"Mr. Black Crow ca to Fish-Man Island for a purpose, right?" Princess Otohi suddenly asked.
She could hear the voice of the heart, and when facing Mio, she could hear the voice of his heart as well.
Her Observation Haki had reached a profound level. Not only could she read emotions, but she could also project her consciousness to influence others' thoughts, guiding them to resonate with her ideals. This was an incredibly rare and advanced form of Observation Haki, sothing that couldn't be achieved through ordinary training.
However, when facing Mio, she dared not use it to influence him.
She was afraid it might backfire.
Still, she used her Observation Haki to gently "listen" to Mio's thoughts regarding Fish-Man Island.
Mio, understanding the nature of her abilities, did not attempt to hide anything. He nodded. "Yes. Fish-Man Island is a good place. Whether it's the unique characteristics of the fish-n or the Poneglyph in the Sea Forest, both are reasons I ca here."
"I'm afraid it's more than that, isn't it?" Otohi looked at him with a solemn expression. "Though I can't fully read your thoughts, I can feel it—your ambition. Your desire for Fish-Man Island."
Hearing this, Mio simply smiled and didn't answer.
The ship sailed steadily.
Soon, under Otohi's guidance, they reached Fish-Man Island. The ship was docked, and the mbers of the Black Crow Pirates boarded the royal phoenix-tailed carriages en route to Ryugu Castle.
Eventually, they arrived at the banquet hall.
As the royal palace of Fish-Man Island, the hall was extravagant and majestic—a perfect reflection of Fish-Man Island's undersea beauty.
Inside, King Neptune stood waiting, accompanied by his ministers, rows of maids, and royal attendants.
This was clearly a grand welco banquet prepared specifically for Mio.
As Mio entered, Neptune laughed warmly. "Mr. Black Crow, Fish-Man Island welcos you."
"Thank you, King Neptune." Mio smiled politely. Since he was treated with respect, he returned it in kind.
"Let the banquet begin!" Neptune declared joyfully.
At once, fish-n servants entered with trays of Fish-Man Island's specialty dishes—sweets, drinks, roasted delicacies—specially prepared for the Black Crow Pirates. Everything was placed before them in exquisite fashion.
Though the mood was festive, Mio was well aware of the true purpose behind this banquet. Neptune and Otohi likely hoped to use the occasion to persuade him to leave peacefully.
After all, while Fish-Man Island was stunning, it lacked true strength. It could handle ordinary pirates, but in the face of powerful ones, it was hopelessly weak. Given its fragile state, the prolonged stay of the Black Crow Pirates might invite unwanted trouble.
...
"To be honest, even as a human, I admire what Princess Otohi has done," Mio said, sipping the wine brewed in Fish-Man Island. He t the eyes of Neptune and Otohi and slowly smiled. "But in my opinion, her efforts are nothing more than a fantasy."
"Why would Mr. Black Crow say that?" Otohi asked, intrigued.
Her lifelong mission had been to elevate the status of Fish-Man Island and bring about peaceful coexistence between fish-n, rfolk, and humans.
"Isn't it obvious?" Mio shrugged and answered calmly. "The seeds of hatred and discrimination have already been deeply rooted in people's hearts. More than that, fish-n and rmaids hold trendous value—especially to human slave traders. Setting aside prejudice and racism, the simple existence of the slave-hunting group makes your goal unattainable."
"Even if peace cos, it will only be temporary."
Mio raised his wine glass, eyes glinting. "And the slave-hunting group will never disappear."
Those words caused Neptune and Otohi to frown deeply.
Yet neither of them could argue.
Everything Mio said was true. As the rulers of the island, they understood far more than anyone how deeply hatred ran and how destructive the slave trade was to their people.
"Why can't the slave-hunting group disappear?" Otohi asked with furrowed brows.
"It's simple." Mio smirked. "Because of profit. To human nobles, fish-n and rmaids are exotic and beautiful. They're prized slaves—worth top dollar in auctions. The nobles are willing to pay extravagant sums. So, of course, the slave traders will go to any length to capture them."
He paused before continuing, "And their main clients are the Celestial Dragons."
The ntion of the Celestial Dragons brought a heavy silence over the hall.
Like a mountain pressing down on their chests.
Even now, countless of their kin were imprisoned in the Holy Land of Marijoa.
They were well aware.
They also understood all too well how the Celestial Dragons viewed fish-n and rmaids—not as people, but as toys.
Interchangeable, disposable toys.
Maybe they'd grow tired of one today, but tomorrow they'd simply pick another.
As long as the Celestial Dragons continued to see their kind as playthings, the slave-hunting group would never be eradicated.
And if the slave-hunting group remained, so too would the hatred and pain that haunted Fish-Man Island.
Otohi stared at Mio, confused and uneasy. "Why are you telling us this?"
"Because I want to make a deal with King Neptune and Princess Otohi," Mio said flatly.
"What kind of deal?" Neptune asked, voice tense.
"A mutually beneficial one," Mio replied with a grin. "I want to designate Fish-Man Island as part of my territory. Also, I'm very interested in the Sea King."
"What?" Both Neptune and Otohi stared at him in astonishnt.
Otohi imdiately scowled. "Leaving aside the issue of your so-called 'territory,' what Sea King? There's no such thing on Fish-Man Island."
Everyone knew what he ant—one of the three ancient weapons. But because they knew, they had to deny it outright. Whether or not they truly knew of the Sea King's existence didn't matter. Denial was the only option. Fish-Man Island could not afford to attract the wrath of the World Governnt.
But Mio didn't seem bothered by the denial. He calmly continued, "Princess Otohi, you're a wise woman who's dedicated herself to this island's future. I admire your efforts. Unfortunately, you've been walking down the wrong path."
He suddenly pulled out Raikiri and stabbed the blade into the floor, its edge gleaming coldly.
Mio then looked up at Otohi and Neptune. "Haven't you seen the essence of this world yet?"
"Essence...?" Neptune murmured in confusion.
"Exactly." Mio placed a firm hand on the hilt of Raikiri. "The essence of this world... is strength."
"If Fish-Man Island has no strength, how can it possibly achieve peaceful coexistence with humans? That's just a dream."
"Only by possessing overwhelming strength can you deter the slave-hunting groups, earn the World Governnt's respect, and make even pirates hesitate."
Mio grinned with a dangerous glint in his eye. "Fish-Man Island doesn't even have a single top-tier fighter. So how can it coexist with humans? By joining the World Governnt? By signing treaties with the Celestial Dragons? Don't be so naive."
"Neither the World Governnt nor the so-called world nobles can keep the greedy at bay."
"Only strength can."
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