For some reason, the moment Queen Otohime began to speak, the already quiet conference hall became even more silent, and the expressions of the kings seemed to relax.
At the same time, the countless people watching the live broadcast gradually stopped their noise, chatter, and discussions, quietly focusing on the image of Queen Otohime on the screen.
Finally, the entire world was ready to listen to her speech.
"Once, we were classified as 'fish' by humans and subjected to their discrimination."
"It wasn't until the great World Government, two hundred years ago, granted Fish-Man Island the honor of becoming a member nation and participating in the Levely."
"From then on, we thought we could speak as equals with the most outstanding human kings. We believed we had finally established friendly relations with humans."
"Yet, two hundred years later, we must face the tragic reality that the Fish-man race has not yet achieved freedom, respect, or equality."
"Two hundred years later, under the shackles of racial segregation and the chains of racial discrimination, the lives and safety of the Fish-man race are still being exploited."
"Two hundred years later, the Fish-man race is still confined to a solitary island ten thousand meters beneath the ocean, shrinking in a corner of the world's seas."
"Today, we gather once again with the kings because the great World Government has once again taken notice of the Fish-man race, shining like a beacon of light, bringing us a second hope for the freedom, sunlight, and forests we have longed for over the centuries!"
"It has noticed that the Fish-man race still suffers from indescribable barbaric persecution, capture, and trade by humans."
"It has noticed that the weary bodies of Fish-men traveling abroad cannot find lodging in any human inn."
"It has noticed that the basic range of activity for the Fish-man race is limited to the small Fish-Man Island, unable to even appear freely in the nearby Sabaody Archipelago."
"For this reason, the great World Government has once again arrived with justice and fairness, like the surging waves of the sea, roaring and rolling in, ready to wash away all the darkness that has befallen the Fish-man race."
"It has brought us the 'Proclamation on Establishing Equal and Friendly Relations Between Humans, Mermen, and Fish-men'!"
"It has also brought this year's agenda for the world's slaves: 'The Complete Prohibition of the Slave Trade and the Full Liberation of Slaves Worldwide'!"
"Their arrival is like a joyful dawn, about to end the long night of suffering for Fish-men and slaves."
As the heartfelt speech continued, Queen Otohime was completely moved. Every tone of her words, every gesture of her hands, even every change in her expression was utterly captivating.
At this moment, the fifty kings, including King Neptune, all shared the same look in their eyes—a look of empathy, shame, recognition, and deep apology.
They felt they could truly sense the sincerity in Queen Otohime's emotions. At this moment, the strong resonance in their hearts, with each word of her speech, transformed into an invisible 'wave,' silently cleansing their thoughts and consciousness.
Even those kings who had harbored racial discrimination in their hearts found their values subtly influenced without their realization.
Even in the distant seas, kingdoms, and islands far away, though the impact on the hearts of the people was not as profound.
Regardless of gender, age, social status, or whether they were human or of another race, everyone could genuinely feel the compassion of Queen Otohime.
Many were even moved to tears by the tragic plight of the Fish-man race.
The content of her speech wasn't particularly lengthy, and it soon reached its conclusion—or perhaps the listeners were so engrossed that they didn't notice the passage of time.
"Everyone, today I want to tell you that despite the many difficulties and setbacks we face now and in the future, I still have a dream. This dream is deeply rooted in the dreams of humanity and all races."
"I have a dream that one day, Fish-men will truly stand tall in this world, living as equals alongside humans and all other races."
"I have a dream that one day, Fish-men will sit side by side with humans in any sea, any kingdom, any island, and share in the bonds of friendship."
"I have a dream that one day, the children of Fish-men will live in a nation where they are judged not by their appearance but by the content of their character."
"And the greatest obstacle to these dreams is the slave trade, which, though explicitly banned centuries ago, is still ignored—or even tacitly accepted—in many parts of the world."
"Everyone, the World Government is a great World Government, and it will make the entire world equally great."
"The World Government will fulfill all my dreams, letting the voice of freedom ring out with the winds of justice across the vast seas, in the depths of the ocean thousands of meters below, and in the skies thousands of meters above. Let it echo in every kingdom, every island, and even in the ears of every individual."
"Now, let this voice of freedom first resound at the peak of the Red Line Continent. Let the winds of justice first blow over this sacred Holy Land!"
Queen Otohime poured all her passion, all her compassion, and all her sincerity into this speech, using the grandest stage of the Levely to amplify her influence to its utmost extent. In the Tree House of the Chamber of the Moon, Imu, like countless others, listened to this historic speech through the projection screen of the Image Snails.
"Such formidable Observation Haki. This spiritual fluctuation is incredibly subtle—ordinary Observation Haki would hardly detect its presence."
Thanks to the foresight of a transmigrator, Imu knew that Queen Otohime was a natural-born advanced user of Observation Haki.
Her abilities were quite extraordinary. She could hear the voices within people's hearts, sense their thoughts and emotions, and convey her own consciousness through words and sounds directly into their minds.
She could also influence others' minds and thoughts, creating a strong resonance. When her emotions reached their peak, she could even alter others' values and consciousness.
But this was only possible if every word she spoke was something she genuinely believed in her heart. Simply saying a few words wouldn't suffice.
What could this be called? A strategic nuclear weapon on the mental level! In the style of this world, she could be called the 'Spirit King'! However, Imu could also sense that Queen Otohime's ability had certain limitations in range. The effects of her spiritual fluctuations were most potent within a hundred meters.
The spiritual fluctuations contained within speeches broadcasted through Image Snails or radio are very faint. They merely make people subconsciously willing to listen attentively to her words and slightly perceive the emotions within them.
However, this effect of influencing others' minds and consciousness is clearly ineffective against those who possess mental strength or unwavering willpower equal to hers.
Even so, Imu believed that if utilized properly, it could produce miraculous effects, almost comparable to the awakening abilities of a Devil Fruit!
This was precisely why he made an exception to designate Queen Otohime for a global speech. "As long as she firmly believes that the World Government is just, then all it takes is some time to arrange a tour of speeches for her, and everywhere she goes, the hearts of the people will be swayed."
At this moment, Imu finally realized the greatest value of Fish-Man Island, or rather the Fish-man race, lay in Queen Otohime herself!
"Oh, by the way, her future daughter, Princess Shirahoshi, is also Poseidon," he thought. With that, he picked up the receiver of the Den Den Mushi and dialed the number.
"Lord Imu?"
"Immediately designate Queen Otohime as the highest-priority protection target for Cipher Pol. Notify the medical academy of the Drum Kingdom to dispatch a team of doctors to Fish-Man Island. Find ways to enhance her fragile constitution and ensure her health. I don't want any accidents to befall her in the future!"