Shortly before the meet up of the Kage Pirates:

Third Person's POV;

A soldier of the Fishman Army was running hastily through the corridors of the palace. He was watched by some maids and other soldiers, wondering why he was in such a hurry. It must be important if he runs inside the palace, so none of them made a move to stop him, that was until he reached a pair of massive double doors.

Two guards were blocking his way. “Quick, open the doors. I have important news for the ministers and the King!” Shouted the running guard even before he reached the doors.

The two guards looked at each other, but neither moved to open the doors. They'll have to hear what this soldier has to say before they could allow him entrance. “We can't the King is in a meeting with Jimbei,” stated one of the two.

The soldier has now reached them and only took a couple of breaths before he explained his haste. “Representatives of Big Mom's Crew have arrived and wish to speak about a possible protection act. They demand an audience with the King!”

Now both soldiers looked alarmed too and they opened a door for the soldier. He stepped inside, relieved that he was only stopped momentarily.

Inside was a conference room with a large table in the middle and a couple of Fishmen seated around. They all stopped what they were doing and looked at the intruder. The soldier, fairly high in rank, yet not used to be in the presence of such important people, gulped from the sheer presence of some of them.

“What is the meaning of this?” Questioned the Minister of the Right, a seahorse Fishman. He leads the military and diplomatics of the Fishman Kingdom.

“We are in an important meeting with Jimbei of the Sun Pirates,” added the Minister of the Left, a catfish Fishman who was responsible for internal affairs between different types of Fishmen.

He was about to say more, however, the King, King Neptune, raised one of his massive hands and signalled him to stop. “Let him speak. It must be important if he even interrupts a closed meeting, jamon.”

The soldier gulped, his league's words were spoken with kindness, yet his presence projected an aura of strength. He had no doubt that if his King so wishes he would be a bloody smear on the wall by now. Still, he steeled his resolve and explained his presence, after a deep bow. “My King, Charlotte Oven of the Big Mom Pirates has come to propose a protraction act between the Big Mom Pirates and Fishman Island.”

“It came as I have feared,” spoke the last member of the gathering. Jimbei, Captain of the Sun Pirates. “His presence makes things difficult.”

The King nodded with a thoughtful frown. “Indeed, jamon. I have hoped the Yonko would first divide the surface territory of Whitebeard before their sight lands on us, jamon.”

“Where is he now?” Demanded the Minister of the Left to know. His colleague, the Minister of the Right was already dialling a transponder snail.

The soldier answered hurriedly, he has heard stories about the Yonko crews and their officers, he did not wish for one of them to be on the island longer than necessary. “He said he would wait for our reply in the Mermaid Cafe, stating that he would sample the sweets of Fishman Island.”

“So we have some time left. My King, you have to decide now, while they might not be as established as the Big Mom Crew, they definitely are more trustworthy and a lot less likely to destroy us on a whim,” urged Jimbei.

The Minister of the Left disagreed with Jimbei, even if his words were spoken with worry.“But they are just a group of upstarts. Could they really defend us from slavers and New World pirate groups? At least with Big Mom, we would know that we are protected as long as we fulfil their demands.”

Jimbei banged his fist on the table, silencing the Minister of the Left. “And what if we can't? Big Mom's demands are absolute, there will be no negotiations if we raise her flag. And don't forget the additional demand she has for every 'citizen' of her empire.”

The Minister of the Left staid silent. Sure, they could handle the sweets Big Mom would demand, but the offering of one's lifespan wasn't something they would willingly burden their citizen with. Still, Jimbei wasn't finished. “I understand that asking them sounds risky to you. But I know them, they might be against it at first but if asked sincerely and honestly they wouldn't decline. They might only be a single crew now, but they are on a fast track to becoming the next Yonko crew. If we ally ourselves with them now we will have a brighter future than under Big Mom. Maybe not next week or next month, but definitely next year and beyond. A crew like them won't stay without influence within the New World.”

“We haven't even asked them yet,” spoke the King. Jimbei was about to argue, but the King stopped him. “However, I agree, jamon. From what I have heard about them and from you, they definitely are the better option, jamon. Minister of the Right, did you have any luck in locating them? You've said that they have arrived earlier today at the main entrance on the Paradise side.”

The Minister of the Right stopped his conversation with the other side of the transponder snail. “They separated after the docking of their ship. Their Captain and First Mate went to the Sea Forest, while the crew visited various sites of our island. Reports say that none of them acted aggressively towards our citizen, nor did we receive any complaints. As of right now, they seem to congregate towards Coral Hills.”

“It is likely that they will meet up in one of the inns, or even in the Mermaid Cafe. It is, after all, a well-known restaurant,” muttered the Minister of the Left.

“Jimbei, do you think they will start a fight with Oven?” Asked the Minister of the Right.

Jimbei thought for a moment before he nodded slowly. “If they get a reason to, then yes. They won't start a fight on their own, but they would not back down if provoked.”

“Then we have to hurry, jamon. Jimbei, you will try to intercept the Kage Pirates, while I, with the help of the ministers, will try to keep Charlotte Oven occupied until you've convinced Slicer Lara to take Fishman Island under her protectorate, jamon.”

Jimbei nodded and began to stand up even while the King spoke. The two ministers, as well as the King, were also standing up and preparing for a possibly dangerous game of words. They must act as if they are contemplating Big Mom's offer, while not showing that they had no intention of doing so at all.

“I have their transponder snail number, maybe I can convince them to meet me somewhere else,” offered Jimbei halfway out of the door. One of his hands was already in his pocket and fishing for the snail.

King Neptune turned to the still present soldier. “Good, Soldier, contact my sons and tell them to meet me at the Mermaid Cafe, jamon.” He then left through another door that led into the personal quarters of the palace, followed by the two ministers.

The soldier nodded hastily and ran back out of the room. The news he had heard was heavy on his mind. He had heard of the Kage Pirates as well. Their stunt at Enies Lobby, Impel Down and the War of the Best. Their sudden disappearance a few months ago had him and his fellow soldiers scratch their heads over more than one beer after a long shift.

Now that they were back he wondered what it would mean of the island, especially now that it seemed as if the King wants to follow their flag.