The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

I deeply apologize for all the losses caused to your country by the warship's crash and am willing to provide full compensation.

"Of course I need an invoice, since I need to get it reimbursed when I get back."

"The Navy?" Neptune feigned surprise, paused for a moment, and asked, "What is your purpose in coming to Fishman Island?"

"A visit, indeed!" Gern answered frankly. "Fishman Island, as a member state of the World Government, has long been harassed by pirates."

My purpose in coming here is to establish contact with Fishman Island and work together to maintain peace in these waters.

Neptune's gaze lingered on Guern's cloak of justice for a moment, as if weighing the pros and cons.

Finally, he nodded: "In that case, please come with me to the Dragon Palace to discuss this further."

"Your Majesty!" the shark-fish man hurriedly tried to dissuade him, "Their origins are unknown, what if..."

Neptune raised his hand to interrupt him: "No need for further words."

If they truly had malicious intent, they wouldn't have held back just now.

And next time, you should contact the Minister of Defense first, instead of acting on your own initiative.

"You have a child now, I think his name is Hody, right?"

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The shark-fish man lowered his head, accepting the blame that Neptune had thrown at him.

When Gern heard the name Hody, he was taken aback. Looking at the shark-fish captain, he thought to himself, "So he's the father of the future drug king!"

Having shifted the blame, Neptune looked at Gern again and smiled, "Please, Major General Gern."

Gern smiled slightly: "It would be my honor."

Chapter 146 Conversation

Above Fishman Island, a royal convoy pulled by a giant seahorse slowly moved forward, passing through the island's colorful coral forest.

Libo lay on the edge of the carriage, her pink eyes sparkling with excitement, her rabbit ears twitching with her movements.

"Gern! Look over there!" She pointed to a swarm of jellyfish shimmering with bioluminescence in the distance, her voice filled with excitement. "They change color! Like a rainbow!"

Gern smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over the dreamlike deep-sea world.

Tezzolo sat quietly to the side, his camera constantly capturing the scenery along the way.

His eyes were gentle, as if he had already pictured the sightseeing with Stella in his mind.

"Tezzolo, how did the filming go?" Gern asked, turning his head.

Tesoro nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Stella will definitely like it here."

"Really?! Let me see!" Upon hearing this, Libo immediately leaned over and pointed at the camera screen.

"This one! This one absolutely has to be developed! And I want to take a picture with Mermaid Bay over there too!"

"This is a camera that Stella bought for me, and I won't allow you to touch it!"

"Don't be so stingy!"

Seeing this, Gern chuckled softly, then reached out and grabbed Lipo by the back of her collar.

He lifted her back onto his lap, rubbed her head, and laughed, "We'll have plenty of time after we've finished talking."

"And didn't you want the biggest, shiniest pearl carrot? I'll talk to Neptune about it later."

“That’s right! My pearl carrot!” Lippo’s eyes lit up, and her lips never left her mouth.

Tesoro pursed his lips when he heard this, wanting to get a set of Fishman Island-themed accessories for his Stella as well.

After all, Stella was just a family member and often chatted with other military dependents in Marineford.

I would be so happy if my wife had a set of jewelry like this!

Thinking of this, Tesoro suddenly looked at Gren, pursed her lips, and said, "General Gren, I can be cute too~"

"Tesoro, don't force me to give you a real underwater crash right here."

Tesoro: "..."

Meanwhile, in the royal suite ahead, Neptune frowned slightly, his gaze deep.

He turned to look at Fisher Tiger sitting next to him and asked in a low voice, "Tiger, what do you think is the real purpose of this naval rear admiral on Fishman Island?"

“I’m not sure.” Tiger crossed his arms and said in a deep voice, “He said it was a ‘visit,’ but there’s more to it than meets the eye.”

Especially that line, "The fishman needs his justice"... I don't understand what he means.

"Is that so..." Neptune pondered for a moment, "What is his strength like?"

“Very strong.” A hint of seriousness flashed in Tiger’s eyes: “If he wants to make a move, no one on Fishman Island can stop him.”

It's important to know that his nickname "Skyquake" in the Navy wasn't given lightly.

His reputation was built step by step, starting with slaying the Golden Lion.

On the high seas, apart from those three legends and a few other powerful figures, no one dared to say they could definitely defeat him.

"If it were a few months ago, before the Roger Pirates left Fishman Island, with your relationship with Roger, we might actually be able to get him to have a proper discussion..."

“It’s a pity Roger is already gone.” Neptune’s brow furrowed even more.

"However, the Navy... no! The World Government's sudden interest in Fishman Island is probably not that simple."

Tiger nodded: "The World Government has never really cared about Fishman Island. Now that the Navy has landed on Fishman Island, there must be a purpose behind it."

“In that case…” Neptune took a deep breath, his gaze resolute: “In any case, let’s sound him out first.”

If he truly has ulterior motives, we need to prepare as soon as possible.

The convoy passed through a massive coral archway, and the outline of the Dragon Palace gradually came into view.

The golden palace shimmered in the light of the deep sea, like a castle from a fairy tale.

Ribo's eyes widened in amazement. "So beautiful! It's even more magnificent than Marine Headquarters!"

Gern's gaze, however, fell on the defensive fortifications surrounding the palace, and he thought to himself, "Fishman Island's defenses are more stringent than I imagined..."

The convoy finally stopped in front of the gates of the Dragon Palace.

Neptune stepped down from his seat, turned to the three men, and said, "Welcome to Dragon Palace, Major General Gern."

Please come inside and we can discuss this further.

Gern smiled slightly and nodded politely.

As he stepped into the main hall of the Dragon Palace, Gern's gaze swept over his surroundings.

Beneath the lavish decorations lies a tense atmosphere.

The guards looked at them with wariness, clearly distrusting these "uninvited guests."

Neptune sat on the throne and gestured for Gern and the others to take their seats.

A servant brought out some tea and snacks featuring deep-sea specialties. Libo took a curious bite, and her eyes immediately lit up: "Delicious!"

Neptune smiled, then looked at Gern and said bluntly, "Major General Gern, Fishman Island has always had a distant relationship with the World Government."

What brings the Navy to this unexpected visit?

Gern put down his teacup, his tone calm yet firm: "Your Majesty Neptune, Fish-Man Island, as a member state of the World Government..."

However, it has long been harassed by pirates, and has even become their transit point on their way to the New World.

The navy cannot stand idly by in this situation.

Do you even need to say that? Do you think we don't know? That's why Fishman Island maintains its friendly policy towards pirates.

In this way, most pirates would treat Fishman Island as a tourist stop on their way to the New World, and not stay there for long.

(The plundering and sale of mermaids was more common during the Great Pirate Era.)

Thinking of this, Neptune's gaze sharpened, but he continued to smile: "So, the Navy is here to 'clean up' Fishman Island?"

"Clean up 'Fishman Island'? You dare to think about that, but even the world government wouldn't dare to do it!"

Located 10,000 meters below the sea and beneath the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, this geographical location is absolutely unbeatable!

After internally criticizing himself, Gern shook his head: "No, I'm here to establish a partnership."

Fishman Island needs real protection, and the navy can provide that.

Tiger scoffed: "Protect? Or control?"

Gern looked at Tiger with a frank gaze: "Fisher Tiger, you have traveled abroad for many years and should be aware of human prejudice and the predicament of Fishman Island."

If the Navy truly wanted to control Fishman Island, they wouldn't have sent just me alone.

Therefore, 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 Tiger exchanged a glance and chose to remain silent.

Seeing this, Guern continued, "My proposal is simple: I will establish formal diplomatic relations with Fishman Island, and you will fly my flag!"

Neptune pondered, "What benefit would this bring to Fishman Island?"

Gern smiled slightly, about to speak, when a woman's voice suddenly interrupted him.

"Wait! We don't need any benefits!!"

"We don't need any benefits from Mermaid Island. We are willing to do anything as long as we can have peace with humanity."

Upon hearing the voice outside the hall, Neptune and Fisher Tiger were both stunned. They were doomed.

His idealistic wife, the idealistic queen of Mermaid Island.

coming!

Chapter 147 Idealist Otohime

Inside the main hall of the Dragon Palace, as the woman's voice rang out, everyone's gaze turned to the entrance.

A petite mermaid woman swam in slowly, wearing an orange crown-shaped hair clip to tie her long hair back.

She wore a long orange robe with a fish scale pattern, the pattern being even denser on the cuffs and the fish tail.

The waist is cinched with a red-based, white-edged corset, which is then tied up with a white satin ribbon.

At the same time, her eyes were clear, her long golden wavy hair swayed gently with the water, and she wore a gentle yet firm smile.

"Princess Otohime!?" Neptune rose from his throne, his brow furrowing slightly. "Why are you here?"

Queen Otohime floated to Neptune's side, gently taking her husband's hand, but her gaze remained fixed on Gern.

"I heard the navy was visiting, so I came to see them." Her voice was soft.

"The opportunity for Fishman Island to coexist peacefully with humans must not be missed."

"Queen Otohime." Gern nodded slightly, his gaze meeting Otohime's.

Even from the surface, he could sense the pure idealism in the other person's eyes, as well as the unwavering belief hidden within.

At that moment, Otohime released Neptune's hand, floated over to Gern, and smiled brightly.

"Major General Gern, your arrival is a blessing for Fishman Island."

And regardless of what you just said, we are willing to cooperate with the Navy, and we do not require any conditions.

Otohime's unconditional words caused Neptune and Tiger's expressions to change simultaneously.

Neptune quickly stepped forward and whispered to Otohime...

"Princess, this matter needs to be carefully considered."

We cannot agree so easily…

"Careful?" Otohime turned her head, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes.

"Neptune, this has always been my dream!"

Why should we refuse when humans are willing to lend a helping hand?

"Queen Otohime, this is different," Tiger said in a deep voice. "The navy's sudden visit may have ulterior motives. We cannot trust them too easily."

“I know that.” Otohime shook her head, her gaze firm. “I also know what Tiger and you are worried about.”

But I could sense what was in Major General Gern's heart.