"Was that alright, Miss Hina? Throwing your friend in so roughly."
"...Even if I faced Smoker right now, I wouldn't know what to talk about."
Muttering quietly that she'd done something wrong to Kuro, the Marine girl flipped her un-Marine-like black jacket and glared intently at the enemy camp with its lit fires from atop the deck of their base ship.
This night at the ocean's bottom was darker and heavier than what she usually experienced.
The Marines, judging they couldn't move in this situation after all, showed no signs of moving after lighting bonfires here and there to secure visibility.
(After having that much food stolen, I thought they might attack desperately, but they're cautious.)
The assault unit commanded by the fishman soldier Jinbei had resolved the biggest concern—the food problem.
Not only those with superior physical strength but also those with multiple limbs were mobilized, carrying massive amounts of supplies.
With Wired giving instructions to increase escort soldiers and making multiple trips, the Marines should have reduced their resources considerably.
"Even so, these are all quite luxurious ingredients. Even without seeing them, I can tell the barrels smell wonderfully good."
"They were probably for the Celestial Dragons. Going to the trouble of processing them for preservation and adding massive amounts of spices... wastefully spending effort and money on everything..."
"From what I hear, situations exist where even Marines who should be Government subordinates can't eat properly."
The captured prisoners weren't just Smoker, Hina's classmate.
Most soldiers retreated after seeing Wired and Hina establish their position, but conversely, several units came forward thinking they must break it now.
The fact that they attacked without coordination showed just how bad the situation was for the Marines currently on Fishman Island—
Anyway, as a result, the fishman camp had obtained quite a few prisoners.
Though it was questionable whether the other side recognized their value as hostages or prisoners.
"Minimum supplies seem to be arriving somehow, but even so, many soldiers are running around without food or drink."
"That's terrible."
In a sense, eating is part of a Marine's job.
Yet among the captured prisoners, there were quite a few clearly thin soldiers who obviously hadn't been eating.
"...Seriously, the meaning of the word 'government' might get turned upside down."
"Meaning?"
"They can't hide anymore that what those guys are doing is below even pirates."
Leading soldiers to kidnap people, then trying to take everything available.
That behavior was undeniably pirate-like.
In terms of damage scale, it was even worse.
"It's difficult. Not just the rotten parts but even what they protect is too large, so the more upright people are, the less they can move."
"...That's the Marines' pride. Both he and I believed in it, but... yes."
Hina was watching the Marines she now faced not just because she wanted to escape from Smoker.
She wanted to see with her own eyes the current state of the enemy.
(What I see are mostly bonfires for light. Large arranged fires and smoke like those used for cooking... they're hard to see in the dark, but I can't confirm them. Same for the ships.)
The Marines showed no proper movement.
Probably, they were doing their utmost just to get some sleep and recover stamina.
Or perhaps the Celestial Dragons were making unreasonable demands again.
In any case, Hina was convinced they were doing their utmost just maintaining the newly established encirclement.
(I thought there might be a night raid to reclaim food, but from this appearance, it looks safe until sunlight comes.)
Small unit infiltration operations were possible, but ironically, fighting on the fishman side made them sensitive to human figures.
As a precaution, they had fishmen guard important supplies starting with food, preventing humans from entering, so they'd know immediately if targeted.
Marines who'd joined their side were also fortifying entry points together with relatively understanding fishmen. There were very few gaps.
"Corporal Hina, there you are."
"? Colonel?"
Just as she was about to head to reinforce the barricades with Issho, who was also serving as a guard, her superior officer Wired arrived.
Behind her, for some reason, the fishman soldier Jinbei was also following, looking quite dejected.
"What did you do?"
"...Yes, sir. Nothing in particular. I was just about to go confirm the defensive network."
"The Governor was shouting unusually. 'Bring that stupid woman here!'"
"Who's the stupid woman? Sounds like she wants her collarbone snapped."
"The aforementioned was shouting in unison with Headquarters Petty Officer Smoker whom you captured."
...
"Yes, sir. Understood. Since my feelings have settled to some extent, I'll go beat them both up together."
"Mm, do that."
"...Um, Colonel and Miss Hina, is that really okay?"
"As long as she ultimately goes to the Governor, there's no problem."
"Yes. Besides, it'll make me feel better."
"...I see."
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
For now, the situation had calmed down once.
Or rather, both sides were burdened with too many problems to move.
Our side with rebuilding control of the fishman race in terrible shape from hatred toward humans.
Their side with damage to human resources, though minimal, on top of already lacking coordination, plus major reduction in resources starting with food.
(Well, I deliberately targeted supplies for plunder to aim for the latter.)
If they'd hastily moved to reclaim supplies in that situation, avoiding the more decisive and relatively motivated guys from pushing forward would have been impossible.
The plan was to shave off those troublesome guys with me and Hina's group to further break the enemy's morale, but they moved to further harden their defenses.
Probably, they feared carelessly sortying would thin the Celestial Dragons' defense.
In fact, there were fishmen who'd become rioters, and the ships' coating functions were destroyed.
If defenses had been thin, though they probably wouldn't have reached where the Celestial Dragons were, casualties would still have increased.
(Celestial Dragon supremacy is acting as the Marines' shackles for better or worse...)
"Are you listening, pirate! I saw earlier—Marines are moving! Release us before we're tortured to death!"
(Even though they can't see the battle situation's advantage or disadvantage, they're this indifferent to casualties.)
I thought I'd work on the Celestial Dragons while Wired was calling Hina, but... just like in the Holy Land, talking with these guys gives me a headache.
Attacking so scattered, getting knocked down in droves by thrown stones and rubble without even reaching the riot groups—how can they still be confident seeing that?
"No. That premise has already collapsed, Holy Pluming."
The slaves and wives who'd been used as their mounts are also under our protection, but they're all in terrible shape.
The slaves who'd been whipped while serving as mounts, sometimes even stabbed with blades, cried and thanked me, and the beautiful but exhausted women chained up—perhaps relieved, they gave small thanks to me and Hina before all collapsing.
(Emotionally I'd like to grind them to dust, but... if I do that, it considerably narrows the organization's direction.)
Not just me personally, but I have subordinates like Daz, and now even people I should protect.
Moreover, with His Highness waiting in Mopuchi and the protected Mopuchi royal family members included, with the duty and responsibility to secure the safety and positions of many humans, I must carefully make moves while cutting emotions from my thinking as much as possible.
"This attack was not to rescue you. It's an attack that shouldn't exist."
"What do you—"
"Before this attack began, though going through stages, we'd already begun preparations to safely release you, Holy Pluming."
The elderly Celestial Dragon before me still doesn't get it, but several other Celestial Dragons present have "huh?" expressions.
One more push should do it...
"Without such skirmishes, we'd arranged with Special Vice Admiral Skipper to safely return you all to the Holy Land."
Anyway, I'll keep playing cards until one hits.
If necessary, I'll use Vice Admiral Skipper too.
The treatment for his gunshot wound itself is finished, but he can't stand from the pain—explaining with that appearance should increase persuasiveness.
"In the original flow, you wouldn't have experienced such frightening thoughts, and by now your wives and young children would have been released and protected. But—"
Saying that, Holy Pluming finally stopped his rage and turned to look at the family behind him.
At least, the atmosphere on the Celestial Dragons' side, which had only been motivated to deny us, subtly changed.
(These guys haven't gotten outside information. If I feed them information as I like, I can manipulate them just with that, but...)
That way I could only use the Celestial Dragons as pieces for this one incident.
Since such big pieces have rolled into my hands, I want to use them carefully for a long time.
—In that case, then.
"To break through the current situation more safely, I'd like to confirm the knowledge and information you possess, if I may."
(I'll go with the Span method. While extracting information, process and provide it as plausible truth to incite conflict within the Celestial Dragons.)
"Knowing it's rude, I'll ask directly. Among the Celestial Dragons currently on the other side, is there anyone who would benefit if something happened to you?"
Naturally, the Celestial Dragons immediately grew agitated.
Don't say stupid things! Disrespectful! Execute him! Such gracious words flew at me, but—
"This attack is that impossible. A Marine attack means bullets flying everywhere. Fortunately, fishman comrades quickly moved you all into this armored ship, but if you'd stayed in Fishman District, the possibility of casualties among you was extremely high."
Well, in that case, it wouldn't be Marines' stray bullets but angry fishman rioters making an example.
...
I'm not lying.
I'm just not saying what I'm thinking out loud, so it's safe.
The danger is exactly as stated, and I'm only giving serious predictions about probable casualties, so it's safe!
"In such a situation, there's no way the Marines who should protect you would conduct such a forced attack. If there is, it's because they were instructed by a superior with stronger command authority, unavoidably... meaning—"
I glance toward Holy Pluming.
As if it's something hard to say out loud.
And with fear in my eyes that Celestial Dragons are surely accustomed to seeing.
Instantly, Holy Pluming loses even more energy and mutters quietly, "That's absurd..."
In this already quiet night, in this quiet room.
Though small, that muttering echoed, and the Celestial Dragons who heard it turned even paler.
"Any trivial matter, any small thing is fine. Was there no quarrel or similar skirmish?"
The Celestial Dragons behind him immediately start looking around.
They point with their eyes at one Celestial Dragon they apparently have in mind, then look around searching for others they suspect.
(Of course. There's no way there's zero conflict living long in that cramped Holy Land.)
They're guys soaked in greed and exhibitionism.
The first thing that comes to mind would be, like, scrambling for rare slaves.
Surely, Marine slaves and such stupid things started after such petty disputes.
"...Holy Manmire came with us to collect the fishmen, but—"
When the people behind started gradually mentioning individual names and the commotion grew louder, Holy Pluming spoke.
"Last month, there was a slight negotiation regarding territory in the Heavenly Domain... But!"
"I apologize for my ignorance, Holy Pluming. What is this Heavenly Domain?"
"I-It's Government-controlled territory in the lower world. Most are managed by the Government—extending to the Five Elders—but some are permitted to be owned by us Celestial Dragons. One of those was put up for auction recently... so..."
...Hmm.
(It didn't exist in the materials given within the Holy Land, or in statistics for various taxes including Heavenly Tribute. Should I see this as one reason why some numbers didn't add up?)
Now, the problem is why it was hidden from me.
(It's probably an island occupied through shady—unspeakable to the public—means. Making it directly controlled territory means there's some resource or land value, and if it was long-owned, depreciation could be considered, but in that case there's no reason to compete in an auction. Meaning it's relatively recently acquired land... well...)
That's probably it. Most likely, a terrible island soaked in blood.
In any case, it's certain to be land with corresponding profit worth the large sum spent competing in auction.
(... This might actually be legitimately possible. I should be cautious of assassination just in case.)
"From what I hear, I deduce it's something that brings considerable wealth to its owner. The island's ownership?"
"Ultimately it was split. My family got the west side, the east side became the Manmire family's, and that settled it."
"...If, for some reason, one of the families were to end?"
"Don't say stupid things! Our Celestial Dragon families! Of the twenty founding families—"
"But each clan has greatly increased in numbers, with many branch families. Holy Pluming, I recall you also fall into that category as a family."
In order of precedence... I think about sixth place?
My memory's hazy but it should be around that.
"If you and your family were to die in an accident or such, what would happen to the ownership of your Heavenly Domain? Please enlighten me."
"...That is..."
His momentum completely died.
His gaze shifts to family and other Celestial Dragons with incredible speed, and as a result, he can't say anything and starts mumbling.
(... Seeing things like this, I really recognize again that Span was competent.)
Though showing on his face that he realized the possibility of being cut off was the same, even so, he didn't pathetically show agitation in his actions.
That's precisely why I could trust him with work, and in fact he never betrayed expectations.
Acting ability or rather bluffing power is pretty close to an essential skill, huh? To rise up.
"I-I don't know. Normally, the Government would seize it once and pass it to someone in the clan, or perhaps an auction... but—"
"This time it's a split island between two families. Meaning, there's a possibility rights transfer to the other party, Holy Manmire."
Seeing the family head's pale face nodding small and repeatedly, the family members behind—the legal wife and her daughters—embrace each other with similarly pale faces.
"With the fishmen—if you can't trust them, I'll add soldiers I trust as guards."
Once they feel fear, and if they're opponents without training or experience to suppress it, it's already fine.
I just need to say this:
"Please be assured. No matter how the situation unfolds, I swear here that I will safely return you all to the Holy Land."
"O-Oh! Indeed! Do show us!"
Holy Pluming, who held the central position among the Celestial Dragons on our side, said that.
Though just for this situation, he'd yielded initiative regarding actions to me.
The people behind him were also somewhat relieved by my words.
It worked.
"Yes. Then, Holy Pluming. To safely send you all to the Holy Land—"
"For your words, oath, and to prove them, I'd like you to sign several things."
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
For the first time since getting involved in this Fishman Island commotion, after receiving words of appreciation from humans other than Hina's group—moreover from Celestial Dragons—I bow once and quietly close the door.
Not showing a single gesture or movement that would displease them.
From when my assignment to the Holy Land was decided, Kuzan and Mr. Borsalino thoroughly taught me etiquette for dealing with Celestial Dragons until it soaked into my body.
I'd absolutely thought it would become a weapon, but the only use right after was protecting officials and Marines from their unreasonable demands in the Holy Land.
I'm a bit satisfied it's finally become my weapon here.
If things go well, sixteen Celestial Dragons starting with Holy Pluming as 'Black Cat'-aligned Celestial Dragons might be usable as support props until complete collapse.
Though unworthy of trust or credibility due to their preferences, they're usable as justification, their existence, and as information sources about the Holy Land.
Especially regarding information, I know places Span's hands couldn't reach.
I need to skillfully build relationships.
"Well, well. The fact that no angry voices or abuse could be heard even after the door opened means you did well, right?"
"Naturally. I promised, didn't I? Arlong."
A little down the corridor, a comrade-in-arms with a distinctively recognizable nose was waiting.
"Signed directly by Celestial Dragons: non-interference with the fishman race in settling this war, renunciation of slave ownership rights for fishmen other than criminals, and a ceasefire agreement between fishmen and Celestial Dragons on our side. I secured the minimum."
"...Hey, with just that much, aren't there loopholes for both slavery and war?"
"That can't be helped. Right now anyway, it's important to further strengthen and make visible our justification."
"Tch. It pisses me off, but prioritizing eliminating even one anxiety from behind means that, huh? Kuro."
"Yep. If we bring out visible justification, the Marines will split further."
Through this exchange, the Celestial Dragons on our side became anxious about those on the other side.
Even if agents slip through our defensive network or patrols to make contact by any chance, they probably won't easily try to escape.
On top of that, if they reinforce our justification as world nobles, this incident can be processed as a 'Holy Land' civil war.
"Then if cornered Marines kill or confine those Celestial Dragons on that side, that'd be best."
"Shahahaha, you're a terrible man."
"I'm a pirate."
Actually, if they did that, one 'Fishman Ceasefire Agreement' that we created and got signed would settle things.
Decision-making authority would transfer to our side, and even if reinforcements came before the other side's retreat system was ready, the possibility of avoiding combat would skyrocket.
This Fishman Island defense battle might become an example showing that accumulation is never wasted even against opponents who won't follow rules.
If Tesoro were here, it'd be much easier.
"King Neptune?"
"Joined us. Now he's calling out to daughters rescued in the earlier battle, working on consolation."
"Would've been easier if he'd fled..."
"Can't be helped with that. You either take royalty too seriously or too lightly—sometimes I can't tell which."
"In emergencies like this, I want them far away. It'd be troublesome if their custody was demanded, right?"
We're in the middle of fixing the situation both militarily and politically bit by bit.
Whether our side or theirs, the fewer reasons for Celestial Dragons—who most easily cause unexpected situations—to move, the better.
Large, with added rarity value as not just royalty but a king himself—a merman.
Fortunately being male probably doesn't match their preferences, but...
It's dangerous. I need to avoid exposing him to Celestial Dragons' attention as much as possible.
"But he's a king, right? Captured... and they were innocent with no fighting power. He can't leave them alone, and I won't recognize as king someone who'd flee to a safe place. Rather, I respect him more now."
"I understand your feelings too, but man..."
This'll become a question with no right answer, geez.
Well, if he also serves as the responsible commander leading the military, it becomes that way.
When I return to West Blue, I'll probably need to reorganize by adding the probably already arranged army, and along with that, it's about time to assemble not ad-hoc but proper political system frameworks... I really need to think about various things seriously.
"Well, fine. Then greetings should come later?"
"Ah, that little girl Hina should be arriving about now. You're going to ask prisoners various things, right?"
"Petty Officer Smoker also seems unusually lacking composure, and other soldiers are similarly mentally exhausted. Depending on the method, they might talk quite a bit about internal affairs."
"And use them as hostages on top of that?"
"...If possible, I'd rather incorporate them."
What's terrible is that in the current situation, what should normally take long time and be questionable whether achievable seems easily doable...
If I could make that conspicuously distinctive-looking Smoker into our soldier, just that would further shred enemy morale.
At this point, he's moderately capable, and a Logia natural-type ability user with easy-to-understand strength.
He's too optimal personnel both for crushing enemy army legitimacy and morale.
"Shahahaha! That's interesting, more humans betraying the Marines! Their reputation will be completely crushed!"
"Question is whether there's anywhere left to crush though."
No really, they're totally tattered.
When I finished taking supplies and joined with Hina, there were several strong kids at commodore officer level, but they couldn't break through against Hina even attacking multiple together.
Like a rock girl with a choker on her neck had quite a kick, and for just an instant pierced Issho's defense to approach Wired.
Well, carelessly letting them rampage would be troublesome, so I properly shook their brains and captured them.
Even when Smoker saw me and shouted, she didn't seem particularly scared either.
(The problem is, even after doing all that, in terms of quantity it's still really tight.)
This time, though we have cannons equipped on the ship and several field guns the fishman riot group stole, it's harder to defend than Fishman District.
Well, since I couldn't trust the fishman forces, it couldn't be helped.
I shaved off what could be shaved sufficiently.
Now it's how to seal the enemy's movements.
—...!
—...?!
While thinking about the next move and advancing alongside Arlong, we reached one of the large rooms housing prisoners.
Inside, noise clearly indicating commotion could be heard, but the door seemed to remain closed.
Moving closer—
— That's why! At least spit out the circumstances when you were organized!
— You spit it out! Why the hell are you a pirate's underling?!
— Of course not! Eventually I'll beat him up, collar him, and keep him as the Marines' pet!
— A dog?!
— A cat!
"...Kuro."
I feel like I'd be forgiven for punching those guys.
Especially Hina—I'd definitely be forgiven for kicking her while adding a joint lock or two.
Also, Arlong, don't look at me with such troubled eyes.
— What's with easily going down from a single solar plexus blow!
— Try taking that yourself before talking!
— If toughness is your selling point and you lose guts, all you have left is your ability!
— I've got more guts than you, traitor!
— I'm not a traitor, you muscle-brain idiot!
— Huh?!
You guys, have dignity as humans before being Marines.
...
Well, I mean, it's kinda weird for me to say when I was the one who hung kidnappers upside down and lit their pubic hair on fire laughing like crazy during my rougher days. Really.
(I don't want to go in...)
Don't want to go in. Really don't want to go in.
There are clearly sounds like they're grappling.
Not trying to escape or anything, this just happened naturally.
Normally cursing each other out—what kind of thing is that?
Please, you two, just mutually annihilate.
But leaving it alone, Arlong is clearly troubled, and considering other members probably inside.
Hey Wired, you're inside aren't you—stop them.
I totally understand not wanting to get involved, but please stop them, I'm begging.
Taking a small breath and preparing myself.
Then slowly, carefully opening the door to not agitate inside—
Smoky, who'd stood up with seastone handcuffs still on, collapsed with rolled-back eyes—
And Hina stood imposingly with her swung fist clenched.
And so I quietly, gently closed the door without being noticed.
Hey stop it, Arlong! Don't push forcefully with your superhuman strength!