The mountain-sized figure aboard the Fish Ship was none other than Neptune, the king of Ryugu Palace.
"Oh, Fish-Man Island's big shot is here," Red-Hair said casually.
Neptune spotted him at once. Though he was still some distance above the ground, his voice rang out loud and clear. "Is that you, Shanks?"
"It's me. Long time no see." Shanks greeted him with a smile.
Neptune glanced at Lin Mo, who was sunbathing aboard Red-Hair's ship, and asked in puzzlement, "Lin Mo, why are you with Shanks? Where are your companions?"
Lin Mo gave Neptune a casual glance, then said, "We're just about to go find them."
"They're on Fish-Man Island?" Neptune asked in surprise.
"No," Red-Hair replied with a smile. "We thought they were here, but it turns out they're on Sky Island."
"So you're leaving?" Neptune's eldest son, Fukaboshi, flew aboard Red-Hair's ship with his two brothers, aided by Floating Bubbles.
Red-Hair's crew began grumbling.
"We've already finished coating the ship. We were just about to leave when you showed up."
"A few minutes later, and you would've missed us."
"We'd like to stay a little longer too, but unfortunately, a certain little guy doesn't want to. Our unreliable captain listens to everything he says, so there's nothing we can do."
"Why don't you try talking them into it?"
"Hey, hey." Red-Hair chuckled. "We didn't come here to have fun."
By then, Neptune's Fish Ship had come to a stop in front of the Red Force.
Neptune said unhappily, "You hardly ever visit. Stay a few more days before you leave. I've already prepared a feast at Ryugu Palace for you. You can't let all that preparation go to waste, can you?"
Red-Hair loved a good party, so Neptune's offer was rather tempting.
But before he could speak, Lin