stonecrandall Chapter 67: Raising the Golden Sun Flag
Chapter 67: Raising the Golden Sun Flag
Chapter 68: Raising the Golden Sun Flag
Fishman Island, at the top of the highest tower in Dragon Palace.
King Neptune held a document bearing the seal of the Dragon Palace and the golden sun emblem of the Kingdom of Gaya, facing the large crowd of mermaids, fishmen, and Dragon Palace officials gathered in the plaza below.
His voice was amplified and broadcast throughout the area via a Den Den Mushi (a type of electric telephone).
"People of Fishman Island! Through our joint efforts, Fishman Island has successfully proven its capabilities and value to our friends!"
"From this day forward, Fishman Island will forge a deep alliance with the Kingdom of Jaya!"
"We will establish an all-weather strategic partnership!"
"We will share trade routes, share responsibility for maritime security, and support each other on the great sea voyage!"
The king's words sparked some discussion, but more than anything, they drew expectant glances.
The changes brought about by the Gaya Federation and the United Kingdom over the past few years are real.
Pirates harassing the waters near Fishman Island have significantly decreased, and specialty products and sophisticated machinery from the United States have flowed in through regular caravans, improving the lives of the people of Fishman Island.
Some of the Dragon Palace's specialties were also able to be transported to the sea through this stable channel in exchange for more resources.
The alliance with the Gaya Federation was not just empty talk, but based on mutual benefit. Neptune had spent years demonstrating the value and feasibility of this path to his people.
Oro and Neptune stood side by side, their expressions calm.
Fishman Island truly proved its worth, worth a full vice admiral who was about to be promoted to admiral.
Gails and Lingling stood behind Oro, with Gails quietly watching the people taking pictures among the crowd of fish-men on the island below.
The Kingdom of Gaya has its own news media, which, although not yet comparable to the World Economic News Agency, is already taking shape.
Lingling, however, was somewhat impatient with such a ceremonial occasion and focused more on the plates of fish-man island specialty snacks being served by the servants beside her.
"Hereinafter, in accordance with the covenant."
Neptune's voice rose as he took a flag from the Right Minister—
The flag's background is a deep blue, symbolizing the ocean, while in the center is a radiating gold pattern that forms a simple yet dazzling sun design—the symbol of the Kingdom of Gaya, the Golden Sun Flag.
"The flag of our allies will rise in Dragon Palace!"
"This demonstrates our resolve to stand with the Kingdom of Gaya!"
He personally secured the flagpole to the pre-reserved base, and then forcefully pushed the flag forward.
wow——
The blue flag with a golden sun was unfurled, waving in the wind at the highest point of the Dragon Palace.
Sunlight shines through the huge double-layered bubble membrane, refracted by the seawater, and falls on the golden sun pattern, making it sparkle.
At that moment, the square fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a huge cheer.
"Oh oh oh oh!"
"It's the Golden Rising Sun Flag!"
"Are we now part of the Kingdom of Gaya?"
"An ally! You idiot! But it'll be much easier for us to do business on the sea from now on!"
"It's said that in the Kingdom of Gaya, as long as you don't run around naked, no one cares about your race!"
"Oh, I know that! I heard they have angels there! The kind that can fly."
Countless mermaids and fish-men waved their arms, their faces beaming with hope and excitement.
They saw what the flag represented—
Safer shipping lanes, broader trade opportunities, and an opportunity to gradually change their isolation.
This raised flag is not just a piece of cloth, but a signal, a symbol that Fishman Island is actively integrating into the outside world and has sought strong security guarantees.
Neptune looked down at his jubilant people and felt a great weight lifted from his heart.
He turned to look at Oro and nodded solemnly.
Oro nodded slightly in response.
This step is an important step for Fishman Island toward the future.
For Oro's Kingdom of Jaya, this means that he has truly penetrated the deep sea, completing a strategic step that connects the first half of the Grand Line, Paradise, with the second half, the New World.
The golden sun flag fluttered steadily atop the Dragon Palace, overlooking the entire Fishman Island.
Three days later, the Golden Dawn left Fishman Island. Its coating cracked, and the ship surfaced. Oro's voyage had a clear destination—the waters around Treasure Island.
Years later, when the Golden Dawn sailed back into these familiar waters, the scene was different.
The once desolate edge of the island has now been transformed into a simple dock and barracks, where the flag of the Kingdom of Gaya can be seen flying above the buildings.
That was the outpost established by the development fleet that Oro had sent here in recent years, responsible for the continuous mining of gold and sea stone veins on the island, and serving as a supply point for the United States on the New World shipping route.
Although Oro himself has not visited for many years, the place has always been operating very well.
As soon as the Golden Dawn docked outside the small pier on the island, the squad leader in charge of guarding the area immediately came to report the situation and delivered a large amount of fresh supplies.
A huge grill was set up on the deck of the Golden Dawn, with a skewer of a large, juicy crown ribbonfish.
Fish oil dripped onto the charcoal fire, sizzling and releasing a rich aroma that filled the air.
Lingling tore off a large piece of golden-brown roasted fish, stuffed it into her mouth, and chewed it with satisfaction, while gazing at the vast, empty sea in the distance.
"Auro, is that little mustache really coming?"
Lingling swallowed a delicious bite with great enjoyment, then asked, "Besides our people, we can't even see a pirate here. What if he's not home, and the messenger we sent can't find him?"
Gails sat next to Oro, organizing a stack of medical notes, while Oro comfortably rested his head on Gails's lap.
Oro took a sip of his juice through the straw, then slowly replied, "He will come."
He adjusted his position to make himself more comfortable and continued, "Even if the messengers we sent didn't find him, I still published a public challenge in the Gaya Daily and the World Economic News."
"Furthermore, I increased the bet tenfold."
Auro's movements tickled Gails a little. She glanced down at her man and rolled her eyes, then continued organizing her notes with a smile.
"ten times?"
Lingling's eyes widened slightly as she thought for a moment: "Hmm—oh, only ten tons of gold?"
"Yes, and I also made it clear that the decisive battle will take place at the very spot where we first met."
"The mere thought of my hometown was enough to make Newgate travel day and night to get here."
He knew Edward Newgate, a man with an extraordinary attachment to his family and homeland.
Newgate had no reason not to come.
As time went by, the weather in the waters around Baokuang Island began to become unstable, with clouds gathering and air pressure dropping.
The person in charge who has been stationed on Treasure Island reported to Oro that the island's meteorological observers predicted a super storm would hit in the next few days.