Neptune stepped up onto the high platform and shouted toward the assembled crowd.
"My people! Today, pirates brought chaos to Fish-Man Island. Fortunately, His Majesty Oguro of the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire was here and helped us suppress this upheaval!"
"Please, offer His Majesty Oguro the highest respect!"
A wave of thunderous applause erupted from the merfolk and fish-men below.
If not for Oguro's subordinates joining the fight, Fish-Man Island would have suffered casualties this time.
They would never forget this debt of gratitude.
Amid the applause, Oguro walked to the front of the platform. Neptune immediately raised both hands, signaling for everyone to quiet down.
Soon, the entire plaza heard only Oguro's voice, calm and steady.
"I'm very glad that everyone on Fish-Man Island was willing to trust me and join the great family of the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire!"
"When I first spoke with Lord Neptune, I made a promise. I said I would help Fish-Man Island return to the surface… and that I would take responsibility for its safety!"
"I'm happy that today, I upheld that promise and protected all of you!"
Before he even finished speaking, the crowd had already erupted into deafening cheers.
After so many years, someone had finally stepped forward at a critical moment and truly protected Fish-Man Island!
At this moment, whether Oguro was human or fish-man no longer mattered.
To Fish-Man Island, he was a hero!
But Oguro wasn't done yet.
"However, I believe that beyond protecting Fish-Man Island in times of crisis, it's even more important to make our stance clear to the outside world!"
"Just as I told Lord Neptune, anyone who dares harm Fish-Man Island will face the cruelest retaliation from Fish-Man Island and the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire!"
"So today, we will use these pirates' blood to send our voice to the world!"
As Oguro's words fell, an execution squad formed by the Sea King Army and the Shadow Dragon Guard marched into the plaza.
Special personnel followed behind them, holding live-broadcast Den Den Mushi and transmitting everything in real time!
Oguro stood before the camera, authority and dominance coexisting on his handsome face.
After sitting on the throne of the Soul King for so long, an undeniable aura of a supreme ruler now surrounded him.
"I am Oguro, Soul King of the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire!"
"Hereby, I declare to the world that Fish-Man Island is now under the banner of the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire. All territory, people, and property fall under our protection!"
"We will lead Fish-Man Island back to the surface. Any individual or organization that dares harm merfolk or fish-men, regardless of time, location, identity, or background, will face the retaliation of the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire!"
"Across the ends of the sea… until death itself!"
"Do not say you were not warned!"
With a sweep of Oguro's right hand, the executioners' great blades fell.
In an instant, over a hundred heads hit the ground in the plaza.
Blood dyed the pure white marble floor a vivid red.
It was a scene meant to terrify… yet the residents of Fish-Man Island didn't feel fear at all.
Instead, their cheers tore through the sky.
"Long live His Majesty Oguro!"
"Long live the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire!"
Countless fish-men and merfolk wept openly, shouting Oguro's name at the top of their lungs.
They had cowered beneath the deep sea for countless years.
Now, at last, someone was willing to stand up for them and speak to the world with the strongest possible voice!
Fish-Man Island could finally stand tall!
An eight-hundred-year-old dream now finally had a chance to come true!
Oguro's declaration spread rapidly across the seas through the live broadcast.
Even those who missed it quickly learned the news through newspapers.
...
In the New World, aboard the Moby Dick.
Ace burst out laughing after reading Oguro's powerful statement.
"Hahaha! Just like Oguro to do what everyone wants to do but doesn't dare!"
Marco shrugged. "In Paradise, he really does have the strength to say something like that."
"Ever since Marine Headquarters moved to the New World, there hasn't been a single force in Paradise that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire!"
More than three Admiral-level powerhouses… even in the New World, you could count those on one hand.
On the seas, strength was authority.
—
On a certain small island, a group of people were joyfully holding a banquet.
"Hey! Shanks! Take a look at this!"
Benn Beckman stuffed a newspaper into Shanks's hands.
Shanks reluctantly set down his drink, grumbling, "What big news now?"
The moment he read about Oguro claiming Fish-Man Island and issuing a stern warning to the world, his expression shifted.
"Tch… this guy really can't stay quiet, can he?"
Shanks stroked his chin. For once, a trace of seriousness appeared on his usually lazy face.
For someone who pursued balance, Oguro and the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire, wielding such overwhelming power, were an extremely unstable factor.
And Shanks hated that feeling.
"Still, it's just Fish-Man Island. It won't affect the bigger picture."
He muttered a couple of words under his breath, then casually tossed the newspaper aside.
"Drink, drink!"
That was Shanks's idea of balance.
He only cared about how the World Government and the Four Emperors checked one another, never about how the so-called balance he upheld harmed ordinary civilians.
Maybe… he never cared in the first place.
After all, he was one of the Four Emperors, a great figure standing above the masses.
To him, civilians were like ants, hardly worth a glance.
Lending a hand when he happened to see them on the road was already his limit.
Honestly, expecting someone who grew up on a pirate ship to truly care about civilians was laughable to begin with.
—
On Whole Cake Island, Big Mom had also seen the news.
"Mamamama… he really stirred things up, didn't he? Oguro!"
Big Mom's eldest son, the Candy Minister Perospero, said angrily.
"Mom! That bastard stole Fish-Man Island from us and now he's acting this high-profile. He's clearly not taking us seriously!"
"Mom, I think we should teach him a lesson!"
Oven and the others had left Fish-Man Island in such a miserable state. That alone made Perospero, who was used to rampaging through the New World, deeply dissatisfied.
In his eyes, anyone who dared challenge his mother's authority deserved to be eliminated as soon as possible!
Big Mom waved her hand dismissively. "It's just Fish-Man Island. If he wants it, let him have it. There's no need to start a war."
When she was full, Big Mom could be remarkably clear-headed.
Oguro's forces were no weaklings.
He had just made such a declaration. If they went to war now, even for the sake of face, Oguro would fight to the bitter end.
Big Mom didn't think she would lose… but the losses would definitely be heavy.
For a mere Fish-Man Island, it simply wasn't worth it.
"When that guy tries to enter the New World later on, we'll prepare a nice big 'gift' for him."
A self-satisfied, ferocious grin spread across Big Mom's face.