"This… Ian, what do you mean?" Neptune's voice wavered unexpectedly.
"For example," Ian said calmly, "what would happen if you refused the World Government's invitation? The consequences and all."
"…"
Neptune suddenly fell silent.
"So, King Neptune," Jinbe immediately exclaimed in surprise, "The government threatened you?"
Neptune hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke, "The government officials said that if we reject their friendship, Fish-Man Island would become the enemy of the World Government."
A simple and straightforward threat.
But one that was probably effective.
How many people in the world could truly summon the courage to oppose the World Government?
The World Government didn't even need to get involved personally. They had countless ways to deal with Fish-Man Island if they wanted to.
"This—"
Jinbei clenched his teeth in anger.
"Really despicable."
Tiger was also panting heavily. "Do the World Government's rules mean nothing to them?"
After all, Fish-Man Island was still a member nation of the World Government!
"Sorry, Ian," Neptune said apologetically, "I caused you unnecessary worry."
Ian pursed his lips. What a hassle.
As always, it didn't matter what happened to Neptune and his wife, but Poseidon must not be harmed.
If Shirahoshi lost her parents' protection, whether she could still grow up to be the innocent, sweet girl from the original story was hard to say.
What if she turned dark?
It was better if Shirahoshi stayed pure.
More importantly, if Neptune and his wife were controlled by the government, what would happen to Shirahoshi?
Ian sighed, helpless. "Then go ahead, Neptune. Do what you need to do."
"Lord Ian!"
Jinbei exclaimed in disbelief.
"As a friend," Ian waved his hand to calm him down, then added, "The best I can do is to escort you safely on this trip to Mariejois."
Jinbei and Tiger were both stunned.
"Ian?"
Neptune was also taken aback. "You—"
"In any case," Ian said, "Remember to contact me immediately if you run into any trouble."
He hung up the phone on his own initiative.
"Ian-sama, what are you planning to do?"
Jinbei was the first to ask impatiently.
"We need to put some pressure on the World Government."
Ian said so.
Jinbei and Tiger exchanged a glance.
What does it mean to put pressure on the World Government?
Even the Beasts Pirates would find that difficult, right?
What exactly is Ian thinking?
Ian, however, proceeded to inform his two intelligence aides without waiting for a response.
He told Morgans and Stussy, "Find the location of the Moby Dick as soon as possible!"
Don't forget, although the Beasts Pirates are the closest partners of Fish-Man Island, the island still has another true protector in a real sense.
They had to get in touch with Whitebeard, hoping he would be more rational.
Otherwise, they couldn't just descend on Mary Geoise to back up Neptune and his wife directly.
If they went there, they might never come back.
It was better to take a more indirect approach.
The World Summit was approaching, and the whole world had grown somewhat quieter.
The Navy, who had been chasing the Revolutionary Army relentlessly, began to pull back their forces, dispatching many ships to various allied nations that had received invitations, to welcome those distinguished kings.
In Alabasta.
"I'm setting off."
King Cobra waved to his wife and daughter who had come to see him off. "You all should go back now."
Alabasta, one of the few countries under the government's flag that could be called a superpower, naturally had its king invited to every Levely.
Cobra had attended many Levely before.
But this time, his gaze was more determined than ever.
Queen Lily's letter had said the world was waiting for Alabasta's answer.
Before giving that answer, he wanted to take a good look at this world that was starting to feel unfamiliar to him.
The seas ruled by pirates were said to be the safest in the world, while among the government's allied nations, war raged without end.
In Prodence Kingdom.
"Hahaha! Long time no see, old friend!"
Elizabello II laughed heartily as he boarded the warship. Old friends were already waiting for him on board.
It was King Riku from Dressrosa.
His guard was his son-in-law, Kyros.
Looking at his still smiling old friend, King Riku couldn't help but ask, "Are you really going to do this, old friend?"
Elizabello II's face darkened slightly. "That Ian guy, well, he's a pirate, so whatever. But the world government threatening me to hand over the King Punch? I want the Five Elders to give me an explanation!"
King Riku sighed.
He didn't think reasoning with the World Government would work.
Not far from this country lay Dressrosa.
The king's departure hadn't affected the nation much; people just went on living their lives as usual.
Outside the city, in the Donquixote family's estate.
Doflamingo leaned back on the sofa, watching the two girls before him with great interest.
They seemed to be sisters, both with green hair. The difference was that the elder sister's hair was a lighter shade—a pale green. She looked about eighteen or nineteen years old, tall and well-built, with a strikingly beautiful appearance.
The younger sister looked much smaller, around ten years old. She wore a simple dress and had a small bear-shaped cloak draped over her shoulders.
"Hehehe! Welcome to the Donquixote family," Doflamingo said, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he looked at the slightly nervous sisters.
"Monet," he said, looking at the older sister.
"And,"
His burning gaze shifted to the younger sister—so intense it felt like she might get dragged out for target practice.
"Sugar!"
Fish-Man Island.
Neptune and his wife were probably the last to depart for the World Summit. After all, Fish-Man Island was only about twenty kilometers in a straight line from Mariejois.
"Fukaboshi, I'm counting on you to take care of the younger siblings," Queen Otohime instructed her twelve-year-old eldest son.
"Leave it to me, Mother!" the crown prince of the Ryugu Kingdom replied confidently, not fully aware of the risks his parents faced on this trip. He patted his chest with determination as he spoke.
At the same time, Neptune was discussing the arrangements with the kingdom's ministers who had come to see them off.
He whispered softly, "If we don't make it back, everything is in your hands."
The ministers' eyes glistened with tears, but they still nodded solemnly.
And so, the Neptunus couple set out on their journey toward the surface of the sea for the first time.
Before that—
"Lord Ian! We've found a trace of Moby Dick!"
Ian received the message from Morgans.
**********
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