Marvel 75

The room seemed to shudder under the weight of his words. The ministers, guards, and even the royal family felt as if death itself was staring them down, lurking just a breath away.

Max sheathed his blade with a sharp metallic click, the sound echoing ominously in the stillness. His Conqueror's Haki receded, allowing the air to return to normal, though the fear it instilled lingered heavily.

He turned to Neptune, his expression unreadable. "Your Majesty, I hope you now understand. This is not a tool for conquest—it's a tool for survival. Use it wisely, or there will be consequences."

Neptune, visibly shaken but resolute, nodded solemnly. "We... understand, Lord Max. You have made your intentions clear."

Without another word, Max turned and left the hall, his footsteps echoing through the stunned silence. Behind him, the remnants of the minister's ambitions lay as a grim reminder of the price of greed.

In his mind, Max thought to himself, This is why power must always come with control. Without it, chaos is inevitable.

***

As Max walked out of the palace, the corridors of Ryugu Palace seemed eerily silent. Even the vibrant coral lights lining the walls appeared dimmer, as if they too had been subdued by the tension lingering in the air. Behind him, the royal family and their attendants remained kneeling, struggling to process what had just transpired.

Max stepped out into the open expanse of Coral Hill, where his crew waited near the docked Night Monarch. The sight of him returning alone, his expression colder than usual, immediately put Gwen and Rize on edge.

"That didn't look like a friendly negotiation," Gwen said, leaning casually against the railing of the ship but watching him closely.

"It wasn't meant to be," Max replied flatly. "We made progress, but some needed a reminder of their place."

Patrick, who had been silently observing the chained Celestial Dragons, smirked at the remark. "Sounds like you had fun, boss."

Max said nothing, his gaze briefly shifting to the bound figures of the Celestial Dragons. Their once-arrogant demeanor had been completely stripped away, leaving behind nothing but fear and humiliation. For all their cruelty, they were powerless here.

Gwen stepped forward, her tone measured. "So, what's next? Are they with us, or do we still have work to do?"

Max turned to face his crew, his cape fluttering lightly in the underwater currents. "The royal family is cautious, as they should be. But they're also smart. They'll make the right decision in time. For now, we wait. Fish-Man Island isn't ready to fully commit yet, but they've seen what we can offer."

Enel, who had been leaning lazily against the mast, scoffed. "These fish-people are too cautious. If it were up to me, I'd just—"

Max cut him off with a sharp look. "It's not up to you. And if you can't understand why they're hesitant, then you haven't been paying attention."

Enel rolled his eyes but said nothing further, clearly annoyed but unwilling to argue.

Meanwhile, Gwen tapped a finger against her chin, her mind racing. "Max, if they do decide to ally with us, what's the plan? Are we talking full integration into the crew, or just a strategic partnership?"

Max considered her question for a moment. "Neither. Fish-Man Island doesn't need to join us—they need to stand on their own. But they'll have our protection, and with time, they'll become strong enough to enforce their sovereignty. No more reliance on the World Government or any surface powers."

Max nodded, turning his gaze back toward Ryugu Palace, its silhouette illuminated against the coral-lit seascape. "This island is more than just a stepping stone to the New World. It's a symbol. If we can help Fish-Man Island rise, it'll send a message to everyone: no one is too small to stand up to the so-called gods."

The crew murmured their agreement, the weight of Max's vision sinking in. Even Enel, despite his earlier grumbling, seemed intrigued by the potential for chaos and upheaval.

Max stepped onto the deck of the Night Monarch, his voice carrying over the underwater city. "For now, we let them deliberate. and after that we have our merchandise to sell in New World"

The crew nodded, each of them understanding that this moment was just one piece of a grander scheme. As they began preparing for the evening, Max stood at the ship's bow, his eyes fixed on the horizon.

In Ryugu Palace, Neptune gathered with his children and advisers. The memory of Max's Conqueror's Haki and the cold efficiency with which he had dealt with the ambitious minister was still fresh in their minds.

"Father," Fukaboshi said hesitantly, "what do we do now? That man… he's dangerous. But he's not wrong."

Neptune sighed deeply, his wise eyes heavy with contemplation. "He's not just dangerous—he's an Yonko. And perhaps that is what makes him both a threat and an opportunity. For now, we must tread carefully. The future of Fish-Man Island depends on it."

Night had settled over Fish-Man Island, and as the city slept, the tension from the previous day lingered like an unspoken weight. The next morning, as sunlight filtered through the underwater expanse, King Neptune himself approached the Night Monarch. After Max's demonstration of power and authority, Neptune felt it would be more appropriate for him to personally meet the pirate rather than summon him.

Patrick noticed the king's approach and immediately called out, "Max! The King is here!"

The rest of the crew gathered curiously, watching as Neptune and a few of his trusted guards ascended the ship's gangplank. Their presence commanded attention, but it was clear that this was no confrontation—Neptune's demeanor was calm, even respectful.

Max stood leaning casually against the ship's railing, his gaze unwavering as Neptune approached. "What is your decision, Your Majesty?" he asked, his tone neutral but edged with anticipation.

Neptune straightened, his voice steady as he answered, "We accept your offer."

Max gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. "Good. But there will be limits," he said firmly, standing tall as he addressed the king. "Only ten of your royal guards and the royal family will receive the potion. That will be enough to protect your island."

***

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