Ronglin stood on Princess Shirahoshi's shoulder, one hand stroking her cheek as he smiled. "You're very brave."
Princess Shirahoshi's cheeks grew warm. She said timidly, "Boss Ronglin is the brave one. You can stand against the whole world for your ideals. I admire you so much. If it were me, I could never do it."
Ronglin said gently, "Then from now on, just stay close behind me. I'll clear the road ahead, and you only need to follow in my footsteps."
Shirahoshi laughed happily. "Then it's settled!"
Jinbe, who stood not far away, had watched everything in silence. As he watched Ronglin gradually draw the Fish-Man Island forces toward the Star Alliance, Jinbe felt neither joy nor sorrow.
This was the fate of the Mermaid Clan. After being oppressed and brutalized for so many years, if they could not stand up bravely and fight with all their strength, then perhaps what awaited them would be to vanish into the river of history.
Jinbe silently clenched his fist. No matter what consequences Fish-Man Island might face by following the Star Alliance this time, he was already prepared.
Jinbe would not retreat. He would advance and retreat alongside the entire Mermaid Clan.
Looking at the excited, high-spirited fish-men below, Jinbe knew that they, too, yearned deep down to visit that world all fish-men dreamed of.
This opportunity was exceedingly precious. Though they would have to risk their lives to seize it, if they succeeded, they would finally be able to cast off the shackles of humanity's hatred, forged over countless centuries.
If they could participate in the Ten Thousand Nations Alliance Summit, they would form alliances with hundreds of human kingdoms across the world. That would mark the first step toward the fish-men truly engaging in friendly negotiations with the humans of