Then a strange, unfamiliar emotion welled up in his heart.
So Fleet Admiral Xia Le noticed me at the last Reverie, too!
He could never forget how terrifying this man's presence and influence had been at that Reverie.
He was a fearsome figure who had silenced all the Celestial Dragons, someone even the legendary Holy Knights and Cipher Pol feared.
"I never expected Fleet Admiral Xia Le to remember me."
Neptune sighed.
Then he came to his senses, moved aside, and gestured ahead.
"Please accompany me to Ryugu Palace."
At that, Xia Le nodded and looked at Fisher Tiger, who stood just behind Neptune. Meeting his gaze, Fisher Tiger nodded firmly.
A smile immediately appeared on Xia Le's face.
"Then we'll be imposing on Your Majesty Neptune and everyone in the Ryugu Kingdom!"
Neptune was somewhat overwhelmed by the honor. "You're far too kind!"
Everyone immediately set off for the Ryugu Kingdom.
Along the way, Xia Le's easy conversation surprised Neptune and his companions. More surprising still was the young Fleet Admiral's gentle manner.
Such goodwill was something they rarely experienced from humans. In the smallest details of his words, they could sense his respect.
Neptune's initial nervousness also eased a little.
As they passed through the island's center and saw Whitebeard's flag flying high above, Xia Le paused briefly, then smiled and pointed at it.
"Having pirates protect you is a failure on the Navy's part!"
"I apologize to Neptune and everyone on Fish-Man Island for the Navy's past negligence!"
Neptune's heart tightened. Instinctively, he thought there was some hidden meaning in those words, but nothing more followed.
Only then did he realize Xia Le had merely made a passing remark, though the apology in his words was sincere.
A little over seven minutes later, they arrived at the