Arrival at Fish-Man Island!
Behind him stood three princes side by side, and behind them were hundreds of meticulously arranged guards of the Ryugu Palace. Every merman and Fish-Man's face was filled with tension and anticipation.
The six months following the Whitebeard Pirates' departure from the New World were the most difficult six months in the memories of all the residents of Fish-Man Island.
Without the protection of the Four Emperors' flag, the deep-sea Paradise is like a piece of fat meat thrown into a group of sharks, and every passing pirate crew wants a bite.
Neptune sent countless messengers to various powers seeking help, but they either responded with silence or took advantage of his misfortune.
It wasn't until the old man with the Whitebeard personally intervened that the name was finally included in the Fish-Man Island's protection treaty.
Uchiha Natsu. The weight of this name in the deep sea world is heavier than any legend on the surface.
He cleaved Marineford two with a single strike, killed Steel Bone Kong, and forced the King of the World to retreat.
Those pirate crews that once swaggered around Fish-Man Island's port are now so terrified at the mere mention of the Uchiha name that they'd give them a wide berth.
Half a year has passed. Neptune once held a banquet in the Ryugu Palace to pay homage to the direction of Origin Island. He wanted to personally visit and express his gratitude, but he was afraid of disturbing the island.
Today, he finally met the person who brought peace back to the entire deep sea.
A medium-sized submarine slowly emerged from the coated channel of the harbor, its double-layered bubbles shimmering with a pale purple fluorescence under the lights.
The hatch opened, and two Night Owl Guard in gray-white uniforms stepped out first, followed by a young man and a young woman.
The man wore a plain black robe with the Uchiha Gunbai emblem embroidered on the cuffs, his expression as calm as if he were simply taking a stroll in his own backyard;
The woman linked arms with him, her deep blue and dark gold hair ribbons swaying gently in the shimmering light of the seabed as she curiously observed the glowing corals and colorful schools of fish around her.
Neptune took a deep breath, strode forward, and stopped three steps away from Natsu, bending down his body, which was several times larger than any human.
The three princes knelt on one knee behind him at the same time, and hundreds of guards lowered their bodies in unison, like seaweed being swept by the ocean current.
The merman king, who had ruled Fish-Man Island for decades, bowed his head with the most solemn etiquette and the most humble posture to the boy who looked no more than fifteen years old. His voice was deep and solemn, echoing under the dome of the harbor.
The people of the Ryugu Palace are deeply grateful for the protection provided by the Uchiha Clan. The peace and tranquility of the past six months is entirely thanks to them, and all the people of Fish-Man Island will remember this kindness for generations to come.
Natsu glanced at the merman king, who was several times taller than him, then looked around at the kneeling guards and three princes. He nodded calmly, without any unnecessary formalities, simply raising his hand to signal the other to stand up. In a casual tone, he told him not to be so reserved, explaining that he had only come to visit at the request of the Whitebeard old man.
Neptune straightened up, his eyes slightly red.
Although this person is cold-hearted, the fact that they came in person shows their appreciation for the entire Fish-Man Island.
Natsu glanced at Quan, who was looking up at the beam of sunlight piercing through the deep sea from the harbor's dome. The dappled light and shadow on the coral reef fell on her face, making her look incredibly beautiful.
He reached out and gently squeezed her fingertips, then said to Neptune, "Let's go."
Neptune quickly stepped aside to make way and led the way himself, his massive body casting a broad shadow on the deep blue carpet.
Behind him, the three princes exchanged excited yet apprehensive glances. The youngest one quietly tugged at his second brother's sleeve and whispered that Lord Natsu didn't seem as scary as the rumors suggested.
The second brother quickly covered his mouth and glanced nervously ahead, but Natsu was walking at the front, seemed not to have heard anything. He just Earth Flow slowly in the dim light of the seabed, with Quan holding his arm, their steps light and unhurried.
The banquet hall in the Ryugu Palace was decorated with exceptional solemnity today.
Above the dome, a giant coral chandelier emits a soft glow, and the light shines through layers of crystal curtains, making the entire hall look like a dazzling pearl in the deep sea.
The long table was covered with a brocade tablecloth embroidered with the emblem of the Ryugu Palace. Each stemmed glass was carved from a single piece of crystal and contained the nectar, a specialty of Fish-Man Island. It was a wine made from fermented deep-sea algae, with a deep blue color and a refreshing aroma.
Neptune sat in the head seat, with the three princes seated below him in order, while the guest seat in the center of the long table was reserved for the most important guest of the evening.
The banquet was more than halfway over, and the musicians of the Ryugu Palace were playing soft court music. Mermaid dancers twirled and leaped in the central pool, their colorful tails drawing graceful arcs in the shimmering water.
The table was laden with delicious delicacies from the deep sea—roasted sea mammal meat, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, was sliced thinly and neatly arranged on a coral plate;
A whole fluorescent eel is carefully deboned, its flesh translucent and melts in your mouth;
There are also deep-sea shellfish that only the royal chefs of the Ryugu Palace can prepare. Each one is the size of a fist, and when cut open, golden shellfish meat is revealed. They are then drizzled with a special sauce, and their aroma is irresistible.
Quan sat next to Natsu, and in front of her, a small plate was piled with several dishes that she hadn't had a chance to try yet, all of which Natsu had casually put on her plate.
She was eating in small bites, her gaze occasionally drifting to the mermaid dancers in the central pool, her eyes filled with wonder.
Neptune sat in the head seat, raising his crystal glass. His weathered face was flushed with a slight tipsiness, but more than anything, it was filled with genuine gratitude.
He rose again to toast Natsu, earnestly saying that since the Uchiha Gunbai flag was hung here, no pirates have dared to run wild in the nearby waters. This peace was a gift from him, and Ryugu Palace had no way to repay him, so he could only express his gratitude with a cup of wine.
Natsu picked up the glass of fine wine in front of her, took a sip, nodded slightly, and calmly told him that he didn't need to be so polite.
Since the Whitebeard old man came to his door in person to make the request, he naturally had to give him face.
Furthermore, the Earthly Chief Guard has been operating smoothly from top to bottom for over a year, and the Heavenly Star Guard's patrol routes have long covered the nearby sea areas. All of this is thanks to the Elder Council and the guards at all levels. He only signed the initial protection agreement and didn't actually do anything else.
Neptune quickly shook his head. The name the other party had signed was the lifeline that all the citizens of the Ryugu Palace had grasped in their despair. This favor was far more than just "signing a name."
He was about to say something more when he was interrupted by a soft laugh.
Quan gently tugged at Natsu's sleeve, and couldn't help but chuckle as he whispered to him that every time Lord Neptune toasted him, he would say "It's nothing" or "You're welcome," shutting down the long speech of thanks that the king had prepared. This meal was almost making His Majesty the King suffer internal injuries from holding it in.