If Sengoku doesn't pull back his net soon, I'll become the Pirate King!

Chapter 66 The Collaboration Between Young Neptune and Barzel

[Dragon Palace Castle, Reception Room]

The young Neptune was merely the captain of the guard in the Dragon Palace Kingdom.

Although he was only the captain, his status and special status were clearly higher than those of the kingdom's left and right ministers.

At least Bazel had never heard of any kingdom's guard captain being allowed to use the VIP lounge without permission.

"Oh, I see!"

Neptune, sitting in the main seat, suddenly realized.

"If that sea-air-road project you mentioned can be completed, it will be a wonderful future!"

Tom nodded in agreement.

"That's why I chose to leave Kokoro and Espagnol in Water 7 and join the Beasts Pirates alone."

"If Heaven really appears, the World Government and the Celestial Dragons will definitely not let us go."

"I can't be so selfish as to drag Kokoro and the others into danger."

Neptune stroked his stubble and remarked:

"You're still the same Tom, aren't you? If it really succeeds, you certainly won't shirk your responsibility to complete this project, right?"

"Of course!"

Tom patted his chest confidently.

"A man should stand tall and proud when facing the ships he builds... and the projects he undertakes!"

"It's not time to give your last words yet."

Bazel, who was listening in, put down his teacup and shook his head with a rather helpless expression.

"Even if the sky falls, the Beasts Pirates will hold it up. Your worries are unnecessary, Neptune."

"Is that so? Hahaha~~~"

Neptune, not being shy, laughed a few times and then tentatively asked:

"Speaking of which, how does your Beasts Pirates view us fish-men?"

"You asked what my opinion is..."

With just a glance at the cautious Neptune, Bazel already guessed what the other was thinking.

The Fish-Men were not originally a member of the World Government.

He recalled that it was more than 170 years ago that China joined the World Government and became a member state with the right to participate in world conferences.

In the longer history, the fish-men and mermaids of Fishman Island were always in a discriminated-against slave class.

If they hadn't been in the ocean thousands of meters deep, they would probably have been captured long ago, and their entire race would have been enslaved.

The reason why the World Government allowed the other side to live a miserable life for hundreds of years was naturally because of that great war.

The Little Mermaid was Joy Boy's friend back then.

Bazel didn't understand why Im, the victor of that war, hadn't dealt with the murlocs, if it had been him.

Naturally, the wildfire will burn everything, leaving not a single blade of grass behind.

But Im is "soft-hearted," no.

Perhaps it couldn't be called being soft-hearted; various possibilities quickly flashed through Bazel's mind.

At that time, the world was in chaos and disorder, and the World Government created by Im was busy cleaning up the mess and erasing people's memories of the Nika Fruit.

It should be said that they had no time to attend to it.

In addition, Fishman Island's natural geographical advantages allowed it to survive for hundreds of years.

As for why they wanted to join the World Government member states...

This is probably due to the frequent kidnapping incidents.

Fishman Island and Dragon Palace are the only way for the park to reach the new world, although the route is extremely dangerous and can sometimes be destroyed by encountering the White Dragon Current.

But once the number of people on the voyage increases, there will inevitably be lucky ones.

Besides, not all pirates want to enter the New World.

Although the price now is not the same as the price of slaves 30 years from now, the starting bid for a young and beautiful female mermaid is around 4000 million Berries, but this is not the final selling price.

If a Celestial Dragon or one of their lackeys makes an offer, the price can increase tenfold.

Male fishmen are much cheaper, but still in the range of 50 to 500 Berries.

It can be described as a completely risk-free, high-profit venture.

Those pirates who are unwilling to enter the New World can simply come to Fishman Island, capture a few decent mermaids, and return to Sabaody Archipelago.

If successful, the profit can be tens of millions or even hundreds of millions.

Isn't this more profitable than becoming a pirate and robbing others?

In addition, some Navy members from the Celestial Dragon faction, in order to curry favor, would use the guise of justice to "invite" young mermaid women to visit the Celestial Dragons' homes.

Left with no other choice, the Ryugu Kingdom could only selectively forget its past and join the World Government as a member state in exchange for more peace.

but,

This action simply turned overt robbery into covert theft.

Merfolk slaves remain highly sought-after commodities in the slave market.

"Whether they are mermaids or fish-men, they are just like humans; we need to breathe, sleep, and eat."

Neptune's eyes showed not only astonishment but also excitement.

He felt as if he had found the human that Otohime had been searching for.

But Barzel's next words chilled Neptune's burning heart to the bone.

"But this is just my opinion, and it doesn't represent the opinion of all humanity."

"Don't think too highly of humans; there are far too many people who will take risks for profit."

"Even if one day in the future our Beasts Pirates change the world, if your Ryugu Kingdom doesn't have a top-tier powerhouse capable of shaking the seas."

"You will still not escape your current fate."

"This is the same principle as Mr. Tom building a ship."

Tom froze, pointing to himself: "The same as me?"

Bazel nodded and smiled, "That's right. If Mr. Tom wants to build the most powerful ship in the world, but he doesn't have the technology himself..."

"He only managed to build it with the help of others. What if he wants to build a second, equally powerful ship in the future?"

Tom replied without hesitation, "Of course it's impossible, because I don't have that kind of skill!"

"That's right, because I don't have it."

Neptune's pupils reflected Bazel's playful smile.

He lowered his head slightly, seemingly lost in thought.

"Does one need to be strong oneself to forge iron...?"

"I understand now, thank you for pointing that out. I was stuck in a misconception before!"

Neptune suddenly straightened up and bowed slightly to Bazel.

"I was too naive, thinking that the relationship with the member states would prevent my people from being abducted in the future."

"Once I become the strongest in the world, no human will dare to capture us fish-men!"

"As long as I act powerful enough and possess the power to destroy everything, then fish-men and mermaids will never again be slaves!"

Looking at Neptune, who was flushed with passion and had a fanatical expression, Bazel opened his mouth, but in the end, he said nothing.

He had a feeling that things were going in a strange direction...

He shouldn't have said anything strange.

Moreover, what he was referring to in those words was not to make Neptune stronger, but rather to his daughter.

The future Neptune, Shirahoshi.

But Neptune seemed to be imagining some futures that he didn't quite understand.

Is it possible that the brain circuits of fish-men are different from those of humans?

The eight-headed Yamata no Orochi was once again caught in a mental dilemma.

"No, an alliance might be necessary. This way, we can better weather the period of weakness before a true powerhouse emerges!"

"Bazel, no! Mr. Bazel!!"

After adding a respectful title to his address, Neptune abruptly grasped Bazel's hands.

His expression was sincere and his attitude humble.

"Would your organization be willing to cooperate with the merfolk and form an alliance where offense and defense are aligned?"

"If your organization is willing, I can promise many things on behalf of the future Dragon Palace Kingdom."

"For example, the pearls and treasures found at the bottom of the sea are extremely precious luxuries in the human world!"

"And there's the expansion of sea routes!"

"I heard from Tom that you're planning a massive sea-air-rail project, right? We fish-men can help with the underwater portion!"

"If you lack combat power at sea, I can also transfer some talented merfolk to join you!!"

"Let them fight for the glory of the Beasts Pirates!"

Bazel's lips parted slightly, and even though he tried his best to suppress it, Neptune could still see the surprise in his eyes.

"Please don't worry, we fishmen have no ill intentions."

"In exchange, I hope to borrow the flag of your Beasts Pirates. If we encounter a major crisis in the future, I hope you can lend a hand."

Fishman Island and the Beast Pirates... an alliance!?

Upon hearing this request, Bazeir initially thought he had misheard.

How come he remembered that Neptune and Whitebeard were friends, and that Whitebeard's pirate flag had been flying over Fish-Man Island before the Marineford War?!

At that moment, Bazel also asked Neptune and Whitebeard if they knew each other.

"The Whitebeard Pirates?"

Neptune looked bewildered.

"I have heard of this pirate crew, but I personally have had no contact with Whitebeard..."

Never had this experience before?

Is it because it is only 1493 now?

Bazel began searching through the timeline related to the white-bearded man.

This happened shortly after Kozuki Oden joined the Whitebeard Pirates. Could it be that the Whitebeard Pirates hadn't returned to Paradise from the New World yet?

In other words...

Following Tianyue Shi, he once again inexplicably hijacked a bond that originally belonged to someone else.