Chapter 75: The Poneglyph Taken Away!
Deep beneath the sea, ten thousand meters down, Fish-Man Island bathed in brilliant sunlight. Ryugu Palace remained dazzling and bright, that golden-green Dragon still so luxurious and mighty.
The Catfish Fish-Man Left Minister stood below, reporting in a deep voice to King Neptune on the Throne: "His Majesty, we have made contact with Fisher Tiger. He said he will be back on Fish-Man Island in three days at the latest."
"Is that so? What did he say? Is he willing to join the Marines?" King Neptune stroked his long, orange-red beard and asked.
"Fisher Tiger's answer was no, he said that having Jinbe and Aladdin on the Marines' side is enough. He hopes to join the Sea King Army instead, and then head to Sabaody Archipelago to protect our future compatriots, so they can live and play there in peace."
"Hmm."
After listening, King Neptune pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Alright, the Sea King Army stationed at Sabaody Archipelago does indeed need an Expert to hold the fort. We need to communicate this Matter with the Marines and explain the Situation clearly, so as not to cause any misunderstandings."
"Yes, His Majesty," the Left Minister responded respectfully.
"How is the Situation over at Sabaody Archipelago now? Have any specific News been sent back?" King Neptune continued to ask.
The Left Minister replied: "Since it's the first Time, the Right Minister went personally to command. I heard that the facilities in Zone 62 are very complete and can be easily moved into with just minor adjustments."
"They are currently Familiarizing themselves with the entire Environment of Sabaody Archipelago under the guidance of the Marines. Starting tomorrow, they will officially begin their patrol Mission. According to the Marines' explanation, this is to allow the Resident on the Island to get used to the presence of the Fish-Man Tribe, preparing for the future reception of Civilian Fish-Man Tribe members."
King Neptune nodded with satisfaction, saying: "Excellent, very stable. I am becoming more and more confident in our future cooperation. It seems the World Government is also full of sincerity this Time!"
"Yes, ever since the Marines entered Fish-Man Island, they have already dealt with over a dozen groups of Pirate attempting to capture Mermaid. Many Mermaid have been saved because of this. Now, the Citizen's Attitude towards the Marines is gradually becoming welcoming and enthusiastic," the Left Minister said with a joyful Face.
Previously, Fish-Man Island lacked Expert and found it difficult to contend with those Human Pirate with high Bounty. But now, with Officers from Marine Headquarters stationed here, the pressure has suddenly decreased significantly.
Whenever the Sea King Army encounters Pirate they cannot handle, they always request Support from the Marines on the Island immediately, which has also made the relationship between the two races closer.
"However, giving those two Poneglyph from the Sea Forest to the World Government... Your humble Minister still feels some worry in my Heart. I always feel this goes against the instructions of our Ancestors."
The Left Minister looked at King Neptune hesitantly, "Is doing this really alright?"
"Alas, this old man truly had no choice. I don't know where the World Government learned of this Matter. That Vice Admiral Aokiji personally came to request them, to take them away along with the two hundred Fish-man heading to the Marines."
King Neptune frowned, pulling hard at his beard, and said with a troubled expression: "Tell me, could I refuse?"
Poneglyph is explicitly forbidden by the World Government for Research and possession. It was one thing when the World Government didn't know, we could just not mention it. But now that they know, they must cooperate and send the items over.
Honestly, the World Government not charging Fish-Man Island with the crime of concealment is already being quite courteous!
"Your humble Minister understands," the Left Minister sighed.
Upon the Throne, the King Neptune of huge Body Size fell into a moment of recollection.
Over eight hundred years ago, Joy Boy made a Promise with the Mermaid Princess of that Time, to use 'Noah' to bring all Fish-man and Mermaid to the Sea Surface, to live forever under the Sunlight.
But in the end, due to an accident, the Promise was not kept. Therefore, the Apology Text was inscribed onto a Poneglyph, and finally, a Prophecy was left behind, saying that one day in the future, a person would appear to fulfill this Promise in his stead.
Only when that day arrives will 'Noah' be given its Mission for the first Time!
This is the legend passed down through generations of Fish-Man Island Royalty. Although they cannot understand the Writing on the Poneglyph, they remember this legend very clearly.
Because of this, leaving the Seabed and enjoying the Sunlight and Forest on the Sea Surface became the centuries-long aspiration of all Fish-Man Tribe members, and they guarded 'Noah' for generations!
But now, under the guidance of the World Government, the aspiration of the Fish-Man Tribe to live openly under the Sunlight is about to arrive. It seems 'Noah' is not needed, nor is there a need to continue waiting for the person who can replace Joy Boy to appear.
This made King Neptune's mood incredibly complex at this moment.
Could it be that the legend is truly just a legend? Or perhaps, that person has already appeared, but has appeared on the side of the World Government?
"Alas, our Fish-Man Island can only trust the World Government and see how things go..."
King Neptune raised his head and looked upwards. His deep gaze seemed to pierce through the ceiling, the roof, through the ten thousand meters of Deep Sea, and the Red Line.
"But please, do not disappoint us, Celestial Dragons!"
Above the Red Line, within Holy Land Marie Geoise, Im was currently alone in the deepest Underground level of Pangaea Castle.
This is the 'History Storage Room'!
The existence of Poneglyph is naturally known to the World Government. There are also specialized teams responsible for searching for and recovering them. The highest person in charge is Saint Marcus Mars.
So, over the years, some Poneglyph have been found and placed entirely in this dark and cold place. And now, those two new item from Fish-Man Island have also been placed here.
"Apology Text, huh..."
Im stood before the deep blue Poneglyph, dozens of meters high, and sighed. Looking at it, memories from the depths of his mind slowly surfaced. Joy Boy's Face and figure seemed to appear before his eyes.
"I bet you never would have thought that the one to fulfill the Promise in your stead, to give Fish-Man Island Sunlight, Forest, and freedom, would be none other than me, Im, right?"
"The 'me' of that Time personally destroyed that Great Kingdom where all races coexisted. The current me will create a World Government that can truly be called a place where all races coexist, and one that is even greater and more magnificent, in my own way!"
In his view, the Great Kingdom of that Time was good, but unfortunately, it wasn't *his* Im's Great Kingdom, so it should be destroyed.
Breaking free from his memories, Im's gaze swept towards the red Poneglyph beside it.
Over the years, the World Government truly hadn't found a Poneglyph with the nature of a Road Poneglyph. This could be considered the first.
This way, even if someone else searches for 'Road Poneglyph' in the future, it will be useless even if they gather the other three outside.
To be honest, as a Transmigrator, Im didn't think these Poneglyph had much use, oh, except for the one that recorded Ancient Weapon.
In his opinion, past History is past History. Even if there were indeed Schemes and Tricks during the War, wasn't it ultimately about the victor becoming King and the loser becoming a bandit?
As long as the future World Government can make the majority of the Citizen of various Kingdoms live comfortably, eat well, drink well, dress well, and everything is harmonious, then what does it matter if the past History is revealed one day?
How many people would abandon the Food in their Bowl, take off their fine clothes, leave behind their healthy growing children, pick up a Blade and fight the World Government to avenge the Great Kingdom of that Time?
No matter how Darkness the past, it is ultimately the past, and it can never defeat the light of the future.
However, collecting Poneglyph has no downsides. He had no intention of stopping this work from continuing. Saving one trouble is saving one trouble. Anyway, his subordinates are busy with it, he just needs to reveal the few locations he knows.
The most important thing now is to recover the Poneglyph hidden in the 'Royal Tomb' of the Alabasta Kingdom. It records the location of the 'Dark King's' Main Body, which can be considered Dangerous Items...
"But how should I tell people about this? Say there are prohibited items in your Ancestral Tomb and people need to go in to recover them?" Im himself was amused by these words.
"Forget it, let's have someone talk to them first. It's best to negotiate amicably. After all, it's Alabasta, and I don't really want to use force. Vivi is quite beautiful..."