Ivan was well aware of this, and he also knew the precarious geographical position of the Ryugu Palace.
The Ryugu Kingdom was located at the boundary between the New World and Paradise, making it a necessary passage for entering the New World.
Thus, whether it was pirates from the New World or the World Government, both posed a deadly threat to the Ryugu Kingdom.
For this reason, unlike other nations, the Ryugu Kingdom not only had to pay Celestial Gold to the World Government but also had to regularly offer tribute to one of the Four Emperors in exchange for protection.
If Whitebeard had demanded more, the Ryugu Kingdom's situation would have been a hundred times worse than it was now.
Just like later, after Whitebeard's death, when the protection rights were transferred to Big Mom, the Ryugu Kingdom nearly faced severe punishment for almost failing to pay the required sweets in full.
From this perspective, even the Whitebeard Pirates were more benevolent than the World Government.
The Whitebeard Pirates only demanded a small amount of Berries in exchange for stationing a commander to protect Fish-Man Island. In contrast, the World Government extorted tens of billions in Celestial Gold, turned a blind eye to the crises on Fish-Man Island, and even dispatched slave hunting ships to capture fish-men.
In response to their partner's grievances, the Shadow Garden naturally had an answer.
Ivan thumped his chest and assured, "Don't worry, King Neptune. The Shadow Garden will fully protect its partners. From now on, you won't need to seek protection from any other force!"
King Neptune shook his head. "No, if we stop paying Celestial Gold, the World Government will surely send the Marines to attack the Ryugu Kingdom. That's a force we cannot handle!"
Ivan smiled mysteriously, brimming with confidence. "What if I told you I could help Princess Shirahoshi fully master the power of the Sea King Poseidon?"
King Neptune wasn't surprised that Ivan knew Shirahoshi's identity, but he was astonished that Ivan could help her fully master the power of the Sea King.
"If Shirahoshi truly masters the power of the Sea King, then Fish-Man Island, deep beneath the sea, would fear no threat! But… there has never been an example of the Sea King awakening through external means."
King Neptune looked at Ivan with hope, wishing his words were true, but there was no historical record in the kingdom of anyone helping the Sea King awaken.
"Don't worry. The Shadow Garden doesn't act without certainty."
Moments later, Princess Shirahoshi, with her long pink hair, emerged from the "prison" she had stayed in for over a decade. She looked at Ivan timidly yet with longing.
"Father, is this the gentleman who saved me?"
King Neptune affectionately stroked Shirahoshi's hair. "Yes, it was the Azure Dragon who saved you, and now he will help you activate the power of the Sea King within you."
"Really? Thank you so much, Azure Dragon! Once I awaken the power of the Sea King, I'll be able to protect Fish-Man Island!" Overwhelmed with excitement, Shirahoshi grabbed Ivan and hugged him tightly, rubbing her face against him. Ivan felt as if he were enveloped in two soft clouds, unable to breathe.
Seeing this, King Neptune's expression changed drastically, and he quickly scolded Shirahoshi for her impropriety. Shirahoshi hastily released Ivan, allowing him to breathe fresh air again.
Even so, a faint milky scent lingered on him.
Shaking his head helplessly, Ivan washed away the milky scent with a stream of water and began the process of strengthening Shirahoshi.
"Princess Shirahoshi, don't resist in any way. My power will transform your body and help you unlock the potential within."
"Yes!" Shirahoshi nodded earnestly, her cheeks puffing out.
After having King Neptune prepare a large amount of food, Ivan teleported to the top of Shirahoshi's head and placed his hand on it.
The enhancement officially began!
As soon as the enhancement started, Ivan realized that his own stamina was being consumed at an alarmingly fast rate. If enhancing Nami was like pumping water, then enhancing Shirahoshi was like a dam bursting—he simply couldn't last for long.
However, with enough food, stamina was never a precious resource for the strong.
Ivan used the Transformation Technique to change his face, half-lifting his mask as he began to devour the food voraciously, simultaneously using Life Return to digest it.
And so, until all the food was exhausted, Ivan finally succeeded in awakening the potential within Shirahoshi!
The moment it ended, Shirahoshi felt her consciousness continuously expanding, gradually connecting with the many consciousnesses within the sea.
If she wished, she could command these consciousnesses, making them obey her will.
She was not a domineering person by nature, so she didn't issue any commands, instead gradually withdrawing her consciousness.
When she opened her eyes again, she found her father looking at her expectantly. Shirahoshi smiled and nodded, "Father, thanks to Mr. Azure Dragon, I succeeded!"
King Neptune could no longer contain the smile on his face. From this moment on, Fish-Man Island would no longer fear any threat!
...
After spending a day on Fish-Man Island and fully recovering his stamina, Ivan didn't plan to stay any longer. He prepared to head to the Whitebeard Pirates with Namul to visit Whitebeard.
Namul was pleasantly surprised, "Mr. Azure Dragon, are you planning to visit the Whitebeard Pirates as a guest?"
Ivan nodded, "That's right. I do want to witness the strength of the world's strongest man. More importantly, I want to represent Shadow Garden and hope that the Whitebeard Pirates will lend their strength when we attack Mary Geoise."
Hearing this, the smile vanished from Namul's face, replaced by concern:
"That might disappoint you, Mr. Azure Dragon. The Old Man only cares about his family and isn't concerned with the direction of the world. He most likely won't agree."
"It's fine. Even if he doesn't agree, it would still be a great experience to witness the strength of the world's strongest man."
Namul looked at Ivan suspiciously. Despite Ivan's bright smile, he couldn't shake the feeling that Ivan had other motives for visiting the Whitebeard Pirates this time.
Namul had traveled the sea route from Fish-Man Island to the New World countless times over the years and was extremely familiar with it.
Thus, they moved quickly, arriving in the New World just a few days later.
However, as soon as they entered the waters under Whitebeard's jurisdiction, they suddenly noticed billowing smoke in the distance—clearly, a battle was underway.
Seeing this, Namul exclaimed in shock, "It's Jack the Drought of the Beast Pirates! Damn it, he's attacking us again! Brothers, full speed ahead! Support our comrades still fighting!"
"Yes!"
...
In the distance, a warship shaped like a mammoth was relentlessly bombarding a pirate ship ahead with cannon fire.
On the deck, a tall man with golden hair tied into a ponytail roared fiercely:
"Brothers, charge! Crush these scum of the Whitebeard Pirates!"
His subordinates, dressed in various black bodysuits, cheered excitedly, "Yes, we're about to win!"
Moments later, the pirate ship ahead was sunk by the Mammoth Ship's bombardment.
Jack the Drought gazed at the burning wreckage on the sea, a cruel grin spreading across his face as he bellowed hoarsely:
"Just a pack of stray dogs, and you dare block my way?!
Tell Whitebeard that from now on, this island is under the control of me, Jack the Drought!
Anyone who disagrees can sink to the bottom of the sea and feed the fish!"
Below, the pirates of the Whitebeard Pirates glared furiously at Jack, their eyes burning with rage.