Neptune this year, how old was he? At the very least, over forty.
Otohime this year, how old was she? At most around fifteen or sixteen.
An old merman staying single for so many years, then falling in love with a loli… that picture was hard to accept.
On top of that, Doflamingo had another question in his heart. At this point, Otohime's mermaid tail had not yet shed and turned into human legs.
With Otohime's tiny frame, how was she supposed to cope with Neptune's massive build in the future? Did merfolk have some special way of mating, where as long as they still had tails, they somehow ignored the difference in body size?
Doflamingo couldn't figure it out. But when he thought about how a man who realized every "final dream" of men like Scopper Gaban could even manage to have a child with a giant-blooded girl, maybe such things weren't that big a problem between members of the same race after all.
Unlike Doflamingo's doubts, the questions in Otohime's heart were far more numerous.
For the first time, the Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) she trusted completely had failed her.
She could not hear even a single inner voice from Doflamingo.
She could not sense any emotion or mental fluctuation from him at all.
It made Otohime feel like she was facing the king of the Sea Kings, leaving her at a total loss. For a moment, she didn't even realize her dance movements had gone off-beat.
Doflamingo quietly enjoyed Otohime's flustered dance. He didn't know what had caused it.
But he was certain of one thing: in her current state, Otohime was not suited to continue performing. Especially with Neptune at his side looking like he wanted to rush out there at any moment in worry, which made Doflamingo finally speak up:
"Prince Neptune, that goldfish mermaid on stage doesn't look very well. Are you sure it's fine to let her keep dancing?
Maybe you should go take a look?"
"Y-Yes, yes, I am truly sorry, Doflamingo-san.
Otohime might really not be feeling well. Please allow me to leave for a moment.
Please, enjoy the fine wine and cuisine of Ryugu Palace to your heart's content, and continue listening to the mermaid orchestra. I will go check on Otohime right away!"
Hearing Doflamingo's reminder, Neptune was secretly overjoyed. He no longer cared about etiquette and rushed up to the stage in big strides, scooping Otohime up in his arms and hurrying straight toward the royal infirmary.
Neptune's departure did nothing to affect Doflamingo's mood. He clinked cups with Barrett, Vergo, and Pica, drinking freely and without restraint.
It had to be said, Ryugu Palace really knew how to make desserts. The taste was absolutely top-tier.
In the infirmary, Otohime lay on the hospital bed, face clouded with worry, pouring out her heart to Neptune.
"Neptune-nii, I can't see through Doflamingo at all. I can't read a single thing from him. The feeling he gives me is pure darkness and danger.
My intuition is telling me, we mustn't get too close to him. If we do, he'll bring endless trouble to Fish-Man Island."
Neptune trusted Otohime unconditionally. But when he recalled that oppressive gaze of Doflamingo's, he still hesitated in doubt.
"T-That… doesn't sound very likely, does it?
He helped the kingdom capture the thief who stole our treasure. Aside from having terrifying presence and giving people the feeling that he must not be provoked, he doesn't seem dangerous at all."
Otohime knew that when nothing had happened yet, asking people to trust pure intuition was indeed hard. Even so, she still wanted Neptune to understand the seriousness of it.
"Neptune-nii, you don't understand. Even if I can't see into his heart clearly…
His inner world gives me a sense of endless darkness. If I keep trying to probe it, I might actually suffer backlash myself.
I can even feel that if I were to keep probing for just one more second, he would notice, and then strike me down with a lightning-fast blow. Please, you must stay on your guard around this man."
Neptune thought it over carefully, but still found it hard to accept.
"I… I still have some doubts.
Otohime, if he really took action, I feel like even the entire palace might not survive.
If he truly meant us harm, wouldn't he have already made a move long ago?"
"Ah… as expected, you're still too kind, Neptune-nii."
Otohime understood his personality very well. It wasn't that Neptune didn't believe her, it was that Neptune had a natural trust toward those who helped him.
In the end, Otohime could only silently resolve to keep watch on the Donquixote Pirates herself for Neptune's sake.
"All right, Neptune-nii, I'm fine. I'm just a little tired. You should hurry back and keep the guests company."
Otohime gently pushed Neptune, wanting him to leave. In truth, she was worried that if no one was watching, Doflamingo might do something.
"Very well, Otohime. Then I'll head back for now."
Seeing how firm Otohime's attitude was, Neptune, who never really knew how to deal with women, had no choice but to listen to her and return to the banquet hall to accompany Doflamingo in eating and drinking.
Elsewhere, on Fish-Man Island, in the Fish-Man District backstreets.
As the gathering place of the island's fish-man thugs, it was home not only to ruthless fish-man punks, but also to fish-men from the dark factions who were filled with hatred toward humans.
Perhaps he had done his homework on the island's situation beforehand, but Was now led a few subordinates straight into the lair of the Fish-Man District's thug boss, Fisher Tiger.
The arrival of strangers put all the fish-man thugs on high alert. Some slipped off to hide, others went to call for Boss Tiger.
Very quickly, Fisher Tiger appeared, bringing Arlong and Jinbe with him to confront Was at the end of the backstreet.
Fisher Tiger wore a headscarf over dense curly hair. His wide mouth was framed by a thick beard that ran along his jawline, with some stubble still visible on his upper lip, his whole appearance showcasing the unique style of a fish-man to the fullest.
Because he didn't understand their intentions, and because he didn't have much goodwill toward humans in the first place, the young and hot-blooded Jinbe was the first to speak.
"Humans, the backstreets aren't a place for your kind. I'd advise you to get out of here, or you'll end up as fertilizer for the fish."
"What a cocky little brat. You'd better weigh your own status carefully. If you die here, you won't even know how it happened."
Was was not intimidated in the slightest. It was just a brat, after all. There was no way someone like that could overturn things on his watch.
Tiger, of course, wouldn't let his boys lose face in front of outsiders. Naturally, he stepped up to back Jinbe, stating firmly:
"Please leave. Jinbe speaks for me as well."
Unfortunately for them, since Was had shown up in the backstreets at all, he had no intention of leaving empty-handed. Without any beating around the bush, he laid his purpose bare:
"Tiger, Boss Wang Zhi has acknowledged your strength. He's extending you an invitation: join us.
Come to Pirate Paradise Island. That place has everything a pirate could ever want!"
Fisher Tiger dreamed of adventure and exploration. Faced with Was's blunt invitation, he was not moved in the slightest and rejected him outright:
"I refuse. Becoming a pirate is not my goal. I yearn for the strange climates of the sea, the complex terrains, the islands full of unknown thrills. Even if I leave Fish-Man Island, I will never become a pirate."
"Heh."
Was mocked him mercilessly. He hadn't expected to find someone like Tiger among the fish-men. If Boss Wang Zhi hadn't considered Tiger a talent worth recruiting, Was wouldn't have bothered with a fool whose brain was filled with nothing but 'adventure.'
Still, when you were inviting someone to join, you couldn't just beat them up. Besides, Boss Wang Zhi had specifically instructed him to be polite. So Was simply left him with one line, then turned and walked away:
"I have no idea what part of you Boss Wang Zhi thinks is so promising. Don't be in such a rush to refuse. I'll be back, and when I come next time, I hope you can give me an answer I'm satisfied with."
(End of Chapter)
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