One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

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"So, this is Mariejois..."

Riding the bubble cable car from the port, Queen Otohime gazed at the sunlit sea for the first time, marveling at the breathtaking beauty of the ocean.

Although the Ryugu Kingdom had been part of the World Government for over two centuries, the kingdom had only attended the World Summit once, shortly after joining. Thus, this was Queen Otohime's first visit to Mariejois.

Passing through the grand entrance of "Pangaea Castle," they arrived at the "Social Square." Vice Admiral Wright instructed Smoker and Drake to arrange accommodations for the Ryugu Kingdom's guards while he personally escorted Queen Otohime to meet with the World Government.

Donquixote Mjosgard was promptly greeted by CP agents. After placing his hood on—and then removing it again—he stood in silence for a moment before following the agents back into the inner sections of Pangaea Castle.

With the Celestial Dragon and the CP agents gone, the World Government staff visibly relaxed. They hurriedly made arrangements for Queen Otohime's lodging. However, at her insistent request, they had no choice but to seek approval from their superiors.

"The day is still young. I have come bearing the fate of my entire race. I must see the leaders of the World Government as soon as possible! Please, I beg you, deliver my request!"

Queen Otohime's persuasive power, especially on ordinary staff members, was nearly irresistible—it was their duty to relay messages, after all.

Before long, the queen was granted an audience with the World Government's highest authority—the Five Elders.

As a protector, Wright—despite his rank as a Marine Vice Admiral—was not qualified to accompany her. However, the World Government, concerned with maintaining appearances, ensured her safety. In Mariejois, unless a Celestial Dragon intervened, there was no chance of harm coming to her.

After all, the Ryugu Kingdom was a World Government member state, and a particularly unique one at that.

As for the Celestial Dragons... both Wright and Queen Otohime could sense it. Before leaving, Donquixote Mjosgard harbored one clear thought: to prevent other Celestial Dragons from approaching Queen Otohime during this critical period.

"What an incredible power," Wright mused. "This kind of subtle influence—if Queen Otohime were given enough time, could even the Celestial Dragons be reformed?"

Shaking his head, Wright chuckled to himself. "The Celestial Dragons may have a few competent individuals, but the World Government is like a monster lurking beneath the surface. Even if a few awaken to reason, the system will undoubtedly react. Still, let's see what comes of this... It's astonishing that the World Government agreed to allow Fish-Man Island to move to the surface. What are the Five Elders plotting?"

Five days passed quickly.

During this time, Queen Otohime leveraged her extraordinary gift of persuasion. While the World Government maintained an ambiguous stance, she succeeded in convincing Donquixote Mjosgard to sign a formal document endorsing Fish-Man Island's relocation to the surface.

Under her guidance, Mjosgard began to regain a sense of humanity.

Though he remained reserved and contemplative, certain habits of his had visibly changed—the most notable being that he no longer wore a hood.

While he had yet to openly ally himself with the Ryugu Kingdom as he would a decade later, he provided significant support for Queen Otohime's cause.

As a Celestial Dragon, even a few words from Mjosgard carried immense weight with the World Government.

With his signed approval, once Fish-Man Island gathered enough signatures from its inhabitants to support the move, they could formally raise the matter at the World Summit.

At that point, Donquixote Mjosgard's signature would play a pivotal role.

For now, Queen Otohime's primary objective in this journey was achieved.

She was a formidable figure—not in physical strength, as her constitution was frail, but as a top-tier diplomat capable of reshaping the world with her words.

However...

To Wright, relocating Fish-Man Island to the surface at this moment would be courting disaster without sufficient military strength to protect it.

The geographical position of Fish-Man Island, while leaving it vulnerable to pirate attacks, also provided a natural defense. Its location 10,000 meters under the sea acted as a formidable barrier, with the high attrition rate of coated ships deterring most attackers.

On the surface, however, the situation would change drastically. Without the deep-sea sanctuary, pirates and slavers would descend upon the island like a plague. The World Government and many member states might even turn a blind eye to the devastation.

Moreover, the island's sheer size presented logistical challenges. With Marineford located directly above, where would the Fish-Man and Merfolk populations establish their new settlements on the surface?

The World Government's agreement was a smokescreen—they wouldn't obstruct the relocation but would do nothing to protect Fish-Man Island if it failed. Jinbe, as a Warlord of the Sea, couldn't shoulder such a burden alone.

Relying on Whitebeard? Marineford's proximity made that unfeasible.

If the relocation failed, Fish-Man Island would either retreat back to the depths or become entirely dependent on the World Government for military protection—a scenario that would come with extortionate demands, including tribute payments in the form of the Heavenly Tribute.

The Five Elders had clearly calculated these possibilities, exploiting the situation to expand their influence while appearing magnanimous.

"Even if I explain all of this to Queen Otohime, it's futile. I'm an outsider, a human, and a Vice Admiral—I have no place to involve myself in Fish-Man Island's internal matters."

"Still, if she proceeds cautiously, taking five to ten years to prepare, this plan could succeed."

"After all... they'll play a crucial role in the future. The 'Sea Kings' are about to awaken..."

As Wright escorted Queen Otohime out of Mariejois, his mind wandered.

Eager to return to Fish-Man Island and share the good news with her people, Queen Otohime invited Wright to visit as a friend.

Watching the ship bearing the Ryugu Kingdom's royal crest disappear into the distance, Wright took a deep breath and turned to Smoker and Drake.

"We're right on schedule. Let's head back to headquarters—I need to re-coat a ship and set sail for Fish-Man Island."

"Why do you get to take leave and visit Fish-Man Island while Drake and I can't?" Smoker grumbled, his cigar grinding between his teeth.

"You?" Wright gave Smoker a once-over, prompting a glare.

"What are you looking at?"

"You're the last person Fish-Man Island needs—a walking embodiment of a 'steel wall.' If Hina comes after me for bringing you along, I'll make sure you're stuck training Haki for the next month."

Turning to Drake, Wright smirked. "And you? Let's wait until you can talk to a pretty girl without blushing. I'd rather not have you fainting at the sight of mermaids in bikinis."

Smoker fumed silently, finding himself unable to argue. Drake, meanwhile, turned bright red, wondering if Wright's healing powers extended to curing nosebleeds.