When Uchiha Hikaru and his group emerged from the dense forest with the people of Ryugu Palace, thunderous cheers immediately erupted from the outskirts of Fish-Man Island Plaza.
Uchiha Hikaru was hailed as a hero and received the reverence of every fish-man on Fish-Man Island. Even Law and Urouge, despite being pirates, were praised alongside him. Even the sailors who had been captured to play actors were treated as saviors, leaving them somewhat lightheaded with delight.
The pirates in the forest had already been subdued by Hikaru. They were gathered together, driven into a corner, and lined up. King Neptune sent Ryugu Palace guards to take them into custody one by one.
Jinbe and the mermaid princess had long been waiting outside the forest. When King Neptune and the others emerged, Princess Shirahoshi burst into tears again, though she kept sneaking glances at the man in white as she cried.
Hikaru folded his arms and looked at Jinbe with a faint, knowing smile.
There was not the slightest hint of embarrassment on Jinbe's face. Even though Hikaru's persuasion had seemed like pure fantasy when they first met at sea, filling Jinbe with deep doubts, he now seemed to have forgotten all of his former suspicions and looked at him with a solemn expression.
"This old man thanks you on behalf of Fish-Man Island, Boss!" Jinbe slowly lowered his head and bowed deeply to Hikaru.
"Oh?" Hikaru studied Jinbe with great interest.
He had not expected Jinbe to be so direct. The Fish-Man Island incident had only just been settled, yet Jinbe had immediately made his choice and submitted to him.
Before Hikaru could respond, Urouge squeezed forward. "Hey, hey! Jinbe, watch it. There's a line to join up, remember? I'm ahead of you. I'm Uchiha Hikaru's Second Division Commander. Even