One Piece: Investing In Whitebeard At The Start.

Fish-Man Island is indeed too weak. Hody Jones wanted to dominate it, and he almost succeeded. The overall strength is truly worrying.

If Whitebeard hadn't announced to the world that he was protecting Fish-Man Island, it might have been reduced to scorched earth. The mermaids of Fish-Man Island possess a beauty that captivates most men, which is why they've always been at the top of slave traders' targets.

During the chaotic early days of the Great Pirate Age, more and more pirates poured into the Grand Line seeking the Pirate King's treasure. The only path to the New World from the first half of the Grand Line passes near Fish-Man Island. This beautiful deep-sea island, dreamy and mysterious, naturally attracted countless ruthless pirates.

Compared to these heinous pirates, who arrive daily from every sea, Fish-Man Island is sparsely populated and not very large.

From Vane's perspective, Fish-Man Island suffers repeated harm from humans yet still yearns to coexist with them. This mentality borders on naive idealism. But outright rejection of humanity is another extreme. Fish-Man Island continually wavers between the two.

In the long term, Fish-Man Island must seek integration with the human world. Separation is nearly impossible. The world is heading toward increasing turmoil. The current peace is temporary—soon, Fish-Man Island will be swept into the flames of war.

Tomorrow marks a grand banquet at the Ryugu Kingdom, celebrating Princess Shirahoshi's long-awaited emergence from the hard-shell tower and her integration into the world. It also serves to thank Vane and Kalifa for resolving a major crisis.

Yesterday, when Hody Jones was escorted to the palace by a group of Sea King troops, King Neptune learned everything. A few questions revealed the truth. After a full investigation, it became clear: Neptune was no fool.

Learning that his beloved Queen Otohime was not killed by humans but by Hody Jones—who then blamed humans to incite hatred—left Neptune in anguish. Fish-Man Island had long simmered with internal divisions. Some harbored extreme hatred toward humans. Neptune understood this pain, yet he was not on the humans' side.

What had Queen Otohime fought for? Her dream of peace with humanity wasn't foolish idealism—it was a strategic vision for the long-term survival of Fish-Man Island. She acted in the island's best interests, planning ahead.

The Great Pirate Age would only grow more dangerous. War would eventually reach Fish-Man Island. Madame Shyarly had already foreseen disaster. Neptune believed her visions completely—just as she had predicted the coming of the Great Pirate Age.

Though the Whitebeard Pirates still protected Fish-Man Island, Whitebeard wouldn't live forever. That protection would end, and calamity would strike. Neptune, as king, could only worry.

Fish-Man Island, in the face of swarming pirates, was insignificant. Even the Navy occasionally came to hunt fish-men.

Evil thrives in this world. No place is truly safe. The only option is adaptation—not escape.

Jinbei had accepted the Shichibukai title to protect Fish-Man Island. Like Amazon Lily, which enjoyed similar protection, this political tool had its purpose.

Fish-Man Island's strategic location as a hub between the Grand Line's halves meant constant pirate traffic. Many pirates entered under the guise of tourism but harbored dark intentions. Still, Neptune couldn't permanently seal the island. Realistically, that was impossible. Instead, he chose a middle path—peaceful coexistence.

Such is the fate of the weak. They must adapt to survive.

In the prison, Neptune gazed sorrowfully at the caged Hody Jones. Hody sat in silence, head lowered.

"Hody, you were once among our finest soldiers, but your actions are unforgivable. You murdered Queen Otohime—who loved all the people of Fish-Man Island—and used her death to stoke hatred. Do you realize what you nearly caused? A war that would've reached our shores! If Fish-Man Island were expelled from the World Government, or if hatred boiled over, do you know what the consequences would be? Do you want our people enslaved? Do you think we can stand against the entire human world?"

Neptune's voice struck Hody like a thunderclap. Still, Hody remained silent.

In his heart, he believed he wasn't wrong—only misunderstood. He remembered how Fisher Tiger died, abandoned by humans too selfish to donate blood. If even one had helped, Tiger might have lived. Humans were unforgivable.

What Hody didn't know was that Tiger had refused a blood transfusion. As a former Celestial Dragon slave, he couldn't bring himself to accept help from humans. The Flying Dragon's Hoof—the Celestial Dragons' brand—was carved into his back, a mark of horror and humiliation. He revealed the truth to Jinbei and others only before his death.

To preserve Tiger's heroic legacy, Jinbei and his allies told the islanders he'd died because of human selfishness. This narrative rekindled hatred, especially among the youth raised in Fish-Man District, like Hody.

"No matter what, I, Neptune, will uphold Queen Otohime's ideals to the very end. Your path leads only to disaster. Hers offers hope! We are weak, Hody! We can't fight the whole human world! If the Whitebeard Pirates cease protecting us, what happens to Fish-Man Island? Think about that!"

Neptune stormed out. In the dark cell, only Vander Decken IX remained nearby—paralyzed and lifeless. But unlike Decken, Hody still clung to his shattered dream of becoming the right hand of the new Fish-Man Dragon.

"How could that pirate be so powerful? Are there many like him out there?"

For the first time, Hody felt truly lost. He had believed the energy steroids made him invincible. He'd gotten the strength he dreamed of, but against Vane, he had been utterly powerless. At the moment of defeat, Vane's eyes alone made him tremble.

Such terrifying power. If he had another chance, Hody swore he would never provoke that man again—not even approach him.

One punch. That was all it took.

And those eyes—like a devil's.

Hody looked at his own hands, now slightly wrinkled. It wasn't the sea water—it was the price of the drugs.

After Neptune left the Ryugu Palace dungeon, he began preparations for a great feast. With Hody and Vander Decken finally handled, he believed Fish-Man Island could soon return to prosperity. Yet, he couldn't help feeling ashamed—it had taken years to resolve this crisis, and in the end, an outsider had done it.

Still, Vane appeared to have no ill will toward the island. He had even killed a Celestial Dragon. Many on Fish-Man Island revered him. To the residents, their greatest enemy wasn't pirates, but the Celestial Dragons. Countless fish-men and mermaids were sold to Mariejois every year, and few ever returned.

Neptune understood their hatred and why they admired Vane.

Fish-Man Island saw Vane as another Fisher Tiger. Tiger had once scaled the Red Line with bare hands to free slaves in Mariejois, many of whom were Fish-Man Island's own.

So, the banquet would be in Vane's honor—and to celebrate Shirahoshi's newfound freedom.

Neptune had never been so elated. Though sorrow still gripped him over Queen Otohime's death—at the hands of a soldier he had once trusted—he had responsibilities to fulfill.

Whatever happened, Fish-Man Island could not live in isolation. It must strive to integrate with the world. Though he lacked Queen Otohime's wisdom, Neptune would do his best to live up to her legacy.

Tomorrow, the celebration would begin.

It would honor Vane and Princess Shirahoshi both.

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