Chapter 77: Spring of XX
Gyoncorde Plaza, a large open space located in the northwest of Fish-man Island.
Although located in the northwest, it was very close to major gathering places like Mermaid Cove, Coral Hill, and Fishverly Hills, making it effectively the central square of Fish-man Island.
Whenever a major event occurred, the residents of Fish-man Island would usually gather here.
On ordinary days, people would stroll here and do small businesses. Because going outside carried risks, this was the place where most Fish-men and Merfolk played during their childhood.
And today, what happened on Fish-man Island was undoubtedly a first in hundreds of years. The inheritance of the throne, which had remained unchanged since ancient times, underwent a huge change today.
Although it was a country, it was essentially more like a city, so news spread quite fast.
More and more Merfolk and Fish-men gathered here. Not only was the plaza full, but even Coral Hill outside the plaza was crowded with residents of Fish-man Island. In mid-air, many people floated using bubbles created by Bubble Coral.
"Everyone, I assume you are not unfamiliar with me. Gathering you here today is for only one thing.
From today on, I will be the new King of Fish-man Island. The past Royal Family has become history at this moment.
Fish-man Island's history filled with darkness and misfortune will also end in this era. We will create a brand new and powerful history!
You may have doubts in your hearts, or even feel panic. But do not worry; your lives will only get better.
I will use facts to show you what a safe nation looks like!"
Standing in the center of the plaza, Nereus's voice spread throughout the entire square via an Amplifying Transponder Snail. In this process, Nereus even used a trace of Conqueror's Haki, making his tone more dignified.
"Nereus!"
"Nereus!"
The initiators were members of the Fish-man District. That place had always been where Nereus's most staunch supporters were.
They could even be called fanatics. Regardless of Nereus's method of coup, even if it were a terrifying bloody conflict, they would stand unconditionally on Nereus's side.
Following closely were those living on Fish-man Island who had received Nereus's grace, including slaves he rescued and their families. Led by the residents of the Fish-man District, they also joined in.
Although some people were still bewildered by this, most residents approved of it.
This wasn't some ancient dynasty with noble families, political parties, and all sorts of messy things.
The entire Royal Family consisted of only two people. Apart from these two and a few ministers, the rest were ordinary residents of Fish-man Island, just with some gap between rich and poor.
For ordinary people, the King was a very distant existence. Even in such a small country, some people had never seen their King in their entire lives.
This wasn't just Fish-man Island; it was the status quo of many countries on the sea.
Nereus, who had provided them with security guarantees over the years, was more trustworthy to many than the Royal Family. The residents of the Fish-man District felt even more strongly that Nereus deserved to be King.
If they really followed some nonexistent laws, then in the Drum Kingdom, Dalton, a guard captain, would have had no possibility of becoming the new King, let alone a King of an affiliated nation recognized by the World Government.
As long as Nereus could make Fish-man Island's future better, those who held skeptical attitudes would naturally gradually let go of such thoughts.
"Mr. Nereus... became King overnight?"
In a relatively remote area, Ginny pinched her own face. She felt she might not have woken up yet. And she wasn't the only one.
Kuma, Amphelite, Luna, and Nereus's subordinates without Fish-man or Merfolk blood were all here.
Current events were internal affairs of Fish-man Island. There was no need for them to compete for spots with local residents.
"Isn't this very reasonable? Someone so amazing and recognized by others should naturally be King, right?"
"Do the Mink Tribe select their Kings this way too?"
"Hmm... The Mink Tribe only has Lord Duke(s). But Lord Duke is indeed the most powerful and recognized by everyone. It should be like this."
Luna thought about past events and felt all this happened naturally.
Some human pirates and merchants passing through Fish-man who hadn't left yet were also watching all this. Pirates from Paradise didn't know Nereus well and had little interest.
But those pirates from the New World who knew Nereus's great name realized one thing.
Fish-man Island... No, considering Fish-man Island's location, if Nereus dominated the entire Fish-man Island, the entire Grand Line was probably going to undergo a drastic change.
Signals from Transponder Snails spread outward one after another, broadcasting this event happening in the deep sea to distant places.
However, with so many people gathered together, accidents sometimes occurred. While most people were focusing on the center of the plaza, some entering pirates harbored special thoughts.
They stealthily kidnapped two mermaids at the edge, attempting to take them out of Fish-man Island.
But before they could leave, a terrifying aura locked onto them.
Nereus's Observation Haki perceived the entire Gyoncorde Plaza. Within this range, nothing happening could escape his senses.
The bodies of several people suddenly became immobile. The blood flowing in their bodies even gave them a stinging sensation.
As Nereus raised his arm, these people also floated into mid-air, and the mermaids stuffed in sacks fell out.
"From today on, any citizen taken from Fish-man Island by illegal means will be my shame!"
As Nereus clenched his fist, the pirates attempting slave trafficking right in front of him instantly turned into a mist of blood.
Fish-man Island's traditional martial arts involved water control and strikes. When combined with the blood control ability of the Vampire Fruit, the effect was even better. Individuals unskilled in Haki had absolutely no resistance against Nereus.
Even slightly weaker powerhouses had to constantly guard against Nereus's ability in this regard; otherwise, once their bodies were affected by Nereus's ability and experienced a brief stiffness, it would be fatal in a battle between strong fighters.
Speaking from a somewhat inappropriate angle, this pirate appeared at just the right time. For the residents of Fish-man Island, traffickers had always been the biggest problem.
Discrimination, prejudice—these could be endured; at worst, they just wouldn't go ashore.
But these pirates and traffickers posed a threat to their safety at any time.
In the past, such things happened frequently. Even if the past Royal Family committed no major wrongs, they achieved little in this regard.
But Nereus demonstrated his attitude with the most iron-blooded means.
For a moment, the cheers reached a peak at this instant...
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