Chapter 83

Paris heard a heartbeat much louder than usual in his ears, and at the same time, a sharp pain shot through his heart.

Paris looked down and saw that his chest cavity had been blown open with a large hole.

Thanks to the powerful physique granted by his Zoan Devil Fruit, Paris did not die immediately. He looked at Adrian with resentment in his eyes, "White Ghost, why did you fight for these trash Fish-Man?"

"Because of pure love for all..." Adrian instinctively wanted to reply, "Why should I explain so much to you? Just let the minotaur die."

Filled with intense resentment, Paris finally stopped breathing.

Then came another wave of Mini Hollow - Withering Heart-Piercer, instantly killing the remaining members of the Bullhead Pirates on the field.

A notification appeared on the panel, indicating that in addition to the experience points reward for destroying the Bullhead Pirates, there was also a reminder that the [Hero Saves Fish] quest had been completed.

After the commotion subsided, the still somewhat disheveled mermaid Syrina, swayed her rose-gold fishtail and stepped forward to express her gratitude to Adrian.

"Lord White Ghost, thank you very much for your help."

Adrian casually laughed it off; he had done similar things many times before, and he didn't show any surprise at others' gratitude.

Furthermore, Adrian wasn't particularly fond of mermaids with fish tails; if it were a pair of long, white legs instead, he might change his mind entirely.

Perhaps due to the increased favorability, Miss Mermaid Syrina seemed to want to say something more.

Adrian raised his hand to stop her, and after thinking for a moment, said, "Miss Syrina, if you really want to express your gratitude, how about you be my guide? After all, this is my first time visiting Fish-Man Island."

Miss Mermaid Syrina's gaze flickered. "Why don't you come with me to visit the Mermaid Cafe where I work, Lord White Ghost?"

Adrian's eyes lit up slightly. "Then... Syrina, Miss Sinrina."

[Chapter 147: Schemes Within the Ryugu Palace (3000-word chapter)]

As Miss Mermaid Syrina guided Adrian to the iconic Mermaid Cafe on Fish-Man Island...

The top floor of Fish-Man Island, Ryugu Palace.

This is a large, luxurious palace constructed from large coral reefs, seashells, and other exquisite building materials, with a giant golden Great Dragon coiled around it.

At the same time, this is also the [Royal Palace] of the Fish-Man Island royal family!

As the story goes, the one who represents Justice is always the one who arrives late.

After the Bullhead Pirates were completely wiped out by White Ghost, the Fish-Man Guards responsible for patrolling Fish-Man Island finally arrived at the scene and, after some effort, collected the bodies of all the Bullhead Pirates members.

After calming the surrounding residents, the Fish-Man guards immediately reported the arrival of the White Ghost.

Inside the Royal Palace, the Right Minister, who was in charge of security on Fish-Man Island, immediately received the news.

Upon receiving news of the arrival of Great Pirate with a Bounty exceeding 500 million Beli, this dutiful seahorse mermaid dared not delay in the slightest and immediately relayed the message to higher authorities.

King Neptune, the true master of the Ryugu Palace and known as the "Great Knight of the Sea," immediately received the news.

"What? The White Ghost has come to Fish-Man Island?"

Upon hearing the news that the White Ghost had visited Fish-Man Island, King Neptune was greatly surprised. Even his thick, orange-red beard, which covered most of his face, could not hide the astonishment on his face.

Compared to the many Pirates who routinely invade Fish-Man Island and indiscriminately capture Fish-Man Island residents.

King Neptune knew very well that the real culprit behind this situation was the Celestial Dragon Race, who sat above the World Government!

The Celestial Dragons inflicted far too much harm on the Fish-Man Race and Merfolk.

As a legendary figure who severely tortured the Celestial Dragons, White Ghost naturally gained the favor of King Neptune.

However, liking someone doesn't mean welcoming them.

Strictly speaking, King Neptune did not welcome any Pirates to Fish-Man Island!

Especially the White Ghost that caused such a stir in the Sabaody Archipelago recently!

If the World Government and Marine Headquarters were to learn that White Ghost is currently stationed on Fish-Man Island, who could say for sure whether they would send troops to subdue him?

If the World Government and the Marine Headquarters really decide to send troops to suppress them, will those rude and barbaric human marines also "incidentally" wipe out some of the Fish-Man Race they already dislike, and perhaps even take a few young and beautiful Merfolk with them to win over the Celestial Dragons?

If...

In an instant, a flood of terrifying and horrifying images of the future flooded King Neptune's mind, making him uneasy and agitated.

Neptune, what are you worried about?

Just then, a gentle female voice, tinged with concern and a hint of curiosity, rang out.

A moment later, a slender figure appeared in the Royal Palace hall.

Her appearance seemed to improve the atmosphere in the Royal Palace hall, and King Neptune's worries were also alleviated.

"Otohime."

King Neptune felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders. He looked at his most beloved wife, gently called her name, and told her the truth.

"It's White Ghost, who offended the Celestial Dragons in the Sabaody Archipelago some time ago. The Fish-Man guards below reported that this troublesome character has come to Fish-Man Island."

"Oh?" Upon hearing this news, Queen Otohime, with her wavy blonde hair, also showed a faint look of surprise on her exquisite face. "Has that White Ghost done anything?"

"He..." King Neptune frowned slightly, seemingly not quite understanding, "This White Ghost merely rescued a mermaid girl on the island who had been kidnapped by Pirates crew, and then directly wiped out the entire Pirates crew."

"Is that so?" Queen Otohime's eyes flickered, and she said gently, "Since White Ghost hasn't done anything to harm Fish-Man Island's interests, why are you so worried, Neptune?"

"It's all because of the Celestial Dragons!"

Neptune gave a wry smile.

"Otohime, the news of White Ghost's arrival on Fish-Man Island cannot be concealed for long."

"He caused such a big incident in the Sabaody Archipelago a while ago, the World Government and the Marine Headquarters won't let this opportunity pass. They might even be sending troops right now, preparing to come and subdue Fish-Man Island!"

"I think you are worrying far too much, Your Majesty."

Queen Otohime gave a reproachful look, but at the same time found it somewhat amusing.

"On Fish-Man Island, ten thousand meters deep in the ocean, who will deliver the news of the White Ghost's arrival to the World Government? The Fish-Man Race or the Merfolk?"

Upon hearing this, King Neptune was taken aback.

Yes, how could he forget that!

Why would the residents of Fish-Man Island tip off the World Government or the Navy?

King Neptune shook his head slightly and gently patted his forehead.

"Otohime, I really... Sigh, then let's just not talk about White Ghost."

"My good king, are you confused again?"

Queen Otohime walked over and gently patted King Neptune's thick arm as a reminder.

"Although we don't need to worry about the World Government quickly learning about White Ghost's arrival at Fish-Man Island, as the hosts of Fish-Man Island, we cannot simply White Ghost's arrival."

King Neptune scratched his head, puzzled. "Otohime, just tell me straight!"

Queen Otohime asked softly, "Where is that White Ghost on Fish-Man Island right now?"

After a moment's recollection King Neptune said, "According to the Right Minister's report, after rescuing the mermaid girl who had been kidnapped by the Pirates crew, White Ghost went with her to the [Mermaid Cafe]."

Queen Otohime fell into thought, and after a long while, she slowly spoke.

"Since White Ghost did not show any hostility towards Fish-Man Island, and even took the initiative to help rescue the mermaid girl who was in trouble, it shows that White Ghost at least has goodwill towards Fish-Man Island, and is not as malicious as the other Pirates."

"Neptune, ever since Roger's Execution and the disintegration of the Roger Pirates, Fish-Man Island has lost the protection of the [Pirate King's flag], and the lives of the island's inhabitants have become increasingly worse. I believe you are already very aware of this."

"The fame of Fish-Man Island and Ryugu Palace alone is not enough to deter those greedy Pirates! In order to obtain the huge Bounty by the Celestial Dragons and to satisfy the greed of nobles and wealthy merchants, the Pirates will never give up their fish-hunting operations."

"Perhaps, could we borrow an item from the White Ghost?"

"Otohime, you mean Fish-Man Island wants to borrow White Ghost's [flag]?!"

King Neptune's expression changed instantly; he had already guessed what Queen Otohime wanted to say, and immediately spoke.

"Isn't this a bit inappropriate? White Ghost is not like other Pirates; he has offended the Celestial Dragons!"

"It is precisely because White Ghost once offended the Celestial Dragons that we were able to use his banner to suppress those Pirates hyenas who were busy chasing after the Celestial Dragons' Bounty!"

Queen Otohime began to explain.

"Just think about it, if White Ghost isn't even afraid of their master, how could they allow them to plunder Fish-Man Island at will?"

"I still don't think this is a good idea." King Neptune shook his head, disagreeing with Queen Otohime's plan.

"How much worse can it get than it is now?" Queen Otohime advised. "The Celestial Dragons won't stop harming Fish-Man Island on their own."

Queen Otohime has always been a very sensible mermaid.

Even though she desperately hoped that Fish-Man Island could achieve peaceful coexistence with humans on the sea, she also understood that there were more than just benevolent people among humans.

Those wicked human Pirates have absolutely no idea whatsoever about peaceful coexistence with Fish-Man and mermaids!

King Neptune understood Queen Otohime's thoughts, but he still hesitated.

"Isn't the White Ghost a bit too weak?"

Queen Otohime said helplessly, "To be able to fight against the Sengoku the Buddha Admiral for so long and destroy half of the Sabaody Archipelago, is White Ghost's strength really that weak?"

King Neptune was finally speechless. Looking across the entire sea, there were only a handful of people at the very top who could fight Admiral without being at a disadvantage and escape unscathed.

Even if White Ghost used some unknown underhanded methods, being able to achieve this level still makes him at least a second-tier powerhouse on the high seas!

This strength, coupled with the feat of utterly crushing the Celestial Dragons.

Protecting Fish-Man Island is more than enough!

"Even if we, Fish-Man Island, were to borrow White Ghost's Pirates flag," King Neptune asked, "What price would we have to pay? We have absolutely no connection with White Ghost..."

Now it was Queen Otohime's turn to be in a dilemma.

Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice.

Queen Otohime's idea of borrowing the flag from White Ghost was only a temporary one; she only knew of some impressive things White Ghost had done on the high seas.

For example, the White Ghost was wanted for stopping the World Government and Marine Headquarters from carrying out a horrific massacre in the South Blue; for example, the White Ghost once single-handedly destroyed eight Marine Warships; and for example...

This intelligence information has been reported in detail in the World Economy News Paper.

After the shocking incident that "White Ghost" committed in the Sabaody Archipelago, reporters from the World Economy News Paper gradually dug into his past experiences.

Even the fact that White Ghost had wiped out an unknown small pirate crew in Mardin Town, the Kingdom of Tyran in the West Blue was reported in detail by reporters and published in the newspaper, attracting a lot of readers.

Apart from that, Queen Otohime knew absolutely nothing about White Ghost's personal information, and was completely unaware of his interests, hobbies, and personal habits.

After pondering for a long time without coming up with any ideas, Queen Otohime sighed helplessly.

"Regardless of the circumstances, for the sake of the residents of Fish-Man Island, we still need to talk to White Ghost."

[Chapter 148 Mermaid Cafe (4000-word long chapter)]

The Mermaid Cafe will become a landmark building on Fish-Man Island in the next decade or so.

Influenced by a certain Prophecy, many tourists who come to Fish-Man Island visit the Mermaid Cafe Divination have their fortunes told.

Of course, at this time, the Mermaid Cafe was far from being as famous as it would become later. It was just a relatively luxurious cafe on Fish-Man Island, and nothing particularly special about it.

Southeast of Fish-Man Island, Coral Hill.

This is the well-known bustling port town on Fish-Man Island, where the Mermaid Cafe is located.

Guided by Miss Mermaid Syrina, Adrian arrived at the rather glamorous and luxurious café without any trouble.

Just as Adrian was about to push the door open and enter, he suddenly remembered something.

He extended his index finger and gently tapped the case of the Lead-Gray Pocket Watch in his pocket a few times, then whispered, "Lumi, you can let Louf out now."

With a ripple, a bright-eyed little fox girl appeared beside Adrian.

"Adrian- sama!"

"Miss Syrina, this is my..."

Adrian hesitated slightly, unsure how to define Louf's identity, but he quickly recovered and glossed over the question.

"This is Louf, Mink Tribe Boa Sandersonia I met by chance on the Sabaody Archipelago."

Miss Syrina, the mermaid, was intelligent and naturally understood what Adrian meant by "chance encounter."

What could be the identity of the alien Boa Sandersonia who appeared on the Sabaody Archipelago?

"What an adorable little fox," Miss Mermaid Syrina smiled gently at Louf first, then looked at Adrian, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration. "Mr. Adrian, you seem to really enjoy helping others."

As for how Louf actually hid within Adrian, such trivial details naturally wouldn't be on Miss Syrina's radar.