The Ryugu Palace on Fish-Man Island was vast and magnificent, rivaling even the opulence of Claudius' own palace.
Although Fish-Man Island was somewhat isolated from the rest of the world, it was clear they were far from destitute. In fact, the grandeur of the palace showcased the island's wealth and affluence.
Claudius, alongside his entourage, followed King Neptune into the palace. Walking behind Neptune was a burly blue-skinned man who caught Claudius' attention. The man's presence felt familiar, and after a moment of recognition, Claudius realized who he was looking at none other than the future Warlord of the Sea, Jinbei.
Jinbei, still relatively young at this time, carried himself with a calm dignity and exuded strength. Yet, there was something faintly endearing about him, a certain unpolished charm that seemed out of place given his imposing stature.
Noticing Claudius' lingering gaze, Neptune smiled and introduced him. "This is my most trusted subordinate, Jinbei, the captain of the Ryugu Palace Guard."
"So it really is him," Claudius thought to himself. Then, with a polite smile, he said aloud, "You certainly look the part, impressive and commanding."
"Thank you for your kind words, Saint Claudius," Jinbei replied, his deep voice resonating through the hall.
Claudius returned the smile but didn't continue to focus on Jinbei. While Jinbei was undoubtedly strong and loyal to Fish-Man Island, Claudius had no particular ambitions concerning him at the moment. For now, Claudius had no intention of trying to sway Jinbei's allegiance. After all, his heart belonged to Fish-Man Island, and while the Celestial Dragons held no ill will toward him, earning his loyalty would be no simple feat.
Still, Claudius mused that in the future, as he built stronger ties with Fish-Man Island, perhaps their relationship might evolve. But that was a matter for another time.
For now, Claudius followed Neptune and his party into the Ryugu Palace. The palace's interior was just as impressive as its exterior, a masterpiece of underwater architecture. Neptune had prepared a grand banquet in honor of Claudius' visit, and Claudius graciously accepted the hospitality.
The banquet was lavish and enjoyable, a display of Fish-Man Island's rich culture and culinary delights. After the feast concluded, the room was cleared, leaving only a small group: Sengoku, Stussy, Neptune, Princess Otohime, and Claudius himself. It was time to get down to business.
Seated with a glass of deep-sea wine in hand, Claudius took a sip and marveled at its unique flavor. "This wine is remarkable. The taste is unlike anything on the surface. I wonder what ingredients were used to make it."
Neptune chuckled at Claudius' praise, and Claudius turned his attention back to him with a smile. "Fish-Man Island truly is a remarkable place. Lenny and Mero weren't lying to me about how beautiful it is."
At the mention of the two names, Neptune raised an eyebrow. "Lenny? Mero? I believe I heard those names at the harbor earlier. Are they part of your esteemed entourage, Your Highness?"
Claudius paused, his expression briefly thoughtful. "You could say that, though it's a bit complicated. Lenny and Mero are mermaid girls from Fish-Man Island. They were... previously slaves in Mariejois, and by law, they belonged to me."
At these words, Neptune and Otohime's expressions darkened. Despite Claudius' otherwise cordial demeanor, hearing him speak of their people as slaves was a painful reminder of the injustices Fish-Man Island had endured for centuries.
Noticing the shift in the atmosphere, Sengoku quickly intervened. "There's been a misunderstanding! Please don't take this the wrong way."
"Yes, exactly," Stussy added, her tone calm and reassuring. "His Highness Claudius is not like the other Celestial Dragons. Over the years, he has done nothing but protect Lenny and Mero. They are not merely his subordinates, they are his friends. His Highness has never restricted their freedom."
Claudius nodded, his expression softening. "That's true. Lenny and Mero are my dear friends. Their return to Fish-Man Island is something I struggle with, as I'll certainly miss them. But at least we're not far apart. Mariejois and Fish-Man Island aren't so distant, we'll always be able to see each other again."
Hearing this, Neptune and Otohime visibly relaxed. It was unlikely Claudius would lie so openly about such matters, especially when the truth could be easily uncovered.
"I see. It seems we misunderstood you, Your Highness. Please forgive us," Neptune said, bowing slightly.
Claudius waved it off with a smile. "No offense taken. Let's move on to the reason for my visit."
He leaned forward slightly, his tone turning more serious. "As you both may know, I'm not just a Celestial Dragon. I also oversee CP-X, an organization under the World Government. Our goal is to improve the world, to address its flaws and weaknesses. And, as you are undoubtedly aware, one of the most glaring issues within the World Government is its treatment of Fish-Man Island."
As Claudius finished, Sengoku chimed in, his voice steady. "Exactly. We won't deny the faults within the World Government. That's why we're here today, to address these issues and work toward a solution that benefits both sides."
Neptune's expression grew heavy, his tone laced with doubt. "I'm grateful that Your Highness is willing to acknowledge these problems, but... I must be honest. We of Fish-Man Island have little faith in humans from the surface."
Otohime looked at her husband with concern, but she remained silent, letting him speak.
Claudius nodded thoughtfully. "I understand completely. Centuries of mistreatment and oppression cannot be undone with words alone. Trust must be earned through actions, not promises."
After a brief pause, Claudius continued. "That's why I've come here with sincerity. I'm sure you've already heard about what transpired in Mariejois and Sabaody Archipelago. I imagine news travels quickly to Fish-Man Island."
Otohime glanced at Neptune before nodding. "Yes, we've heard of it. Despite our isolation, Fish-Man Island often receives visitors from the surface. We are not entirely disconnected, and we know of your efforts on behalf of our people."
Claudius smiled. "Good. Then you understand that the measures I've taken are only the beginning. The World Government is determined to demonstrate its commitment to Fish-Man Island, and I'm here to make that clear. However, there is one matter we must address directly."
Neptune's expression tightened, a hint of apprehension crossing his face.
Claudius leaned back slightly, his tone measured. "It's no secret that Fish-Man Island has sought protection under the flag of Edward Newgate—Whitebeard. The Pirate Flag is a public declaration, one that cannot be ignored. Am I correct in saying this?"
Neptune hesitated, unsure how to respond. Before Claudius and Sengoku's arrival, the island had temporarily removed Whitebeard's flag, but the implications of Claudius' words left him uneasy.
Claudius smiled, waving a hand dismissively. "Don't worry. I'm not here to reprimand you. I see that the flags have already been removed, which demonstrates your understanding of the matter. That's all that needs to be said."
Neptune nodded reluctantly. "Yes, we... we took them down."
"Good," Claudius said with a nod. "Recognizing and correcting a mistake is the mark of a wise leader. With this step, we can move forward without issue."
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