Inside the Ryugu Palace, as that female voice rang out, everyone's eyes turned towards the entrance.
A petite Fishman woman slowly swam in, wearing an orange crown-shaped hairpin that held her long hair back.
She wore a long robe with an orange fish scale pattern, the pattern denser on the cuffs and fishtail.
Her waist was cinched with a red sash with white trim, secured externally by a white ribbon.
Her eyes were clear, her golden, wavy hair gently swayed with the water, and her face held a gentle yet firm smile.
"Otohime!?" Neptune stood up from his throne, his brows slightly furrowed, "Why are you here?"
Queen Otohime floated to Neptune's side, gently gripping her husband's hand, her gaze, however, falling upon Gern.
"I heard a Marine was visiting, so I specifically came to see," her voice was soft.
"The opportunity for Fish-Man Island to coexist peacefully with humans must not be missed."
"Queen Otohime," Gern nodded slightly, his gaze meeting Otohime's.
Even from her appearance, he could sense the pure idealism in her eyes, and the deep-seated, firm belief within it.
At this moment, Otohime released Neptune's hand, floating before Gern with a radiant smile.
"Rear Admiral Gern, your arrival is Fish-Man Island's fortune.
And no matter what you just said, we are willing to cooperate with the Marines, and without any conditions."
Otohime's unconditional words made both Neptune and Tiger's expressions change simultaneously.
Neptune quickly stepped forward, whispering to Otohime,
"Otohime, this matter needs careful consideration.
We cannot easily agree…"
"Careful?" Otohime turned her head, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes.
"Neptune, this has always been my dream!
Humans are willing to extend a helping hand, why should we refuse?"
"Queen Otohime, this is different," Tiger also urged in a deep voice, "The Marines' sudden visit might have ulterior motives. We cannot easily trust them."
"I know that," Otohime shook her head, her gaze firm, "And I know what you, Tiger, are worried about.
But Rear Admiral Gern's heart, I can feel it."
She pointed to her chest, "His heart tells me he is sincere."
Otohime possessed a very special Observation Haki; she could perceive others' thoughts and emotions,
and transmit the user's own consciousness to others, subtly influencing their minds and thoughts over time, creating a strong resonance.
She could even change others' values and ideologies.
This kind of highest and special-grade Observation Haki cannot be acquired through training.
Instead, it is like Haoshoku, innate, and even rarer than Haoshoku.
Looking at Otohime's innocent demeanor, Neptune and Tiger exchanged glances, momentarily speechless.
Otohime's Observation Haki could read the emotions in others' hearts, a point they could not refute.
At this moment, Libo, who was nearby, curiously leaned towards Gern and asked in a low voice, "Gern, this Queen seems to like us very much?"
"Can you feel it?" Gern slightly turned his gaze to look at Libo.
"Uh-huh, uh-huh," Libo nodded her head, "She makes me feel like the grandmas and grandpas of Mokomo Dukedom, kind, amiable, and good-hearted."
"Is that so…" Gern nodded lightly, his gaze gentle, "Perhaps… she truly hopes Fish-Man Island can coexist peacefully with humans."
Otohime was a complete idealist; she put a lot of effort into the future of the Fishman race and the Merfolk race.
However, she didn't achieve much success, but eventually, in her painful cries while drunk, she awakened (influenced by Observation Haki) the public.
But just as she was about to succeed, she was assassinated by Hody Jones and died of her injuries.
At this moment, Otohime noticed Libo, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, "Oh? This rabbit is…"
Libo tilted her head, her rabbit ears gently twitching, and looked back at Otohime curiously.
Seeing this, Tiger explained in a low voice, "Queen, she is a Mink Tribe member, a rare race even in the human world."
"Mink Tribe?!" Otohime's eyes instantly lit up, and the smile on her face grew even brighter.
Because she could tell that the Mink Tribe and the Fishman race were fundamentally the same.
"Rear Admiral Gern's companion is a Mink Tribe member?" After speaking, she swam in front of Libo and gently stroked her rabbit ears.
"So cute! What's your name?"
"My name is Libo! I used to be Libo Hope, who could jump to the moon!" Libo puffed out her chest and said proudly.
"Of course, now I'm Gern's adjutant, and also a companion of justice!"
Otohime was amused by her innocence: "Companion of justice… what a wonderful title.
I also hope Fish-Man Island can be friends with humans!" She turned to look at Gern, her eyes full of anticipation.
"Rear Admiral Gern, your companion is so pure, it makes me believe in your sincerity even more."
Seeing this, Neptune sighed helplessly.
He knew that once Otohime was set on something, it was difficult to change her mind.
But as king, he had to be responsible for the future of Fish-Man Island.
"Otohime," Neptune said gravely, "We need a more detailed discussion; we cannot make decisions based solely on intuition."
Otohime blinked and smiled, "Then please, Rear Admiral Gern, explain in detail."
Seeing that he finally had a chance to interject, Gern smiled slightly, looking at Neptune and Otohime.
"I think you misunderstood from the beginning. Of course, it might also be because of my identity…"
"Misunderstand?!"
"That's right," Gern nodded, "First of all, coming to Fish-Man Island this time is entirely my personal will, it has nothing to do with the Marines and will not affect the World Government…
In other words, the one cooperating with you is not the Marines under the World Government… but me, Gern, personally!!"
"You personally…" Otohime was stunned, while Neptune and Tiger also furrowed their brows, waiting for Gern to reveal his true purpose.
"Simply put, I hope Fish-Man Island invests in me!" Gern smiled and pointed to himself.
"You are, after all, a World Government affiliated nation. Although successive Fish-Man Island kings have never attended the World Conference, your conference rights must be recognized by the World Government.
Of course, you are also one of the many nations I will cooperate with in the future!
At the same time, I will not let you suffer any losses from this investment. In return, Fish-Man Island will become my important ally in the New World.
I will give you my exclusive Transponder Snail, and whether in the future or now, Fish-Man Island will receive protection from…"
Gern paused in his speech, and the trio of Neptune also held their breath.
"An Admiral of Marineford!!"
The weighty phrase, 【Protection from an Admiral of Marineford】, sent a shock through their hearts.
Although Gern had the suspicion of making grand promises, it depended on who was making them.
At least, in the eyes of Neptune and the others, with Gern's current reputation and strength,
he was fully qualified to reach that level!
Or rather, it was only a matter of time!