"You can just call me Carl!" Carl's eyes twitched slightly.
He almost couldn't help but punch the old guy.
"Anyway, thank you for this matter…" Neptune spoke, his deep voice trembling as mist welled in his eyes.
Ten years…
For ten long years, his beloved daughter had lived in terror.
The princess of the Ryugu Kingdom—one of the grandest royal bloodlines of the sea—was forced to hide away in the Hard-Shell Tower like a prisoner.
Every single day, he cursed his own powerlessness.
But today…
Finally, his wish had been realized.
BOOM!
The golden trident in Neptune's hand slammed down with incredible force, piercing straight through the hull of the submarine.
A massive hole was ripped open—revealing the wretched creatures inside.
Among them, one figure lay twisted in the wreckage, his bald, misshapen head barely recognizable.
Van der Decken IX!
Neptune gritted his teeth, his voice thick with rage. Each syllable seemed forced out from his very soul.
The pathetic merfolk lay slumped against the cold metal, his disheveled appearance a result of the beating he had suffered after Shirahoshi rejected him.
Decken's eyes widened with pure terror when he met Neptune's gaze.
"Hahh—!"
He tried to speak, but his words failed him.
The cursed metal walls of his own vessel had folded in on him like a tomb, trapping him in a twisted embrace. His body was broken, and his consciousness flickered like a dying flame.
He struggled to move his arm, perhaps to activate his Target-Target Fruit once more…
But it was too late.
"You dared to torment my daughter for a decade…" Neptune growled, his eyes ablaze with fury.
"Now, take it all back!"
SWISH!
The trident drove straight through Van der Decken's throat.
A decade's worth of grief, rage, and humiliation—finally avenged.
Carl stood nearby, smoking a cigar, watching the scene in silence.
Neptune slowly raised his head, tears streaming down his weathered face.
"Colonel Carl… forgive me. I lost my composure…"
Carl exhaled a puff of white smoke, rolling his eyes. "Just call me Carl!"
Then, waving a hand dismissively, he muttered, "Forget it… Old man's a mess. No point in arguing."
"I want to be with my daughter for a while. You're free to explore Fish-Man Island as you please. Later, I will personally host a feast in your honor."
Carl simply nodded.
Meanwhile, at the Mermaid Café…
Inside a small, dimly lit chamber, Madam Shyarly gazed at her crystal ball, her sharp, mermaid eyes full of shock.
Just like when she foresaw Whitebeard's fall, an ominous premonition gripped her soul.
"…That Marine…"
Her hands clenched into fists.
"No… I must speak with Neptune immediately!"
Her expression darkened as she rushed out of the café.
Fish-Man District—A Hidden Chamber
In the heart of Fish-Man Street, where resentment toward humans festered like an open wound, Hody Jones sat upon his dark throne.
His eyes gleamed with malice.
"…Dead?"
A trembling subordinate nodded frantically.
"Y-Yes, boss… When we arrived, all of Van der Decken's men were already corpses…"
A heavy silence followed.
Then—
CRACK!
Hody crushed the armrest of his chair with his bare hand.
"What a bunch of useless trash."
His red eyes flickered with menace.
"Call Dosun, Zeo, and Daruma immediately."
The underling hesitated. "B-Boss… Do you mean…?"
"Hah… Hahahaha!"
Hody burst into a deep, cruel laughter.
"Yes. The time has come."
His lips curled into a sinister grin.
"Kill those Marines."
A chilling atmosphere filled the room.
"As long as they die here, our victory is inevitable. Let's see how that old fool Neptune dares to preach coexistence then!"
The subordinate gulped, then nodded frantically. "Y-Yes, boss! Right away!"
He hurried out, disappearing into the shadows.
Half a Day Later—Ryugu Palace
Neptune entered the throne room with Shirahoshi by his side.
The ministers gasped in surprise.
Then, before anyone could react, Neptune's deep voice echoed through the hall:
"Van der Decken IX, the man who has tormented my daughter for ten years, has been slain thanks to Colonel Carl!"
The entire room fell silent.
Then—
"Hooray!"
The ministers erupted into cheers.
"That demon is finally dead!"
"Princess Shirahoshi no longer needs to hide!"
"What an incredible Marine! Colonel Carl is a true hero!"
The palace was swept up in excitement.
But before the celebration could continue, a royal guard hurried inside.
"Your Majesty! Madam Shyarly has arrived!"
Neptune frowned. "Madam Shyarly?"
Before he could respond, the doors swung open.
Shyarly strode inside, her pipe in hand.
Neptune's expression darkened. "Madam Shyarly, what brings you here?"
The fortune-teller took a deep drag, then exhaled slowly.
"Everyone, leave. I must speak to Neptune alone."
Neptune hesitated, then nodded. "Clear the hall."
Even Shirahoshi was ushered outside.
Once the room was empty, Shyarly spoke.
"It's about that Marine."
Neptune tensed.
Shyarly's eyes turned sharp.
"I saw two futures."
Neptune's breath hitched. "Two? That's impossible!"
Shyarly's voice was grave.
"In one, that Marine destroys Fish-Man Island."
Neptune's eyes widened in disbelief.
Carl? Destroying Fish-Man Island?
Impossible!
Carl had just helped capture Van der Decken. He was a benefactor!
"…And the second future?" Neptune asked cautiously.
Shyarly inhaled deeply.
"In the second… under his leadership, Otohime's dream is fulfilled."
Neptune's lips parted slightly.
Shyarly stood up, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You know what you must do, Neptune."
With that, she turned and left.
Neptune sat in stunned silence.
Minutes passed.
Then, determination filled his eyes.
He stood and left the room.
Carl's Encounter with Neptune
Carl was examining a merchant shop when Neptune found him.
"Colonel Carl, I need to speak with you."
Carl's temple twitched.
"Just call me Carl!"
Neptune ignored him.
"Follow me. This is important."
Carl, still annoyed, reluctantly followed.
The two entered a small, isolated palace chamber.
Neptune hesitated.
Carl simply puffed on his cigar, admiring the extravagant Night Pearls embedded in the walls—each one the size of a basketball.
Finally, Neptune took a deep breath.
"…Colonel Carl, I want to request a Marine garrison on Fish-Man Island."
Carl froze.
"…Wait. What did you just say?"
"You know that Fish-Man Island was once protected by Whitebeard," Neptune explained solemnly. "But now, he is dead."
Without Whitebeard's flag, Fish-Man Island was in grave danger.
Pirates. Slavers. Traffickers. They were all circling like sharks.
Neptune's voice was firm.
"We only seek a safe place to live. And the only force that can truly keep us safe… is the Marines."
Carl frowned.
"…You do realize this means going against the World Government, right?"
Neptune clenched his fist.
"I will explain everything at the Reverie."
Carl sighed, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
"…If you can convince them, then fine."
Neptune's gaze burned with determination.
Because no matter the cost, he would ensure his daughter's future.
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