Faced with Gern's blunt, straight-to-the-point question, Neptune's heart skipped violently.
He knew exactly what Gern was referring to—the Celestial Dragon of the Donquixote family, a problem as hot and dangerous as a lit fuse.
But in that instant, he couldn't read Gern's attitude or intentions at all.
Was this an interrogation? A demand for accountability?Or did Gern have some other objective in mind?
Neptune opened his mouth, then froze, standing there dumbly, utterly unsure of how to respond.
At his side, Queen Otohime—an idealist by nature—was only "idealistic" when it came to discussing distant, long-term goals.
Now, faced with the overwhelming pressure of Gern, the man who actually held power, and with the situation involving extremely sensitive diplomatic matters, even she didn't dare act rashly. She certainly didn't dare bring out her usual theories of "dialogue and mutual understanding."
To be honest, a big part of that hesitation was because she'd been verbally demolished by Gern too many times in the past.
So Otohime could only desperately signal to her husband with her eyes, her face screaming, "Honey, say something already!"
On the other side, Gern looked at the royal couple and, somewhat helplessly, relaxed his furrowed brow.
To be frank, he really didn't care that Fish-Man Island had taken in a Celestial Dragon who had fallen on hard times.
Especially since this particular Celestial Dragon actually had a conscience and knew how to repay kindness.
As for pressure from the World Government? Accountability from the Five Elders?
Those were daily occurrences for him by now.
What he cared about far more was Fish-Man Island's intrinsic value—and what tangible benefits it could bring to G-10.
Ever since the Navy's "dual-governance" structure had been formalized, G-10 could no longer siphon resources from Marine Headquarters the way it used to.
Which meant that all the massive expenses—maintaining troops, upgrading equipment, base construction, personnel salaries, and even the occasional "extra" expenditures of the "Calamity" members—
All of it now came straight out of Gern's own pocket. Marine Headquarters wouldn't allocate a single berry.
As things stood, G-10's sources of funding mainly consisted of several parts:
Annual taxes paid by non–World Government–affiliated nations within its sphere of influence (the rate wasn't high—just 5%, basically protection money),
And the enormous profits generated by Tesoro's vast commercial network spread across the seas…
But the most important, most stable, and most lucrative source of income by far—
Was the toll collected at Fish-Man Island.
As one of the mandatory gateways pirates had to pass through to enter the New World, Fish-Man Island occupied a uniquely advantageous geographic position.
Gern had established a hard rule here:
Any pirate crew wishing to pass through Fish-Man Island into the New World had to pay a "passage fee" of 300 million berries.
If the crew belonged to one of the Yonko's factions—big names with deep pockets and familiar faces—then an additional 100 million would be charged, politely labeled as a "VIP express service fee."
As for those pirate crews who didn't have the money, or were unwilling to pay?
Heh.
No money, and you want to go to the New World? What, to become cannon fodder?
This was the Great Pirate Era. If you wanted to compete for the ONE PIECE, if you wanted to become the Pirate King, the New World was the final stage.
Of course, if you had the strength to storm the Holy Land directly and bypass Fish-Man Island entirely, Gern wouldn't say a word…
But since you didn't have the guts to do what he did—march straight into Holy Land Mary Geoise—
Then behave yourself and stay in Paradise, or obediently pay up and buy your way through.
Because of this rule, combined with the absolute deterrence of Gern and his "Calamities," the passage fee income from Fish-Man Island never stopped flowing.
Like a river of liquid gold, it poured endlessly into G-10's treasury, supporting Gern's vast ambitions in the New World.
So in Gern's eyes, Fish-Man Island was first and foremost a stable and critically important economic pillar.
As long as Neptune wasn't stupid enough to openly betray him or cause some massive upheaval that would destabilize the island's rule and disrupt the steady flow of toll revenue—
Then something as trivial as hiding a Celestial Dragon or two?
He honestly couldn't care less.
And so, looking at the still-terrified royal couple, Gern couldn't help but sigh.
He casually walked over to a coral table nearby, picked up a piece of Fish-Man Island–exclusive seaweed dessert, and took a bite.
While chewing, he pointed vaguely at Neptune and muttered through a mouthful of food:
"Neptune, honestly, I've got to say something about you."
"Otohime's been with you for so many years. She's given birth to four kids already. She just wants to make a trip to Holy Land Mary Geoise."
"To talk with the World Government about the plan to move Fish-Man Island to the surface."
"Just let her go. It's between husband and wife—what's the big deal?"
"Pff—! Cough, cough, cough!!!"
Neptune had been tensely organizing his words, but when he heard Gern's light, offhand tone—like he was commenting on the weather—he nearly choked on his own saliva.
His eyes bulged out instantly, his mouth hung open wide enough to stuff a watermelon inside, and his entire face twisted into a meme-worthy expression.
"?????"
Do you even hear what you're saying, Admiral Gern?!Neptune roared silently inside his head.
Who was it back then—who was it—when Otohime first proposed going to the Holy Land to give a speech and push for reconciliation between Fish-Man Island and humans—
Who stood in Ryugu Palace, right in front of the two of us, and used the coldest, most brutal, blood-soaked data and real-world examples to utterly shred her idealistic theories, leaving her completely speechless?!
And who was it that turned my once-passionate, endlessly talkative wife into someone silent and depressed—
Locked in her room for months, so down she didn't even feel like cooking my favorite dishes anymore?!
If it weren't for me, Neptune—maintaining my 'warm, caring husband' persona for decades without fail—cheering her up every single day, taking her to see fireworks in Fish-Man District, strolling through the Sea Forest, reminiscing about our youth—
There's no guarantee Shirahoshi would've even been born safely!
And now you're turning around and asking me why I wouldn't let her go?! Huh?!
Unlike Neptune, who was internally exploding with frustration and silent ranting—
When Queen Otohime heard Gern say, "Just let her go,"
The dull light in her eyes instantly flared back to life, as if she'd glimpsed a long-lost ray of hope.
Ignoring her husband's complicated expression, she hurried forward, her voice trembling with anticipation.
"Admiral Gern! Y-you… you really support me going to the Holy Land?"
Gern swallowed the last bite of dessert, brushed the crumbs from his hands, and stood up. His tone remained flat.
"If you want to go, then go."
"That Donquixote family Celestial Dragon is a pretty good 'knocking brick.' With him leading the way, at least you'll be able to step through Mary Geoise's gates and meet someone who can actually make decisions."
As he spoke, he had already started walking toward the doors of the throne room.
"However…"
Just before stepping outside, his pace slowed slightly. He turned his head halfway, his voice carrying back clearly.
"Remember this, Queen Otohime."
"When you go to the Holy Land, you talk only about your matters."
"Your ideals. Your demands. Your vision for peaceful coexistence between fish-men and humans."
"Those are yours. Say whatever you want."
"But—"
Gern's tone abruptly turned cold.
"Fish-Man Island's own interests. Its status as part of G-10's sphere of influence. And the annual 'passage fees' it pays…"
"Those are mine."
"You are not qualified to use any of them as bargaining chips in your negotiations."
"Make sure you remember that."
With that, he didn't linger. He waved his hand casually.
"Oh, right! When you come back, I'll have Kuma bring his family over for a little vacation. Just make some arrangements for it yourselves. Bye!"
Gern had arrived without warning—and left just as decisively.
Leaving Neptune and Otohime staring at each other.
"Hah… Admiral Gern really is as impossible to read as ever," Neptune let out a long breath and collapsed back into his throne, wiping cold sweat from his brow.
Though Gern's attitude had nearly driven him mad, at least the bottom line was now clear.
Fish-Man Island's foundation was safe. Gern wouldn't take out his displeasure on the island because of Otohime's actions.
As for Otohime, she clenched her hands tightly, passion reigniting in her eyes.
"Neptune! Did you hear that?! Admiral Gern… he agreed!" she turned to her husband, barely containing her excitement.
Looking at his wife's rekindled hope, Neptune felt a flood of mixed emotions that finally settled into a helpless sigh.
"Alright… go, go. It's not like I can stop you anyway."
"But Otohime, you must remember what Gern said."
"Fish-Man Island's interests absolutely cannot be touched. People will die over that."
"I know," Otohime nodded, then frowned slightly. "But why does Kuma's family have to come for a vacation after I return? Couldn't they come now?"
"Maybe Admiral Gern has other plans," Neptune said. He was also puzzled by that arrangement, but didn't dwell on it.
Instead, he looked at his wife, grinning foolishly as she basked in the joy of her wish coming true.
…
Outside Ryugu Palace, Gern stood overlooking the breathtakingly beautiful Fish-Man Island, the corners of his mouth lifting faintly.
"Tiger," he murmured softly,
"Fish-Man Island has already lost one idealist."
"Let's not let it lose another."