Chapter 44 Fukaboshi's Request
For the upcoming period, Brett's life became concentrated on two primary goals.
The first goal is training. He aims to awaken his Observation haki, and concurrently, he seeks to enhance his mastery of arament haki even further.
The second goal naturally involves capturing sea beasts.
The Sea lion have already been assigned, and the team demonstrating the best performance in training successfully secured the privilege of raising the sea lion.
Other teams remained skeptical but were equally eager to acquire their own sea beasts.
Brett did not wish to see them disheartened, thus the enthusiasm he had rallied must be sustained.
However, locating the appropriate sea beast is a challenging endeavor.
Consequently, Brett had little choice but to invest substantial funds and enlist help from people in Fishman Street to assist in searching for sea beasts in the depths of the ocean.
The effect of having financial resources is impressive. Within one week, Brett successfully captured three new sea beasts, averaging one every two days.
If this momentum is maintained, the objective of securing one sea beast per group will soon be achieved.
The three newly acquired sea beasts were allocated according to performance, bringing joy to the teams that excelled, while teams that were not chosen experienced disappointment.
Nevertheless, after a period of sadness, they quickly found inspiration.
They recognized that striving to improve is preferable to wallowing in despair. The arrival of new sea beasts is imminent. If the situation remains unacceptably poor, being the last team to acquire a sea beast would be an embarrassment.
This phenomenon reflects a healthy competitive environment.
Truthfully, the pre-allocation of sea beasts disrupted the training progress, yet it was a necessary measure.
Brett had, indeed, subdued the sea beasts through force, but integrating them into the combat unit of the Immigration and Entry Administration was not a simple task.
Soldiers must gradually develop bonds with them.
Though the sea beasts possess far lesser intelligence than Sea kings, they still exhibit signs of sentience, possessing feelings and preferences.
Simple coercion and pressure are insufficient.
It is essential to transform them into true partners.
Therefore, the soldiers assigned to the sea beasts across various brigades endeavored to bond with these creatures during their training intervals.
They provided nourishment, trimmed their claws, groomed their fur—doing anything that would ensure their comfort.
The outcomes were remarkably positive. Although the sea beasts exhibit limited intelligence, they quickly formed a bond with the soldiers following such treatment.
The initiative of the Sea Beast Knights has begun to yield results.
Nonetheless, complacency is unwarranted. At the very least, we should aim to acquire ten of them.
In the evening, during dinner time.
"In another week, I believe the initial training will be nearing completion. "
Jinbei stated, "The Immigration Bureau may commence initial operations. "
"That's all,"
Brett ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, "It appears that the ten sea beasts will not be assembled prior to the completion of the training. "
"There is no need for urgency; proceed at your own pace. " Jinbei took it lightly. "These guys are not so delicate that they cannot survive without sea beasts. "
Brett nodded slightly and had no choice but to accept this for the time being.
He had exerted considerable effort in searching, but what could he do if he was unable to locate them?
Teams that cannot acquire a sea beast before the training concludes will simply have to wait a bit longer.
"By the way, Arlong mentioned that you encountered that Sea king again today? "
Jinbei inquired unexpectedly.
Brett also commented somewhat peculiarly, "That Sea king seems to have been lingering around Fish-Man Island recently. "
The lizard-shrimp Neptune he had previously encountered.It was not merely the second time he had seen it today; They have encountered it multiple times.
The Sea king has been close to Fish-Man Island lately, and every time they crossed paths, it was engaged in combat with other Sea Kings.
Although the adversary in each confrontation was larger than it, it emerged victorious each time, often defeating its opponent decisively.
"Are Sea Kings actually circling around Fish-Man Island? "
Jinbei furrowed his brow, "Are they considering taking action against Fish-Man Island? "
'You are simply overanalyzing this, Brother Jinbei.'
While anyone globally could confront Fish-Man Island, it is implausible for the Sea Kings to take such action.
The king they had been anticipating for centuries was tenderly calling for her mother in the Dragon Palace.
"Who can say? "
Brett replied, "However, it does not appear to harbor any intention of approaching Fish-Man Island. "
"Maintain your distance the next time you see it."
Jinbei said earnestly, "There was an incident involving a Sea King breaching the gate of Fish-Man Island. "
Brett was aware of this.
It occurred when Roger visited Shyarly to make predictions.
The Sea kings were anxiously awaiting the arrival of their king.
"Understood. "
Nonetheless, Brett did not object.
That Sea king is excessively aggressive. How could any Sea king persist in battling its own kind endlessly?
There is no telling if genuine trouble may arise later.
After all, the Sea kings care solely for Themselves and Shirahoshi, affording no preferential treatment to other mermaids or fishmen.
In the following days, Brett continued exercising daily and captured a sea beast in the process, bringing the total number of sea beasts to five.
However, he did not encounter the lizard shrimp sea king again.
Perhaps it has vacated the vicinity of Fish-Man Island.
Then, one evening, following a day of practice, when he returned to the Mermaid Cafe for dinner, Brett opened the door to find an unexpected guest.
"Hello! Brett! "
The woman seated in the chair greeted Brett with a smile.
Brett raised his eyebrows, "Queen Otohime? "
'What is the purpose of this woman being here ?'
"The Queen has been anticipating your arrival for quite some time, Brett. "
Shyarly, positioned across from Otohime and seemingly engaged in a delightful conversation with her, even sported a smile, "She has an request for you."
Although Shyarly was not particularly enthusiastic about Otohime's proposal, she did not appear to have any animosity towards the woman.
Brett turned his attention to the other large individual in the dining establishment, "What is your request? Is it related to Fukaboshi? "
Behind her stood a blue-haired mermaid boy, significantly taller than her, named Fukaboshi, the eldest prince of the Dragon Kingdom, gazing at Brett with an expression of mild excitement.
"Just as expected from Brett! You guessed correctly! "
Queen Otohime rose and affectionately patted the arm of her eldest son, "It was this fool who compelled me to bring him here. "
The eldest prince's face flushed faintly, likely due to the revelation of his tendency to be coy with his mother.
"Hurry and convey your request to Brett, Fukaboshi. " Otohime gave her son a light pat on the lower back.
Fukaboshi inhaled deeply and then gravely addressed Brett, "I kindly request permission to join the Exit-Entry Administration, Brother Brett! "
Brett experienced a moment of astonishment.
'Is he joking? He is the prospective heir of this Kingdom!'
"May I ask as to the reason? " Brett chose not to dismiss the request hastily.
"I have heard about Fishman Street! It is incredible, Brother Brett! The transformation of Fishman Street has been remarkable in such a short time! "
Fukaboshi began to express himself enthusiastically, stating, "This is unprecedented! Father is correct; you are the one capable of altering Fish-Man Island! "
"I also wish to contribute to this Kingdom. "
"I want to keep potential threats away from Fish-Man Island! I aspire to be part of such an organization! I intend to utilize my abilities to help safeguard Fish-Man Island! "
Brett found himself in a state of mild distress.
'Was this young man always this fervent?'
He turned his gaze towards Otohime.
A gentle smile graced the woman's face as she soothingly caressed her anxious son's back, stating earnestly, "Please grant him this request, Brett. This is the first occasion in his life when he has expressed a desire to engage so actively. "
"Um! "
Fukaboshi nodded firmly, "Although it may be unreasonable, I implore you to accept my proposal! Brother Brett! "
Brett pondered silently for a moment.
Permitting the prince to join could indeed present complications. What if he were to meet an untimely death in combat in the future?
What if tensions arose with the royal family?
However—
Brett looked at Fukaboshi's earnest eyes.
"Very well. "
Brett acquiesced with a nod.
This young man genuinely wishes to contribute.
Thus, he shall be given an opportunity.
"Truly? ! "
A broad smile of excitement involuntarily spread across Fukaboshi's face.
"However, do not anticipate that I will treat you as a prince," Brett said causally.
"Of course! " Fukaboshi affirmed with gravity.
Then, he embraced his mother enthusiastically and expressed his happiness to her, "That is wonderful, Mom! I did it -"
Crack—
"Ouch! That hurts! ! "
"Whaaa?! Mom! "
Brett's lips twitched.