again? He hasn't returned yet," King Neptune said helplessly.
"When he returns, I will talk to him properly. Perhaps, you two might meet in Marineford then. For now, Jinbe, you will be responsible during this period, alright?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will do my best!" Seeing the King like this, Jinbe no longer declined.
Aladdin, who was standing beside him, had even fewer opinions. He and Jinbe were already good friends and were well aware that there was a significant gap between them in terms of both talent and Strength.
However, he was quite interested in Human Swordsmanship.
"Your Majesty!"
Just then, the Catfish Merman Left Minister walked in. King Neptune smiled and said, "Left Minister, is there something else?"
"Your Majesty, the Administrative Department Construction Team sent by the World Government has decided on the location for the Marine Branch and is beginning Construction."
"Oh, where is it?" King Neptune asked curiously. Jinbe and Aladdin also paid attention.
"Near Mermaid Cove. The reason given is that Pirates' main target is Mermaids, so setting up the Marine Branch there makes it convenient to protect the Mermaids nearby. Moreover, that area is on the Surface, where the Sunlight is relatively bright, making it suitable for Human life," the Left Minister said.
On this Fish-Man Island, from top to bottom, it is divided into the Noble District where Ryugu Palace is located, the Commoner District on the Surface, and the Dark District Underwater. It is clear that the main factor distinguishing these levels is Sunlight.
The closer to the Sunlight, the nobler the place!
King Neptune smiled and said, "They chose a good location. Alright, let's do that. Let our Artisans go over and help. The World Government people might not be Familiarize with the Environment here."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Left Minister received the Order and was about to go handle it when a Sea King Army Warrior ran in, then knelt down towards King Neptune and reported loudly.
"Your Majesty, an incident occurred at Mermaid Cove where Fish-men maliciously attacked the Human Construction Team!"
"What?!"
King Neptune, the Left Minister, Jinbe, and the others were all greatly shocked. Everyone knew that if it was too serious, they would likely face the World Government's wrath and Sanctions next.
Although the World Government's Attitude had been much friendlier recently, this did not mean they had overlooked their past dominance and arrogance.
"Left Minister, quickly take some people to check!"
"Ah, yes, this subject will go now!" The Left Minister had a Reaction and quickly responded. At this moment, Jinbe, who was nearby, spoke up, "Your Majesty, could the two of us also go and see?"
"Yes, yes, yes, since the Marines value the two of you, your presence will definitely help!" King Neptune was a little flustered at this time.
Soon, the Left Minister led Jinbe, Aladdin, and a team of thirty Sea King Army Warriors to the Commoner District. Only King Neptune and the Sea King Army standing guard on either side remained in the Main Hall.
"Ah, I hope nothing major happened..."
A sigh spread through the extremely luxurious Ryugu Palace.
Twenty minutes ago, Mermaid Cove.
As the Administrative Department Construction Team selected the location, hundreds of Human Workers wearing Uniforms began to tidy and organize the Construction Site Environment. At the same time, they used Vehicles to pull pieces of Mechanical Equipment from the Ship.
Such a lively atmosphere naturally attracted the attention and curiosity of many Mermaids and Fish-men nearby. They had never seen so many Humans since they were born.
"What are those Iron Plating monsters? They even make rumbling sounds!"
"They're all wearing the same Clothing, just like the Sea King Army, how interesting~"
"I heard they are from the World Government and even sent back our compatriots who were captured before!"
"But what are they doing?"
Beautiful Mermaids, with lovely faces and graceful figures, were either immersed in the lake or sitting sideways on Seashells, their beautiful eyes observing the coming and going Construction Team and the Marines responsible for security nearby.
At the same time, more and more Fish-men who heard the News and wanted to come and see gradually gathered. Their forms appeared rougher and more bizarre, and their Body Sizes had almost no standard; some were three or four meters tall, while others were only one or two meters.
But what these Mermaids and Fish-men didn't notice was that their presence was also a rare visual feast for the Construction Team, Marines, and other Humans.
The Mermaids in the cove, for these Humans who were basically all male, were simply like being in a dream from a fairy tale, truly breathtakingly beautiful. The key was that the former were all wearing bikinis.
As for the Fish-men, they just glanced at them briefly, understanding that there were such bizarre-looking Creatures in this World, and then their gaze continued to focus on the Mermaids.
This led to neither the Construction Team Workers nor the Marine Soldiers noticing some of the gazes filled with Malice and Contempt among the Fish-man crowd.
"Arlong, why are there so many of these humans, these Lower Species appearing?"
Chew, who had a protruding mouth and was a Kissing Gourami, spoke in a low voice with great disgust, one hand in his Shorts Pocket.
"Indeed, what are those Sea King Army doing?" Kuroobi, who had a pair of large Fins on his strong arms, was also equally dissatisfied.
"It must be that Ryugu Palace has reached some cooperation with these Lower Species." Arlong, who was seventeen years old this year, clenched his fists in anger, his eyes somewhat red.
They were all Orphans who grew up in the Fish-Man District of the Dark District, abandoned by their Parents. Therefore, they had been exposed to the darkest side of both the Environment and human nature since childhood.
Especially Arlong, who yearned for Sunlight and all the beauty rumored to be in the Human World when he was a child. But as he grew up, the Humans he saw were all Evil, despicable, and even cowardly.
He gradually accepted the view that Humans were a Lower Race and Fish-men were a Higher Race, feeling that such weak creatures, these Lower Species were simply not worthy of enjoying those beautiful things, and did not even have the qualification to be equal with Fish-men.
"We can't let them succeed, we must stop all of this!"
Arlong said his decision fiercely to his young companions around him, who were only sixteen or seventeen years old.
(End of this chapter)