While the crowd near the Mermaid Cafe was still enthusiastically shipping the couple, Gawain and his group arrived at the confluence of ocean currents near Fish-Man Island aboard Flounder.
Sea Forest!
When they were still more than two nautical miles from the Sea Forest, Shirahoshi was already seeing stars.
Visible to the naked eye, numerous ocean currents are carrying all sorts of things, converging into six slow-moving currents that converge in the endless ocean of ships within the Sea Forest.
In the Sea Forest, dilapidated ships can be seen everywhere. The ship's timbers are covered with seaweed, which shines against the coral, each with its own unique color.
Meanwhile, since the Sea Forest is closest to the bottom of Fish-Man Island, it also has many Yarukiman bubbles that constantly rise from the ground, just like in the Sabaody Archipelago.
Unlike on land, the bubbles in the Sea Forest do not float straight into the sky. They swirl and leap in various ocean currents, each drawing unpredictable trajectories, while constantly reflecting sunlight, adding more than one layer of mystery to the Sea Forest.
Shirahoshi gazed at the vibrant green expanse in the distance and spoke to Gawain with anticipation.
"Gawain, are those... those connected green pillars the forest I've been waiting for?"
"Um?"
Gawain was taken aback. A forest?
Where is the forest?
"No!"
Gawain simply stated.
Hearing Gawain's words, Shirahoshi was somewhat taken aback. She pointed to a vast expanse of green in the distance and asked.
"But I heard my mother say that a forest is just a collection of green trees arranged together."
This is the Sea Forest, and there are indeed green trees over there!
Following the direction Shirahoshi pointed, Gawain gazed for a moment, then silently shook his head.
Just as he was about to say something, a gruff voice suddenly came from afar.
"Haha, Princess Shirahoshi, you're going to be disappointed. The forest you saw wasn't made of trees. It was formed by the masts of wrecked ships, covered and eroded by seaweed—a true Sea Forest!"
After the sound faded, casual footsteps came from the corner, and a Merfolk wearing a black polo shirt, with a pointed mustache, round glasses, and long, white, fluffy hair hidden under a top hat, walked out with a smile.
Upon arriving near Gawain, and facing Gion's sword-wielding hand, the man grinned, revealing sixteen teeth, and chuckled.
"I should kneel before the Celestial Dragon, shouldn't I?"
After saying this, the man slowly knelt on the ground and continued speaking to Gawain.
"I am a researcher of the Sea Forest and a shipwright on Fish-Man Island. My name is Dan!"
"Oh?"
Gawain nodded and gently raised his hand.
"You're a scholar, so please rise."
"Hehe, I am truly honored that Celestial Dragon would think so highly of me, a scholar!"
Dan nodded, then slowly stood up, patting his knees as he smiled nonchalantly at Gawain.
"I didn't attend the banquet last night, but I still learned your name through the broadcast."
This is my first time meeting Celestial Dragon, so may I address you as Saint Gawain?"
"Sure!"
Gawain nodded, then raised his hand to signal Mr. Dan to wait a moment.
Gawain turned around and patted Shirahoshi's big tail.
"Shirahoshi, although the Sea Forest isn't a real forest, its beauty rivals that of any other forest. Go and explore it properly."
And don't worry, soon you'll be able to come with me on land and see real sunshine and forests!
"Yes, I believe Gawain. I heard it all at the coffee shop earlier. Gawain always keeps his word!"
Shirahoshi pouted and praised Gawain, then dashed off into the distant forest of masts.
Jinbe seeing this, Jinbe raised his hand and bowed to Gawain.
"Saint Gawain, please allow me to accompany Princess Shirahoshi. I..."
"Haha, forget it, Jinbe."
Gawain shook his head and waved to Gion at the same time.
"Gion, it's a bit dangerous for that little girl to be alone, but having someone like Jinbe who likes to discipline her by her side will only make Shirahoshi lose the fun of traveling."
Why don't you go and watch over her for a while? It'll be easier for the two of you girls to chat if you're together."
"Of course, sir, you are very thoughtful."
Gion smiled and nodded, then took to the air and disappeared into the distance.
After Gion left, Jinbe looked at Gawain solemnly and bowed deeply.
"Saint Gawain, to allow me, Fish-Man pirate, to protect you alone!"
"Stop joking around. You're Knight of the Sea, don't you deserve my trust?"
Gawain casually patted Jinbe's arm, then went to Dan's side, looked up at Dan and smiled slightly.
"Although the reason I came to the Sea Forest was to accompany that girl in her search for the forest in her heart."
Even without Shirahoshi, I would still come here, because you are here."
Before Dan could even show a look of shock, Gawain continued speaking.
"You might think I'm joking, but I'm not, because I know exactly who you are."
You're Tom's brother, right?
"Hehe, Saint Gawain actually knows my identity. But I would rather you tell me that Tom is my brother!"
As he spoke, Dan's expression became more serious. He leaned closer to Gawain and asked.
"I've been living alone in the Sea Forest all these years, and my personality has become much more carefree, which is somewhat impolite."
But I really want to know, why... are you interested in me?
After all, if I were you, my eyes would probably be glued to Princess Shirahoshi, or to the dashing female naval officer beside you.
I don't think there's anything about an old man like me that's worth your attention!
"Haha, well, your personality is more interesting than I thought."
Hearing Dan's words, Gawain patted Dan's bent shoulder, and then continued.
"It may be funny, but try not to joke about the women around me in the future; they are your future colleagues!"
"A... colleague?!" Dan finally gasped in shock.
Gawain simply nodded.
"That's right. After I leave the Sea Forest, you can wait for me on my ship."
You should know where my ship is docked!
"But I..."
"No buts."
Gawain didn't give Dan a chance to speak at all; he interrupted Dan and continued.
"I am very interested in your brother Tom. The Puffing Tom Sea Train he left behind before his death is one of the greatest inventions of modern times in my mind!"
But since Tom died, there has been no news of this great masterpiece ever being built again, which makes me very dissatisfied.
Therefore, I plan to restart the construction of the Sea Train, using the Seven Seas Capitals as the center and the Grand Line as a testing ground, and expand its construction on a large scale!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain placed his right hand on Dan's shoulder and gently squeezed it.
Although he wasn't very strong, the pressure Dan was facing was constantly increasing!
Only when sweat beaded on Dan's forehead did Gawain finally speak.
"From the moment you met me, I have never felt the slightest bit of respect from you."
I understand your feelings. After all, your brother died at the hands of the World Government led by the Celestial Dragon. Seeing me, you feel more hatred than anything else, right?
But I want you to understand one thing: hatred cannot change my identity, much less my decision. In particular, hatred cannot bring the dead back to life, but it will only cause more living people to die!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain released his right hand, crossed his arms over his chest, and looked expressionlessly at the silent Dan.
After a long pause, seeing that Dan hadn't said a word, Gawain continued.
"Silence is meaningless, Dan."
Either I can't bring the dead back to life, but I can rekindle the dreams of the dead, your brother Tom, on this vast ocean, so that I can lead the future Sea Train project.
Either reject me, and then you and your family and friends will bear the consequences of rejecting me."
At this point, Gawain raised his hand and gently patted Dan's shoulder.
What do you think?
"I..."
Dan let out a long breath, his body bending lower and lower until he had to look up to see Gawain's face.
Facing Gawain's indifferent gaze, Dan asked, her heart filled with inner struggle.
"I'm sorry, Saint Gawain, I admit my mistake, it was my fault!"
But a project like the Sea Train... shouldn't you have given it to Water 7?"
"You, I want; Water 7, I want too. What's the contradiction?"
Now that you know you made a mistake, try to make amends, relax, smile, and then go home and pack your bags.
There aren't as many unique seafood delicacies on land. I hope you can get used to the local customs and culture, just like your brother."
Gawain released Dan and then walked towards Shirahoshi without looking back.
Just as Dan was about to catch his breath behind him, he saw dozens of streaks of light suddenly flash across the distant sky!
Beside Gawain, Jinbe, whose expression had been somber, frowned.
"My lord, Vander Decken's attack is on again!"