Above Fish-Man Island, the royal carriage, pulled by a giant seahorse, slowly made its way through Fish-Man Island’s vibrant coral forest.
Libo was leaning over the edge of the carriage, her pink eyes sparkling with excitement, her rabbit ears twitching with her movements.
“Gern! Look over there!” She pointed at a cluster of glowing jellyfish in the Sea Forest in the distance, her voice full of excitement, “They change color! Like a rainbow!”
Rear Admiral Gern smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping across this dreamy deep-sea world.
Tesoro sat quietly to the side, his camera continuously recording the scenery along the way, his eyes gentle, as if he had already envisioned a tour with Stella in his mind.
“Tesoro, how are the photos?” Rear Admiral Gern asked, turning his head.
Tesoro nodded lightly, the corners of his mouth curving upwards: “Stella will definitely love it here.”
“Really?! Let me see!” Libo immediately leaned over when she heard this, pointing at the camera screen, “This one! This one must be printed! And that mermaid cove over there, I want to take a picture with it too!”
“This is Stella’s personal camera for me, I won’t let you touch it!”
“Don’t be so stingy~”
Watching this scene, Rear Admiral Gern couldn’t help but chuckle, then reached out and grabbed Libo by the back of her collar, lifting her onto his lap, rubbing her head, and laughing: “Once the discussion is over, we’ll have plenty of time.
And didn’t you want the biggest, shiniest pearl carrot? I’ll talk to Neptune about it later.”
“That’s right! My pearl carrot!” Libo’s eyes lit up, and her smile didn’t fade.
Tesoro, hearing this, also pouted, wanting to get a set of Fish-Man Island specific accessories for his Stella.
After all, Stella was a pure family member and often chatted with other Marine families in Marineford.
If his wife had a set of such jewelry, she would definitely be very happy!
Thinking of this, Tesoro suddenly looked at Rear Admiral Gern, pursing his lips, “Rear Admiral Gern, I can also act cute~”
“Tesoro, don’t force me to give you a real underwater drop right here.”
Tesoro: “…”
At the same time, in the royal private carriage ahead, Neptune’s brows were slightly furrowed, his gaze deep.
He turned his head to Fisher Tiger, who was sitting beside him, and asked in a low voice: “Tiger, what do you think is the true purpose of this Marine Rear Admiral coming to Fish-Man Island?”
“Not sure.” Fisher Tiger crossed his arms, saying in a deep voice: “He said it was a ‘visit,’ but there’s more to his words.
Especially that line, ‘Fishmen need his justice’… I don’t understand what he means.”
“Is that so…” Neptune pondered for a moment: “How strong is he?”
“Very strong.” A hint of solemnity flashed in Fisher Tiger’s eyes: “If he wanted to make a move, no one on Fish-Man Island could stop him.
You should know that his title of ‘Heaven Quake’ in the Marine is not for nothing.
He earned that prestige step by step, starting with his sword cleaving Golden Lion.
On the Grand Line, besides those three legends and a few other powerhouses, no one dares to say they can definitively defeat him.
If it were a few months ago, before the Roger Pirates left Fish-Man Island, relying on your and Roger’s relationship with the kingdom, perhaps we could really make him discuss things properly…”
“It’s a pity Roger has already left.” Neptune’s brows furrowed even deeper.
“However, the Marine… no! The World Government suddenly taking an interest in Fish-Man Island is probably not that simple.”
Fisher Tiger nodded: “The World Government has never truly cared about Fish-Man Island. Now that the Marine has landed on Fish-Man Island, there must be a purpose behind it.”
“Since that’s the case…” Neptune took a deep breath, his gaze firm: “No matter what, let’s first sound him out.
If he truly has an agenda, we need to prepare early.”
The carriage passed through a gigantic coral archway, and the outline of Ryugu Palace gradually became clear.
The golden palace shimmered in the deep-sea light, like a castle from a fairy tale.
Libo’s eyes widened, exclaiming: “So beautiful! Even more magnificent than Marineford!”
Rear Admiral Gern’s gaze, however, fell on the defensive fortifications surrounding the palace, and he mused inwardly: “Fish-Man Island’s defenses are more formidable than I imagined…”
The carriage finally stopped in front of the Ryugu Palace gates.
Neptune stepped out of his private carriage, turned to Rear Admiral Gern and his companions, and said: “Welcome to Ryugu Palace, Rear Admiral Gern.
Please follow me inside to discuss further.”
Rear Admiral Gern smiled faintly, nodding politely.
Stepping into the main hall of Ryugu Palace, Rear Admiral Gern’s gaze swept around.
Beneath the opulent decorations, a tense atmosphere was hidden.
The guards’ eyes held vigilance, clearly not trusting these “uninvited guests.”
Neptune sat on the throne, signaling Rear Admiral Gern and the others to take their seats.
Attendants served deep-sea specialty refreshments. Libo curiously took a bite, and her eyes immediately lit up: “Delicious!”
Neptune smiled, then looked at Rear Admiral Gern, getting straight to the point: “Rear Admiral Gern, Fish-Man Island has always had a distant relationship with the World Government.
The Marine’s sudden visit this time, may I ask what your purpose is?”
Rear Admiral Gern put down his teacup, his tone calm but firm: “Your Majesty Neptune, Fish-Man Island, as a World Government affiliated nation, has long been plagued by pirates, even becoming a transit point for them to the New World.
The Marine cannot stand idly by in such a situation.”
Why do you need to tell us that? Don’t we know? That’s why Fish-Man Island adopted a pirate-friendly policy, so most pirates would treat Fish-Man Island as a tourist stop on their way to the New World, and not linger.
(The plundering and selling of mermaids became more common only in the Great Pirate Era.)
Thinking of this, Neptune’s gaze sharpened, and he continued to smile: “So, the Marine is here to ‘clean up’ Fish-Man Island?”
‘Cleaning up Fish-Man Island’—Neptune, you dare to think it, but the World Government wouldn’t dare to do it!
Ten thousand meters underwater, beneath Holy Land Mary Geoise, this geographical location is invincible, alright!
After a silent retort, Rear Admiral Gern shook his head: “No, I am here to establish cooperation.
Fish-Man Island needs true protection, and the Marine can provide it.”
Fisher Tiger snorted: “Protection? Or control?”
Rear Admiral Gern looked at Fisher Tiger, his gaze frank: “Fisher Tiger, you have traveled abroad for many years; you should be aware of human prejudice and Fish-Man Island’s predicament.
If the Marine truly wanted to control Fish-Man Island, they wouldn’t have sent just me.
So this visit is entirely based on my personal wishes and has nothing to do with the World Government; you don’t need to overthink it.”
Neptune and Fisher Tiger exchanged glances, choosing to remain silent.
Seeing this, Rear Admiral Gern continued: “My proposal is simple: ‘I’ and Fish-Man Island establish formal diplomatic relations, and you hoist my flag!”
Neptune mused: “What benefits does this bring to Fish-Man Island?”
Rear Admiral Gern smiled faintly, just about to speak, when a female voice suddenly interrupted everything.
“Wait! We don’t need benefits!!”
“Fish-Man Island doesn’t need any benefits; we are willing, as long as we can live in peace with humans.”
Hearing this voice from outside the hall, Neptune and Fisher Tiger simultaneously froze, realizing they were doomed.
His idealistic wife, the idealistic queen of Fish-Man Island, had arrived!