Chapter 182: Date
Arlong's appearance didn't surprise Brett in the slightest.
Or rather, he would have been surprised if this man hadn't shown up.
Since returning to Fish-Man Island two years ago and making that agreement with this man, Arlong had probably been waiting for this day, hadn't he?
Waiting for Brett to become strong enough to support a fish-man empire built on the sea surface.
And now, the time had come.
From the moment that bastard Morgans started talking about the Deep Sea Emperor in his newspaper, Brett knew this trouble would definitely arrive.
Facts proved he was absolutely right.
"Anyway, come in first."
Brett stepped aside from the door, letting Arlong into the room.
"Your strength is completely sufficient now, isn't it Brett!"
Arlong's face was full of excited expression. "We can head to the seas!"
"Don't be hasty, Big Brother Arlong."
Brett said, "Do you really think now is an appropriate time to go to the surface?"
"What do you mean?" Arlong was startled. "Brett, are you backing out?"
"Of course not. Having this country go to the surface, letting all our compatriots freely bathe in real sunlight—this has been Fish-Man Island's cherished wish for hundreds of years."
Brett first affirmed the correctness of Arlong's position, then continued, "But not now. Fish-Man Island's industries are all on the seabed. If we rashly relocate now, wouldn't we have to start everything over from scratch?"
Arlong said, "I'm not saying we should abandon Fish-Man Island. We're just opening up new territory on the seas! Ruling both the deep sea and the surface—that's the fish-man empire I envision!"
That was quite reasonable too.
Brett smiled. "But in that case, the compatriots who go to the surface would be exposed to our enemies' sight, especially the World Government. They might use those compatriots' lives as bargaining chips to threaten us."
"But isn't that what you're there for, Brett!" Arlong said matter-of-factly. "The emperor who rules the deep sea—with your strength, who on these seas would dare provoke us?"
That was well-reasoned indeed.
He almost got convinced.
"Let's wait a bit longer."
Brett stopped trying to find excuses and said seriously, "Until I become a bit stronger."
"Stronger?"
Arlong said in astonishment, "Isn't it enough now?"
"Not enough."
Brett shook his head.
Though everyone on the seas now considered him very strong, in reality he still couldn't compete with those monsters dominating the New World, let alone the shadow-shrouded World Government.
Arlong grinned excitedly. "Brett, you want to become even stronger! Until you can crush those human experts on the seas, then safely bring our compatriots to the surface, right!"
Brett's mouth twitched. "You're not wrong to understand it that way."
He did need to become stronger and ensure safety first.
The government had unimaginably powerful forces at their disposal.
If they were willing to pay any price, even Pirate Emperors wouldn't amount to much. Without sufficient strength to resist, rashly going to the seas would truly be courting death.
"In that case, I understand. Then we'll wait a bit longer."
Arlong nodded heavily. "Brett, your speed of getting stronger is beyond everyone's imagination. In just two years, you've reached this level. It probably won't take too long to reach your ideal level!"
"I'm very patient!"
Sure, whatever.
Brett pulled out a stack of movie tickets and handed them to Arlong—he could help distribute them. "Tesoro will be holding the premiere ceremony for his new movie at Gyoncorde Plaza later. These are tickets. Big Brother Arlong, help me distribute them to old friends in Fish-Man Street."
"A movie?"
Arlong showed a disgusted expression. "What's worth watching about that stuff?"
Though he said this, he still took the movie tickets. "But since it's your request, Brett, I'll do it."
Brett nodded. Next were just some people from the Immigration Bureau—he could have his secretary distribute those when work started tomorrow.
Time quickly came to the next day.
When Brett had just gotten up in the morning and was preparing to go downstairs for breakfast, he noticed that Tesoro's promotional offensive had already begun.
A ship was slowly traveling above the streets of Fish-Man District, with someone on the hull holding a megaphone, shouting loudly.
It was roughly about the movie filmed by Tesoro with Brett's participation, "Romance Ten Thousand Meters Under the Sea," which would hold its premiere ceremony on Fish-Man Island tomorrow evening at eight o'clock at Gyoncorde Plaza.
They hoped Fish-Man Island's citizens would give their support.
Honestly, Brett had always thought this movie's title was quite tacky.
It was at the level where his previous life's self would never want to see it just from hearing the name.
But for Fish-Man Island, which severely lacked entertainment options, this movie was still quite attractive.
At least Fish-Man Island's citizens were reacting very enthusiastically.
And this was even just the beginning of the promotion.
The ship stopped.
Another voice came from the hull.
"I am Otohime!"
Brett's mouth, which was chewing breakfast, paused slightly.
She was really cooperating with the promotion.
"Please everyone go support Mr. Tesoro's new movie! This will be a movie that can bring change to this country!"
"It will show Fish-Man Island to the people of the seas, making a huge contribution to eliminating the barriers between our two races!"
"Moreover, this movie is truly very exciting. I think everyone who goes to see it won't have any regrets!"
Otohime's speech was very immediately effective.
At least around Brett, the residents of Fish-Man District were already buzzing with excitement.
"If the Queen says so, then we definitely have to support it!"
"That's right, that's right! A movie telling Fish-Man Island's story—how exciting!"
"So where can we get tickets?"
Then the ticket distributors came—Ryugu Palace soldiers riding large fish came to deliver tickets.
At this rate, the hundred-thousand-person premiere ceremony should be effortless.
That guy Tesoro must be grinning from ear to ear right now.
In a certain hotel on Fish-Man Island.
"Hahaha! Baccarat! I'm about to be famous worldwide!"
Tesoro stood at the window, laughing triumphantly with great pride.
"Congratulations, Lord Tesoro!"
Both Baccarat and Tanaka stood behind him, congratulating him with smiling faces.
No matter what, time passed amidst all this excitement.
Time quickly came to the evening of the next day. Brett deliberately put on a more formal suit and tidied up his messy hair.
Then he set out, heading to the Mermaid Cafe.
"Really now,Brett, you're too late!"
A mermaid lady saw him arrive and said somewhat dissatisfied, "Shyarly has been waiting for you for a long time! At least be more punctual for a date."
Yes, today was a date.
"Sorry, sorry."
Brett smiled as he walked into the cafe.
Then he saw today's Shyarly.
"Wow—"
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