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

Seeing Gern's face change faster than flipping through a book, Sengoku felt utterly exhausted and slapped his hand away impatiently: "Get lost! The specific details will be discussed with your people by Tsuru later!"

"The general of the Crane Kingdom is coming to talk? You're messing with me, Warring States?!"

"He's your senior! Be careful!"

"........"

........

The warship slowly sailed away from the port of G-1 base, on the deck...

Sengoku glanced back at Gern on the shore one last time, his face filled with complex emotions, and finally called out earnestly.

"Gern! Behave yourself for the next two months! I'm begging you!"

Also, you must attend the headquarters' high-level meeting in two months! Don't try to hide from me again!

"Okay, okay!" Gern waved his hand casually in response.

Only after the warship disappeared from sight did he stretch out, his bones cracking softly.

He was just about to turn around and call Tezzolo to discuss the plans for the newly acquired G-45 and G-22 branches.

Then he saw Bartholomew Big Bear holding Ginny's hand and walking towards him.

The bear's massive body made Ginny feel exceptionally safe.

With an unprecedented, heartfelt gratitude on his face, he walked up to Gern and bowed deeply, and Ginny followed suit.

“Mr. Guern… thank you.” Big Bear’s voice was deep and sincere, filled with heartfelt gratitude. “I will never forget this kindness.”

Gern looked at them with a faint smile, but his tone was calm and direct, without the slightest hint of politeness or self-aggrandizement.

"It's alright, Lieutenant General Bartholomew Bear."

This is something I promised you.

"Lieutenant General?" Upon hearing this title, Ginny abruptly raised her head, her gaze shifting uncertainly between Gern and Xiong.

"Bear Cub, you...you joined the Navy?! Then...what about Mr. Dragon...?"

Big Bear opened his mouth, about to explain, but Gern spoke first.

His gaze fell calmly on Ginny, but his words were like a cold blade, cutting through the cruel reality: "Ginny, listen."

I saved you simply because you are a member of Lieutenant General Bartholomew Bear's household, nothing more.

He paused, then continued, "As for that Mr. Long you mentioned..."

From the moment Ookuma proactively called my Den Den Mushi, asking for my help, he had already made his choice.

"What choice?" Ginny asked instinctively, her brows furrowed.

Gern's tone was flat, yet every word was piercing: "His choice is to tacitly allow you, along with your unborn child, to remain in the Holy Land."

To become a living specimen in the Five Elders' laboratory, or... to become a plaything for those mentally challenged Celestial Dragons.

Do you understand?

These words struck Ginny's heart like a heavy hammer.

She froze on the spot, her face turning pale instantly, her lips trembling slightly, unable to utter a single word in rebuttal.

Because she knew very well that what Guern was talking about was the destiny that was originally destined for her and was unfolding.

If Xiong hadn't sought help from Gern, and if Gern hadn't launched a blatant attack on the Holy Land, her current situation... she didn't even dare to think about it.

Gern didn't look at Ginny's reaction again, turned around and walked towards Tesoro, Hawkeye and the others who were waiting not far away, casually waving his hand: "Let's go, back. A mess to clean up."

"Gern! Gern!" Libo jumped over, grabbed his left hand, looked up and blinked: "Is the Holy Land fun? Is it dangerous?"

Gern casually ruffled her hair, his tone relaxed: "It's alright, you can handle it however you want."

"What are you trying to control?" Toritoma took his other arm and leaned in with a soft voice, burying his arm in her warm chest.

"Hahaha! You should have taken me with you! Let those ants witness true divine power!" Enel crossed his arms, lightning crackling in his hair.

"Come on," Barrett scoffed. "I wonder who will be the first to be frozen into an ice sculpture."

"You bastard... how dare you underestimate a god?!"

Hawkeye, carrying the Black Blade Yoru on his back, gazed calmly into the distance and murmured in admiration, "Hero Garp's physical skills... are truly awe-inspiring."

Tesoro, standing to the side, covered his face, both amused and exasperated: "You're alright... Ribo and I had just rushed in when Aokiji froze us into background figures with a single move."

As Gern listened to the cacophony of voices, the corners of his mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.

Big Bear watched Gern and the "Calamity" crew leave, remained silent for a moment, then lowered his head.

Looking at Ginny, who was still in shock and a daze, he gave her an incredibly gentle yet firm smile and gently squeezed her hand: "Let's go, Ginny."

“Don’t think about it.” He paused, his voice gentle yet powerful: “Mr. Guern gave me the right to choose a long time ago.”

"Big Bear, you..."

"He...never forced me."

Chapter 342 Tiger's Inner Path

Meanwhile, ten thousand meters below the surface, lies Fishman Island and Fishman Street.

Fisher Tiger leaned against the ornate yet cold coral wall, his chest heaving as he breathed heavily.

His brand-new clothes had long since become tattered and stained with blood and dirt during his escape.

Even after returning to the relatively safe Fishman Island, his broad, scarred hands still trembled slightly from gripping them too tightly.

His eyes held a mixture of relief at surviving a catastrophe, excitement at successfully liberating his compatriots, and a deep, unfathomable worry.

His escape from Mary Geoise, the sacred land atop the Red Earth, to this place was a journey fraught with peril, a journey marked by near-death experiences.

With his innate strength and powerful Fish-Man karate, he repeatedly escaped the World Government's pursuers by the skin of his teeth.

But what struck him most strangely was that after he finally plunged into the surging currents that encircled the Red Line and dived into the deep waters...

The World Government agents and naval soldiers who had been relentlessly pursuing them suddenly stopped on the shore.

They didn't jump in, nor did they fire any significant shots into the water; they simply acted as if they had received some explicit instruction.

He stared indifferently at the sea until his figure disappeared into the deep blue waves.

"Why..." A question flashed through Tiger's mind as he recalled that scene.

Was it fear of the fish-men's fighting prowess in the water? Or did the unpredictability of the deep sea deter them? Or perhaps... there were other, deeper reasons?

But at this moment, Tiger didn't have the extra energy to delve into it further.

A profound sense of exhaustion and an even heavier reality weighed on his mind.

He shook his head vigorously, temporarily putting aside his doubts.

In his mind, his actions—attacking Mary Geoise, the holy land of the world's nobles, freeing slaves, and injuring or even possibly killing Celestial Dragons—were all part of the same thing.

This is undoubtedly a heinous crime that has shaken the very foundation of world governments.

Such a crime would bring devastating retribution, enough to engulf the entire Fishman Island.

No power in the world can openly protect someone who has committed such a "serious crime".

Even Fishman Island, located in the deep sea and relatively isolated, could never withstand the wrath of the World Government.

Returning here now is not to seek refuge, but to take one last look at our homeland before the final storm that may come, to remind King Neptune and Queen Otohime to prepare.

Now, he, Fisher Tiger, is prepared to bear all the consequences alone.

"Brother Tiger!" Just then, Aaron rushed over with his Fishman Street companions, their faces filled with worry and admiration. "You're finally back! Outside..."

Tiger raised his hand to stop them, his gaze sweeping across the magnificent dome of the Dragon Palace in the distance, his voice hoarse yet firm.

"I'm back... but disaster is probably coming soon."

"It's my fault that Fishman Island has been implicated."

There was no fear in his eyes, only a resolute determination to die a heroic death, and a deep sense of guilt for the potential disaster that his compatriots might face.

When Ah Long and the others heard Tiger's philosophical words, their fish brains were momentarily overloaded.

Tiger didn't waste any time. After resting briefly and tidying himself up, he bid farewell to Aaron and headed towards the Dragon Palace...

.........

Dragon Palace

Inside the magnificent hall, King Neptune sat on his throne, his brow furrowed, clearly having heard rumors.

Queen Otohime stood beside him, her hands clasped in front of her, her eyes filled with concern.

Tiger walked to the center of the hall, did not bow, but simply straightened his back and met the gazes of the two rulers of Fishman Island with composure.

“Your Majesty Neptune, Queen Otohime.” His voice was hoarse yet resonant, echoing in the empty hall, “I have returned.”

"At the same time, I also brought a disaster that could destroy Fishman Island."

Then, without any hesitation, Tiger recounted how he had free-climbed the Red Line and how he had infiltrated the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.

He succinctly explained how to free slaves, how to incite riots, and the possible consequences.

Every word was like a heavy hammer blow to Neptune and Otohime's hearts.

Having finished his narration, before King Neptune could gather his thoughts from his shock, and without giving Queen Otohime a chance to offer any words of advice, Tiger continued decisively.

"Of course, I did not return this time to seek the protection of the Dragon Palace."

Fishman Island cannot withstand the wrath of the World Government.

I, Fisher Tiger, will take full responsibility for my actions!

“No, Tiger, you don’t actually need to…” Neptune hadn’t finished speaking when Tiger interrupted him again in an unquestionable tone.

"Your Majesty Neptune, rest assured! I will leave Fishman Island immediately and never return."

I will bear all the consequences alone.

This way, perhaps we can avoid the World Government taking its anger out on our homeland.” Tiger paused here.

"No matter what, everything I've done is for freedom, for my enslaved compatriots, I..."

"I have absolutely no regrets!"

These words were resounding and filled with a tragic and unwavering resolve.

The instant Tiger finished speaking—

"Brother Tiger!!!" A loud shout, filled with both tears and unwavering determination, came from outside the palace gate.

Immediately afterward, the burly blue Jinbe, without even having time to remove his captain's armor, rushed in like a whirlwind.

With a "plop," she fell heavily to her knees on the ground in front of Tiger, splashing tiny droplets of water.

He looked up, his round face filled with excitement and sincerity, gazing at his revered elder brother, his voice choked with emotion.

"Brother Tiger! If you are leaving, I, Jinbe, will follow you forever! No matter where you go or what you face, I will stay with you to the death!"

Jinbe's sudden intrusion and oath of allegiance made the already tense atmosphere on the throne room even more complicated.

Queen Otohime covered her mouth, tears glistening in her eyes.

Tiger looked at his brother kneeling before him, and his resolute face finally softened. His lips trembled slightly, and he finally let out a heavy sigh.

........

For a moment, the hall was silent, with only Tiger's resolute words and Jinbe's excited panting echoing in the air.

King Neptune looked at the fish-man hero before him, who was ready to die for his cause, and then at Jinbe, who was kneeling on the ground with unwavering loyalty. His huge hand gently caressed the armrest of the throne.

Just as the somber atmosphere seemed to freeze, Neptune finally spoke slowly.

“Tiger,” Neptune’s voice broke the silence, “Actually… you don’t need to be so nervous.”

The trouble you've caused might not be as serious as you think.

“Your Majesty Neptune! You don’t understand!” Tiger frowned upon hearing this and immediately retorted, “I attacked the Holy Land of Mary Geoise! ​​That is a capital offense!”

“And…” he took a deep breath and said what he considered the most fatal point, “I also… killed a Celestial Dragon! That’s an unforgivable crime!”

The World Government will not let this go! No matter how strong Admiral Gern's banner is, it cannot protect those who have committed such crimes! I cannot implicate Fish-Man Island!