After asking several more questions and grasping the situation, they officially recognized Fisher Tiger as the refugees' representative, noting they might summon him for future negotiations, then dismissed.
Outside, Toya commanded preparations from the front lines, serving meals to treated fishmen and mermaids while arranging town tours—
"Let me organize the situation. Currently, Ryugu Kingdom is effectively in a standoff with Navy—World Government forces, and that Fisher Tiger gathered non-combatants as much as possible and escaped, coming here."
Daz and Tesoro both held their heads.
"Once Base 46's suppression completes, return Hancock here and rush departure preparations. Understood?"
"Yes. I don't know if it'll be enough, but I'm having all available seastone gathered. Top priority."
"The rest depends on how much seastone stockpiles the suppressed base has."
"Worst case, we reduce personnel and send them in smaller ships."
"...We can only pray for this one."
If Hancock's speculation is correct, at worst Kuro might already be exchanging blows with the Navy.
As she says, they must send reinforcements as quickly as possible.
"If the Navy-rebel fishman standoff we heard about continues, that battle will be large-scale."
"...Don't want to, but considering full combat, we need Robin or Perona to accompany them too."
Both Robin and Perona are fleet keystones and large-scale combat keystones, but simultaneously young.
That's precisely why they judged she should experience internal affairs work rather than combat, having her help with island development alongside Mihawk and Tesoro.
"Yes. If First Fleet elites led by Admiral Hancock, plus that 'Dark King,' accompany them, at least the voyage to Fishman Island should be fine."
Hancock analyzes her solo combat power as slightly inferior to Admiral-class, but her unit command has probably accumulated denser experience than poor Navy officers. Under her, soldiers bearing black-dyed short swords—proof of First Fleet elite status—will accompany.
One sister must remain, but both are snake ability users skilled at close combat, plus Galdino manipulating wax with steel-like hardness, and Crocodile who requested to accompany.
Individual forces alone—even without the 'Dark King'—equal a New World-class pirate crew.
"Rather, the side with the biggest problems is ours..."
"Food again as usual."
Just injured alone number four thousand.
In total, slightly over five thousand population increase drove the supposedly comfortable food situation back toward crisis.
"With land available but workers insufficient under current circumstances, normally this would be welcome news, but..."
"Most who escaped this time are merfolk. Ground work requires considerable job selection."
"Those who can immediately engage in agricultural work... well, still nearly a thousand. Moreover with physical and stamina advantages over civilians... still."
"There are many times more mermaids. Additionally, with suppression operations proceeding simultaneously, consumption is intense."
"We need to obtain food through trades using Bege's routes and such, parallel to pioneering."
"Yes. But berries are extremely tight."
"...Without the Navy's betrayal, we'd have had leeway to work on that..."
Black Cat trades mostly involved barter transactions.
Tesoro mainly handled monetary exchanges, and Daz reviewed those movements through documents, but he only recently began grasping that value's weight.
"What we can currently produce and sell is about lumber and pelts."
"Though wood quality is good, we're selecting and processing usable items from naturally growing ones... numbers are insufficient for major earnings. Pelts also rely heavily on hunting so quality varies—whether they're sellable grade..."
"Canet's quarry isn't operational yet. We have firewood prepared, but... mmm."
Daz even considered raiding nearby Mafia to plunder supplies and money, but with full-scale conflict against the government beginning, antagonizing the underworld too is problematic.
More importantly, it might obstruct Bege's material collection handling trades.
Daz understands that's clearly not optimal.
(To achieve self-sufficiency, we allocated all resources to food and fuel production, so when even that becomes insufficient in emergencies, available measures are few. ...A lesson.)
"Now. Where do we pull food or tradeable materials from?"
As the two were about to flip through documents and ledgers searching for materials usable in trades, Tesoro lets out a small "Ah."
"Vice Governor."
"Mm?"
"Mopchi has ironworking facilities under construction, but Mogwa already has a full set, right?"
"Yeah, the Navy urgently rushed repairs until recently... Personnel were mostly taken during the pirate alliance incident, but... I recall several elderly engineers remain."
"Then let's ask them to operate things while training young people?"
"? Whatever we make, we lack essential iron. Mineral resources too."
"Yes, so—"
"Let's have them collect it."
"From our battlefields and such."
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
Base 46.
A prominent West Blue Navy base located near the great nations Superior and Rigalo.
The Black Cat Pirates First Fleet headed to suppress it.
Hancock—perhaps more tense than even the recent war, urgently needing to capture here—ordered all ships to stop upon seeing the base's state.
"What in the world... is this...?"
What's raised is the Navy flag.
The seagull flag protecting the seas, indicating Absolute Justice.
But all those seagulls are captured.
By added three claw marks.
Not just flags.
From docked warship sails to defensive gun turrets—everything.
"Hmph. I see."
"Right, thinking about it, it's natural-gane..."
Understanding this situation are Fleet Staff Officer Galdino and Crocodile—in the unclear position of prisoner yet guest general who requested to accompany.
"What does this mean?"
"This base is optimally located for defending Superior, right?"
Crocodile grins wickedly as usual.
Though serving as lookout with three royal guards assigned under his command, plus leading fifty elite main force soldiers—he's probably in decent spirits about this situation.
"Then the story's simple. Here in West Blue where ocean currents are stable and thus traffic is restricted. Naturally, Marines guarding that strategic location—"
Hearing that far, Hancock finally noticed.
Noticed—and paled at the sheer misery.
Considering trap possibilities and cautiously advancing ships to the military port, there was no bombardment—not even a single commotion sound.
Docking ships at port as-is, at their arrival destination—Marines stood in formation waiting.
No one held weapons, and those wearing officer uniforms didn't wear Justice coats.
"...This unit's commander?"
Hancock addresses the man at the front, probably so.
"Yes. ...We've been waiting. For you."
Soldier numbers are considerable.
In numbers alone, probably more than Taki's surrendered soldiers.
Not just combat soldiers, but including seemingly weak ones apparently involved in base operations, all line up saluting to greet Hancock and others.
What that meant was obvious to everyone.
"Surrender."
"Yes."
"You too, but there are injured. That is?"
The man introducing himself as commander had his left arm in a sling.
Not just him—several others too.
Among soldiers, some have bandaged arms, others use crutches.
Perhaps inside the base, injured who can't stand still remain.
"...Hearing Superior's commotion, when we emergency-deployed to calm local chaos—"
"—Local residents shot at us."
Hancock says nothing, just listens.
"My wife was taken, my son's whereabouts unknown..."
"When we tried searching after calming the scene, acquaintances called us..."
"Celestial Dragon lackeys..."
Right, they're Marines. Military force wielded under government orders.
And that very government, of all things, tore their hometown to shreds.
Though not directly involved, from local residents' perspective, these Marines are unmistakably enemy vanguards.
Or—
They could easily be seen as traitors who threatened their hometown.
"Your face, I recall seeing in Mogwa. Your name?"
"Borzoi, sir. Rank is former Rear Admiral."
"...I remember. The general who made courtesy visits to nations with Toya, restraining rash movements."
"Yes."
One of the officers who cooperated during the former pirate alliance commotion.
And the former officer who declined Taki's defection invitation for his family's sake salutes while quietly shedding tears.
"Toya praised you as a trustworthy, upright general. If so, I'll believe."
Hancock takes a small breath—"Suu..."
"From now, we suppress still-chaotic Superior! Then capture Rigalo fueling the chaos, and put an end to this West Blue turmoil!!"
She rallies them.
To those becoming comrades.
To those becoming brothers-in-arms.
"Borzoi. From your earlier words, I gather you're Superior-born?"
"Yes!"
"Galdino, gather documents and materials inside the base while hearing from Borzoi. For the main force entering Superior suppression, compile information including terrain as quickly as possible!"
"Understood-gane!"
"Crocodile, you immediately grasp base equipment and supplies. Depending on their situation, we must transport to Superior immediately."
"Kuhahaha. Perfect for grasping the base's seastone quantity too. Fine."
Receiving Hancock's glance, a royal guard quickly raises the flag at this base.
Not the seagull—the three-clawed black cat flag.
"Borzoi. I'll confirm later, but state now. Numbers!?"
"Yes! Including myself, soldiers number 3,600! Including military-affiliated civilian internal workers 200, total 3,800!"
"Good."
At this moment, this base changed from Navy property to pirate property.
"Soldiers! Those injured still rest your bodies! Others prepare to deploy ships anytime! Superior and various locations now need as many hands as possible!! Even those who can't fight!!!"
But what must be done doesn't change.
To protect citizens.
To protect what they believe in.
Even if never holding weapons, they must do what they can.
Otherwise, West Blue will truly end—every soldier present was convinced.
Soldiers answer with salutes.
Not Marine salutes, but salutes for the pirates giving orders before them.
"Good, go! Time is precious! Even now, citizens are fallen! Rush preparations!"
"""Yes!!!!!"""
"Sonia, the Den Den Mushi to headquarters. Yes—Vice Governor, it's me. Arrived at the base, but Marines all surrendered. ...Yes, that's right."
"We'll proceed with accurate suppression work and confirm, but according to the commander's report, 3,800 including menial workers and internal staff have entered under our umbrella."
"—Vice Governor? What's with that deep, long sigh?"
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
"What incomprehensible nonsense are you spouting!"
"In the first place, you should be our slave by rights!?"
"Until just recently you were restricting slave numbers for repairing our Holy Land!!"
"Quickly capture these creatures and come to the Holy Land yourself!"
Excuse me, can I pull the war trigger right now?
No, really, like...
How did such a family that's nothing but harmful come to exist?
(Whatever direction this takes, minimize casualties as much as possible.)
This is... I'm not confident I can suppress collision.
I intend to guide toward minimizing sacrifices, but...
"Over two hundred years ago, the World Government declared friendship with Fishman Island. Recognized Ryugu Kingdom as a World Government member nation, acknowledging their human rights."
"What of it!"
Arlong, patience. Patience.
To reliably rescue captured fishmen and mermaids, that guy must still live.
Even in emergencies, me doing it works out better than fishmen doing it.
"However the government speaks, if we desire it, it goes through!!"
...
"Don't make me repeat myself! We're important!?"
.....
Yeah.
Rather, if that situation occurs, definitely let me do it.
Starting from East Blue through the Holy Land causing endless trouble, lighting every fuse—plus adding the stomach pain of Navy upper brass like Sengoku-san desperately trying to manage the field right now—I'll shatter jaws and collarbones with full force.
"No, this is important. Saint Pluming."
Now, three main patterns are conceivable.
How will they react...
"Doesn't that mean through the World Government, the Five Elders at that time directly recognized fishmen not as fish, but as proper humans?"
Anyway, must calm things or it's hopeless.
War-weariness emanates from Marine soldiers.
Restraining both sides—no, trying to—Ryugu Kingdom forces are half-and-half.
"However the government speaks, if you're Celestial Dragons, everything's permitted. You said so, but..."
And most excited even in this situation are these world's lowest trash.
Looking closely inside, there are tattered humans despite being human, sheltered by fishmen here and there.
Probably slaves made into their vehicles.
Since fishmen sympathize with them, well, it's fine.
...Mm, huh? There's still more frightened presence elsewhere.
"Nobility inevitably stands above people, hence easily crumbles if they neglect those below."
Especially in—a confederation of allied nations gathered without upper levels indicating some direction for themselves or establishing overall governance principles—an absolutely terrifying political system.
With only absolute obedience and Heavenly Tribute as major rules, incomprehensible nations literally sell off citizens without even understanding people are national assets.
...
Come to think of it, there was one in South Blue even while I was at the Holy Land!
Bitawa Kingdom, was it? Wonder how it's doing now...
"This is the watershed, Saint Pluming. If you continue being mere rulers as you desire... before long, the World Government's—and by extension Celestial Dragons'—value will crash and you'll be dragged down."
Vaguely thought Celestial Dragons get dragged down twenty years later in original story terms, but depending on turmoil everywhere and information spread...
As early as this year... or by five years at latest, World Government influence has extremely high possibility of halving.
"Please, won't you show the attitude befitting world leaders here?"
If Celestial Dragons make statements recognizing others as humans here, there's a chance to change the flow—or considerably suppress it even if unchangeable.
"If you, as Celestial Dragons, recognize their rights as people and step back here, your safety is guaranteed, and Celestial Dragon glory becomes absolute."
Sorry, slight lie.
The time when they fall will definitely come.
But honestly, now is bad.
If I can buy time, I want to buy even a little.
As far as I've read, World Economic News is government-leaning mass media.
During Golden Lion commotion, we used them too so I understand that.
While problematic media/trash media in directions slightly different from general previous life meaning, if it's a newspaper flowing information as government wishes, if Celestial Dragons concede one step to fishmen this time, they'll probably spread this as a heartwarming story.
"This is the opportunity for none other than you to become one stepping into a new era. Saint Pluming."
Lord Pinscher and Lord Pyrenees will definitely use that to extend World Government life!
"Don't be absurd! You want me to be considerate of bugs and fish! Without even trying to save us, what exactly did you come here for—"
"Arlong-kun, drop that person temporarily and let's have a talk, just the two of us!!"
You reeeeeally gotta be kidding me!!!?!!?!!???
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
"King Neptune. That boy is?"
"A pirate... supposedly. We received his recently updated wanted poster. ...28 billion at that age."
"How...!"
The situation where everyone braced for inevitable eruption—a single boy's appearance and single blow returned it to stalemate.
Those barricaded in Fishman District don't grasp the situation, but the pre-eruption atmosphere had water thrown on it and they're calming again.
Marines probably know the boy well.
With the boy's appearance, clear disturbance ran through them and morale began dropping.
If the Queen were present here, they'd understand more clearly.
Ryugu Kingdom King Neptune—leading forces trying to somehow persuade Celestial Dragons and risen fishmen—belatedly wiped cold sweat and observed the pirate and fishmen's state.
"But Jinbe. That mark—"
"Yes. ...Undoubtedly what was embroidered on the Western clothing Big Brother Tai carried."
At the fishman soldier's words beside the king, Neptune once more takes in the pirate suppressing this battlefield alone.
The missing fishman adventurer brought back an embroidered jacket as a benefactor's mark.
There's apparently an island where fishmen live hidden under that conspicuous three-clawed black cat mark.
"...He said it was given by one who saved him, so then he's..."
The boy who'd been beside barricaded fishmen talking with Celestial Dragons now began talking with a fishman—Arlong—about something.
Even that prominently rough Arlong seems to respond haltingly in conversation, perhaps having poison drawn by him.
"King Neptune. If that person saved Big Brother, then right now Queen Otohime is..."
"...First concentrate on what's before us. Jinbe."
"I've entrusted Otohime and those captured to Tiger. Believe."
"...Yes."
***
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