Mermaid Idol

Neptune looked around at the wreckage, as though it had been left behind by a hail of bullets and a savage beast battle, and could not help clicking his tongue in amazement.

What kind of sparring match had those two been having?!

"Your Majesty."

"Neptune?"

Jinbe and Mobius turned around. Seeing Neptune, they greeted him as well.

Neptune gave them a brief once-over. Jinbe was breathing heavily while Mobius looked perfectly calm, and he immediately understood the outcome of their match.

His gaze toward Mobius instantly became even brighter and more fervent.

This is a talent! A peerless talent, skilled in both literature and martial arts!

Neptune could not help thinking to himself that this was simply a mighty man heaven had bestowed upon Fish-Man Island!

"Hahaha, I never expected the national advisor to possess not only exceptional wisdom, but such formidable martial prowess as well!"

Neptune praised him, his heart growing even more heated.

"You flatter me. After all, I came from the Marines. I cannot disgrace my master~"

Mobius smiled, then glanced at the wreckage around them, feeling slightly guilty.

"Did I disturb you, Neptune?"

"No, how could you have?"

Neptune laughed freely. "I heard that you two were sparring, so I could not resist coming over to take a look. The two of you are truly powerful~"

"Your Majesty is too kind." Jinbe shook his head and was about to speak frankly. "How could I possibly compare to the national advis—"

"Jinbe truly lives up to his title as Ryugu Palace's greatest warrior. I learned a great deal from him. Neptune, you have an outstanding soldier~"

Mobius raised a thumbs-up in praise, skillfully applying a bit of social tact.

"Hahaha, of course! No one understands Jinbe's strength better than I do."

Neptune became even happier. Jinbe looked surprised, but when Mobius winked at him, he quietly smiled as well.

"Now that you have had a match, have you two eaten breakfast yet? Would you like to join me?"

Neptune invited them, intending to strengthen their relationship in the usual way.

The two nodded and naturally accepted.

"Your Majesty."

At that moment, after seeing Neptune finish greeting them, Hatchan slowly arrived with the three princes and paid his respects.

"Oh, Master Hatchan~" Neptune said with a smile. He then looked at his three children and found them staring at Mobius with faces full of admiration.

This made Neptune understand even more.

"Master Hatchan, have you eaten breakfast?"

Neptune extended another invitation. Hatchan hesitated for a moment before agreeing. He also had a few matters he wanted to consult Mobius about.

"Come, children. Let us go have a delicious breakfast."

Neptune scooped up all three children, teasing them as he laughed.

Seeing such a harmonious scene, Mobius nodded as well.

Although Neptune was rather soft-hearted, he was clearly a normal person. Compared to Liu Shan, a ruler who could be considered normal had already surpassed half his peers.

Letting Neptune continue to rule Fish-Man Island would be even more beneficial to Mobius.

With that in mind, Mobius also thought of the dangers Neptune would face in the future.

One was Vander Decken IX, a pedophile obsessed with his daughter. The other was the terrorist Hody Jones, who had murdered his wife and intended to overthrow Fish-Man Island's government.

The former was easy enough to handle. He was merely an outsider, and Mobius could find an opportunity to get rid of him.

The latter was a little troublesome. That fellow had inherited the Fish-Men's hatred for humans and apparently happened to be an Arlong fanboy.

Mobius remembered that Hody Jones had once been a Ryugu Palace soldier. He did not know whether he was currently there.

Once the cooperation between the Ryugu Kingdom and Whitebeard had been arranged, he would find an excuse to have Jinbe transfer Hody Jones over to work in a factory.

Hatred or no hatred, Hody Jones had not suffered persecution from humans in the original story. He had merely heard too many little stories and developed an excessive sense of identification with them.

In a sense, Hody Jones could be considered a predecessor to Kaido's daughter Yamato, who had been "possessed by a ghost."

If Hody Jones worked more and sweated more, he would have far fewer thoughts to brood over.

After a pleasant breakfast, Mobius once again marveled at Fish-Man Island's culinary skills.

"Neptune, if we are going to prepare future trade cooperation with Whitebeard, then Fish-Man Island's food culture must be taken into consideration."

"If we open a mermaid ocean restaurant, it will definitely make a fortune."

Mobius offered the suggestion sincerely.

Because of the vast ocean, development in this world was staggeringly uneven.

One place could still be a small fishing village in a feudal age, while another had already developed idol culture.

It was hard to imagine that, in the past, Shakky—hailed as the world's most beautiful woman—had been kidnapped, and it had actually caused the global economy to stagnate.

It sounded absurd, but when Mobius thought of the influence wielded by superstar celebrities in his previous life, where even a singer getting married could shock the entire world—

It no longer seemed strange.

But no matter how beautiful an idol was, they were still only an ordinary person. How could they compare to a mermaid, a legendary fantasy creature?

Mobius had already begun drafting plans in his mind, preparing to make some money from fans.

"Hahaha, if it can be done, then I will leave it to you, National Advisor."

Neptune neither refused nor agreed, allowing Mobius to decide for himself.

In truth, Neptune still felt uneasy about allowing his people to reach the surface. They had suffered far too much persecution in the past.

But when he thought of a future beneath the sunlight, along with his old friend Whitebeard's reputation and the change in the Giant Kingdom's public image, Neptune also wanted to make a change.

"Do you have any plans today? If possible, over the next few days, I would like to announce your identity to all our citizens: National Advisor Mobius."

Neptune spoke seriously. He meant it sincerely.

The Left Minister and Right Minister, the leading civil and military ministers at Neptune's side, exchanged glances but said nothing.

Mobius's plans had shocked them as well, not to mention the result of his recent match with Jinbe.

They wholeheartedly welcomed the addition of someone like him.

"Announce it to all the citizens?"

Mobius considered it for a moment, but had no intention of objecting. He had nothing right now, and official recognition from Fish-Man Island could only benefit him.

Even if it was overlooked, the Ryugu Kingdom was still one of the World Government's affiliated nations. Holding a post here was entirely legal for Mobius.

"All right. After all, I also want to make a name for myself on these seas~"

There was nothing wrong with tying himself to Fish-Man Island. Its connections and potential were both excellent.

"That is good."

Neptune nodded happily. The sooner Mobius took up his post, the sooner he could relax.

"What would the national advisor like to do today?"

Neptune asked with concern.

"Take a look around Fish-Man Island? Since I am its national advisor now, I should at least get to know the place a little, right?"

Mobius smiled. He could acquire both the Mark-Mark Fruit and the red Poneglyph.

"Shyarly, could you accompany me?"

Mobius looked at Shyarly, who was quietly eating, wanting to test her divination ability again.

"Ah? Oh! All right! I can."

Shyarly froze for a moment, then quickly agreed, a smile appearing on her face.

"Is that so?"

Neptune nodded. That made sense; he had heard that the national advisor had only arrived on Fish-Man Island two days ago.

"Then..."

Neptune looked toward Jinbe, intending to have him serve as an escort.

However, Mobius refused. "Jinbe is Ryugu Palace's greatest warrior. Protecting your safety is more important."

"As for me..."

Mobius looked at Hatchan. "Would it be troublesome for Master Hatchan to accompany me?"

He had heard that Hatchan came from a family with a long tradition. He needed to get as much knowledge out of him as possible.

"Ah? Me? All right!"

Hatchan was very surprised, but readily agreed. He also had some things he wanted to ask Mobius about, regarding Fish-Man Karate and Fish-Man Jujutsu.

"Is that so?"

Neptune had no objections. His impression of Mobius improved even further. Asking Jinbe to remain and protect him—how thoughtful!

After the meal ended, Mobius left with Shyarly and Hatchan. The eldest prince, Shark Star, looked at his departing back and could not help saying:

"Father, the national advisor... he is incredible!"

"That is why he is our national advisor~"

Neptune chuckled. Then, as he looked at Shark Star, a bold idea suddenly came to him.

Perhaps he could... give it a try~