Neptune didn't even care about anything else and turned to rush out.
But after taking just one step, he suddenly stopped and looked at Roy.
" Captain Roy, I..."
Roy waved his hand.
"Go quickly."
Don't worry about us.
Neptune nodded gratefully and, with the three princes, hurried out of the banquet hall.
Roy stood up.
"Let's go take a look."
Lafitte and the other two quickly followed.
The group walked through the corridors of the Ryugu Palace and arrived at Queen Otohime's bedroom.
A large crowd had already gathered outside the palace.
There were maids, guards, and imperial physicians, all of them looking tense.
Neptune paced anxiously outside the door, wringing his hands incessantly.
The three princes were equally nervous, their eyes fixed on the tightly closed door.
Roy stood not far away, quietly watching this scene.
His Observation Haki constantly enveloped the entire Ryugu Palace and the surrounding sea.
The Sea Kings were becoming increasingly agitated.
They swam faster and faster, getting closer and closer to each other, as if anticipating something.
Just then--
A baby's cry came from inside the palace!
"Wow--!!!"
The cry was clear and loud, piercing through the door and echoing throughout the entire Ryugu Palace!
Neptune jolted, then lunged toward the door!
" Otohime! Otohime!"
The door opened, and a maid carrying a swaddled baby came out.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! The Princess Consort has given birth to a little princess!"
Neptune took the swaddling clothes, looked at the tiny baby inside, and his eyes instantly welled up with tears.
"Good boy... good boy..."
The three princes also gathered around, their eyes filled with curiosity and affection as they looked at the newborn little girl.
Just then--
According to Roy's Observation Haki, the Sea Kings began to slowly retreat.
They no longer stirred or gathered, but quietly turned around and swam away in all directions.
It was as if they had accomplished some kind of mission.
Roy gazed at the colossal creatures receding into the distance, muttering to himself.
"Interesting..."
How did these Sea Kings know that Poseidon was about to be born?
"Could there really be some kind of prophecy, or destiny...?"
Roy's gaze fell on the baby in Neptune's arms.
Shirahoshi.
Poseidon.
One of the Three Ancient Weapons.
At this moment, it was just a newborn baby, tiny and soft, crying with its eyes closed.
A complex emotion flickered in Roy's eyes.
After Luffy was born, Shirahoshi, the Poseidon, was also born in this era.
These two will become the Pirate King and an Ancient Weapon capable of destroying the world.
Fate is truly wondrous.
Neptune, carrying Shirahoshi, walked up to Roy.
" Captain Roy, this is my youngest daughter..."
He paused,
"It hasn't been named yet, what do you think..."
Roy smiled slightly.
"Let's call him Shirahoshi."
" Shirahoshi... that's a very nice name."
Neptune nodded.
"Okay! Let's call him Shirahoshi!"
He looked down at the baby in his arms.
" Shirahoshi... Shirahoshi... My little princess, her name will be Shirahoshi..."
Roy watched this scene with a sigh in his heart.
Shirahoshi...
The gentle, timid, yet tragically fated mermaid princess from the original story.
Because he possesses the power to control Sea Kings, he is coveted by countless people.
Because of her stunning beauty, she was pursued by Vander Decken IX for ten years.
Because of the death of her mother, Queen Otohime, she secluded herself in the Hard-Shell Tower for ten whole years.
And now, she has just been born.
It's not too late.
Roy took a deep breath and looked away.
He turned and walked out of the palace.
Lafitte and the other two quickly followed.
"Captain?"
Lafitte asked in a low voice,
What's wrong?
Roy shook his head.
"Nothing."
"I just... thought of some things."
He paused,
"Let's go back and continue drinking."
That night, Roy and his party stayed at the Ryugu Palace.
The next morning, Neptune came to see him off in person.
" Captain Roy, did you sleep well last night?"
Roy nodded.
"Very good."
Thank you for your hospitality.
Neptune laughed.
"Not at all, it's only right."
He paused,
"By the way, Captain Roy, about hoisting the flag..."
Roy said,
"I've already had Tesoro contact Big News Morgans."
"We expect to hear from them soon."
The moment he finished speaking, the Den Den Mushi in Roy's arms rang.
Blub Blub... Blub Blub...
Roy answered the phone,
" Tesoro?"
Tesoro's voice came from the other end.
"Boss! It's all done!"
" Big News Morgans was absolutely thrilled when he heard the news!"
"The front-page headline was released first thing this morning!"
"Now, the whole world knows that Fish-Man Island is under the protection of our Hachinosu!"
Roy's lips curled into a smile.
"Very good."
After hanging up the phone, he looked at Neptune.
"Nailed it."
"From today onwards, Fish-Man Island is officially under the protection of Hachinosu."
Neptune bowed deeply in excitement.
" Captain Roy!"
Roy waved his hand.
"Alright, we should go."
"Next, I will send some soldiers to help you garrison Fish-Man Island and carry out a cleansing of those pirates and human traffickers."
"This should help alleviate the Fish-Man Island."
Roy turned to leave, but after taking only two steps, he suddenly stopped.
Neptune sensed something was wrong, and stepped forward while holding Shirahoshi.
" Captain Roy? Is there anything else?"
" Neptune, there's something I'd like to ask you."
Neptune quickly said,
" Captain Roy, please speak! I will do everything in my power to help you!"
Roy nodded.
"Please try to find out more information about 'lanternfish' for me."
Neptune was taken aback.
"Glowfish?"
He frowned and pondered for a moment.
" Captain Roy is talking about... those bioluminescent fish that live in the deep sea?"
"That kind of fish is very common near Fish-Man Island. If you need some, I can have someone catch a few."
Roy shook his head.
"No, it's not an ordinary lanternfish."
Roy's eyes deepened.
"What I'm looking for is a special Sea Kings lionfish."
"It swallowed up a country two hundred years ago."
"This lanternfish Sea Kings should be somewhere in the New World. It's the perfect place for the Fish-Man Race to find them."
Upon hearing this, Neptune's smile instantly froze.
" Sea Kings that swallowed an entire country...?"
" Captain Roy, are you sure such a thing... exists?"
Roy nodded. "It does exist."
Two hundred years ago, this country, along with the island it was located on, vanished from the sea overnight, becoming nothing more than a legend.
Neptune gasped.
As the king of Fish-Man Island, he had naturally heard of this legend.
However, he always thought it was just a fictional story used to scare disobedient children.
Unexpectedly...
" Captain Roy, what brings you this lanternfish...?"
Roy smiled faintly.
"This lanternfish contains what I want."
Neptune paused for a moment, then nodded solemnly.
"Understood."
"I will utilize the entire intelligence network of Fish-Man Island to help you find clues about this lanternfish."
"Furthermore, I will instruct the residents of Fish-Man Island to be extra vigilant."
Roy nodded slightly. "Thank you."
"If you have any news, you can contact Tesoro directly."
Neptune nodded repeatedly, "Definitely! Definitely!"