The Adam Tree of Sea Forest glowed brilliantly, illuminating the deep sea as if it were on land.
Tiger withdrew his fist, the blood on his knuckles diffusing into the seawater, turning into a faint red mist.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, the rage in his eyes forcibly suppressed, transforming him back into the composed traveler he was.
"Rear Admiral Gern, Sea Forest is one of Fish-Man Island's few wonders."
Tiger's voice returned to its calm state, as if the intense conflict just now had never happened, reverting to his initial task of introducing Fish-Man Island's scenery to Gern, as arranged by Neptune.
"Its existence spans a thousand years, chronicling the rise and fall of the Fishman Tribe."
"Indeed magnificent." Gern smiled slightly, not exposing his pretense, but rather following his topic.
"Sea Forest, true to its name, is indeed like an underwater forest!"
Tiger nodded, continuing his introduction in a tour guide-like tone: "Legend has it that Sea Forest was the ancient mermaid princess's favorite place to quietly wait.
Rumors on Fish-Man Island say that because she couldn't meet the one she was waiting for, she cried day and night, and her tears condensed into this forest."
"A beautiful legend." Gern's gaze swept over the coral clusters, finally landing on the engraved text of Joy Boy's apology to the mermaid princess.
"However, legends often conceal a more cruel truth, don't they?"
Tiger remained silent for a moment, not responding.
He turned and pointed to the other side: "Over there is the 'Ship Graveyard'.
Many shipwrecks that failed to reach Fish-Man Island are carried here by the ocean currents."
Gern followed Tiger's steps, the two walking one after another, passing through the swaying coral forest.
The surrounding fish schools were startled by their movement, scattering away.
Tiger's back seemed particularly heavy, as if bearing an invisible shackles.
"Mr. Tiger," Gern suddenly spoke, "You've traveled so many places and seen all sorts of humans.
Do you think humans and Fishman can truly coexist peacefully?"
Tiger's steps paused slightly, but he quickly continued forward: "Queen Otohime believes they can."
"I'm asking about you." Gern's tone carried a hint of sharpness.
"I don't know." Tiger stopped, turned around, and looked at Gern with complex eyes.
"But I do know that if you're not even willing to try, it will never be possible."
Gern chuckled: "Try? Like Queen Otohime, submitting a petition to the World Government, waiting for those high and mighty Celestial Dragons to bestow mercy?"
Tiger's fist clenched again, but this time, he didn't erupt, slowly loosening his hand: "Rear Admiral Gern, what exactly do you want me to say?"
"I want to say that some doors cannot be opened by knocking." Gern's voice was low and firm, "Sometimes, you need to kick it open."
Tiger's eyes flickered slightly, but quickly returned to calm: "Violence only invites more violence."
"But what do silence and endurance bring?" Gern retorted, "More enslavement, or more discrimination?"
Tiger did not answer.
His gaze passed over Gern, looking towards the distant, dark deep sea, as if the answer he sought was there.
The atmosphere between the two fell silent again.
A moment later, Tiger finally spoke: "It's getting late, we should head back.
Queen Otohime and your companions must be getting anxious."
Gern nodded, not pressing further.
He knew that once certain seeds were sown, they needed time to take root and sprout.
And Tiger was the most suitable soil for that.
On the way back, neither of them brought up the previous conversation again.
The scenery of Sea Forest was still dreamlike, but Tiger was not in the mood to appreciate it.
Gern's words echoed in his mind, those memories and emotions he had deliberately suppressed, surging like a tide, impacting his long-held beliefs.
Meanwhile, in Ryugu Palace, the unsuspecting Libo was excitedly telling Queen Otohime the story of Gern's visit to Mokomo Dukedom back then...
"I am the hero of justice! Gern." Libo imitated the scene when Gern first showed her this pose, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons.
"I really loved that pose back then, so cool! And, and..." As she spoke, Libo demonstrated her Devil Fruit ability.
"This is also the ability Gern gave me!! It allows Libo to heal many people..."
And Otohime looked at Libo, smiling gently, her eyes full of affection.
"Queen Otohime, look! Gern gave me this too!" Libo pulled out an exquisite carrot-shaped pendant, showing it off proudly.
"He said it's a symbol of justice!"
Otohime took the pendant, gently stroking it: "It's beautiful. Rear Admiral Gern is very good to you."
"Uh-huh, uh-huh!" Libo nodded vigorously, looking down and swinging the pendant: "Although Gern is sometimes very strict and doesn't often take me on big missions, I know he does it for my own good."
Otohime's eyes flickered slightly, seemingly sensing something from Libo's words.
She softly asked: "Libo, do you think humans and Fishman can be friends?"
Libo blinked, answering without hesitation: "Of course they can!
I have many human friends at Marineford.
Although they were a bit scared of me at first, we later became good friends!
Everyone is still very kind! Except for pirates..."
Looking at Libo, who was also a special Mink Tribe, Otohime's smile became even softer: "Thank you, Libo. Your words have made me even more determined."
On the other side, Tesoro stood on the terrace of Ryugu Palace, overlooking the scenery of Fish-Man Island.
He held a camera in his hand, the lens pointed at the distant Mermaid Cove.
The water there was crystal clear, and the mermaids swam gracefully, like a flowing painting.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Neptune's voice came from behind him.
Tesoro turned, bowing respectfully: "Your Majesty Neptune."
Neptune waved his hand, walking to his side: "No need for formalities. Are you Rear Admiral Gern's subordinate?"
"Yes." Tesoro nodded, "I am Gild Tesoro, Rear Admiral Gern's direct subordinate."
Neptune's gaze fell on Tesoro's golden gloves: "Your ability is very unique."
Tesoro smiled slightly: "Just a Devil Fruit ability."
Neptune pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked: "Tesoro, what kind of person do you think Rear Admiral Gern is?"
Tesoro was startled for a moment, then answered seriously: "He is someone worth following.
He is powerful, decisive, and has the ability to overturn the world!
He is also the one who... changed my life."
Seeing the sincerity in Tesoro's eyes, a hint of surprise flashed in Neptune's eyes: "It seems he is indeed extraordinary."
Just then, Gern and Tiger's figures appeared in the distance.
Both of their expressions were calm, as if the conflict just now had never happened.
Otohime and Libo also walked out of the palace, Libo excitedly waving to Gern: "Gern! Look, Queen Otohime had someone send me a glowing pearl carved into a sea carrot!"
Gern walked forward with a smile, rubbing her head: "Do you like it?"
"I love it!" Libo held the pearl in her palm, her eyes full of stars, "Hehe! It'll definitely look beautiful in my room.
No, I also need to pick out some local specialties for Rear Admiral To-ka, she's always so busy..."
Otohime watched this scene, the smile in her eyes deepening. She turned to Neptune, softly saying: "Neptune, I think we can trust them."
Neptune was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Perhaps."
Night fell, and outside Fish-Man Island's bubble shield, the deep sea was pitch black.
But inside the island, lights shone brightly, like a luminous pearl in the seabed. Gern stood by the window of his guest room in Ryugu Palace, looking at the distant scenery, a slight smile on his lips.
"The seed has been sown," he murmured softly to himself, "Now, we just wait for it to sprout."