After that, Oguro didn't pay any further attention to what followed.
The people of Fish-Man District obviously couldn't be resettled directly into the main areas of Fish-Man Island.
They would be broken up and dispersed into several different zones, living under supervision for a period of time before gradually integrating into Fish-Man Island society.
During that process, there would definitely be people who refused to accept it and tried to stir up trouble.
But after a few ruthless examples were made to scare the rest, things would naturally quiet down.
All of that would be handled by Jinbe and the Sea King Army.
At the royal palace, Neptune warmly entertained Oguro, his face glowing with joy.
With Fish-Man District gone, the biggest thorn in his heart was finally removed.
Sure enough, leaning against a big tree really does make life easier.
"Lord Oguro! Please, you must honor us by attending Fish-Man Island's banquet!"
Neptune's old face was smiling so hard it practically bloomed like a flower.
To be fair, this old man truly loved throwing banquets.
The banquet hall in the palace was vast and magnificently decorated.
With nothing pressing to do, Oguro naturally didn't refuse.
At the banquet, dishes unique to Fish-Man Island were served one after another.
Especially the exquisite desserts. Even Oguro, who wasn't particularly obsessed with sweets, couldn't help but eat a few extra servings.
No wonder Big Mom had always been eyeing this place, waiting to seize it the moment Whitebeard fell.
Speaking of which, now that he'd taken over Fish-Man Island's territory, shouldn't he at least give Ace a heads-up?
Although Neptune had already informed Ace about changing flags, it wouldn't do to completely disregard courtesy.
Thinking that, Oguro gave Ace a call.
After hearing that Fish-Man Island had come under Oguro's banner, Ace's reaction wasn't as intense as expected.
Neptune's defection annoyed him, sure, but Oguro's face still had to be respected.
After all, Oguro had helped him quite a bit.
And most importantly, the territory had been taken from Big Mom.
Rather than letting that damn old hag have Fish-Man Island, Ace felt it was far better for Oguro to take it.
Before long, Fish-Man Island's mermaid song-and-dance troupe entered the hall, and a grand performance began.
In the water, the mermaids looked like graceful sprites, their scales adorned with shimmering patterns that reflected dazzling, enchanting light.
Their arms swayed like gentle waves, slender waists tracing captivating curves.
Relying on buoyancy, the mermaids performed movements no ordinary person could ever manage.
At that moment, a scene straight out of a fairy tale unfolded vividly before Oguro's eyes.
"No wonder Neptune loves throwing banquets. With a scene like this, who wouldn't get lost in it?"
Oguro glanced at the beaming Neptune and thought to himself.
At this time, Neptune's sons, led by the eldest prince Fukaboshi, came over to toast Oguro.
Oguro accepted every cup without refusal, downing them all in one go.
His bold, straightforward manner immediately earned him plenty of goodwill.
Just then, Oguro suddenly remembered that Fukaboshi and the others' little sister, Shirahoshi, was still confined in the Ryugu Palace's Hard-Shell Tower.
So he took the initiative and asked Neptune, "Lord Neptune, if I recall correctly, you still have a daughter, don't you? With such a grand banquet, why didn't you bring her along?"
Neptune froze for a moment, then replied somewhat awkwardly, "Lord Oguro… Shirahoshi's situation is rather special. She can't participate in a banquet like this with peace of mind."
He then explained to Oguro that several years ago, Shirahoshi had been targeted by Vander Decken.
At first, it was just flying love letters harassing her. But after Neptune and the others tried to capture him, the attacks escalated into thrown weapons like axes.
Unable to stop it completely, they had no choice but to confine Shirahoshi in the Hard-Shell Tower for her safety.
Knowing the original story, Oguro understood that this wasn't a curse at all.
It was simply the power of the Target-Target Fruit.
Anything thrown could track a marked target relentlessly unless knocked away or blocked.
And because washing his hands would remove the mark, Vander Decken hadn't washed his right hand in years.
Tch.
That bastard Vander Decken was truly sick.
Even a girl that young wasn't spared.
After hearing this, Soi Fon and the others were filled with righteous anger. How could there be such a disgusting piece of trash?
Oguro smiled and said to Neptune, "Rest assured, Lord Neptune. With me here, no one will be able to harass Shirahoshi."
Neptune's eyes immediately lit up.
Right.
He wasn't alone anymore.
He had a powerful backer now.
As long as Lord Oguro was willing to help, dealing with a mere Vander Decken would be effortless.
"It was my oversight," Neptune said cheerfully. "I'll have someone bring Shirahoshi here right away."
He instructed Fukaboshi to fetch Shirahoshi.
To avoid any accidents, Oguro had Soi Fon accompany them.
Neptune's explanation also reminded Oguro of something.
Vander Decken needed to be dealt with.
Not only because he was a pervert, but because he knew the secret of Shirahoshi being Poseidon.
Leaving him alive was a massive hidden danger.
Before long, Soi Fon and the others returned.
Behind them followed an enormous figure with long pink hair.
Princess Shirahoshi, praised as the most beautiful woman in the world, rivaling even the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock.
Honestly speaking, this mermaid princess embodied every fairy-tale ideal of beauty.
At first glance, even Oguro couldn't help but marvel at the magnificence of creation itself.
But very quickly, he noticed that Shirahoshi's face still carried a frightened expression.
And Soi Fon's expression didn't look good either.
"Soul King-sama," Soi Fon reported proactively. "Shirahoshi was just attacked by a flying axe. I knocked it away in time, but she was still badly startled."
Well damn.
Good thing he'd had Soi Fon go along, or someone might have been hurt today.
A chill flickered in Oguro's eyes. "Looks like Vander Decken needs to be dealt with as soon as possible."
Killing a pervert like that brought Oguro zero psychological burden.
"Um… are you Lord Oguro?"
At that moment, a soft, timid voice sounded.
Oguro looked up and saw Shirahoshi floating beside him, her big eyes sparkling as she looked at him.
Ah.
Too cute.
Who could resist a soft, adorable girl?
Especially when that girl was a legendary mermaid princess.
Oguro smiled gently. "That's me. Hello, little Shirahoshi."
As he spoke, he reached out to pat her head.
Then he remembered something important.
Shirahoshi was nearly twelve meters tall.
His hand didn't even come close.
He coughed lightly in embarrassment and casually withdrew his hand.
Shirahoshi, meanwhile, looked at him with hopeful eyes. "Lord Oguro… do you like Shirahoshi?"
Huh?
Oguro froze. Everyone around him froze too.
That "like"… was it the kind they were thinking of?
"Cough… Shirahoshi, why do you ask that?" Oguro asked, forcing himself to stay calm.
If this wasn't clarified properly, his lifelong reputation was in danger.
Shirahoshi immediately replied, "Big Brother said that as long as Lord Oguro likes me, you'll definitely help solve the problem of me being attacked."