Inside the grand hall of Ryugu Palace, the moment that female voice rang out, every gaze turned toward the entrance.
A petite mermaid woman slowly swam in. An orange, crown-shaped hair ornament rested atop her head, gathering her long hair neatly behind her. She wore a flowing robe patterned like orange fish scales, with denser designs adorning the cuffs and the lower portion of her tail. Around her waist was a red sash edged in white, tied again with a white ribbon on the outside.
Her eyes were clear and luminous. Long, golden, wavy hair drifted gently with the current, and upon her face was a smile that was warm—yet unshakably firm.
"Otohime?!" Neptune rose from his throne at once, frowning slightly. "Why are you here?"
Queen Otohime drifted to Neptune's side and gently took her husband's hand, yet her gaze was fixed on Gern.
"I heard that Marines had come to Fish-Man Island, so I wished to see for myself," she said softly."An opportunity for Fish-Man Island and humans to coexist peacefully… must never be missed."
"Queen Otohime." Gern inclined his head slightly, meeting her eyes.
Even at a glance, he could feel it—the pure idealism shining within her gaze, and the unyielding conviction hidden beneath that gentleness.
Otohime released Neptune's hand and swam toward Gern, her smile radiant.
"Rear Admiral Gern, your arrival is a blessing to Fish-Man Island.And regardless of what you were saying just now—we are willing to cooperate with the Marines, unconditionally."
That single word—unconditionally—made both Neptune and Tiger's expressions change instantly.
Neptune hurried forward and spoke to her in a low voice.
"Otohime, this matter requires careful consideration.We can't agree so easily—"
"Careful consideration?" Otohime turned to him, a trace of confusion flickering in her eyes."Neptune, this has always been my dream!
Humans are finally reaching out to us of their own accord—why should we refuse?"
"Queen Otohime, this is different," Tiger added in a deep voice. "The Marines' sudden visit may hide another motive. We can't trust them so readily."
"I understand that," Otohime shook her head gently, her gaze unwavering."And I know what you're worried about, Tiger.
But I can feel Rear Admiral Gern's heart."
She pressed a hand lightly against her chest."His heart tells me he is sincere."
Otohime's Kenbunshoku Haki was extraordinarily special.
She could sense another person's thoughts and emotions, and convey her own consciousness to others—quietly, imperceptibly influencing their hearts and minds, creating powerful emotional resonance. It could even alter a person's values and way of thinking.
This was a form of Observation Haki that stood at an almost supreme, uniquely specialized level. It could not be obtained through training.
Like Haoshoku Haki, it was something one was born with—yet even rarer than Conqueror's Haki itself.
Seeing Otohime's earnest, almost naive expression, Neptune and Tiger exchanged a glance, momentarily speechless.
Otohime's ability to read the emotions of others was something they simply couldn't refute.
At that moment, Lipo curiously sidled up to Gern and whispered,"Gern, that queen seems to really like us?"
"Can you feel it?" Gern asked softly, glancing sideways at her.
"Mhm, mhm." Lipo nodded, her head bobbing."She feels just like the grandma and grandpas from the Mokomo Dukedom—kind, gentle, really warm."
"I see…" Gern nodded lightly, his gaze softening."Perhaps… she truly wants Fish-Man Island to live in peace with humans."
Otohime was an absolute idealist. She had devoted immense effort to the future of the Fish-Man and Mermaid races—yet achieved little tangible success. In the end, it was during a drunken outburst of grief that she awakened the people's hearts through her Haki.
And just when her dream was about to come true, she was assassinated by Hody Jones—dying from wounds that could not be healed.
At that moment, Otohime noticed Lipo, a flicker of surprise lighting up her eyes.
"Oh? And this little rabbit is…?"
Lipo tilted her head, her rabbit ears twitching lightly as she curiously looked back at Otohime.
Seeing this, Tiger explained in a low voice,"Your Majesty, she's from the Mink Tribe—a rare race even in the human world."
"The Mink Tribe?!" Otohime's eyes lit up instantly, her smile growing even brighter.
She could tell at once—the Mink Tribe and the Fish-Men shared the same roots.
"There's a Mink among Rear Admiral Gern's companions?" she said, then drifted in front of Lipo and gently stroked her rabbit ears."So adorable! What's your name?"
"My name's Lipo! I'm Lipo Hope—the Lipo who used to jump all the way to the moon!" Lipo puffed out her chest proudly."And now I'm Gern's adjutant—and a partner of justice!"
Otohime laughed, charmed by her innocence.
"A partner of justice… what a beautiful way to put it.I hope Fish-Man Island can become a friend to humans as well."
She turned to Gern, her eyes filled with expectation.
"Rear Admiral Gern, your companions are so pure. It only strengthens my belief in your sincerity."
Neptune let out a helpless sigh.
He knew that once Otohime set her heart on something, it was almost impossible to change her mind.
But as king, he had to bear responsibility for Fish-Man Island's future.
"Otohime," Neptune said gravely, "we need a more detailed discussion. We can't decide something like this based on intuition alone."
Otohime blinked, then smiled."Then please, Rear Admiral Gern—explain it in detail."
Seeing that he finally had a chance to speak, Gern smiled faintly and looked at Neptune and Otohime.
"I think there's been a misunderstanding from the very beginning. Of course… that may be because of my identity."
"A misunderstanding?!"
"That's right." Gern nodded."First of all, my coming to Fish-Man Island was entirely my personal decision. It has nothing to do with the Marines, and it doesn't affect the World Government in any way…
To put it another way—The one cooperating with you isn't the Marines under the World Government's banner…It's me, Gern Reginald Sigmar, personally."
"Just you…?" Otohime froze slightly. Neptune and Tiger both frowned, waiting for Gern to reveal his true aim.
"To put it simply," Gern said with a smile, pointing at himself,"I want Fish-Man Island to invest in me."
"You are, after all, a World Government–affiliated nation. Though the kings of Fish-Man Island have never attended the World Conference, your right to participate is something the World Government must recognize.
And of course, you are also one of the many nations I plan to cooperate with in the future.
This investment won't be a loss for you. In return, Fish-Man Island will become one of my most important allies in the New World.
I will give you my personal Den Den Mushi. Whether now or in the future, Fish-Man Island will receive—"
Gern paused.
Neptune, Otohime, and Tiger all held their breath.
"—the protection of a Marine Headquarters Admiral."
Those words—"the protection of a Marine Headquarters Admiral"—hit with overwhelming weight.
It sounded almost like an extravagant promise—but that depended on who was making it.
Given Gern's current reputation and strength, as far as Neptune and the others were concerned…
He was absolutely qualified to reach that position.
Or rather—
It was only a matter of time.