Chapter 86
A crimson light flashed in Adrian's eyes. He gently flicked his wrist, shattering the water droplets that attacked him with exquisite force, while simultaneously raising his left hand, preparing to unleash his Ghost abilities to quickly end the battle.
Fisher Tiger also changed his stance, preparing to use the secret technique of Fish-Man Karate.
Just then, a whooshing sound rang out.
A Sea King's Trident, seemingly made of Pure Gold, descended from the sky and planted itself directly in the path between the two combatants.
"Stop! Stop it! Don't fight anymore!"
[Chapter 151 The Deep-Sea Dragon Palace (Please Subscribe)]
Upon seeing the iconic golden Sea King's Trident Poseidon, Fisher Tiger, who was about to unleash the secrets of Fish-Man Karate Fisher Tiger to challenge White Ghost, suddenly changed his expression.
As a resident of Fish-Man Island, Fisher Tiger naturally understood the meaning behind this golden Trident!
He immediately adopted Fish-Man Karate stance, bowed respectfully in the direction from which the Trident had flown, and said, "Lord Neptune!"
At the same time, an extremely large figure appeared in the sky, riding a Black Whale with a red crown on its head, slowly drifting towards the Mermaid Cafe.
It was none other than Neptune, the King of Fish-Man Island, the "Great Knight of the Sea"!
Neptune is the largest merman Adrian has ever encountered, even more robust than the average Fish-Man Race.
King Neptune had thick, bushy orange-red hair and beard, wore an exquisite and magnificent golden crown, had flame-like tattoos on his thick arms, and had dense body hair all over his chest, abdomen, and forearms. His lower body was a Big Fish.
Seated atop the black whale, King Neptune crossed his arms and let out a low chuckle.
"Hehehehe... Fisher Tiger, when did you return to Fish-Man Island? I remember you went on an adventure in the New World?"
Fisher Tiger said Respect, "Lord Neptune, I have only recently returned to Fish-Man Island and have just finished a very exciting adventure. I am eager to share the exciting stories of my adventure with my brothers and sisters on Fish-Man Island."
At this moment, Jinbe and the other members of Fish-Man District had already left the Mermaid Cafe, leaving only Arlong still kneeling inside.
Miss Mermaid Syrina, along with Louf and Shyarly, came out with the other guests.
Upon seeing King Neptune high above them in mid-air, the residents of Fish-Man Island instinctively bowed.
Louf then strode over to Adrian, carefully examined him, and concluded that Adrian was unharmed. She patted her chest in relief.
Adrian smiled slightly and reached out to stroke the Little Fox's head.
"Hehehe, Fisher Tiger, since you're planning to reunite with your brother, I won't bother you any longer."
King Neptune spoke very slowly, but without much majesty or solemnity. He looked at Jinbe.
"Jinbe, since Fisher Tiger is here today, I won't invite you into the Ryugu Palace Guard. I hope you won't refuse me next time."
As a responsible and good king, Neptune naturally had an impression of some of the more capable young citizens of Fish-Man Island.
In fact, not only Jinbe, but also Hody Jones and even Arlong served as soldiers in the Ryugu Kingdom in their youth.
If Fisher Tiger hadn't had ambitions beyond Fish-Man Island, he would have long been recruited into the Fish-Man Island Guard by King Neptune.
Upon hearing King Neptune's words, the young Knight of the Sea Jinbe couldn't help but give a wry smile. "Lord Neptune..."
Neptune pretended not to hear Jinbe's words, and looked at Fisher Tiger, saying, "Fisher Tiger, you take your brothers and leave here first."
"Yes, Lord Neptune," Fisher Tiger said, then looked at Jinbe and the other Fish-Man District companions.
"Get Arlong out of the Mermaid Cafe, and then we'll go out for barbecue tonight."
Only then did King Neptune finally look at Adrian.
"Hehehe, human, are you the White Ghost who rescued the Fish-Man Island residents who were captured by the Pirates crew?"
Adrian replied easily, "That's right, His Majesty King Neptune of Fish-Man Island."
"Human, I will take you..."
King Neptune stared intently at Adrian, pausing deliberately at this moment.
His behavior made Louf feel uneasy, and Miss Mermaid Syrina and Little Shyarly also looked at Adrian with some trepidation.
"Please come to the Ryugu Palace to entertain us!"
King Neptune's tone changed abruptly, and he opened his arms wide towards the sky like a child king who hadn't yet outgrown his childish ways, making a gesture of warm welcome.
"Huh???"
The residents of the surrounding Fish-Man Island were speechless with astonishment upon hearing this.
Adrian, who had already anticipated this, smiled slightly and said, "Then I shall respectfully comply, Your Majesty King Neptune."
Ryugu Palace.
This is absolutely the most magnificent and spectacular building on Fish-Man Island, without a doubt.
Compared to the magnificent Ryugu Palace with its golden dragons coiled around it, the ornately decorated Mermaid Cafe looks almost like an unfinished, bare-bones house, the kind made of mud.
Looking up at the golden Great Dragon coiled on the Ryugu Palace, Adrian's gaze drifted into a slight reverie.
Even the mythical East Sea Dragon Palace, adorned with pearls and jade, and adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, couldn't be more impressive than this...
Thinking of this, Adrian instantly sobered up.
What the heck? If the Ryugu Palace is the East Sea Dragon Palace, then wouldn't I be doubly blessed?
Ryugu Palace.
Queen Otohime, dressed in her finest attire, sat gracefully to the side of the king's throne. Her long, wavy golden hair was styled into an elegant and classic tassel bun, and her clear, bright blue eyes shimmered like a pool of Shusui.
At this moment, Queen Otohime was smiling and whispering secrets with the three princes, who were also dressed in their finest attire.
Although Princes Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, Manboshi were not Queen Otohime's biological children...
After all, how could the union of a coelacanth Fish-Man and Fish-Man possibly produce three completely different species of mermaids—a Fish-Man, a Fish-Man, and a Fish-Man— each with an appearance that is more bizarre than the last...
However, the gentle and kind-hearted Queen Otohime had long regarded the three princes as her own sons.
After a short while of whispering between mother and son, Queen Otohime suddenly stopped talking.
She raised her head and looked towards the entrance of the Ryugu Palace, her lips slightly parted, and murmured softly, "... They've arrived."
Because they were quite close, the eldest prince, Fukaboshi, clearly heard Queen Otohime's mutterings and couldn't help but ask curiously, "What's coming?"
Fukaboshi has a dot on its forehead, possesses shark teeth and gill slits, has long, wavy blue hair, and has a cold, hard facial appearance. Its tail is covered with light-colored circular spots.
At the same time, Fukaboshi is also the mermaid whose appearance is closest to that of a human among the three brothers.
Although Fukaboshi at this time is not yet the calm and composed eldest prince of Fish-Man Island he will become in the future, he can already see some of the charm he will have when he grows up.
Queen Otohime smiled slightly, suppressing her innate and unique Observation Haki, and gently stroked Fukaboshi's head with tender affection, speaking softly.
"This is a guest who deserves the Respect Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi."
There was one more thing that Queen Otohime did not say to the three mermaid princes.
"Moreover, this guest might very well be the true savior of Fish-Man Island."
[Chapter 152 The Flag (Please Subscribe)]
Because they needed his help, Ryugu Palace treated Adrian with almost the highest level of hospitality.
A grand banquet was being held in the main hall of the Ryugu Palace. Merfolk beauties of various races moved gracefully across the stage, performing beautiful and enchanting dances. The finest delicacies from the Fish-Man Island were also being served to the tables like a flowing stream.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill...
King Neptune dismissed all irrelevant people, and even the three young Fish-Man princes were sent to their respective palaces.
Queen Otohime and Adrian and Louf remained in the vast Ryugu Palace hall.
Queen Otohime asked gently, "Lord White Ghost, were you satisfied with the banquet?"
"Of course!" Adrian paused slightly as he raised his wine glass, looked at the slender mermaid queen, and smiled gently. "I imagine there are very few banquets as grand as this on Fish-Man Island."
It would be a lie for Adrian to say he wasn't curious about Queen Otohime.
What Adrian found most noteworthy about Queen Otohime was not her status or appearance, but her innate Observation Haki.
Queen Otohime possesses an exceptionally strong innate Observation Haki, enabling her to sense the thoughts and emotions of other beings and convey her own consciousness and beliefs to them. This subtly influences the minds and thoughts of others, creating a powerful resonance, and can even change their values and ideology invisibly.
The most direct example is the Celestial Dragons, "Donquixote Saint Mjosgard".
After Fisher Tiger climbed the Red Line and the incident of liberating the slaves in the Holy Land broke out, Saint Mjosgard, who went to Fish-Man Island in order to retrieve the freed Fish-Man slaves, was originally an arrogant guy who was no different from the Celestial Dragons.
Even after being severely injured and stranded on Fish-Man Island, Saint Mjosgard remained unchanged in his personality, and even nearly shot and killed Queen Otohime.
However, due to the unexpected outburst of Poseidon Shirahoshi, Saint Mjosgard was lured to Fish-Man Island by Giant Sea Kings and fainted. During his recovery, he was deeply moved by the words of comfort he received from Queen Otohime.
After this incident, Saint Mjosgard underwent a drastic change in temperament. The once idle and spoiled rich kid suddenly had the idea of repaying the kindness of Fish-Man Island.
This is absolutely outrageous! It's ridiculously absurd that someone would open the door for someone else!
How could there be Celestial Dragons in this world who repents and reforms?
Saint Mjosgard was clearly deeply influenced by Queen Otohime's innate Observation Haki!
After chatting for a few more minutes, Queen Otohime finally confessed her request to Adrian.
Upon hearing Queen Otohime's words, Louf couldn't help but turn her gaze towards her.
"Plant a flag?"
Adrian fell into thought, somewhat surprised that Queen Otohime would make such a request.
If I remember correctly, in the normal timeline, it was the World's Strongest Man, Whitebeard Edward Newgate, who ultimately declared control of Fish-Man Island.
Whitebeard's reputation deterred Pirates from openly attacking the Fish-Man and mermaids on Fish-Man Island ever since.
But now, this very request has fallen on my shoulders...
"That's right. If Lord White Ghost could lend your flag to Fish-Man Island would never forget your kindness."
Queen Otohime looked at Adrian with eager eyes.
"But I'm just a lone wolf."
What need does a lone wolf have for Pirates flag?!
Queen Otohime was slightly taken aback, hearing an answer that was completely unexpected.
"While I wouldn't mind using my reputation to protect the mermaid ladies of Fish-Man Island, Queen Otohime, I have never used any Pirates flag since my debut."
Adrian generally agreed to Queen Otohime's request.
Don't forget, he still has an S-rank random quest [The Mermaid's Lament] attached to him right now!
The mission's objective is to completely end the mermaid Slave Trade on Fish-Man Island.
Lending the flag and name to Fish-Man Island, thereby forcing the Pirates to stop kidnapping the Merfolk girls from the Fish-Man Island, will definitely advance the mission!
"This..."
Queen Otohime was at a loss for words.
She had never considered that White Ghost, with a Bounty of over 600 million Beli, Celestial Dragons in the Sabaody Archipelago and held her own against Marine Headquarters Admiral, would not have her own flag!
"How about we finalize this today?"
"Good!"
Louf responded immediately; the Little Fox had long wanted to hoist the majestic Pirates flag aboard the Nether Abyss.
However, the third-in-command was of low rank and didn't have much influence, so he never dared to speak up...
Adrian thought for a moment and asked in advance, "It shouldn't matter if we don't have a Pirates crew name, right?"
Queen Otohime shook her head and said, "It doesn't matter, as long as the flag represents Lord White Ghost."
Does the group name matter?
Certainly!
That's obvious!
Even naming a Pirates crew after some physical characteristic, like Whitebeard, My Huge Electric Eel, Red-Haired, or Straw Hat, is better than nothing!
But let me reiterate, Adrian is a lone wolf!
Although she has a Ship Spirit and a fox cook by her side, this doesn't seem like a proper group setup, does it?
Is it really One-Man Army?
Hearing that she couldn't come up with a name for the crew, Louf couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. She had wanted to suggest names like "Fluffy Pirates" or "Pretty Fox Pirates."
"As for flags and symbols..."