The atmosphere in Giloncorde Plaza froze solid in an instant.
Gern's Haoshoku Haki spread outward like ripples on water—precise, controlled. It curved around the surrounding civilians and struck only the Fish-Man soldiers who had rushed forward, knocking them unconscious where they stood.
The shark Fish-Man captain stared wide-eyed at his fallen comrades, then at the trident embedded before him. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Y-you…" His voice trembled. "What did you do?"
"I just let them take a short rest," Gern replied calmly as he withdrew his aura. "And I already told you—we're not enemies."
"Exactly!" Lipo poked her head out from behind Gern, her rabbit ears twitching lightly. "You guys were the ones who attacked first!"
Even so, the moment Gern's Conqueror's Haki faded, the residents of Fish-Man Island gathered in the plaza were still trapped in stunned silence.
Then—within that fleeting lull—
A crimson blur suddenly burst out from the side, moving so fast it nearly tore through the surrounding water!
His arms bulged with coiled muscle, palms gathering the terrifying pressure of the deep sea as he thrust both hands forward toward Gern's position.
"Fish-Man Karate—Sea-Repelling Thrust!"
The air compressed to its absolute limit—then detonated!
A visible shockwave erupted like the roar of a deep-sea leviathan, forcibly blasting away the surrounding currents and creating destruction akin to a vacuum!
"Not good!"Tesoro's pupils shrank. Acting on pure instinct, he stepped forward with Soru—
Gold and jet-black Busoshoku Haki instantly coated his arm. His right fist clenched tight and slammed forward.
"Golden—Impact Fist!"
BOOM!!!
The two forces collided violently in midair. The resulting shockwave exploded outward, shaking the coral buildings until they rattled and trembled. Even the air itself was momentarily blown away, leaving behind a brief vacuum zone!
Tesoro let out a muffled grunt. Cracks spread beneath his feet as he was forced back several steps, his arm tingling with numbness.
He narrowed his eyes, watching as the crimson figure used the recoil to flip backward, landing steadily on the ground opposite him.
It was a Fish-Man standing nearly five meters tall, massively built. A red headscarf was tied around his head. Beneath thick, curly hair was a wide mouth, framed by a dense beard, with faint stubble on his upper lip.
His eyes were sharp as blades. His arms bulged with battle-hardened muscle.
This was clearly a veteran warrior.
"…Strong," Tesoro muttered, rotating his numbed wrist as liquid gold flowed between his fingers. His expression was grave.
Gern, however, merely turned his gaze slightly, the corner of his mouth lifting into a faint, cold smirk.
"Tch. Looks like someone can finally confirm who we are," he said softly. "Right?"
His eyes passed over Tesoro and locked directly onto the Fish-Man. His voice was low, unmistakably clear.
"The great adventurer and traveler of the seas—Fish-Man, Fisher Tiger."
Hearing his name spoken aloud, Fisher Tiger slowly straightened his posture.
His gaze burned as he stared at Gern—especially at the glaring Justice coat draped across his back.
"Marines…" Tiger's voice was deep, heavy with pressure. "What exactly do you want on Fish-Man Island?"
Gern didn't answer immediately. Instead, he lightly patted Tesoro on the shoulder, signaling him to step back.
Then he walked forward. The black blade Eight Desolations tapped lightly against the ground, producing a crisp metallic ring.
"I've heard of your deeds," Gern said quietly."Traveling the world… experiencing its cultures, its lands—and its humanity."
Tiger's eyes didn't waver in the slightest. If anything, they sharpened. He let out a cold laugh.
"Since when did the Marines start caring whether a Fish-Man lives or dies?"
"Isn't that why I'm here?" Gern replied. Then his tone shifted abruptly—his gaze turning razor-sharp.
"But just now… you were attacking my people, weren't you?!"
His Haoshoku Haki erupted once more, this time fully focused—crashing down upon Fisher Tiger like a crushing tide.
"Conqueror's Haki…! That's strong," Tiger grunted. His knees bent slightly, cold sweat pouring from his brow.
"Marine… Conqueror's Haki… that age… and that blade wrapped in white cloth…"Realization dawned across Tiger's face.
"You're the Marine known as 'Heaven-Shaker'?!"
"This was supposed to be a friendly visit," Gern sighed."It seems Fish-Man Island truly needs…" His eyes glinted."…my justice."
"Your justice?" Tiger instantly caught the anomaly in Gern's words and raised his gaze to scrutinize this monstrous Marine.
Not the World Government's justice.Not the Marines' justice.
His justice?
At that moment, another disturbance rippled through the crowd.
Lipo's rabbit ears snapped upright. "Gern! Someone's coming! Lots of bubble carriages!"
As her words fell, a royal convoy pulled by giant seahorses burst through the surrounding Fish-Men.
Moments later, a tall, blue-skinned Fish-Man wearing a crown strode forward under heavy guard.
His gaze was sharp and commanding.
The newly crowned king of Fish-Man Island—Neptune.
"What's going on here?" Neptune's voice boomed as his eyes swept over the fallen soldiers, finally settling on Gern.
The shark Fish-Man hurried forward and bowed. "Your Majesty! These humans fell from the sky without warning and attacked our soldiers!"
Neptune frowned slightly and turned toward Gern's group. "Who are you? And why have you trespassed upon Fish-Man Island?"
In truth, Neptune had been nearby from the moment the Marine warship crashed.
A man capable of ruling a nation was no fool. He had deliberately stayed hidden, watching to see what this Marine intended to do.
After all, though Fish-Man Island was nominally a World Government–affiliated nation, no Marines had ever officially visited.
It was only after he realized that even Fisher Tiger—Fish-Man Island's top combatant—couldn't suppress Gern that Neptune decisively stepped in to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.
Especially after hearing the name "Heaven-Shaker." That alone sent a chill through his heart.
Meanwhile, Gern—who had long since sensed the king's presence through Kenbunshoku Haki—had no intention of exposing him.
He gave a slight nod, his tone respectful yet composed.
"Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral Gern Reginald Sigmar.Due to an abnormal ocean current, our warship accidentally fell here.
For all damages caused by the crash, I offer my sincere apologies and am willing to provide full compensation.Of course, I'll need official receipts—I have to get reimbursed when I return."
"Marines?" Neptune feigned mild surprise, then pondered briefly. "Then what is your purpose in coming to Fish-Man Island?"
"A visit," Gern answered openly."Fish-Man Island is a World Government–affiliated nation, yet it has long suffered harassment from pirates.
I came to establish contact with Fish-Man Island and work together to maintain peace in these waters."
Neptune's gaze lingered on the Justice coat for a moment, as if weighing the implications.
At last, he nodded. "In that case, please accompany me to Ryugu Palace so we may discuss this in detail."
"Your Majesty!" the shark Fish-Man protested urgently. "Their background is unclear—what if—"
Neptune raised a hand, cutting him off."No more.
If they truly harbored ill intent, they wouldn't have shown restraint just now.And next time, you will contact the Minister of Defense first instead of acting on your own.
You have children now, don't you? I believe one of them is named… Hody?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."The shark Fish-Man lowered his head, accepting the blame Neptune had deftly shifted onto him.
Upon hearing the name Hody, Gern paused and glanced at the captain, sighing inwardly.
"So this is the father of the future steroid king, huh…"
After finishing his reprimand, Neptune turned back to Gern with a smile.
"Please, Rear Admiral Gern."
Gern smiled in return.
"The honor is mine."