A few days later.
Although Garen had already picked up Vivi, Robin, and Hancock, who had remained in Alabasta, Princess Shirahoshi, the mermaid princess still on Fish-Man Island, was also closely tied to him, the world's most heinous criminal. She could easily become a target of the World Government.
So, instead of taking Vivi and the others directly back to the New World, he stopped midway and headed for Fish-Man Island, where Shirahoshi was.
Since they needed to fly an entire ship on the return trip, Garen and Golden Lion's flying speed had slowed considerably. The coating work before diving into the sea had also taken nearly a full day.
Fortunately, the World Government was not that efficient. Fish-Man Island, already flying the Demacian Standard, remained safe and sound ten thousand meters beneath Holy Land Mariejois, having suffered no crisis.
"Lord Prince Consort!"
The moment Garen and the others entered Ryugu Palace, they received an enthusiastic welcome from its guards:
"Please come with me. His Majesty Neptune and Princess Shirahoshi are waiting for you in the main hall."
Garen had saved Fish-Man Island from pirates, protected the fish-men with his reputation, and greatly intimidated the human traffickers by displaying Doflamingo's head. Over the past few months, Fish-Man Island had enjoyed unprecedented peace.
It was no exaggeration to say that after gaining Garen as their prince consort, the fish-men had instantly gone from a disadvantaged group anyone could step on to precious lives no one dared provoke.
Thus, the Ryugu Palace guards treated Garen with utmost respect, and every cry of "Lord Prince Consort" came from the heart.
As Garen and the others proceeded through Ryugu Palace, guards on both sides of the path bowed to them continuously, while shouts of "Lord Prince Consort" rose and fell without end.
Even Garen