Then, with Jinbe leading the way, Gern and Mihawk passed through the corridor and officially entered Ryugu Palace.
Compared with when he and Lipo had come all those years ago, Ryugu Palace was now clearly more spacious and magnificent.
Enormous coral pillars supported the lofty dome, with rare shells and pearls of every color adorning the spaces between them. Soft light shone from all around, bathing the entire hall in breathtaking beauty.
Seawater had been cleverly channeled into flowing decorations, with brightly colored fish swimming leisurely through them.
A group had already gathered in the center of the hall to await them.
King Neptune was enormous, crowned and imposing, but at that moment, his face wore a warm smile.
Beside him stood Queen Otohime, comparatively petite yet elegant and regal, still wearing her gentle, gracious smile.
Behind them, the three princes-Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi-were trying their best to look suitably solemn as royal heirs.
Of course, the most eye-catching of all was the little mermaid princess, Shirahoshi, who hid behind them but was far too large to be completely concealed.
Only a few years old, Shirahoshi was already vastly larger than an ordinary person. Her pink tail curled softly beneath her, and she had long, flowing, pale pink hair.
It was as silky as seaweed, and her large blue eyes were like the purest ocean.
At that moment, those eyes held unmistakable curiosity and shyness as she peeked from behind her brothers at Gern, a stranger whom her father and mother were treating with such ceremony.
"Admiral Gern, it really has been a long time!" Neptune's booming voice echoed through the hall as he stepped forward to greet him, looking delighted.
"I never imagined you would grace Fish-Man Island with another visit. You truly bring honor to our humble..." Halfway