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

Chapter 150 The Seed Has Been Sown

The sun tree Eve in the Sea Forest emits a bright and dazzling fluorescence, making the light in the deep sea shimmer as if it were on land.

Tiger withdrew his fist, and the bloodstains on his knuckles spread in the seawater, turning into a faint red mist.

He took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, suppressed the anger in his eyes, and transformed back into the composed traveler.

"Major General Gern, the Sea Forest is one of the few wonders of Fishman Island."

Tiger's voice returned to calm, as if the fierce conflict had never occurred.

He reverted to the initial task assigned by Neptune, introducing the scenery of Fishman Island to Gern.

"This place has existed for thousands of years, recording the rise and fall of the fish-men."

“It is indeed spectacular.” Gern smiled slightly, not exposing his pretense, but continuing the conversation.

"The Forest of the Sea, just as its name suggests, truly resembles an underwater forest!"

Tiger nodded and continued his tour guide-like introduction: "Legend has it that the Sea Forest was the favorite place for the ancient mermaid princess to wait quietly."

Legend has it that on Fishman Island, because she could not see the one she waited for, she wept day and night, and her tears formed this forest.

“A beautiful legend.” Gern’s gaze swept across the coral reef, finally settling on the rigid text of Joy Boy’s apology to the mermaid princess.

"However, legends often conceal a more brutal truth, don't they?"

Tiger remained silent for a moment without replying.

He turned and pointed to the other side: "Over there, the 'ship graveyard'."

Many shipwrecks that failed to reach Mermaid Island are carried here by the ocean currents.

Gern followed in Tiger's footsteps, the two walking one after the other through the swaying coral forest.

The surrounding fish were startled by their movements and scattered.

Tiger's back looked particularly heavy, as if he were carrying an invisible shackle.

“Mr. Tiger,” Gern suddenly spoke up, “you’ve traveled to so many places and met all sorts of people.”

Do you think humans and fish-men can truly coexist peacefully?

Tiger paused slightly, but quickly continued forward: "Queen Otohime believes it is possible."

“I’m asking you.” Gern’s tone was sharp.

“I don’t know.” Tiger stopped and turned around, looking at Gern with a complicated expression.

"But I know that if I'm not even willing to try, there will never be a chance."

Gern chuckled lightly: "Try? Like Queen Otohime, submitting a petition to the World Government and waiting for those high and mighty Celestial Dragons to bestow their pity?"

Tiger clenched his fist again, but this time, he didn't explode. He slowly released his grip: "Major General Gern, what exactly do you want me to say?"

“What I’m trying to say is that some doors can’t be opened by knocking,” Guern’s voice was deep and firm. “Sometimes, you need to kick them open.”

Tiger's eyes flickered slightly, but quickly returned to calm: "Violence will only lead to more violence."

"But what do silence and forbearance bring in return?" Gern asked rhetorically. "More enslavement, or more discrimination?"

Tiger did not answer.

His gaze passed over Gern and looked toward the dark depths of the sea in the distance, as if the answer he was looking for lay there.

Silence fell between the two of them once again.

After a moment, Tiger finally spoke: "It's getting late, we should go back."

Queen Otohime and your companions must be getting impatient.

Gern nodded and did not ask any further questions.

He knew that some seeds, once sown, need time to take root and sprout.

Tiger Woods is the perfect candidate for this role.

On the way back, neither of them mentioned their conversation again.

The scenery of the Sea Forest was still dreamlike, but Tiger had no heart to appreciate it at the moment.

His mind kept replaying Gern's words, those memories and emotions he had deliberately suppressed.

Like a tidal wave, it surged forth, impacting his long-held beliefs.

Meanwhile, inside the Ryugu Palace, the completely unsuspecting Ribo was excitedly telling Queen Otohime the story of how Gren went to the Wool Kingdom years ago...

"I am a hero of justice! Gern." Lippo mimicked the scene when Gern first demonstrated this gesture to her, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons.

"I really loved that move back then, it was so cool! And, and..." Ribo then demonstrated her Healing Fruit ability.

"This is also an ability that Gern gave me!! It allows Lipo to heal many people..."

Otohime looked at Ribo with a gentle smile, her eyes full of love.

“Queen Otohime, look! This is also from Gern!” Libo pulled out a delicate carrot-shaped pendant and proudly dangled it.

He said it was a symbol of justice!

Otohime took the pendant and gently stroked it: "It's so beautiful. Major General Gern is very good to you."

“Yes, yes!” Libo nodded vigorously, looking down and swaying the pendant: “Although Gern is sometimes strict and doesn’t often take me on big missions, I know he does it for my own good.”

Otohime's eyes flickered slightly, as if she had sensed something from Ripo's words.

She asked softly, "Libor, do you think humans and fish-men can be friends?"

Libo blinked and answered without hesitation, "Of course!"

I have many human friends at Marine Headquarters.

Although they were a little afraid of me at first, they later became good friends!

Everyone is still kind! Except for the pirates…”

Looking at Ripo, who was also a special breed of mink, Otohime's smile softened even more: "Thank you, Ripo. Your words have strengthened my resolve."

On the other side, Tesoro stood on the terrace of the Ryugu Palace, overlooking the view of Fishman Island.

He held a camera in his hand, the lens pointed at Mermaid Bay in the distance.

The seawater there is crystal clear, and the mermaids swim gracefully, like a flowing painting.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Neptune’s voice came from behind.

Tezzolo turned and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty Neptune."

Neptune waved his hand and walked to his side: "No need for formalities. You are Major General Gern's subordinate?"

“Yes.” Tezzolo nodded. “I am Gild Tezzolo, a direct subordinate of Major General Guern.”

Neptune's gaze fell on Tesoro's golden glove: "Your ability is very special."

Tesoro smiled slightly: "It's just a Devil Fruit ability."

Neptune pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Tezzolo, what kind of person do you think Major General Gern is?"

Tezzolo paused for a moment, then answered seriously, "He is someone worth following."

He is powerful, decisive, and has the ability to overturn the world!

He... changed my life.

Seeing the sincerity in Tesoro's eyes, Neptune's eyes flashed with surprise: "It seems he is indeed different."

Just then, Gern and Tiger appeared in the distance.

Both of them had calm expressions, as if the conflict had never happened.

Princess Otohime and Ribo also came out of the palace. Ribo waved excitedly at Gern: "Gern! Look, Princess Otohime sent me a sea carrot carved from a pearl that can glow!"

Gern smiled and walked over, ruffling her hair: "Do you like it?"

"I love it!" Lipo held the pearl in her hands, her eyes sparkling. "Hehe! It would look so pretty in my room."

No, I also need to pick out some local specialties for Momousagi-neechan; she's always so busy..."

As Otohime watched this scene, her smile deepened. She turned to Neptune and said softly, "Neptune, I think we can trust them."

Neptune was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Perhaps."

As night falls, the deep sea is pitch black outside the bubble shield of Fishman Island.

But the island was brightly lit, like a pearl on the seabed. Gern stood by the window of his room in the Dragon Palace, gazing at the distant scenery, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“The seed has been sown,” he murmured to himself. “Now, we just have to wait for it to sprout.”

Chapter 151 Shirley Who Can Tell Fortunes

The next morning, the Fishman Street was bathed in the soft light of the deep sea, with tiny bubbles floating among the mottled coral buildings.

Between the dilapidated houses, several young fish-man children were chasing and playing, their laughter sounding particularly clear in the tranquil seawater.

However, when the figures of Gern and his two companions appeared at the end of the street, the atmosphere in the entire Fishman Street instantly froze.

"It's a human!" A small fish-man hiding behind a coral reef stared wide-eyed, its fin-like fingers gripping the edge of the reef tightly.

"How did they get here?" Another child shrank back nervously, his fishtail slapping the seawater uneasily.

"Shh! Keep your voice down, Tiger's with them!" Another kid nervously tugged at his fin.

Lippo's rabbit ears twitched slightly, keenly catching the hushed whispers around her. She leaned closer to Gurn and whispered, "Gurn, they seem afraid of us."

Gern's gaze swept across both sides of the street, where pairs of wary eyes were secretly observing them from behind half-open doors and windows.

"It's not fear, it's wariness."

Gern walked at the front, his gaze calmly sweeping across the street.

The environment of Fishman Street was even more rudimentary than he had imagined, but compared to the chaos to come, Fishman Street at this moment was more like a sanctuary for orphans.

Although Tiger travels around all year round, his prestige in Fishman Street remains unmatched.

So when Tiger appeared, the residents of Fishman Street relaxed a little, but their questioning gazes still lingered on Gern's naval uniform.

Suddenly, the water in front of us rippled.

"Tiger Boss! Tiger Boss!"

Suddenly, two deep voices came from the side.

Gern glanced to the side and saw a blue-skinned whale shark man striding towards him, followed by a tall, thin fish man with a jagged nose.

"Jinpei, Arlong." Tiger stopped and nodded slightly when he saw that it was his old friend.

Jinbe bowed respectfully, his gaze sweeping warily over the three men: "Boss, who are these three?"

"What are the Navy doing in Fishman Street?" Aaron crossed his arms, his jagged nose twitching slightly, making no attempt to hide the hostility in his eyes.

"This is not a place for them!"

The two, who clearly learned about the outside world through Tiger, knew Gern's identity.

Upon hearing Aaron's words, Tiger frowned: "Aaron, watch your attitude. They are guests of Fishman Island now."

"A guest? Ha, clearly just a human..." A-Long scoffed.

But due to Tiger's authority, he kept his mouth shut, though his menacing eyes remained fixed on Gern.

Gern looked at the two fishmen in front of him with great interest.

At this time, Jinbe was still young, and although there was wariness in his eyes, there was more composure.

Ah Long, on the other hand, was a complete troublemaker, exuding a violent aura.

“You’re Aaron?” Gern suddenly spoke up. “More energetic than I imagined.”

Ah Long was taken aback, then narrowed his eyes: "You know me?"

“I’ve heard of him.” Guern smiled slightly. “‘Saw Ah Long’ from Fishman Street. He has a fiery temper, but he’s very loyal.”

They even secretly formed a pirate crew to ambush the pirates who landed on Fish-Man Island. Am I right?

“Ah Long, you…” Tiger was completely unaware of this, so he turned his gaze to Jinbe, who pursed his lips helplessly and tacitly agreed.