At the Fish-Man Island port, a large crowd had gathered. The four princes of the Neptune family, Princess Shirahoshi, and the sea knight Jinbei, who had rushed back from the New World ten days earlier, were all present.
"Mr. Arthur, are you sure you can't stay a few more days?" Neptune asked, trying to persuade him.
"Yes, Mr. Arthur, our three brothers have learned so much from you during your time here. We'd really appreciate a bit more time," the princes echoed.
"Lord Arthur, I don't want you to go," Shirahoshi added, looking at Arthur with hopeful eyes.
Despite the pleas from all five members of the Neptune family, Arthur shook his head and declined.
He really couldn't stay any longer. Almost a month ago, Arthur had taken Shirahoshi to the Sea Forest, where he had swiftly dealt with the Vander Decken IX Pirates. Afterward, he had helped uncover Hody Jones' conspiracy, revealing that the kingdom's forbidden substance, the Energy Steroids, had been stolen by Hody while he was serving as a palace guard.
Arthur didn't act immediately, allowing the kingdom to conduct a thorough investigation. Once the truth was uncovered, they decided to arrest Hody Jones and his crew.
However, the Fish-Men Island forces were no match for Hody, whose strength had been greatly enhanced by the Energy Steroids. Even Jinbei, who was still in the New World at the time, couldn't return quickly enough to help.
Realizing the danger, Arthur had stepped in, but he initially underestimated Hody. Hody had consumed a massive amount of steroids, which not only made him stronger but also more reckless.
Although Arthur ultimately defeated him, it was a tougher battle than he had anticipated. Hody's strength had grown so formidable that Arthur estimated only the strongest warriors on Sky Island could challenge him at that point.
Hody Jones, after taking so many steroids, had reached a level of power comparable to a Marine Vice Admiral, although his lack of Armament Haki severely limited him.
Once Arthur adjusted to the challenge, he unleashed a devastating 300 million-volt lightning attack, finally defeating Hody.
As for Hody's subordinates, they were easily dealt with, with none able to escape Arthur's wrath.
Following Arthur's suggestion, Fish-Man Island underwent significant changes. Merman Street was completely sealed off and demolished, and all fish-men were required to live on the island itself.
A census was conducted to reorganize the population.
For the next two weeks, Arthur guided the Neptune family in implementing sweeping reforms. The first major change was the introduction of a draft system, followed by the retirement of less capable soldiers from the original army.
A selection process, similar to what Arthur had implemented on Sky Island, was introduced, initially enlisting 200,000 capable fish-men.
After formal training and elimination rounds, the force would be reduced to 100,000 elite soldiers. This would elevate Fish-Man Island to be among the top 100 nations in terms of military power.
While it might not yet rival Sky Island, which had been under Arthur's guidance for six years, Fish-Man Island's regular forces would soon be comparable to those of Sky Island.
Additionally, the promotion of martial arts and the spread of education were in the planning stages, inspired by initiatives that had been successfully underway on Sky Island for over two years.
Especially in terms of education, Fish-Man Island faced a significant challenge. The island didn't even have a formal school system, leaving the children to mostly educate themselves.
This self-taught approach resulted in low efficiency and a lack of unity, with some individuals showing less loyalty to the royal family. Despite these challenges, Arthur was surprised by the relatively high literacy rate on the island.
The various proposals and reforms Arthur introduced were largely adaptations of the successful initiatives he had implemented on Sky Island.
By tailoring these reforms to fit the unique circumstances of Fish-Man Island, the island underwent a remarkable transformation in just one month.
These changes were overwhelmingly positive, leading to a brighter future for the island.
Ten days earlier, when Jinbei arrived at Fish-Man Island after rushing back from the New World, he immediately noticed the drastic improvements. Initially planning to head straight to Ryugu Palace, Jinbei decided to explore the island instead.
Overwhelmed with joy at the positive changes, he eventually made his way to the palace, where he learned that Arthur was behind the transformation. Jinbei's respect for Arthur deepened, and he fully supported the alliance between Fish-Man Island and Sky Island. Jinbei even expressed his desire to visit Sky Island once Fish-Man Island stabilized, a request to which Arthur readily agreed.
"Mr. Arthur, I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for Fish-Man Island! Seeing these changes in my lifetime makes me feel fulfilled. If you ever need help, please don't hesitate to ask. I'll be there for you," Jinbei said earnestly, his gratitude evident.
Arthur smiled and nodded. He appreciated the offer, though he doubted there would be anything Jinbei could assist with unless the strength of a Four Emperors-level figure was needed.
"Lord Arthur, if you ever have the chance, please visit Fish-Man Island again. I'll remember your words and try my best to be brave and not let fear control me!" Shirahoshi said, doing her best to lower her head respectfully as she spoke to Arthur, her voice full of determination.
Arthur felt a bit awkward. Given the difference in their sizes, the sight of the giant Shirahoshi bowing her head to him was slightly embarrassing.
"Keep up the good work! And remember, it's important to learn how to control your Observation Haki," Arthur advised her seriously.
Arthur had earlier revealed to Shirahoshi that she was the ancient weapon Poseidon, capable of controlling the Sea Kings.
He justified his knowledge by explaining that during one of his long-range Observation Haki sessions, he overheard Vander Decken IX discussing this in the sea.
Although Neptune had initially hesitated, he eventually confirmed the truth. Arthur then had an open conversation with Shirahoshi about her abilities, encouraging her to practice controlling her formidable powers.
After a heartfelt round of farewells, Arthur boarded his yacht and set off into the deep sea. Having left Sky Island in February 1518 of the Sea Calendar, it was now late July 1518, marking nearly six months since his departure. It was time to return to Sky Island and finalize the Angel Legion, the elite force he had been preparing.
There were also other matters that required his attention, such as preparing Sky Island and the Angel Legion for their upcoming reveal to the world. With the World Government conference approaching, Arthur knew it was time to bring his plans to light and make part of his agenda public.
In addition, the valuable knowledge and resources Arthur had gathered during his time in the New World needed to be brought back and integrated into the foundation of Sky Island.
Soon, Arthur's yacht reached the exit of Fish-Man Island, disappearing from view as the people of Fish-Man Island watched him depart.
Half a month later, Arthur returned to Sky Island. Reunited with Raki and Jessica, who he hadn't seen in months, they rekindled their bond with a renewed sense of closeness.
As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Arthur, feeling confident and energized, spent time with both of them, embracing the warmth of their reunion.
The day after his return, after finishing his meal, Arthur headed toward the forest of Upper Yard, ready to continue his work.
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