"Remember this clearly: this is no longer Fish-Man Island, but the Nicuss Merfolk Special Zone underwater."
Fukaboshi sat uncomfortably in the palanquin, with World Government officials walking beside him on the ground.
It wasn't that he was unaccustomed to riding in a palanquin, but rather this arrogant, playboy-like attitude.
However, he also knew that he now represented Nicuss, and their attitude towards the World Government had always been like this.
"Pay close attention to your every word and action here. Once Mayor Neptune has some free time, he will make arrangements to meet you."
"Before that, stay properly at the inn and do not wander outside. If you are mistaken for spies or something, don't blame me for not warning you if you die."
Upon reaching the entrance of the inn, Kuzan had been waiting there for a long time. This time, he was responsible for assisting the World Government's mission.
Fukaboshi nodded to him as a greeting. This man, his mother's savior and his father's drinking buddy, should, by rights, be treated more warmly.
However, due to their differing stances, he couldn't show too much enthusiasm.
Kuzan didn't mind any of this. After Fukaboshi left, he and the World Government officials entered the inn together.
"Admiral Aokiji, we will need your full attention for this negotiation." The superior's attitude was overly polite, but lacked respect.
They and the Marine belonged to two different systems. Those with some status usually didn't pay much attention to the Marine, merely treating them as enforcers.
"Please explain the current situation again."
"First, tell me the ultimate goal of this mission. I've been with Claudius Palace for the past few days, and based on the outcome of the goal, I can filter out key information."
Kuzan felt a slight headache. In such a formal setting, he couldn't even call Nero by her name.
The superior pondered for a moment, deciding that this mission objective wasn't a major issue, so he truthfully disclosed it.
"The goal this time is simply to allow Fish-Man Island to continue serving as a transit point for other forces, as it did before. We believe it's best if we can secure the assistance of the Merfolk Royal Family."
"Passage is not a problem. Claudius Palace originally had no intention of prohibiting transit; they merely added a toll of ten million Berries."
Kuzan scratched his head: "If the mission is only this, then it should already be considered complete, right?"
"Since that's the case, there's one more point. Due to Claudius Palace and its geographical location, our intelligence on Fish-Man Island is almost entirely blank."
The superior breathed a sigh of relief. The biggest problem had been solved; what remained were some minor additional objectives.
"Of course, we still need to fully secure the Merfolk Royal Family. The World Government hopes to gain some say in this new city."
"Admiral Aokiji, do you have any suggestions?"
He spoke as if Kuzan were a subordinate reporting on his work, yet no one around found it strange.
Just as Nicuss treated them, they generally treated the Marine in the same manner.
"It's best not to. This isn't Fish-Man Island, but the Nicuss Merfolk Special Zone underwater."
Kuzan had no intention of getting entangled with them over attitudes. He slumped his shoulders and said indifferently, "Nicuss is different from other kingdoms. They don't crave territory. To them, ruling is a form of charity towards others."
"But once it's confirmed as their own territory, then only the Emperor and nobles can have privileges on this land."
The superior frowned upon hearing this. Kuzan's words left no room for doubt, implying that merely trying to win over the Merfolk Royal Family would inevitably anger Nero.
"The Merfolk Princess—Shirahoshi." Lucci suddenly interjected, "Our target is now only the former Merfolk Royal Family, so if we just control this princess…"
The superior's eyes lit up. If they used the Merfolk Princess as a hostage, they could bypass Nero and directly control the Merfolk Royal Family.
"Don't even think about it!" Kuzan's words finally carried clear emotion. These idiots really dared to think of anything.
"Didn't you even see the reason why Claudius Palace caused the Red Blood Calamity this time? It was precisely because the Merfolk Queen Otohime was ambushed."
"Don't you know why Fish-Man Island built a new city? What do your intelligence departments usually do?"
"It doesn't have to be the princess; the three princes can also work." The superior unhappily interrupted Kuzan, "As long as the treatment is sufficient, it's just bringing them back as guests. If coercion doesn't work, then use temptation."
"They're truly insane…"
Kuzan's gaze turned cold. To send such useless people at this crucial moment, what was the World Government thinking?
Sensing Kuzan's killing intent, Lucci stepped forward.
An Admiral, huh? He couldn't ask for a better opponent!
His fangs extended, Lucci's muscles tensed, his suit ripped and became useless, and he transformed into his most combat-ready beast-human form.
The disparity in physical prowess was obvious. He was still far behind Kuzan, but these gaps would be compensated for with skill.
"Hmph—sorry, I'm not in the mood to play right now."
The temperature in the room plummeted. Kuzan pulled out his den den mushi and dialed Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
A thin layer of ice covered everyone else, their bodies stiff and only able to shiver in place.
"Marine! What do you intend to do?!"
The superior roared furiously, his voice distorted by the cold, "This is an order from the Gorosei!"
Lucci's muscles bulged, yet he still couldn't regain control of his body. The still young Lucci experienced for the first time the gap between a genius and a true powerhouse.
"Are you sure this is an order from the Gorosei?" Kuzan asked, devoid of any emotion, while the den den mushi was still connecting.
"You!" The superior's eyes widened in anger, not daring to say "sure" again.
"Heh~" Kuzan sneered. He, of course, knew this was an order from the Gorosei.
The purpose of this negotiation was to test Nero's attitude, after all, the World Government was directly above Fish-Man Island.
If Nero controlled this place, how could the old officials above sleep peacefully?
But Kuzan, who understood Nero's attitude, knew there was no other choice. If they did this, Nero would surely launch the most powerful counterattack.
At that time, the order of the sea would completely collapse. A test? The nation was also Nero's bottom line. If they dared to do this, Mary Geoise would be engulfed in flames again tomorrow.
After reporting the intelligence here to Sengoku, about five minutes later, the Gorosei personally called.
Everyone except Lucci was to die.
Lucci, however, had someone who saw potential in him. This almost baseless charge allowed him to successfully save his life.
This outcome was also within Kuzan's expectations. Things might be troublesome; it seemed there were disagreements within the Gorosei…
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