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Not long after, Jimbei finally arrived at the port. With his help, Auguro proceeded to the Royal Palace to hold a formal meeting with King Neptune.
"Your Majesty Auguro, are you truly willing to accept our Fish-Man Island as a vassal state?" Although he had already gotten the answer from Jimbei, Neptune couldn't help but seek confirmation from Auguro himself.
Auguro understood Neptune's present anxiety and immediately nodded.
"Of course! Fish-Man Island is such a beautiful place; it would be a huge loss if it were destroyed by a band of pirates or some unsavory types!"
"While my Holy Spirit Empire may not be invincible in this world, I am confident in my ability to protect Fish-Man Island!"
"Ah! You are truly too generous! Our Fish-Man Island pledges its complete loyalty to the Holy Spirit Empire!" Neptune voluntarily offered Auguro the bow of a vassal. With such a powerful backer, Fish-Man Island could finally hold its head high!
"However! Before officially joining the Holy Spirit Empire, Fish-Man Island needs to take care of some internal issues." At this, Auguro spoke slowly.
Neptune was momentarily stunned, then eagerly replied, "Please speak, Your Majesty Auguro! No matter what it is, Fish-Man Island will give its full support!"
The golden opportunity was right in front of him, and Neptune couldn't let it slip away!
Auguro nodded, satisfied with Neptune's attitude.
"As I understand it, there is a place on Fish-Man Island called the Fish-Man District (Gyojin-gai)! It's a place where Fish-Men who harbor hatred for humans congregate?"
Hearing the name "Fish-Man District," Neptune's heart sank immediately. That area was Fish-Man Island's festering wound!
It was the biggest internal obstacle to achieving peace between Fish-Men and humans!
Exchanging a glance with Jimbei, Neptune cautiously asked, "What is Your Majesty Auguro suggesting?"
"It's simple!" Auguro's expression was calm, but his tone allowed no argument.
"Destroy the Fish-Man District! I do not wish to have a group of people constantly popping up within my vassal state to cause me trouble!"
Neptune paused. Was Auguro's reasoning flawed? No.
No leader wants an element of instability within their country. Even Neptune himself disliked the Fish-Man District.
But destroying the Fish-Man District wasn't so easy!
Over the years, tens of thousands of outlaws who refused to live peacefully with humans had gathered there. Moreover, the Fish-Man hero Fisher Tiger was from there. This area was practically a forbidden zone for Fish-Man Island!
Auguro was naturally aware of these facts. But for that very reason, he insisted on the destruction of the Fish-Man District! Such a deep-seated tumor would only cause greater trouble the longer it was left to fester. Resentment is something that can be spread and passed down.
"Jimbei!" Auguro turned to the Knight of the Sea.
"With your strength, alongside the Sea King Army (Kai-ō Gun), can you successfully eradicate all the rebels there?"
"This…" Jimbei hesitated to answer immediately. Can he? Of course he could!
Was Jimbei's title as a Warlord of the Sea (Shichibukai) just for show?
Even if he wasn't among the top masters, the low-level thugs in the Fish-Man District couldn't possibly challenge him!
The issue was the sheer number of people—tens of thousands!
If he had to kill them all… Jimbei shuddered just at the thought!
Auguro saw their apprehension and smiled inwardly. He wasn't some bloodthirsty psychopath; he wasn't going to slaughter them all!
"Don't worry! My intention is for you to deal with the key figures and ringleaders stirring up trouble!"
"Those who are willing to change their views and live peacefully with humans can resume a normal life!"
"The remaining offenders can be imprisoned and gradually re-educated!"
Suppressing one group, winning over another, and causing internal division—that was the best way to dismantle any organized criminal element!
As for those who were utterly unrepentant?
Heh! Fish-Men!
With their inherent superior strength, they would be perfect for penal hard labor!
"If Fish-Man Island wishes to achieve peace with humans, then the Fish-Man District, this very symbol of hatred, must be destroyed! Otherwise, the cycle of resentment will never end!" Auguro's resolve was firm.
Jimbei and Neptune realized they had no choice but to agree.
"Jimbei!" Neptune's tone was solemn.
"Lead the Sea King Army there!"
"After all these years! It is time for the Fish-Man District to be put to an end!"
Jimbei nodded quietly.
"Yes!"
Auguro was satisfied with their decision.
"In that case, I shall accompany you."
Jimbei was shocked and quickly said, "Your Majesty Auguro! We are sufficient! We dare not trouble you!"
Auguro shook his head.
"For those Fish-Men, they truly believe they are superior to humans!"
"If you don't make them realize their error, they will never submit, even if you imprison them!"
In truth, both Arlong and the current leader of the Fish-Man District, Hody Jones, knew perfectly well that Fish-Men were not inherently superior to every human. But that didn't stop them from using that ideology to win people over.
Auguro's goal was to force those people to confront reality. To understand that, without overwhelming power, peaceful coexistence with humanity was their only viable path!
The Fish-Man District.
A tall, Great White Shark Fish-Man, over three meters in height, sat on a sofa. Hody Jones asked the person next to him, "I heard that fool Neptune sought help from humans again? What's the situation?"
Next to him, Daruma, the Bonnethead Shark Fish-Man executive of the New Fish-Man Pirates, chuckled.
"It was the Big Mom Pirates, but apparently, something went wrong at the port, and the two sides parted ways unhappily!"
Hody Jones scoffed and laughed derisively.
"Haha! I've always said that despicable humans are unreliable! We Fish-Men are the true masters of the world!"
As he spoke, Hody Jones fondled a capsule in a metal bowl beside him.
"With this treasure, the future of us Fish-Men is just around the corner!"
That was the secret treasure of Fish-Man Island, the Energy Steroids (E.S. or Tamatebako Pills). Taking one could double one's strength, but the cost was a massive drain on one's lifespan.
However, Hody Jones was unaware of this consequence. In fact, to show off his power, he would periodically take one before going on a rampage. The amplified power from the pills intoxicated him, making him believe he could rule the world with this unearned strength!
"Trouble, Big Brother Jones!" At that moment, another executive of the New Fish-Man Pirates, Zeo, a Japanese Bullhead Shark Fish-Man, rushed in hurriedly.
Hody Jones frowned and asked, "What is it?"
"The Sea King Army! The Sea King Army is here! Jimbei is personally leading them!"
"He's demanding that we vacate the Fish-Man District and return to a normal life; Fish-Man Island will accept us!"
"And if we don't listen…"
Hody Jones' eyes widened.
"If we don't listen, what?"
Zeo gulped, a look of solemnity in his eyes.
"If we don't listen, the Sea King Army will forcibly destroy the Fish-Man District! All those who resist will be immediately arrested and imprisoned!"