I Have General Jinbe to Slay the Mastermind

"This..."

After hearing Gawain's words, Neptune pondered for a moment before asking gravely.

"Saint Gawain, is the reason you wanted to ride Hoe with me so that I would make up my mind to investigate what happened back then?"

"Hoe?"

Gawain blanked out, and Neptune hurriedly explained.

"Ah, Hoe is this big fellow, my giant whale.

Hoe, say hello to Saint Gawain."

"Woooooo~~~!"

The giant whale beneath them swished its tail and let out a series of deep calls.

After the giant whale finished calling, Neptune took a deep breath and continued.

"What happened back then... is there really any need to investigate it, Saint Gawain?

I... although I am in pain too, perhaps the truth will only hurt me even more!

At least now, I believe I have executed the murderer.

But if we investigate it to the end, what will either I or my people gain from it?"

Neptune sighed.

"They killed Otohime only because they did not want us Fish-Men to go to the surface. It is not that I do not understand—I just do not dare to.

If we investigate, there are only a few possible outcomes. Perhaps the assassin was sent by a Celestial Dragon like you, or perhaps by some great pirate hostile to Whitebeard.

Or perhaps the one who killed Otohime was one of us Fish-Men, one of the compatriots Otohime had always trusted and loved—the radicals who desperately preached that our race stood above all else, who had never been to the surface and knew nothing of the world.

Saint Gawain, isn't it ridiculous? Whether it was the Celestial Dragons or great pirates, we would be no match for them.

If it was one of my people, then from what position should I view this matter?

If my people truly did not wish to go to the surface, then would Otohime and I not be tyrants forcing them against their will? And if we were tyrants, what would be wrong with being killed by our own people?

Most absurd of all, the ones least likely to have killed Otohime were the slave traders I hated most.

Who would want us to go to the surface more than slave traders? It would make capturing us far too easy!"

When he finished speaking, Neptune closed his eyes and fell into sorrowful silence.

Gawain stood beside Neptune, momentarily at a loss for words as well.

Was Neptune truly foolish?

Of course not!

This was not a manga, but a real sea. Even historians could not record the full scope of history, so how could a manga artist possibly draw an entire real world?

Now that he thought about it, Neptune was not merely un-foolish. On the contrary, he was incomparably rational!

After a moment of silence, Gawain pondered before softly trying to persuade him.

"I understand your thinking, King Neptune. Because the outcome will never be the one you want, and such an outcome is worse than having no outcome at all, right?

But I cannot agree with that idea!"

Gawain pointed toward the distant Sea of Clouds, his voice impassioned.

"The reason an outcome is called an outcome is because it represents the end of everything!

Yet now, you have only executed the nominal culprit while allowing the mastermind behind the scenes to roam free. That only proves Queen Otohime's death is not yet the end!

Once the tide changes and people forget that Otohime ever existed, who will die next?

You, your children, your people—someone will eventually become their new target. You do not think that just because Otohime died, no Fish-Man on Fish-Man Island will continue longing for the surface, do you?

Even just now, were you not speaking to me of your dream of going to the surface?

So next, if I agree to your request and bring Fish-Man Island an approval document from the Five Elders, then once that document reaches your hands, will you become the next Otohime?

I deeply regret Otohime's death, but I sincerely hope she will be Fish-Man Island's last regret.

What do you think?"

After speaking, Gawain raised his head and met King Neptune's gaze.

Facing Gawain's stern stare, King Neptune breathed heavily, then nodded firmly.

"You are right!"

Neptune clenched his fist once more. He thought of the sorrow of the past five years, of his son's disappointment in him, and especially of his daughter, who could only remain hidden in Hard-Shell Tower.

Over the past five years, the people of Fish-Man Island had never been united. The anti-surface faction and the pro-surface faction had argued without end.

If one day the pro-surface faction won a complete victory, what would the mastermind do?

And if the anti-surface faction won a complete victory, then...

Neptune felt a chill. He had nearly forgotten that even he himself belonged to the pro-surface faction that had inherited Otohime's ideals.

If his faction were completely defeated, would his own fate not be obvious?

After considering it, Neptune looked at Gawain and spoke heavily.

"Saint Gawain, perhaps I lack the ability to govern my country well, but I know what kind of person I should trust!

So what should we do?"

"What should we do?"

Faced with Neptune's question, Gawain nodded in satisfaction, then said softly.

"Do we still need to consider that, Neptune? Do not forget who we are.

Whether you, the ruler of Ryugu Palace, or I, a Celestial Dragon, we are the ones who make policy. The initiative has always been in my hands!"

As he spoke, Gawain waved toward the increasingly close Ryugu Palace.

"We are almost there. Hahaha, next, of course, you must hold a grand feast for your people's return, and for Mjosgard and me!

We will travel across Fish-Man Island, and we will become friends—not friends like you and me are now, but the kind of friends your people and the mastermind can both believe are truly friends!

Perhaps in a day, perhaps two days, one day I will be moved by your warm hospitality and invite you to relocate to the surface.

This time, I will personally hold the document that was once in Otohime's hands!

Look, I have already prepared the bait for the person behind it all. What do you think, Neptune?"

"This absolutely will not do, Gawain!"

In his agitation, Neptune even forgot to call him Saint.

"If we do that, you... would you not be placing yourself in danger, my friend?!"

"Hahaha, Neptune, how could you want to do something yet refuse to take even a little risk?"

Gawain laughed boldly as he patted Neptune's tail.

"Placing the core that created everything before the mastermind once again is the simplest way to uncover the truth behind Otohime's death!

I have always acted openly and aboveboard. I never wish to enter the shadows, so I must drag all those vile schemers into the sunlight!

As for my safety, I am not like Otohime. I have never been alone!"

At that, Gawain gently took Gion's wrist in his right hand.

"This valiant woman is one of the Navy's only two admiral candidates, General Gion, known as Momousagi!

With her here, ordinary people cannot harm me!"

"But... but even with Admiral Momousagi..."

Neptune was so anxious he could barely speak. He cautiously glanced at Momousagi's expression before finally continuing hesitantly.

"This is not the surface, but the seabed ten thousand meters below. Though Fish-Man Island has air, the sea still occupies most of it.

I am only making a supposition. What if the ones responsible were not humans, but... but us?

Then in this environment ten thousand meters beneath the sea, even if my old friend Garp personally took action, he might not be able to fight for long!"

Hearing Neptune's words, Gawain smiled deeply.

Neptune, I have finally been waiting for you to say that!

After lightly squeezing Momousagi's wrist, Gawain pretended to hesitate as he asked Neptune.

"What you say does make some sense."

After speaking, Gawain quickly cast away the hesitation on his face and became bold once more.

With a grand wave of his hand, he said decisively.

"So what? My resolve will not retreat because of some danger. Neptune, do as I say!"

"Saint Gawain!"

Faced with Gawain's impassioned words, Neptune was moved beyond measure. He breathed heavily, then said loudly.

"For Otohime to have had friends like you and Mjosgard, how fortunate she was in her life!

I agree to your decision, and I will certainly support you with all my strength!

But no matter what, your safety must be guaranteed. Neither Fish-Man Island nor I wish for our friend to suffer any harm!

Knight of the Sea Jinbe is currently Fish-Man Island's strongest warrior, as well as the foremost instructor of Fish-Man Karate.

I hope you can forgive the past offense against Mary Geoise committed by him and his captain, Fisher Tiger, and allow him to serve as your personal guard!

So long as you are willing to accept his protection, I believe that beneath this sea ten thousand meters deep, even if one of the Four Emperors came in person, even if a Navy admiral arrived, Jinbe would be able to fight them!"

After speaking, Neptune bowed deeply to Gawain, then declared with determination.

"If you do not agree, then I will never risk your safety!

Please, you must accept Jinbe!"

We have already reached sixty-second place on the new book rankings!