" King Neptune, I have great news to report to you..."
Amidst the pleasantries exchanged, the Right Minister stepped forward with a broad smile and addressed Neptune and his companions.
"What is it, Right Minister? If it's not too important, there's no need to say it. I have an invitation to Mr. Luo Chen and his companions, gentlemen and ladies, to a banquet..."
Neptune raised his hand and said.
"Yes, it's about Princess Shirahoshi..."
"About Shirahoshi?"
Upon hearing that it concerned his daughter (sister), Neptune and Fukaboshi immediately turned their gazes to him, staring at him with inquiring and puzzled looks.
"Just now, with the help of Mr. Luo Chen's companions, we successfully apprehended the criminal Vanda Decken, who has been threatening Princess Shirahoshi's safety. He is now awaiting your instructions aboard the sea monster!"
The Right Minister didn't keep them in suspense and reported the matter to them with a smile.
"What? Right Minister, you just said that that bastard Vanda Decken has been successfully captured?"
Even Jinbe could hardly sit still, and he and Neptune loudly confirmed with the Right Minister.
"Yes, at the entrance to the Ryugu Palace, Vander Decken originally intended to lead his men to intercept us, but they were all defeated by Mr. Luo Chen's two companions. Afterwards, our soldiers bound them all to sea beasts for the lords to decide their fate."
The Right Minister smiled and nodded.
"This... this is really... wonderful, wonderful! Shirahoshi, you finally don't have to stay in that dark little room anymore, living in fear..."
Upon receiving confirmation from the Right Minister, Neptune immediately burst into tears.
"Very good..."
Even the three Fukaboshi were overjoyed and shed tears of emotion.
"... I'm truly sorry to have made you all laugh... because the news I just received has left me incredibly excited, and I'm overjoyed beyond words..."
After a brief respite, Neptune finally spoke again.
"Hmm, it's okay, I understand..."
Luo Chen waved his hand, seemingly unconcerned.
"This is truly exhilarating! Shirahoshi's benefactor is indeed my benefactor. Please come in, everyone. I will have someone fetch Shirahoshi right away so she can personally express her gratitude to you all..."
After saying this, Neptune instructed the Left Minister to take soldiers to tell Shirahoshi the good news and to have her come over to thank them in person.
Then, at Neptune's invitation, the group entered the palace.
"Please have a seat. We apologize for any shortcomings in our hospitality... You must all be hungry after your long journey. Please help yourselves to the food on the table!"
Neptune waved his hand with a mixture of respect and gratitude.
"Alright, then we won't stand on ceremony..."
After Luo Chen finished speaking, he reached out and picked up a piece of Poseidon meat, gestured to his companions with his eyes, and then began to eat it.
"Mmm!! This is so delicious! The food at the Ryugu Palace truly lives up to its reputation..."
The food served at the Ryugu Palace was naturally the best from Fish-Man Island, so Phil and the others' eyes lit up after just one bite, praising it as they ate.
"Haha, really? That's our honor! Don't be shy, enjoy your meal! The chef will bring you more if it runs out!"
Neptune felt honored that his food had been praised, especially since this person was their great benefactor. His eyes narrowed, and he smiled broadly.
Then, Neptune instructed a dozen graceful mermaid girls to take the stage and dance gracefully in the sky. Their beautiful dance and charming faces relaxed them, allowing them to enjoy the warm hospitality from the Fish-Man Island.
"Father..."
A short while into the banquet, a clear and melodious voice, as if from a dream, rang out from outside the door, and everyone's attention immediately turned to that direction.
A moment later, a giant mermaid girl appeared before the crowd, wearing a fish-shaped hair ornament, with flowing light pink hair, bright blue eyes, an exquisitely beautiful face, a full bust, and a pink fish tail in varying shades.
"This, this is really too... too beautiful!!"
After a short while, Luo Chen and the others finally snapped out of their daze, with the straightforward George being the first to exclaim in surprise.
" Shirahoshi, come to Father's side..."
Neptune was very pleased with their performance. His daughter, Shirahoshi, had always been his pride and joy. She was a mermaid princess with unparalleled beauty and a pure and kind heart, and was the darling of the entire Fish-Man Island.
Seeing that they were all stunned by Shirahoshi's appearance, he narrowed his eyes, grinned, and beckoned Shirahoshi to stand next to him so he could introduce her to everyone.
" Shirahoshi, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Luo Chen, and this is Miss Catherine, and also..."
They are all your benefactors; you should bow to them and express your sincere gratitude!
Neptune led Shirahoshi by the hand and introduced her to everyone. Afterward, he made her personally thank Luo Chen and the others.
Thank you, Mr. Luo Chen, Miss Catherine...
I am truly grateful to you all for helping my father capture Vanda Decken and his gang, which means I no longer have to spend the rest of my life at the bottom of the Hard-Shell Tower!
Shirahoshi's slightly Tender yet gentle and melodious voice rang out, and then she bowed deeply to Luo Chen and his group, expressing her heartfelt gratitude.
"No need to be so polite, Princess Shirahoshi. Please get up. It was just a coincidence that we were able to capture Vanda Decken; it's nothing at all!"
Luo Chen and his group quickly stood up and politely shook their heads.
"No, even if it's just a coincidence, you are all our great benefactors to our Ryugu Palace. How could we be so rude?"
Neptune didn't care whether it was a coincidence or not. To him, Luo Chen and his group were their great benefactors who helped them capture Vander Decken and rescue Shirahoshi from her predicament. How could he ignore such a debt of gratitude?
"Alright, we accept your greeting, Shirahoshi. Please rise. King Neptune and Princess Shirahoshi, you don't need to be so polite. It's truly our honor to help such a beautiful princess resolve her predicament!"
While Luo Chen and Neptune were exchanging pleasantries, Catherine and Lulith walked over to Shirahoshi and gently patted her fins, whispering to her to get her attention. Shirahoshi Shirahoshi then lifted the two of them up and brought them close to her face, chatting with them with a joyful expression.
"Ha~ Lady Catherine and Lady Lulith, are you pirates?"
"Yes, yes, we are renowned pirates on the Grand Line!!"
"Really? Did you go on any adventures?"
Have you ever seen the sun? Have you ever seen all kinds of flowers and animals covered in fur? Have you ever been to a green place called a forest?
Shirahoshi, like a little girl who hasn't grown up and is full of fantasies and dreams about everything, asked Catherine and Lulith in a soft voice.
Faced with Shirahoshi's questions, which seemed like childish jokes, the two answered them one by one without hesitation.
The three quickly became close friends and got along very well, which made Neptune, their father, smile with satisfaction.
"Mr. Luo Chen, if I may ask, when are you departing? We would like to bid you all farewell!"
At this point, the Left Minister, concerned about the safety of Fish-Man Island, had no choice but to interject and ask a question.