Hearing the marines' shocked shouts, Doberman quickly cursed.
"Shut your mouths, all of you! Keep quiet and stop talking nonsense!!!"
Once the marines around him had finally quieted down, Doberman let out a breath and calmly looked at Gawain's ship.
The large ship slowly approached the dock, and as the ship drew closer, Shirahoshi became increasingly nervous.
"Gawain, is that... that the forest?"
She pointed to the huge Yarukiman Mangrove and asked.
"That... I guess it can be considered a forest, it's just that these trees are a bit bigger."
Gawain responded with a smile, then he walked towards the dock first. The marines on the dock knelt down in unison, Doberman was at the forefront of the marines, bowing deeply to Gawain.
"Saint Gawain, welcome back to the Sabaody Archipelago."
"You're too kind, Lieutenant Vice Admiral Doberman. We've only been apart for two days."
Gawain smiled as he approached Doberman and patted Doberman the shoulder.
"I'll leave my ship here for now; I'll be using it later. As for now, please arrange for me to return to Mary Geoise in my Bubble Gondola."
"Yes, Saint Gawain."
Doberman nodded in agreement, then called his adjutant and gave the orders.
Upon receiving the order, the adjutant immediately sprinted towards the Bubble Gondola, while Doberman personally led the way for Gawain, strolling along at Gawain.
As she walked, Shirahoshi lowered her head shyly. All around her, whether it was the marines or the residents of Sabaody Island, their eyes were all focused on Shirahoshi.
However, deep down, Shirahoshi quite liked the feeling of being the center of attention, because she felt welcomed by everyone.
And the inhabitants of the Sabaody Archipelago...
From this day forward, they will be Shirahoshi's first supporters on land!
Merfolk have always been the most beautiful fantasy in human hearts. As the princess among Merfolk, Shirahoshi fulfilled almost every fantasy in the hearts of the residents of Sabaody Island.
Who wouldn't be impressed by a girl like that?
They were surrounded by onlookers as they walked, until everyone boarded the Bubble Gondola, at which point Shirahoshi whispered to Gawain?
"Gawain, everyone was looking at me just now. Does that mean they've accepted me?"
"We don't live to be accepted by others, but it's true that they really like you."
Upon hearing this, Shirahoshi covered her flushed face and shrank into the corner of the gondola, trying to hide her smug little expression as she looked at the increasingly tiny Sabaody Island and the adjacent sea.
Beside Gawain, Jinbe murmured with a sigh.
"It's been so long since I've been in this gondola. The last time I came to Mary Geoise was right after I accepted the invitation from the Shichibukai."
If you do the math, eight years have already passed!
Me too.
Gion squinted, nostalgically feeling the sea breeze high in the sky.
"We Vice Admiral don't usually need to report to Mary Geoise. Apart from the World Government Member States Conference held every four years, we basically have no contact with Mary Geoise."
Of course, if we become Admiral, we'll have to return to Mary Geoise at least three to five times a year to report for duty.
In short, although it hasn't been Jinbe's, it's been three years since I last came here."
Hearing the voices coming from the left and right, Gawain shook his head in boredom.
"There's no need to miss this place. Compared to the vast ocean, Mary Geoise, while more mysterious, is actually more boring."
"Consider it a tour. In a little while, I'll take you to my family's residence. If you're really interested, I can also have the guards show you around the area near my family's residence."
And what about you?
Gion asked softly.
"While we wait, are you going to see the Five Elders?"
"Of course, there are quite a few things to take care of this time. I'm afraid those senior colleagues will have a problem with me if I don't meet them in person."
Gawain finished speaking, the Bubble Gondola had just stopped, so Gawain led the bewildered and nervous Shirahoshi to the Heavenly Stairway leading to Mary Geoise.
After the guards replaced Shirahoshi's bubble with an enhanced version, the group climbed the stairs and entered Mary Geoise.
The moment the door opened, Shirahoshi's eyes lit up.
She pointed around in surprise and shouted excitedly.
"This is a real forest! Wow, this must be a real forest! This is the first time I've ever seen so many normal trees growing together!"
"How beautiful! They're so green, even purer than the Sea Forest. While the Sea Forest also has trees, it's mostly coral and seaweed."
"Haha, don't be surprised, you'll see these trees often in the future."
Since you like it, let's take a walk there and you can see it to your heart's content.
Gawain smiled as he walked along the side of the moving walkway, slowly making his way through the forest. Since she was following him, Shirahoshi didn't need to maintain any formalities, so she quickly darted into the woods.
Gawain didn't stop him. There was no danger in the forests of Mary Geoise, except for the multi-environment hunting grounds marked as dangerous areas, which were specifically provided for the Celestial Dragon to hunt.
There are no dangerous wild animals in the ordinary forests of Mary Geoise.
So Shirahoshi excitedly wandered around for more than two hours, until the tree closest to the gate of Pangea Castle was almost covered in a patina from Shirahoshi's handling.
She reluctantly followed Gawain into Pangea Castle.
On the way to the family, some Celestial Dragon couldn't help but Shirahoshi and mutter to Shirahoshi.
But at least, after news spread that Gawain had knocked out a group of Celestial Dragon a couple of days ago, the other Celestial Dragon knew that Gawain, one of their own kind, had a rather bad temper.
Although the Celestial Dragon are arrogant and their values are almost completely corrupt, it must be admitted that they are incredibly kind to their own people.
Look, of the twenty families of the Celestial Dragon, apart from the Nefertari Family, which withdrew from the beginning.
Eight hundred years have passed, and not a single one of the nineteen Celestial Dragon families has disappeared!
While there may be conflicts between families or between Celestial Dragon, they mostly just fight each other and rarely escalate into bloody competition.
As for Charlos pointed a gun at Gawain...
There's no need to consider that kind of person; Charlos is one of the more eccentric types among the Celestial Dragon.
For example, the Celestial Dragon claim to be Descendants of God, and ordinary humans are seen as slaves and pets in Celestial Dragon eyes. However, Charlos keeps marrying and changing wives who are not Celestial Dragon!
Therefore, the other Celestial Dragon's view of Charlos is similar to how we view those perverts online who have special relationships with sheep, dogs, horses, and lizards.
Right now, the relationship between Gawain and Shirahoshi hasn't had a chance to spread.
Once this news spreads, Gawain will likely become another interesting member of the Celestial Dragons with unique hobbies and avant-garde ideas in the eyes of ordinary Celestial Dragon.
Ignoring the thoughts of the other Celestial Dragon, Gawain walked through the crowd and across the street.
Gawain's castle was just a stone's throw away.
Just as they arrived at the castle gate, Gawain suddenly saw several Celestial Dragons with extremely ambiguous smiles walking towards his group.
"Isn't this Gawain? You're back?"
"Haha, Gawain, long time no see! I heard you beat up Charlos, Alrewyn, and Truigada the other day?"
"As expected of the Gawain Family, even though your family has always been a single-lineage line, you are always very capable in combat."
That cowardly Mjosgard is really lucky to have a friend like you, haha!
Hearing the greeting from the three Celestial Dragons, Gawain frowned. He had assumed these people had come looking for trouble after seeing Shirahoshi.
Before Gawain could speak, the others continued.
"Gawain, you did a great job! If you ask me, that Charlos really deserved a beating!"
Just yesterday, that bastard came to me with a face full of scars, showing off his limited edition slave!
At this point, the Celestial Dragon suddenly leaned furtively close to Gawain's ear.
"Ahem, I heard from Charlos that those two limited-edition Impel Down slave mounts he and his sister owned are related to you?"
So, could you get me some of those arrogant slaves too?
Regarding treasure, I will absolutely not let you suffer any loss!
"Well..."
Gawain was taken aback; it turned out to be for the limited-edition slaves of Impel Down!
Is Shalria really that fast?
While thinking about it, Gawain nodded and said to the Celestial Dragon.
"Don't worry, I'm about to talk to the Five Elders about these things."
I'll let you know once I've finalized the arrangements!
"Wow, that's awesome, Gawain! We'll be waiting for your good news!"
The three Celestial Dragon immediately perked up.