Chapter 72

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Chapter 72: Kaido! Mermaids Savior! All Mermaids Swear Allegiance!

Fishman Island continued to rise high into the sky, enveloped in flames and moving swiftly. It was clear that Kaido had plans for the island beyond just relocating it. Neptune, along with his people, felt the warmth of the sun for the first time in ages. However, as they watched the clouds zip by, Neptune found himself compelled to ask, "Lord Kaido, where are you taking us?"

Above the palace, a green dragon and a black dragon were hovering. The lead green dragon lowered his eyes to address Neptune's question, "I am bringing it to my territory. Do you really think I would leave you to your own devices? Don't forget, Fishman Island is now under my control."

Neptune was taken aback, twice. He had expected a pirate like Kaido to assist in lifting Fishman Island from the water, but not to take on the subsequent issues their island would face. He thought Kaido might just plant the Beasts Pirates' flag as a deterrent and nothing more. Surprisingly, Kaido was now offering protection as well! Overwhelmed with gratitude, Neptune exclaimed, "Thank you very much, Kaido-sama! You are the savior of our fish people!" He, along with the officials from the Dragon Palace, bowed to Kaido to express their gratitude.

The green dragon glanced at the group, unmoved, then turned its attention back to the sea where the island was picking up speed. Kaido's destination was the territorial waters of Dressrosa.

Joker, the ruler of Dressrosa, was experienced in governance. To the public, he was a beloved king and his people respected and obeyed him. With openness and romance as its hallmarks, aligning Fishman Island with Dressrosa seemed like the optimal choice. Not only would it allow fish people and mermaids to start living alongside humans without discrimination, but Dressrosa, too, would gain fame alongside Fishman Island, becoming a beacon of beauty, romance, and openness.

All this was possible because of the popular support Doflamingo had accumulated. Kaido's involvement was merely convenient. Other territories under Kaido's control were fraught with mines, factories, or feudal ideas which could have exacerbated tensions between the communities.

It wasn't long before the immense Fishman Island, larger than Dressrosa, settled in the sky above and cast the kingdom into shadow, throwing the people below into a frenzy of fear.

In the royal palace, Doflamingo stood in shock, gazing at the massive floating island. He recognized the distinctive architecture of Fishman Island immediately. Suddenly, a pink figure leapt into the sky on what appeared to be steps formed from the air. He spotted the two dragons perched atop the island.

With pupils narrowed, Doflamingo used his transparent strings to halt before Kaido and asked with astonishment, "Governor Kaido, what is the meaning of this?"

The green dragon lowered its head and said to Doflamingo, who stood on the palace roof, "I intend for Fishman Island to border Dressrosa, to let them integrate into the human world from here. What is your opinion?"

Doflamingo's mouth twitched. He wasn't surprised by Kaido's power to move islands, but the plan to use Dressrosa as a testing ground to overcome discrimination against the fish people was certainly a shock. While he could accept that, it placed Dressrosa into a precarious situation. The shortsighted Celestial Dragons were fond of keeping these beings as slaves, which could lead to a grave conflict between Fishman Island and the World Government.

"Isn't war exactly what Governor Kaido wants?" Doflamingo turned his head and squinted at King Neptune of the Dragon Palace. Observing the other party's calm demeanor, he guessed what was on his mind.

Binding Fish-Man Island to Kaido's ship was a brilliant strategy.

He quickly understood everything, yet remained silent, simply bowing slightly to Kaido with the facade of a gentleman. "No, you really are thoughtful, Dressrosa will indeed welcome the fish-people and humans. They will coexist peacefully here."

"That's good," Kaido responded indifferently.

He then initiated the submersion of the entire Fish-Man Island. The inhabitants couldn't help but tremble as their island descended closer to sea level. The flame clouds that had surrounded the island's base began to dissipate, allowing Fish-Man Island to merge into the sea. It sank gently and without the turmoil expected from such a massive object, silently creating a few waves along Dressrosa's coast.

Boom.

The island settled smoothly, positioned only a kilometer away from Dressrosa, with just a bridge needed to connect the two lands. This was an easy task for the Donquixote family, thanks to the elite construction crew led by Pika. Doflamingo approached Kaido and, following a respectful bow, discussed further with Neptune before flying back to Dressrosa to address the issues between the two countries.

At that moment, a blue-skinned fish-man led his brothers from Fish-Man District towards them. Neptune, seeing the multitude of fish-people, thought they were going to cause trouble and prepared his army to stop them. Surprisingly, the leading fish-man kneeled on one knee from a distance towards Kaido and exclaimed, "Lord Kaido! Thank you for helping us achieve our dream that has lasted a thousand years! We have long desired to go to war with the world nobles! Please, take our mermaid people with you!"

"Me and the countless brothers behind me—we wish to join the Beasts Pirates! Please accept our allegiance, Lord Kaido!" The crowd repeated the sentiment.

Neptune was stunned; he couldn't believe what he was hearing. The fish-people, usually resistant to authority, were now pledging their loyalty to Kaido. He couldn't fathom what was occurring. To the fish-people, this potential war seemed like vengeance and an opportunity to settle the score for what happened to Tiger. Though Neptune had always restrained them, their hope was now ignited.

"Then me too!" a civilian mermaid yelled from the crowd. The surrounding mermaids were affected by his fervor and began shouting in agreement, "We are well aware that we will face the malice of the world nobles! We've endured it for thousands of years! But now, we finally see hope!"

"We refuse to return to living under the oppression of the World Government! Take us to conquer the seas and the World Government! Lord Kaido!"

Unable to comprehend the rapid turn of events and witnessing the outpouring of anger and frustration from his people, Neptune questioned his decades-long complacency with the World Government. His reign had led to hefty tributes of Heavenly Gold but offered no protection, and his people were still marginalized, suffocating under the weight of their long-held grievances.

Observing the excitement among the merfolk, the green dragon, Kaido, smirked in amusement. In a casual tone, he simply said, "Good."