"What did you say?"
A Fishman, over ten meters tall, frowned slightly as he looked at the Den Den Mushi in his hand.
Some female Marines had come to Fish-Man Island as guests, and one of them introduced herself as Esdeath.
"Hold her steady for now, I'll be right there!"
The name Esdeath was incredibly well-known to Neptune!
One could even say she was a great benefactor to Fish-Man Island, for ever since Esdeath came to Shambles, the number of invasions Fish-Man Island suffered had decreased.
Not to mention the selling of Fishmen, which had become impossible.
Otherwise, even with Whitebeard of the Four Emperors' flag flying, the mountains were high and the emperor far away; Whitebeard couldn't possibly watch over Fish-Man Island every day.
"Yes!"
The Fishman on the other end of the Den Den Mushi became excited upon hearing Neptune's tone and guessed that this guest might be a very important one.
Even if she was human!
"Notify Shark Star, Ryugu, and Van to go welcome our distinguished guest!"
The excited Neptune informed his subordinates to summon the three princes, then mounted his ride and departed Dragon Palace.
His ride was a humpback whale named Hoai!
"First Prince! Second Prince! Third Prince!"
A soldier rushed to the princes' residences, knelt on one knee, and said, "King Neptune wants you to go to the entrance of Fish-Man Island to welcome a guest."
"Alright! We understand!"
Shark Star nodded, then took his two younger brothers and left Dragon Palace. He knew exactly what kind of important guest was arriving.
"Big brother, what about Shirahoshi..."
Ryugu, following behind Shark Star, couldn't help but look back at the Hard-Shell Tower. Their sister had been imprisoned for five years!
As her brothers, they were powerless!
They could only let their own sister be confined in that dark, sunless Hard-Shell Tower.
Every time they thought of this, the three brothers wished they could kill Vander Decken!
But no matter what, they couldn't find Vander Decken's location, so they could only watch their sister suffer helplessly.
This feeling was even more unbearable than being killed themselves, yet their sister pretended not to care and comforted them.
After they left, she would secretly cry alone.
Her obedience was heartbreaking.
"There will always be a way!"
Shark Star's fingernails dug into his palm; he also didn't want his sister to suffer such hardship!
...
"Please wait a moment, our King will arrive shortly."
At this moment, the Fishman, though somewhat reluctant, still used respectful language.
"Esdeath-sama..."
Tashigi called out softly to Esdeath from the side, her face a bit strange, as if she found something hard to accept.
Seeing the conflicted Tashigi, Esdeath walked over and asked, "What's wrong?"
Tashigi secretly glanced at the Fishman guarding the door, then said in a small, conflicted voice, "It's just... why are Fishmen not what I imagined?"
Tashigi looked like she was about to cry. These Fishmen were so ugly!
They completely shattered her beautiful fantasies about Fishmen. Weren't Fishmen supposed to be half-human, half-fish?
Why were these all fish?
And they had gills, so ugly they made her want to cry!
"Hahaha!"
Hearing Tashigi's question, Esdeath laughed, then scanned the surroundings and noticed that everyone else seemed equally confused.
This was completely different from what they had imagined!
Only Tina and Carina, who lived in Shambles, were secretly chuckling. They had also been shocked the first time they saw Fishmen.
"Fish-Man Island has not only Merfolk but also Fishmen."
"Although both names contain 'fish,' they are completely different species."
"So..." Esdeath pointed at the two Fishmen at the door and said, "These are Fishmen. The Merfolk haven't come out yet."
"Oh, I see! ●)o(●!"
Everyone looked shocked. So there was also a species called Fishmen!
"Hahaha, I'm late!"
Neptune, riding on Hoai, swam down and appeared at the main entrance.
"Allow me to introduce myself, I am the King of Fish-Man Island, Neptune!"
The massive Neptune came to the front of the warship and greeted them warmly.
He had a thick head of golden hair and a beard, looking like a free-spirited man, which made people feel good about him.
"Wow!"
Their eyes sparkled. They finally saw a real Merfolk, even if he was a male. But the Merfolk was so big!
Completely different from what they had imagined.
"Shark Star!"
"Ryugu!"
"Van!"
The three Merfolk also came to the front of the warship and introduced themselves.
To be honest, except for Shark Star, who seemed to fit human aesthetics, the other two looked very strange, more like Fishmen.
"Marine Rear Admiral, Esdeath!"
"Commodore Tina!"
...
After introductions, Neptune enthusiastically led Esdeath into Fish-Man Island.
The warship also sailed into Fish-Man Island's port.
"Wow!"
As soon as they entered, the women were astonished!
Not only was there sunlight here, but there was also oxygen. They had thought they would need to bring oxygen bubbles to enter Fish-Man Island.
But it turned out Fish-Man Island had air!
"Welcome to Fish-Man Island!"
Many Fishmen and Merfolk curiously watched the group of Marines entering Fish-Man Island. King Neptune was personally leading the way for them!
Such a thing, apart from the late Queen Otohime, no one else had ever received such treatment.
All members of the royal family were present.
Except for the legendary Merfolk Princess, Shirahoshi!
"General Esdeath is truly full of heroic spirit! Neptune greatly admires her."
"At just over ten years old, she took control of Sabaody Archipelago and even cleared out the pirates. I..."
As he spoke, Neptune's old tears flowed freely, dripping onto the ground.
"Father!"
Shark Star looked at the distraught Neptune with some concern. Why had he suddenly become like this?
"It's nothing, I'm just happy!"
He stopped his body, which was leading Esdeath and her group, turned around, and looked at them. Neptune silently bowed, saying, "I, Neptune, on behalf of Fish-Man Island, express my gratitude to you!"
Without any hesitation or concern for his own dignity, he bowed his proud head to Esdeath and the others in full view of everyone.
Even his crown fell to the ground.
"What's wrong with Lord Neptune?"
"I'm not sure!"
Many Merfolk and Fishmen stopped in their tracks, watching this incredible scene. Lord Neptune had bowed to a young Marine.
Immediately, the news spread rapidly throughout Fish-Man Island!
Over a dozen Merfolk, upon hearing this news, felt as if struck by lightning. They quickly left, not even bothering with what they were doing.
Tina and the others exchanged glances, then looked at the female Marines behind them and said in unison, "This is what we should do!"
The sense of pride in their hearts was inexpressible!
The king of a nation bowing to thank them for their actions—wasn't this precisely the responsibility they undertook by joining the Marine!
Esdeath smiled, just about to speak, when a woman's voice drifted over.
"Esdeath-sama~!"
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