The plan to bring Fish-Man Island back to the surface progressed fairly smoothly.
After all, in the Paradise half of the Grand Line, unless the Marines mobilized in full force, no one could truly threaten the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire.
And most factions wouldn't offend the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire over something as small as Fish-Man Island.
On the surface, the seas looked calm and peaceful.
But on the World Government's side, things were anything but calm.
Mariejois, Pangaea Castle.
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro stared coldly ahead.
"That Oguro has pulled Fish-Man Island to his side. Do you think he's after Poseidon?"
Shepherd Ju Peter pondered briefly, then replied flatly.
"Whether he is or not doesn't matter. If Poseidon falls into his hands, it becomes a massive threat to the World Government."
"I propose we invite Fish-Man Island to join the next World Government Summit and grant them member nation status."
Poseidon's power was far too terrifying. It could not be allowed to fall into someone else's hands.
Jaygarcia Saturn sneered at the suggestion.
"It's a bit late for invitations now, don't you think? They've already publicly pledged themselves to the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire. You think they'll turn around and side with us?"
Shepherd Ju Peter's lips curled into a chilling smile.
"So what if they've joined? Don't forget, the World Government is still the most dominant power ruling this sea!"
"A World Government member nation status would fulfill their eight-hundred-year-long dream!"
"And they wouldn't have to live in constant fear of being attacked anymore!"
"Even if they refuse, once this happens, do you really think the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire will continue to trust Fish-Man Island the way it does now?"
As the saying went, loyalty that isn't absolute is absolute disloyalty.
To the Five Elders, who stood at the pinnacle of power, no ruler could tolerate their subordinates having even the slightest flirtation with an opposing force.
Not even the tiniest hint of defiance could be allowed to exist.
If Fish-Man Island accepted World Government membership, that would be ideal.
And even if it failed, the relationship between Fish-Man Island and the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire would no longer be perfectly harmonious.
Whether it killed you or not didn't matter. If it disgusted you, it was still a win.
On Fish-Man Island, Neptune soon received the World Government's message.
It was an invitation bearing the official seal of the World Government, formally inviting Fish-Man Island to become a member nation and attend the next World Government Summit.
Neptune immediately summoned the Left and Right Ministers along with his sons to discuss the matter.
"Look at this. An invitation from the World Government!" Neptune said with deep emotion.
"I never thought that in my lifetime, I would see Queen Otohime's wish come true!"
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!" the two ministers said in unison.
"With this status, when we go to the surface, we won't have to worry about being hunted anymore!"
Their eyes shone with excitement.
Fish-Man Island's eight-hundred-year-long dream.
It was about to be realized under their watch.
However, the eldest prince, Fukaboshi, spoke with a grave expression.
"Father, we cannot accept this invitation."
Neptune froze.
"Why not?"
Fukaboshi said solemnly,
"Father, have you forgotten? We are already a vassal state of the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire. The World Government is their enemy."
Neptune stiffened.
In his excitement, he had completely overlooked that fact.
"But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Neptune said reluctantly.
After all, Queen Otohime had given her life for this dream.
The Left Minister's eyes flicked sideways as he spoke to Fukaboshi.
"Your Highness, I don't think these things conflict at all."
Everyone's gaze immediately turned toward him, and Neptune asked eagerly.
"Left Minister, what's your view?"
The Left Minister spoke smoothly.
"First, the World Government has never stated that a member nation cannot also be a vassal of another country."
"Second, the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire's hostility toward the World Government is directed at the Five Elders and those in power, not at all member nations."
"As far as I know, there are even several member nations that maintain fairly good relations with Water 7."
At its core, the World Government was not the same thing as its member nations.
It was an organization.
Member nations simply paid money in exchange for protection.
In the Left Minister's view, Fish-Man Island could join both sides at the same time.
"That makes sense!" Neptune's eyes lit up.
It had to be said, Neptune was extremely soft-hearted and easily persuaded.
It had been the same with Queen Otohime, and it was still the same now.
"No!" Fukaboshi shouted sharply.
"We know full well that King Oguro is hostile to the World Government, yet we still choose to join them. How will other countries view the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire then?"
"What we'd be doing is slapping King Oguro right in the face!"
Even after hearing this, Neptune still hesitated.
The appeal of World Government membership was simply too strong.
Eight hundred years of rule had embedded the World Government's authority deep into people's minds.
Even Fish-Man Island, long rejected, still believed deep down that recognition from the World Government was the most meaningful thing of all.
After some thought, the Left Minister said to Neptune,
"Your Majesty, why not proactively inform King Oguro of this matter? If His Majesty agrees, wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"
Neptune's eyes immediately lit up.
"Right! Let's do that!"
In just a few words, the two of them had already decided the matter.
Fukaboshi could only sigh heavily toward the sky.
His father had been completely obsessed by Queen Otohime's dream.
If you went to ask King Oguro, how could he possibly refuse outright?
Even for the sake of appearing open-minded and benevolent, he would have no choice but to agree.
But would he really be happy about it?
Watching Neptune cheerfully contact Oguro, Fukaboshi could only pray silently that King Oguro would not completely abandon Fish-Man Island.
Because his father's behavior had a term among humans, one filled with contempt.
Playing both sides.
At Water 7, Oguro had just finished watching a performance by the Mermaid Song and Dance Troupe.
The troupe had been personally sent by Neptune after noticing how much Oguro enjoyed the mermaid performances at Ryugu Palace.
Oguro had not asked for them himself.
After the mermaids withdrew, Oguro answered Neptune's call.
"King Oguro," Neptune said, his voice full of excitement and anticipation.
"There's something I'd like to report to you."
Oguro nodded calmly.
"Go on."
Neptune quickly explained the World Government's invitation in full detail.
After listening, Oguro easily guessed what Neptune was thinking.
He sneered inwardly.
"What a move by the World Government. Straight for the jugular."
After a brief silence, Oguro spoke flatly.
"Neptune… do you want to become a World Government member nation because you believe the Holy Sacred Spirit Empire cannot protect you?"
*** TRANSLATOR ANNOUNCEMENT
Hi Translator here, sad to announce that this is the last chapter I can find on raw. Author probably dropped but I'll see if I can find more.
Please check out my other works, most of the new works I picked are ongoing or completed on raw.