The Left Minister's spirits had sunk. His head drooped, and he looked as though he had lost the will to live. Ye Chen pointed to the other sweets in the factory and told his companions, "Hey, now you can eat your fill. Help yourselves."
Then Ye Chen looked up at the Left Minister. "Don't worry. We'll pay for it later."
The Left Minister's mouth stretched into a grimace. Looking utterly miserable, he shook his head listlessly. "Help yourselves. Eat as much as you like."
Fish-Man Island was doomed anyway. Baron Tamago had left without a single sweet. Big Mom was sure to make Fish-Man Island pay for it. Just thinking about the wrath of one of the Four Emperors filled him with despair.
"What's there to worry about?" Ye Chen said casually. "We'll deal with whatever comes. Why should we fear the Four Emperors? If they dare come here, I'll make them regret it."
The Left Minister returned to Ryugu Palace in a daze and told King Neptune what had happened. King Neptune was stunned. "What? Is that true? He doesn't even fear the Four Emperors?"
It was unbelievable.
Just then, someone came to report, "King Neptune, something terrible has happened! Mermaids are being abducted on the island. Ten have gone missing so far!"
"Could Ye Chen's companions be behind it?" the Left Minister wondered. "They don't even fear the Four Emperors, and their reputation has always been terrible. There's nothing those people wouldn't do!"
King Neptune paced the room in agitation. Ye Chen might be powerful, but the thought of his people suffering filled him with worry. After a moment, he gritted his teeth. "No matter what, it's our duty to protect our people. Even if the Grim Reaper Pirates are unbeatable, we cannot give in."
"Your Majesty, please