"Hey, you reap what you sow. You deserve this, you can't blame anyone else..."
Luo Chen watched as the Right Minister, beaming with smiles, led his soldiers to arrest Vanda Decken and his entourage after disembarking from the Ryugu Palace flight. He couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.
"Captain, how was it? Didn't Lulith and I disappoint you?!"
While he was still reflecting, George and Lulith walked up to him, and the cheerful Luo Chen took the initiative to ask him for advice.
The shy Lulith next to him didn't ask him so directly and loudly like he did. Instead, she stared at him with expectant eyes, hoping to get a satisfactory answer from Luo Chen.
"Hmm... although there are still some minor flaws, they don't detract from the overall quality. It's pretty good overall. Keep up the good work!!"
Luo Chen took in the expectant looks in their eyes, knowing that he couldn't let this first attempt dampen their confidence. Moreover, he was generally satisfied with the operation, so he praised them without hesitation.
"Very good!!"
Both of them were very happy to receive Luo Chen's praise, especially George jumped up excitedly and shouted.
"Alright, it's certainly commendable that you've made progress in just a few days, but don't be too overconfident. Your current strength won't be enough to keep up in the New World. There are countless pirates there who can be called monsters. You need to keep working hard and not slack off!!"
Seeing that the two were very happy to receive his praise, but seemed a little too happy, and that George was becoming arrogant, Luo Chen timely poured cold water on them, making them calm down a bit.
"Yes, Captain, you're right. We certainly don't have the right to be so arrogant right now, but I firmly believe that our pirate crew will never lose to anyone. I will not slack off in my training and will strive to help the Luo Chen Pirates reach the pinnacle as soon as possible!!"
George clenched his fist and said confidently to Luo Chen.
"Yes, it's good that you have that confidence. Let's go, it's time to go back. This time we've helped the King Neptune get rid of a major threat; who knows how grateful they'll be!"
After saying that, Luo Chen turned around and walked back to the floating sea beast.
"Okay, I understand..."
George and Lulith followed closely behind and boarded the ship with him.
After a while, the Right Minister, accompanied by soldiers, escorted Vanda Decken and his entourage back to the sea beast. He walked over to Luo Chen and the others with a grateful expression and thanked them.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting. I just sent men to arrest Vander Decken and his men so I could report this good news to King Neptune. I am very sorry for the inconvenience caused to you, my guests. I would also like to express my sincerest gratitude to Mr. Luo Chen and your companions for helping Ryugu Palace resolve this major crisis caused by Vander Decken. Thank you!"
After apologizing for their earlier neglect, the Right Minister led the soldiers to bow in gratitude, thanking them for helping Ryugu Palace capture the criminal Vanda Decken. Everyone's face was beaming with joy and laughter as they sincerely thanked Luo Chen and his group.
"No need for such formalities, Minister of the Right. This is all we should do. Assisting you in capturing the criminals of the Ryugu Palace was merely a matter of course. On the contrary, we gained much more; to have earned the friendship of the Ryugu Palace is a great honor for us!"
Luo Chen quickly stepped forward and helped them up.
"No, even so, please accept our gratitude. We are overjoyed to have resolved this calamity for Princess Shirahoshi of the entire Fish-Man Island!!"
As he spoke, the Right Minister, overjoyed, wiped away the tears streaming from his eyes with the back of his hand and said excitedly.
"Well, in that case, we'll accept your gifts of gratitude. Alright, everyone, please rise; we need to hurry to the Ryugu Palace for the banquet!"
Luo Chen told them to get up and quickly changed the subject.
"Yes, we are very sorry. It was our negligence. Please immediately notify the guards of the Ryugu Palace to reopen the passage and invite all the guests inside!"
Upon hearing his words, the Right Minister, remembering his mission, gave orders to the soldiers beside him.
"Yes!!"
The soldier received the order and relayed it to the Ryugu Palace's monitoring center. Shortly afterward, the closed gates at the Ryugu Palace's passageway slowly opened.
"Keep going..."
Splash...
A sea beast carried Ryugu Palace and Luo Chen's group, swimming swiftly into the area where Ryugu Palace Neptune was located.
Tap tap...
" King Neptune... King Neptune..."
A Fish-Man soldier detected the footage of the Right Minister and his men returning and quickly ran over to report the news to Neptune and his group.
"What's wrong?"
Neptune and Jinbe were sitting in the reception hall waiting for news of the Right Minister's return when they heard the anxious shouts of the guards outside the door. They couldn't help but ask him what was going on.
Huff... huff... huff...
"Reporting to King Neptune, His Highnesses Fukaboshi, and Lord Jinbe, I have just received the latest news. The Right Minister and his men have sent instructions to return... They are about to arrive at the hall. Your King Neptune, would you like to go and meet them?"
After catching his breath, the soldier saluted Neptune and reported.
"Is that so? The Right Minister and the others have finally returned. Very well, come quickly, let's go out and greet them!"
Upon hearing the news of the Right Minister's return, Neptune's face lit up with joy, and he stood up to speak with Jinbe and the others.
The group then quickened their pace and headed towards the palace gate to meet the Right Minister and Luo Chen.
"Shh~"
The sea creatures roamed the passageway for a short while before arriving outside the palace. The people who commanded the sea creatures ordered them to stop there.
The group descended the steps and stood outside the main hall waiting for Neptune and his party to arrive.
Click click...
A short while later, Neptune arrived with Jinbe and his men. He ordered the soldiers to open the gate, and with a click, the gate slowly opened. Neptune and Jinbe's group stood in front to welcome the Right Minister and Luo Chen Chen's party.
" King Neptune, I have fulfilled my mission and invited Mr. Luo Chen and his companions here. Please give your instructions!"
The Right Minister led the soldiers in bowing and saluting Neptune and the three princes of Fukaboshi.
"Please rise quickly. Thank you for your hard work, Minister Right and all the responsible guards..."
Neptune first expressed his concern to the Right Minister and the others, then stepped forward and gazed at Luo Chen and the others for a moment before waving his hand in welcome.
"Warriors from the Grand Line, I am King Neptune of the Fish-Man Race. I extend a sincere welcome to you all. It is my honor to have you on our Fish-Man Island..."
"Welcome everyone, Shark (Emperor, Car Crash) Star!!"
As Neptune welcomed Luo Chen and his group, his sons behind him bowed slightly in return.
"Yes, everyone, there's no need to be so polite. It's our honor to have you here..."
Luo Chen offered them polite words with a gesture of support.
"Yes, we meet again, Mr. Knight of the Sea Jinbe..."
After completing those actions, Luo Chen noticed a blue figure, stared at him for a moment to confirm his identity, then smiled and nodded.
"It's truly an unexpected encounter in life! I had the pleasure of meeting you again on Fish-Man Island, Mr. Luo Chen, after our brief meeting in Marineford. It's an honor for me!"
Although there had been some friction between Luo Chen and Whitebeard in Marineford, where Luo Chen was on the opposing side of Whitebeard's war, the two were now on the side of host and guest. Therefore, Jinbe would not be dissatisfied with him because of this and would still greet him politely with a bow.
You're too kind...
Luo Chen smiled and returned the greeting.