The Den Den Mushi on the stone ledge of the hot spring remained silent, the weight of Whitebeard's impending decision hanging heavy in the steamy air.
Kuzan waited quietly.
His demand to transfer Fish-Man Island under Mike's name was the result of careful consideration, a strategic gambit born from a flash of inspiration.
Kuzan knew his own limitations.
Though he was passionate about his own form of Justice, he wasn't skilled in management or diplomacy.
He could force the Ryugu Kingdom to compromise, but true change, true trust, couldn't be achieved through force.
Whitebeard had only managed to protect the island through the sheer threat of his power; he had never truly resolved the deep-seated discrimination humans held against the fish-men.
The islanders had suffered for too long under the oppression of pirates and the cold indifference of the World Government.
How could they ever easily trust a Marine Admiral, a symbol of that very government?
But Mike... Mike was different.
This seemingly lazy, carefree man possessed a unique, almost unconscious charm.
It was a quality that made people relax, like a warm ray of sunlight breaking through the clouds.
He never forced closeness or used contrived words.
By simply being himself, he could make those around him feel at ease.
Even Smoker, a man who had once vowed to be the enemy of all pirates, had gradually learned to relax and accept others under Mike's influence, all without losing the burning fire of his own Justice.
He has a premonition—a very strong one.
'Mike is the key.'
'He is the one who can break down the barriers, who can truly help the people of Fish-Man Island step out from the shadows.'
"This condition..."
After a long, tense silence, Whitebeard's voice finally came through the Den Den Mushi, low but carrying an unshakable firmness.
"I can't agree to it."
"Even if I have to go to Impel Down myself to rescue my sons, I will not go back on my word!" the Emperor's voice boomed, filled with an undeniable authority.
"Because I am Whitebeard!"
Though he didn't know Kuzan's true intentions, he couldn't hand over Fish-Man Island so easily.
His sons were his family, but King Neptune was an old friend to whom he had made a promise.
He had vowed to provide sanctuary for the island. Without Neptune's consent, he couldn't simply transfer its sovereignty.
This was his way.
Kuzan fell silent.
He hadn't expected that even the lives of three of his top commanders wouldn't be enough to sway the old man.
Was a war with the Whitebeard Pirates now unavoidable?
"Kuzan..."
After another brief silence, Whitebeard's voice came through again, faintly tinged with a new, complex emotion.
"You just said... you want to transfer Fish-Man Island to... Captain Mike?"
"Yes," Kuzan's reply was brief, without the slightest hesitation.
"..."
On the Moby Dick, Whitebeard fell into deep thought.
The three Admirals each had distinct personalities.
Kuzan was the most approachable.
Every action he took carried a profound meaning.
So why would he choose to hand Fish-Man Island over to Mike?
According to the intel, wasn't Mike Kizaru's subordinate? What hidden information was he missing?
'Could the turning point of this entire matter... lie with this Mike?'
"Captain Mike," Whitebeard spoke again, his voice now addressing a new person.
"Vista went to find you, did he not? Let me have a word with you."
A flicker of hesitation passed through Kuzan's eyes before he turned and held the receiver out to Mike, seeking his opinion.
"Huh?" Mike was momentarily stunned, completely baffled.
'Whitebeard wants to talk to me? about what? We're not exactly close, are we?'
Just moments ago, he'd been relieved that Whitebeard had refused the deal.
What would he even do with Fish-Man Island? It wasn't like he could eat it.
"Kid," Whitebeard's voice rang out once more, carrying a hint of seriousness.
"Can you guarantee that the mermaids of Fish-Man Island will no longer be captured by slave traders?"
"..."
Mike's mind went blank for a second.
"What does the capture of mermaids have to do with me—" he blurted out reflexively, but stopped mid-sentence.
'Wait a minute...'
An image flashed through his mind, a vivid memory from his past life: the beautiful and curvaceous Madam Sharley, the charming waitresses of the Mermaid Café... Caimi...
'Hold up! How is this not related to me?! It has everything to do with me!'
He thought of all those gorgeous mermaid ladies, with their vibrant tails that would one day transform into beautiful legs, being cruelly snatched away by slavers, only to be bought by those disgusting fatass Celestial Dragons.
The thought of it made his blood boil.
'Damn it! Just thinking about it pisses me off!'
'Really, super, incredibly pissed off! Celestial Dragons, all of you deserve to die!'
Suddenly, a new, fierce conviction ignited within him.
'Protecting the mermaid ladies starts with me, Mike!'
"Phew—" Mike exhaled a long, slow ring of smoke, his lazy demeanor gone, replaced by a cold, hard resolve.
When it came to the mermaid ladies, things were different.
From the very first day Fish-Man Island came under his control, any slave ship that dared to even appear near its waters would be sunk to the bottom of the sea.
'A Celestial Dragon's slave ship? I'll sink it myself!'
'You're the ones snatching my future mermaid lady friends, huh? Go say hello to the Sea Kings for me!'
Mike took the Den Den Mushi from Kuzan's hand and speak with a clear and firm voice.
"Whitebeard," he said, "let's have a proper talk about Fish-Man Island."
'Because it's mine now.'
-----------------------------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator