"What's going on?"
Shano noticed this and felt a bit puzzled.
Nami weakly lifted her head.
Her face showed a pitiful expression, but before she could speak, two Dragon Palace maids walked by with Princess Shirahoshi's chubby shark, Meikaro.
Upon seeing Nami, the eyes of the two mermaid girls almost popped out in shock, and they raised their arms, screaming:
"Oh no! It's the Pet-Eating Demon!"
"Run! Meikaro, what are you standing there for? You're the one who needs to run the most!"
"If you get eaten, the Princess would cry her eyes blind!"
The two of them, along with the shark, ran away at full speed and disappeared in an instant.
"..."
Shano turned his head, glanced at the already numb Nami, and understood with a speechless realization.
The poor kid, why does the Navy's intelligence department always seem to have it out for her? Her bounty finally meets the target, but now there's a problem with the title.
He could only pat Nami's head gently, as a sign of comfort.
"Brother."
Nami looked at the Glutinous Rice Cake, teary-eyed and said, "Do you think this little guy might evolve further in the future?"
Shano gave a sympathetic glance and didn't answer.
But that look was already the best answer.
Oh no!
Nami was really about to cry now.
If it evolves further, would the Navy Headquarters think she might have eaten a dog next time?
With the "Pet-Eating Demon" label over her head, wouldn't it be hard to shake it off!
Recalling the time she bought a newspaper and the cute little newspaper boy who looked at her like he'd seen a ghost, too scared to even take her money…
Nami felt both embarrassed and annoyed. How could the Navy intelligence department's idiots imagine such an absurd story?
Darn it!
In the warrant photo, she was clearly eating cotton candy! Cotton candy!
...
Once everyone was gathered, the banquet quickly began.
The great hall was brightly lit, and the chefs of Dragon Palace City served exquisite dishes, each unique, filling the air with rich aromas.
Everyone was already hungry, and led by Shano, they devoured the food without any hesitation.
Amidst clinking glasses, hosts and guests enjoyed themselves.
Princess Shirahoshi initially sat shyly next to Neptune, her head down, not daring to speak. But afterward, with Nami and Nojiko striking up conversations, she gradually opened up, often covering her mouth as she laughed.
Neptune watched this scene unfold, took a sip from his wine cup, feeling gratified.
"Speaking of which, Shirahoshi, that guy Vander Decken has been caught, so you're completely free now." Nami, now in much better spirits, rested her chin on her hand and said with a smile, "Where would you like to go first?"
"Hmm, let me think…"
Shirahoshi tilted her head, then suddenly smiled sheepishly, "There are so many places I want to go, but the first place should be the Sea Forest. My mother is buried there, but I've never dared to visit because of fear…"
"It's not your fault, Shirahoshi!"
"We were the ones who didn't allow you to leave the Hard Shell Tower, it's us who should be blamed!"
The Eldest Prince Shark and Second Prince Ryuboshi hurriedly said.
"Sea Forest..." Robin softly spoke, "What a coincidence, I've just been there."
"Did you discover the historical text?" Shano interjected.
Robin blinked slightly, turned to look at him, and said with a smile, "The captain can never be fooled, huh."
"I was just guessing."
Shano shrugged. He had actually forgotten that Fishman Island had a historical text until Robin's uncontrollable joy when she arrived at the banquet reminded him.
However, the ship already had a piece of historical text.
The one on Fishman Island seemed much larger and unwieldy, so there was no need to extract it. Having a rubbing was enough.
"Instead of a historical text, it's more like a letter of apology written by someone named Joyboy, for failing to fulfill a promise made to the Mermaid Princess."
Robin looked at Neptune.
"..."
Neptune paused.
How did this girl know that? Observing Robin's face, he found it increasingly familiar and suddenly remembered, "I remember now, you're the orphan from O'Hara, right?"
Robin nodded. Since having Shano's protection, she no longer needed to hide her special identity from others.
No wonder.
Neptune sighed profoundly.
Joyboy, it's been so long since that name was heard…
Eight hundred years have passed in a blink, and merfolk and Fishmen are still trapped under this ten-thousand-meter-deep sea, with almost no hope of returning to the surface. When can they expect the next Joyboy?
Could it be him?
Neptune's gaze fell on Shano.
The young man was happily eating while staring at the distant Hard Shell Tower, lost in thought.
This young man, already a renowned name across the seas, had even defeated Netherworld King Rayleigh and could not be subdued by the Navy Grand Admiral. He was on his way to becoming the first under the Four Emperors.
Considering how he helped Fishman Island without asking for any return, he was also a trustworthy person.
Could someone like this become the next Joyboy?
Who can say for sure?
Neptune wasn't certain either, but one thing was clear: once he left Fishman Island and officially entered the New World,
the entire sea would likely experience the most intense upheaval since the start of the Great Pirate Era…
"King Neptune?"
Robin's voice brought him back to reality.
"Ah, sorry, I was distracted."
Neptune smiled, raising his wine cup, "Come, let's toast to the perfect victory of today's battle and express our gratitude to Lord Shano and Brother Jack!"