Neptune followed his gaze, a gentle yet proud smile appearing on his face.
He turned to the side, exposing the little mermaid hiding behind him to everyone's view.
Shirahoshi.
The little princess is only four years old.
Her long, pink hair cascaded down her back like silk, and her large, watery blue eyes timidly sized up the unfamiliar man in front of her.
"Father..."
Shirahoshi clutched Neptune's clothes, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.
Roy slowly stood up, walked to Shirahoshi, and squatted down so that he was at eye level with the four-year-old mermaid.
"You're Princess Shirahoshi?"
Shirahoshi shrank her neck and hid her face in the corner of Neptune's clothes.
After a long while, she peeked out with one eye to secretly peek at the man squatting in front of her.
He was very tall, but when he squatted down, he was actually a little shorter than me. And his voice was very gentle.
"Hello..." Shirahoshi finally mustered up her courage and replied softly.
Roy pulled out a gift he had prepared beforehand from his pocket—an exquisite Seastone pendant, the chain of which was made of deep-sea pearls and coral beads.
This is the craftsmanship of artisans from Hachinosu; each bead is polished smooth and round, with Seastone pendant set in the very center.
This is for you.
Roy handed the pendant to Shirahoshi.
"Wear it, and those big Sea Kings won't bother you anymore."
Shirahoshi's eyes lit up for a moment. She reached out her little hand and took the pendant, examining it from all angles, then looked up at her father. Neptune smiled and nodded.
"Thank you... Roy, Lord Roy."
Shirahoshi clutched the pendant in her palm, her voice soft, but the joy in her tone was impossible to hide.
This unfamiliar adult gave me such a beautiful gift even though we were meeting for the first time.
"No need to call me 'adult.' Just call me 'brother.'"
Shirahoshi paused for a moment, then lowered her head, her voice barely audible, " Roy... brother..."
At the main table, the members of Roy Pirates looked at Shirahoshi with some surprise as Roy treated her gently.
I don't know why my captain treats this little Fish-Man princess so... so specially.
As the banquet drew to a close, the guests began to leave one after another.
Neptune and Jinbe led Roy to a secret room in a side hall.
This is the heart of the Ryugu Palace, with excellent soundproofing and heavy guards outside.
Neptune sat down opposite Roy, his hands on his knees, his expression much more serious than at the banquet.
" Captain Roy, thank you for saving Lily from Fish-Man Island. Jinbe and I have already discussed this cooperation."
" Fish-Man Island is willing to establish a permanent alliance with Hachinosu."
Neptune's tone was solemn.
" Hachinosu provides armed protection for Fish-Man Island, defending it against harassment from New World pirates and slave capture by the Celestial Dragons;
Fish-Man Island provides Hachinosu with deep-sea minerals and Seastone resources, and also engages in the exchange and inheritance of Fish-Man Karate with Hachinosu.
Roy didn't answer immediately. He picked up his glass of wine, took a sip, and remained silent for a moment.
" King Neptune, your terms are reasonable."
But as an ally, I need you to consider one more thing— Fish-Man Island's stance when the World Government puts pressure on Hachinosu."
Neptune did not hesitate. "The moment our benefactor offered to shelter Fish-Man Island, Fish-Man Island was ready."
Jinbe stood up and bowed to Roy:
" Captain Roy, you saved the residents of Fish-Man Island and are willing to protect Fish-Man Island."
Fish-Man Island will never forget this kindness.
Roy stood up. These two rulers of Fish-Man Island genuinely wanted to form an alliance with him.
It wasn't out of fear, nor out of self-interest, but because he saved the people of Fish-Man Island, because he was willing to protect Fish-Man Island.
"Since that's the case."
Roy reached out his hand.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you."
Two hands—one made of human flesh and blood, the other a mermaid's broad, calloused palm—were clasped together firmly.
Of course, the most important factor in bringing Fish-Man Island under its control is the future " Poseidon," Shirahoshi.
The following morning, Ark Maxim departed from the port of Fish-Man Island.
At the deepest point of the ocean, tens of thousands of meters below the surface, the ship turned around and slowly headed towards the giant hole beneath the Red Line.
The sunlight dimmed abruptly the moment it passed through the Red Line, then shone brightly on the deck again as it emerged at the other end.
The skies of the New World are bluer, the seas brighter, and the sea breezes stronger.
Every inch of air in this sea area is filled with the scent of danger and opportunity.
At the horizon, the outline of an island is becoming increasingly clear. Hachinosu.
I'm home.
Meanwhile, on Hachinosu, which had already received news of Roy's return, the port was already filled with genetically modified soldiers lining up to welcome him.
A thousand-strong honor guard stood in neat rows on both sides of the harbor, all dressed in black uniforms with a gold Hachinosu emblem on their chests.
Everyone stood ramrod straight, their eyes piercing, like a thousand iron stakes driven into the ground.
In the very center of the port, all the core members of Hachinosu were present.
Bullet crossed his arms, his short, purplish-gray hair fluttering slightly in the sea breeze, and a rare smile appeared on his rugged face.
Red Count stood beside him, his back slightly hunched, but no one dared to underestimate this seemingly thin old man—he was the legendary figure who had single-handedly challenged Fleet Admiral Kong.
Hawk Eyes carried the Supreme Great Grade Sword, Black Blade Night, on his back. The blade was hidden in its sheath, but the fierce sword intent emanating from it was impossible to block.
Crocodile, a cigar dangling from his lips, sported his usual roguish smile...
The Ark Maxim slowly docked, and the gangway was lowered.
Roy was the first to step down the gangway, his boots making a crisp sound as they hit the stone pavement of Hachinosu.
"Welcome back, Captain!!!"
A thousand genetically engineered soldiers simultaneously knelt on one knee, placed their right hands on their chests, and shouted in unison.
The sound was so loud that the Water 7 in the harbor trembled slightly.
Roy waved his hand:
Get up.
He walked towards the group of core cadres who remained behind, his gaze sweeping over each of their faces, a smile playing on his lips.
"You're all here. Did you miss me?"
Bullet grinned. "Hey, Roy, you've really stirred things up on this trip."
"Good."
Roy's smile held a rare hint of ease.
"I also took care of a few fools while I was at it."
Hawk Eyes rarely speaks, but he did. "I heard you fought Akainu?"
"We'll talk about it later. Let's get to the island first."
The heavy stone doors of the royal palace on Hachinosu slowly closed behind Roy.
A huge stone round table was placed in the center of the hall, surrounded by thirteen high-backed chairs, each occupied by one of the most core members of Hachinosu.
This was Roy's first core leadership meeting since returning from his voyage at sea.
Crocodile spoke first, reporting on the operations over the past few months.