The Sunlight Tree Eve within the Sea Forest glowed brilliantly, its bioluminescence flooding the deep sea with light as dazzling as daylight on land.
Tiger withdrew his fist. The blood staining his knuckles dispersed into the water, blooming into a faint red mist.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. The fury in his eyes was forcibly suppressed, fading away as he returned to the composed traveler he had always presented to the world.
"Rear Admiral Gern, the Sea Forest is one of the few true wonders of Fish-Man Island."
Tiger's voice was steady again, as if the violent clash moments ago had never occurred.
It was as though he had returned to the role Neptune had assigned him from the start—guiding Gern through the sights of Fish-Man Island.
"This place has existed for thousands of years. It records the rise and fall of the Fish-Man race."
"It truly is spectacular," Gern replied with a faint smile. He did not expose Tiger's pretense, instead following the change in topic naturally."The Sea Forest truly lives up to its name—like an underwater woodland."
Tiger nodded and continued in a guide's tone.
"According to legend, this was the place where an ancient Mermaid Princess loved to wait in silence.The stories say that because she could never meet the one she was waiting for, she cried day after day—until her tears gathered and became this forest."
"A beautiful legend," Gern said. His gaze swept across the coral groves before settling on the apology tablet Joy Boy had left for the Mermaid Princess."But legends often conceal a far crueler truth, don't they?"
Tiger fell silent for a moment and did not respond.
Instead, he turned and pointed toward another direction.
"Over there is the 'Ship Graveyard.'Many vessels that fail to reach Fish-Man Island are carried by the currents and end up there."
Gern followed Tiger's steps. One ahead, one behind, they moved through the swaying coral forest.
Startled by their presence, schools of fish scattered in all directions.
Tiger's back looked unusually heavy—as if he were carrying invisible shackles.
"Mr. Tiger," Gern suddenly spoke, "you've traveled to so many places and seen all kinds of humans.Do you think humans and Fish-Men can truly coexist peacefully?"
Tiger's steps faltered for an instant, then continued forward.
"Queen Otohime believes they can."
"I asked what you think," Gern pressed, a sharp edge in his voice.
"I don't know," Tiger stopped and turned around, looking at Gern with complicated eyes."But I do know this—if we aren't willing to even try, then the possibility will never exist."
Gern let out a soft chuckle.
"Try? Like Queen Otohime—submitting petitions to the World Government, waiting for mercy from those Celestial Dragons perched high above the world?"
Tiger's fist clenched again. This time, however, he did not erupt. He slowly relaxed his hand.
"Rear Admiral Gern… what exactly do you want me to say?"
"What I want to say is this," Gern replied, his voice low and unwavering."Some doors cannot be opened by knocking. Sometimes, you have to kick them down."
A flicker passed through Tiger's eyes before settling once more.
"Violence only begets more violence."
"And what do silence and endurance bring in return?" Gern shot back."More slavery? Or more discrimination?"
Tiger did not answer.
His gaze passed over Gern and drifted toward the dark abyss of the distant sea, as though the answer lay somewhere within that endless black.
Silence fell between them once more.
After a while, Tiger finally spoke.
"It's getting late. We should head back.Queen Otohime and your companions are probably waiting."
Gern nodded and did not pursue the conversation further.
He knew that once a seed had been planted, it needed time to take root and sprout.
And Tiger—
Was the most fertile soil of all.
On the return journey, neither of them mentioned what had just transpired.
The Sea Forest remained as dreamlike as ever, yet Tiger had no mind to appreciate it.
Gern's words echoed endlessly in his thoughts, and the memories and emotions he had deliberately suppressed surged forth like a tide, crashing against beliefs he had held for years.
Meanwhile, inside Ryugu Palace, an entirely unguarded Lipo was excitedly telling Queen Otohime stories about Gern's past journey to the Mokomo Dukedom…
"I'm a hero of justice! Gern!"Lipo mimicked the pose Gern had struck when he first showed it to her, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
"I really, really loved that move back then—it was so cool! And—and—"As she spoke, Lipo demonstrated her Healing Fruit ability.
"This power too! Gern gave it to me!I can heal so many people with it…!"
Otohime watched Lipo with a gentle smile, her eyes filled with warmth and affection.
"Queen Otohime, look! Gern gave me this too!"Lipo pulled out a delicate carrot-shaped pendant and shook it proudly."He said it's a symbol of justice!"
Otohime took the pendant and gently traced it with her fingers.
"It's beautiful. Rear Admiral Gern treats you very well."
"Mhm! Mhm!" Lipo nodded vigorously, lowering her gaze as the pendant swayed."Even though Gern can be really strict sometimes, and he doesn't often take me on big missions, I know it's because he's doing it for my own good."
A faint light flickered in Otohime's eyes, as if she had sensed something deeper in Lipo's words.
She asked softly,"Lipo… do you think humans and Fish-Men can become friends?"
Lipo blinked and answered without hesitation.
"Of course they can!I have lots of human friends at Marine Headquarters.
They were a little scared of me at first, but later we became really good friends!Most people are kind! Except pirates…"
Looking at Lipo—who, like herself, belonged to a special race—the smile on Otohime's face grew even gentler.
"Thank you, Lipo. Your words have strengthened my resolve."
Elsewhere, Gild Tesoro stood on a terrace of Ryugu Palace, overlooking the scenery of Fish-Man Island.
A camera rested in his hands, its lens aimed at the distant Mermaid Cove.
The waters there were crystal clear, mermaids gliding gracefully within like a living painting.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Neptune's voice sounded from behind him.
Tesoro turned and bowed respectfully."Your Majesty, King Neptune."
Neptune waved his hand and stepped beside him."No need for formalities. You're one of Rear Admiral Gern's men, correct?"
"Yes," Tesoro nodded."I am Gild Tesoro—Rear Admiral Gern's direct subordinate."
Neptune's gaze settled on Tesoro's golden gloves.
"Your ability is quite unusual."
Tesoro smiled faintly."Just a Devil Fruit power."
Neptune pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked,"Tesoro… what kind of man do you think Rear Admiral Gern is?"
Tesoro paused, then answered with sincerity.
"He's someone worth following.He's powerful, decisive—and possesses the ability to overturn the world itself.
It was he who… changed my life."
Seeing the sincerity in Tesoro's eyes, a trace of surprise flashed across Neptune's.
"It seems… he truly is different."
At that moment, the figures of Gern Reginald Sigmar and Tiger appeared in the distance.
Both of them looked calm, as if the earlier confrontation had never occurred.
Otohime and Lipo emerged from the hall as well. Lipo waved excitedly at Gern.
"Gern! Look! Queen Otohime had someone give me a glowing pearl carved into a sea-carrot!"
Gern walked over with a smile and rubbed her head.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it!" Lipo cupped the pearl in her hands, stars sparkling in her eyes."Hehe! It'll look amazing in my room.
Oh—wait! I should also pick some local specialties for Sister Momousagi! She's always so busy…"
Watching the scene, the smile in Otohime's eyes deepened.
She turned to Neptune and said softly,"Neptune… I think we can trust them."
Neptune fell silent for a moment, then finally nodded.
"Perhaps."
Night fell.
Beyond Fish-Man Island's bubble barrier, the deep sea was pitch black.
Yet within the island, lights glowed everywhere—like a radiant pearl resting on the ocean floor.
Standing by the window of his guest chamber in Ryugu Palace, Gern gazed into the distance, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
"The seeds have been planted," he murmured to himself."Now… we wait for them to sprout."