Arrival at the Holy Land

Beneath the Red Line lies the Red Harbor.

That was the only path to the Holy Land Mary Geoise, the threshold to the "Land of God".

Harbor was already bustling with activity, filled with people, journalists, naval personnel, and representatives from various diplomatic missions from all over the world.

Flashbulbs went off one after another, and the reporters, carrying Photo Transponder Snails, were so excited they almost plunged into the sea.

"We're almost at the Ryugu Kingdom--!"

"That's a kingdom that achieved the 'Mermaid and Human Coexistence Declaration' in just two years!"

"I heard that the Mermaid Princess herself will be accompanying them--!"

Just as everyone was eagerly anticipating it—

"Boom--!"

The sea suddenly exploded, and a giant wave shot into the sky, as if a sea god had descended.

A gigantic figure bursts forth from the center of the waves!

"Look!! That's--!"

"Neptune, the Great Knight of the Sea--!"

He rode majestically atop a blue and gold Flying Fish, his cloak billowing in the wind, his Trident gleaming in the sea light, and his massive scales reflecting a dazzling brilliance.

The seawater parted around him, as if the entire ocean was making way for him.

"Wow--!"

"His Majesty Neptune has made a personal appearance!!"

"The King of the Ryugu Kingdom--!"

Reporters frantically took photos, and the shouts of the crowd rose like waves.

Over the past two years, the Ryugu Kingdom has won widespread praise from countries around the world for its policy of promoting "coexistence between mermaids and humans".

Now that they have set foot on the land of the human world, they are no longer "foreigners from the deep sea," but true allies of humanity stepping into the sunlight.

However, once Neptune regained his footing, the cheers from the crowd erupted into another frenzy—

Behind him, a figure as beautiful as a dream slowly rose from the sea.

Her long, pink, wavy hair flowed like a tide in the sunlight, adorned with a taiyaki-shaped hair accessory.

A pair of clear blue eyes, like ocean crystals, revealed both gentleness and determination;

The seashell-shaped earrings swayed gently, reflecting the soft light of the seawater.

Her upper body was graceful and elegant, her skin as smooth as cream;

Its lower body is a pink fishtail in varying shades, shimmering like pearls in the sunlight.

--The Mermaid Princess, Shirahoshi.

Her pink fishtail shimmered with a pearly luster in the sunlight, and as she moved slowly forward, the waves automatically receded, as if making way for her.

Her appearance seemed to freeze the entire Harbor for half a second.

Immediately afterwards, cheers erupted like thunder.

"So beautiful!!"

"This is... the legendary Mermaid Princess?!"

"My God, she's the most beautiful creature I've ever seen in my life!!"

The crowd erupted in cheers!

Reporters nearly made their cameras smoke, and people rushed to the front to get a better look.

Cheers, screams, and flashing lights merged into a surging wave.

Neptune, initially worried that Shirahoshi was still timid, was about to order his guards to disperse the crowd when he suddenly stopped.

Shirahoshi stood tall and proud, without a trace of fear in her eyes.

She took a deep breath, gave a confident yet gentle smile, and bowed slightly to the crowd.

"Hello everyone, I'm Shirahoshi from the Ryugu Kingdom. Nice to meet you!"

That greeting, like a gentle breeze across the sea, was soft yet powerful enough to penetrate the heart.

"She... wasn't afraid?" Neptune was stunned, his eyes slightly moist.

Shirahoshi gently brushed a strand of hair aside, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"I've been trained, after all."

"I've always remembered what Brother Roy said."

The sunlight shone on her, and her smile was like hope rising from the seabed to the surface of the sun.

Neptune gazed at his daughter, as if seeing the gentle and brave woman he once knew.

--Queen Otohime.

He took a deep breath, his heart trembling slightly, and murmured, "How wonderful... Otohime, did you see that?"

"Our daughter can finally smile in the sunshine."

Just then, that familiar and loud laughter suddenly came from behind—

"Ha ha--!"

A commotion erupted at the Harbor. Reporters' Photo Transponder Snail in all directions toward the source of the noise, and countless flashes illuminated the air almost white.

A burly man with white hair strode down from the boarding gate, wearing a "Justice" cloak, his laughter deafening, his steps steady.

That signature Iron Fist and hearty laughter--

Everyone recognized him immediately.

"It is— the Navy Hero, Monkey D. Garp!!"

"Even he came in person?!"

"My God! That's the guy known as the 'Pirate King's Archrival'!!"

The reporters practically went wild, so excited they spilled ink on their notebooks.

However, before they could catch their breath, they saw two young figures walking out side by side behind Garp.

A figure Coat of Justice, his brows burning with an indomitable fighting spirit;

The other one wore Marine Cap, his smile so bright it seemed to illuminate the entire Harbor.

The two walked one after the other, their auras different, yet both were dazzlingly bright.

"That's--!"

"Vice Admiral Fire Fist Ace!!"

"And there's also Rear Admiral Flame Dragon Luffy!!"

"My God! These are legendary brothers from the New Generation of the Navy!!"

"Three generations of a grandfather and grandson... actually escorting the Ryugu Kingdom together?! Unprecedented!!"

The Harbor was bustling with noise, reporters were snapping photos non-stop, and countless people craned their necks and shouted, their cheers rising like waves.

Garp laughed heartily, waving his hand with a proud expression. "Haha! Get out of the way, all of you! Let these two brats see the world!"

"Old man, don't talk nonsense, it's embarrassing!"

Ace rubbed his forehead with a wry smile. Although his tone was helpless, his expression couldn't hide his pride.

"Wow, so many people!"

Luffy was so excited he almost jumped up, his eyes sparkling as he looked around at the cheers of the reporters and the crowd.

"Hehe~ This is much more lively than I imagined!!"

Garp slammed a punch into his head. "Stop running around! You're a bodyguard, not a celebrity!"

"Ouch--! Haha!!" Luffy clutched his head, still laughing carefree.

Ace sighed helplessly, "I can't believe this guy actually became a Navy representative."

Garp burst into laughter. "Haha! Isn't that funny?"

"The grandfather, grandson, and granddaughter appearing on stage together—this is a scene even the World Government never expected!!"

Sunlight shone on them, and golden rays reflected off the sea.

The flag of the Ryugu Kingdom flies side by side with the "Justice" of the navy.

And at this moment, the Red Harbor—

The emergence of these three generations caused an unprecedented sensation.

Just as the Harbor was bustling with excitement, on the distant horizon, the sea breeze whipped up waves of flags.

One after another, giant ships from all over the world are slowly sailing in, their flags intertwined, the sea surface like a grand prelude.