One Piece: Conquering Wanokuni at Start

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After Alex granted them a day to prepare, the royal courtiers gathered in the reception hall finally allowed themselves to speak freely.

"Queen, are you certain about your decision to take Princess Shirahoshi to live in such a dangerous place as the New World?" the Catfish Mermaid Left Minister asked, his tone heavy with concern.

"Yes, Your Highness," added the Seahorse Mermaid Right Minister, his voice rising with urgency. "You are the Queen of our nation! How can you move to another land so easily? This is an important matter— we must discuss it further before making any final decisions."

Neptune, who would normally step in to defend Otohime, remained silent.

He, too, felt torn. As much as he trusted his wife, he was deeply reluctant to accept the decision she had made.

"This is my resolve," Otohime replied firmly.

She turned to Neptune, as though addressing him directly, and began to explain her reasoning.

"According to the terms presented by the Shogun, more than half of the people of Fish-Man Island will remain here. If we were to leave without a clear path forward, what would become of them?"

Neptune's brow furrowed. As a king, he could never abandon his people, and as a compassionate soul, Otohime felt that same weight even more keenly.

To her, the second option presented by Alex—painful as it was—was the only way to ensure the safety of the island without provoking his wrath.

"Shirahoshi is still young," Otohime continued, her tone softening as she addressed the heart of her decision. "There must be someone by her side to guide her."

Her words confused the ministers, but Neptune understood her meaning completely.

At her age, Shirahoshi had no control over the immense power of Poseidon. Her emotions, if unchecked, could unleash catastrophic consequences. If such an event were to occur in Alex's presence, the consequences for both Shirahoshi and Fish-Man Island were unthinkable.

Allowing Otohime to accompany her daughter was not just an act of protection—it was a way to manage the risk and test Alex's intentions firsthand.

"I also need to see with my own eyes whether mermaids and Fish-Men can truly live peacefully in Wanokuni," Otohime said. "No matter the circumstances, we must fight for the future of the next generation."

Her gaze swept across the ministers as she added, "And let us not forget: the one we're negotiating with is not someone who can be refused. The moment he descended upon Fish-Man Island, any choice we thought we had vanished."

A heavy silence followed her words. Otohime's gentle tone belied the harsh truth she had delivered.

Finally, after a long pause, Neptune spoke. His voice was thick with emotion. "If you leave for the New World, it will be like emigrating. It may be impossible for you—or Shirahoshi—to return to Fish-Man Island."

He had always cared deeply for his wife, and Shirahoshi was his most beloved child. The thought of losing them both weighed heavily on his heart.

Otohime leaned gently against Neptune, offering him what comfort she could. "Everything is uncertain," she said softly. "But one thing is certain: Shirahoshi will not be treated as a tool. That is what I believe."

Hearing this, Neptune's shoulders sagged slightly. Deep down, he understood and supported her decision, even if his heart ached at the thought.

"I spoke with the woman in charge," Otohime continued, referring to Robin. "Wanokuni now allows free movement in and out of its territory. As long as Shirahoshi is valued by the Shogun, we'll be safe. Perhaps, in time, we may not even need to return to Fish-Man Island. Perhaps the people can find a new home on another island."

Meanwhile, in the luxurious lounge of Ryugu Palace, Alex reclined comfortably, enjoying the service Robin had arranged for him.

Giving Fish-Man Island an extra day to prepare mattered little to him—his plans were already set in motion.

Robin stood nearby, her sharp gaze observing everything. "Since my lord had already made his decision long ago," she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity, "why not focus on the Mermaid Princess from the start?"

"I thought you were genuinely interested in adding Fish-Man Island to your territory," she teased lightly, "but I see now you had your sights elsewhere. And, of course, you'd already done your homework."

Alex leaned back casually, the faint glimmer of amusement in his eyes as he glanced at Robin. She stood by the window, using her Flower-Flower Fruit abilities to monitor the royal family's speech in the square below.

"Isn't this the ideal outcome?" Alex replied. "At the very least, it proves your speaking skills have come a long way. Your words were pivotal—stirring their hearts and guiding their decisions, making everything flow smoothly."

He stretched leisurely, the aura of complete control emanating from him.

"Sure, I could have laid it all out from the beginning and achieved the same result through force," he continued. "But there's a difference when the other party feels like they're the ones making the choice. That mental shift ensures long-term loyalty."

Alex's gaze turned toward the window as he spoke, his voice carrying an undercurrent of calculation.

"What's more, by showing them I have the power to alter their current and future circumstances, I've ensured that they'll prioritize Shirahoshi's well-being—particularly during the early, unstable phases of Poseidon's awakening. That problem will resolve itself."

Shirahoshi stands out from others; she is a princess of a country, and she still enjoys a good life now unlike in the future where she is imprisoned to protect her.

Queen Otohime, the most stable influence on Shirahoshi, will also come.

Though troublesome, the impact is highly effective.

Of course, only Shirahoshi truly deserves this.

What he desires is long-term, obedient rule. If it were anyone else, forceful plunder would have ended it quickly.

Meanwhile, in the central square of Fish-Man Island, a large-scale gathering was underway, orchestrated by the royal family.

The announcement was simple: Flying General Alex would place his flag over Fish-Man Island, offering protection from external threats. Additionally, select residents would have the opportunity to migrate to Wanokuni, gaining safety and a new life.

The event caused a national stir, though it wasn't without skepticism.

The memory of Fisher Tiger's rebellion and its fallout lingered in the minds of many, dampening the collective enthusiasm. Even with Alex's reputation as a powerful figure akin to Whitebeard, the excitement didn't spread evenly across the population.

Still, the turnout was substantial. Nearly a quarter of the island's population—over a million Fish-Men and Merfolk—expressed interest in the opportunity, though Alex needed numbers in tens of thousands.

Alex needs some Fishmen with considerable strength, as they possess ten times the wrist power of humans and are well-suited for physical labor.

As for the Mermaids, they will be placed in Wanokuni's Entertainment Zone.

For Alex, this wasn't just about practicality. Recreating iconic paradises like Mermaid Cove in his domain fulfilled one of his personal wishes. From Amazon Lily to Mermaid Cove, these locations were dreamlike havens, and Alex saw it as an extraordinary achievement to bring them to life under his rule.

The preparations, led by the royal family under Alex's precise instructions, were completed within a single day.

By the next morning, the selected population—30,000 strong—gathered at the docks, filled with a mix of apprehension and anticipation. They boarded Alex's colossal flagship, a vessel amplified by his Devil Fruit abilities to accommodate the entire group.