Gilloncoude Square is the largest public square on Fish-Man Island. In the original story, Queen Otohime frequently delivered speeches here, striving to realize her dream of Fish-Man Island and humanity coexisting under the same sun.
This place was the starting point of her dream, but also the end of her life, as Queen Otohime was assassinated here by an extreme racial supremacist.
Today, under the organization of the Neptune Army, the residents of Fish-Man Island have orderly gathered in this vast square, which can accommodate nearly 100,000 people.
They come from various districts and streets of Fish-Man Island—some from Waterwheel Town in the west, others from Mermaid Cove... and even residents who were forced to evacuate from Coral Hill.
"Hey, so why did the Neptune Army summon us here?" A regular Fish-Man resident scratched his head in confusion.
A resident who had rushed here from Waterwheel Town at the westernmost end of Fish-Man Island looked even more puzzled. "Wasn't it His Majesty Neptune who asked us to gather here?"
"Then where is His Majesty?"
"I was going to ask you! You're the local here, aren't you?"
Unlike the curious and expectant residents who had gathered from all over, those who had hurriedly left the bustling harbor looked worried.
"Has a fight broken out at Coral Hill?"
"I heard the human navy is making big moves at Coral Hill, so we were evacuated in advance," said a shop owner carrying a large bag.
Jinbe did not return to Ryugu Palace as Arlong had expected. Instead, he followed the plan—organizing personnel and maintaining order in this vast square.
"Hey! How much longer do we have to wait?" A resident yawned. After all, it was already late at night, and many residents were accustomed to sleeping early.
On a high platform, Onigumo stood guard, protecting several Visual Den Den Mushi in silence. This was the mission Sakazuki had entrusted to him. Even when Jinbe, out of goodwill, suggested that some Neptune Army soldiers take over, Onigumo sternly refused.
Standing atop the high platform, Jinbe soothed the crowd's emotions: "Everyone, please be patient. I just received word that His Majesty Neptune, the Sea God, and Vice Admiral Sakazuki of the human navy are on their way here."
"Boss Jinbe, what about Brother Arlong and the others? Didn't they agree to cooperate with the navy? Are they coming too?" Hatchan, from Fish-Man District, shouted loudly.
A steady voice came from the distant street—this was the Minister of the Left, responsible for defending Ryugu Kingdom and its military affairs: "Arlong and his crew attempted to attack His Majesty aboard a navy warship. They have been personally executed by the Great Knight of the Sea."
"How could this be?" Hatchan's eyes widened in disbelief.
Compared to him, the attention of the others was drawn to a towering figure visible from afar.
"It's His Majesty!"
"Oh! Oh! Oh! Look! It's the Sea God, His Majesty! And the elite Neptune Army soldiers guarding him!"
The residents' previous dissatisfaction from waiting disappeared, replaced by heartfelt admiration and reverence.
The crowd instinctively parted, forming a wide passage for Neptune and the Neptune Army soldiers flanking him on both sides.
The Nautilus Corps, stationed beside the stairs leading to the high platform, knelt on one knee, lowering their heads in reverence as they welcomed their king.
Once he saw that the key figures were in place, Onigumo also stepped forward, standing slightly ahead of Jinbe. The two of them flanked Neptune, one on the left and one on the right.
The ruler of Fish-Man Island carried a solemn expression. Holding his trident upside down, he moved slowly but steadily up the high platform.
Overlooking the crowd below, he slightly moved his lips, speaking his first words upon arriving at the square:
"I know you all feel a bit confused, a bit curious, and perhaps even a bit uneasy. You want to know why you have been gathered here."
"That's right! Respected Great Knight of the Sea!"
"Exactly, Your Majesty!"
The crowd actively responded to their king's words, raising their heads to gaze at the towering and imposing merman before them.
Neptune raised both hands slightly, motioning downward. Only then did the people quiet down.
"Last month, Fish-Man Island welcomed a group of human navy soldiers. I asked them, 'What are you here for?' The humans told me they were here to eliminate pirates."
"I agreed, because Fish-Man Island needs peace and stability."
"Many of my subjects advised against it, saying that humans are not to be trusted, that they would demand large sums of money just like the Fish-Man Pirate Arlong."
The Sea God paused, observing the expressions of his listeners below. He noticed many Fish-Men and merfolk nodding repeatedly. The distrust toward humans had existed on Fish-Man Island for a long time. But today, he wanted his people to see the good side of humanity.
Neptune suddenly raised his voice:
"But they did not! Their soldiers ate dry rations every day and refused to accept the fine cuisine gifted by Ryugu Palace. They willingly patrolled from dawn till dusk. Though they were outnumbered by the Neptune Army by more than a hundred to one, they still carried out every patrol without fail."
Gilloncoude Square fell silent, because the majority of the people here had personally witnessed this truth.
"I do not wish to exaggerate anything because you have all seen it with your own eyes! You have seen the human navy even more clearly than I, your king!" Neptune's voice was rich with cadence. As a king, he certainly possessed great oratory skills.
Neptune listened to the voices of the crowd below:
"Tell me, is what I just said true?"
"Yes!"
"It is! Your Majesty!"
"Those navy soldiers are indeed admirable!"
"Every word is true!"
"The human navy has truly been doing its duty!"
Neptune nodded and continued:
"Indeed! I have seen it too! Anyone with eyes has seen it! Fish-Man Island has become stable! At the main entrance of Fish-Man Island, there even stands a small mountain made of pirate heads!"
The Sea God pointed with his massive hand toward Coral Hill:
"I see that many of you come from Coral Hill—residents and merchants alike. You must be aware that the navy has been carrying out an unprecedented operation there!"
"I can now tell you their mission. They are rescuing our fellow Fish-Men and merfolk who had been captured by slave traders and pirates! Those criminal organizations that have lurked in the shadows will be eradicated once and for all!"
Neptune gazed toward Coral Hill, filled with anticipation. Influenced by his words, one Fish-Man and mermaid after another turned their heads to look in the same direction. More and more residents began to gaze toward Coral Hill.
Everyone held their breath, waiting—for the safe return of their long-lost relatives and friends, for the arrival of justice.
"The navy is here!"
The Minister of the Left had not accompanied Neptune onto the platform. The seahorse merman stood at the edge of the square, keeping a close watch on the distant street.
A regiment marched forward in orderly and powerful strides.
Behind them were the Fish-Men and merfolk draped in blankets—those who had just been rescued.
"The navy!"
Neptune raised his upside-down trident high above his head, shouting loudly.
"The navy!"
This was the Neptune Army soldiers, striking their iron tridents against the ground.
"The navy!"
This was the crowd, roaring like a tidal wave.