A Father's Request

Specks of sunlight filtered down, like golden scales drifting with the waves.

Sun Tree Eve channeled sunlight from ten thousand meters above Fish-Man Island, illuminating the island in the deep sea.

At this moment, within Ryugu Palace of the Ryugu Kingdom.

The scarce light fell over the vibrant coral reefs, shimmering beautifully.

But King Neptune and the three merman princes within Ryugu Palace had long since lost their calm.

Fukaboshi: "Y-You... what did you say?"

Ryuboshi: "Is this some kind of joke? How could we possibly hand our sister over to a dangerous pirate?!"

Manboshi: "Father, let's join forces and drive this arrogant bastard out of Fish-Man Island!!!"

Compared to the enraged three merman princes, King Neptune remained composed. Yet his constantly heaving chest and bristling afro showed that he was barely suppressing his fury.

"Lord Uchiha Hanazuki, although we wish to fulfill my late wife's final wish, I will never sell out my own daughter!"

"If you have no other business, then please leave. The Ryugu Kingdom does not welcome guests without goodwill, much less those who discriminate against merfolk and fish-men..."

"King Neptune! I'm sorry, Lord Hanazuki didn't mean it that way. He merely—"

"Enough, Aladine. I know that he once helped Fisher Tiger rescue the fish-men enslaved at Mary Geoise. Otherwise, I would never have given him the chance to meet us."

"No matter how great your reputation may be on the seas, this is ten thousand meters beneath the surface. No matter how strong you are, you cannot withstand the crushing pressure underwater. Go back!"

The Sun Pirates' ship doctor Aladine, a many-whiskered eel merman with sharp teeth and a high ponytail, wore a troubled expression as he looked toward Hanazuki, who stood there with a faint smile, perfectly calm.

Yet Hanazuki seemed rather intrigued at