Gern's cold, unsentimental words struck Princess Otohime's heart like a heavy hammer.
Her face went pale. In her clear, azure eyes flickered pain and inner turmoil, while her slender fingers clenched tightly around the hem of her dress.To abandon that dream—the dream of leading her people out into the sunlight, of coexisting peacefully with humans—was more agonizing to her than death itself.
"But… Admiral Gern, if we don't even try, then doesn't hope itself—" Otohime attempted one final plea.
"Otohime!"Suddenly, Neptune raised his voice sharply, cutting her off.
His massive hand gripped his wife's—firm, yet gentle—while he looked at her with an expression both stern and filled with worry.
"That's enough. This discussion ends here."
He could not allow her to continue. Gern's stance was already crystal clear. Pressing the matter further would not only be pointless—it might even provoke the man who was, in practice, Fish-Man Island's true protector. That would be nothing short of catastrophic.
Neptune understood all too well that when dealing with someone like Gern, ideals and sentiment had to yield to reality and利益.
"You're tired. Go back and rest," Neptune said decisively, casting a look toward the attendants by the door.
At once, two mermaid attendants stepped forward and respectfully escorted Princess Otohime away.
She glanced at her husband's unyielding gaze, then at Gern's utterly expressionless face. In the end, she bit her lip, tears shimmering in her eyes, and left the banquet hall in silence, supported by the attendants.
Only after her figure had completely disappeared did Neptune seem to shed an immense weight. He let out a long, heavy breath.
The worry and tension faded from his face, replaced once more by the calm shrewdness befitting a king.
He waved his hand, dismissing all remaining attendants, and ordered the doors of the banquet hall closed.
Now, only he and Gern remained.
Neptune straightened his posture and looked directly at Gern, his gaze open and unguarded, free of probing or pretense.
"Admiral Gern, I apologize for the spectacle.Otohime… has always held beautiful aspirations. At times, however, she can be overly idealistic."
Gern neither agreed nor disagreed. He lifted the cup of slightly cooled seaweed tea, took a small sip, and calmly waited for Neptune to continue.
He knew the real conversation was only just beginning.
Neptune drew a deep breath and spoke with careful deliberation.
"Admiral Gern, after what just happened, I believe you understand as well—what Fish-Man Island needs is stable, realistic protection, not vague and intangible dreams.Therefore, I would like to formally make a request…"
He paused, his tone turning solemn.
"I hope that during your stay, you will publicly issue an official declaration here on Fish-Man Island.A declaration to all pirates and forces passing through this region, clearly stating that Fish-Man Island stands under the protection of you—'Heavenquake' Gern!"
"This will completely extinguish the delusions of those petty opportunists and bring lasting peace to Fish-Man Island."
In effect, this meant formally bringing Fish-Man Island within Gern's sphere of influence.
Though nominally it would remain a member state of the World Government—and, to a certain extent, under the protection of the World Government's banner—Gern's public declaration would grant him far more tangible authority and control.
Gern said nothing. He simply tapped his fingers lightly against the tabletop, signaling for Neptune to continue.
He knew Neptune was a competent king—one who would never make a request without offering an appropriate price.
As expected, Neptune soon revealed his bargaining chip.
"Of course, we would never ask this of you without compensation," Neptune said."As repayment for your protection, I will, in my capacity as king, immediately and fully implement a 'Fish-Man Island Passage Fee' system!"
"Any pirate ship wishing to pass through Fish-Man Island en route to the New World must pay a substantial 'passage fee'!This will be the price they pay for using the Fish-Man Island route!"
"As for the revenue, we propose a seven-to-three split—seven parts to you, three parts retained by Fish-Man Island. What do you say?"
It was an extraordinarily tempting offer.
Fish-Man Island was the safest and most important route into the New World. Every year, thousands upon thousands of pirate ships passed through its waters.
Once this fee system was enforced, it would generate an astronomical and stable income.
With this move, Neptune wasn't merely seeking stronger protection—he was binding Gern's利益 completely to Fish-Man Island's safety.
With Gern taking the lion's share, he would naturally be far more invested in maintaining the security and stability of this passage.
Anyone who dared cause trouble on Fish-Man Island would be directly challenging Gern's core interests.
Gern looked at Neptune, and for the first time, a genuinely pleased smile appeared on his face.
This was the way of thinking he recognized—the mindset of a qualified politician: understanding reality, exploiting every available resource, and maximizing national利益.
"A very fair deal, King Neptune," Gern said, setting his tea down and leaning back, his tone relaxed and satisfied."I accept your terms.
"The declaration can be made shortly—I won't be staying long. As for the passage fee, please implement it as soon as possible.My adjutant, Tesoro, is quite adept at financial matters. He'll coordinate the details with you via Den Den Mushi."
"Of course! Of course!" Neptune replied, relief washing over his face as a long-held burden finally lifted.
Though the price was enormous in economic terms, what he gained in return was a Marine Admiral's public endorsement and a long-term binding of interests.
It was, without question, an extremely worthwhile exchange.
At least for the foreseeable future, Fish-Man Island's fate would be far more secure.
...
Moments that shape history are often born upon carefully prepared stages.
Fish-Man Island—Gyloncorde Plaza.
A sea of people surged through the square. Countless residents of Fish-Man Island, curious merfolk, and news birds' reporters—"permitted" to enter—packed the plaza until it was overflowing.
Sunlight filtered through the roots of the Sunlight Tree Eve and the double-layered bubble membrane above, scattering mottled brilliance across the ground, as though nature itself had set the spotlight for this ceremony.
Atop the elevated platform in the center of the plaza stood Gern, draped in the Justice coat of a Marine Admiral, his posture upright and unshakable like a mountain.
He made no effort to release his aura. Yet the invisible pressure born of countless battles and forged atop the pinnacle of the world naturally enveloped the entire plaza, silencing the once-boisterous crowd.
Soon, Gern's voice rang out through the amplification Den Den Mushi, clear and steady, carrying an unquestionable authority to every corner of the square:
"From this day forward, Fish-Man Island and all its people are officially placed under the protection of me—'Heavenquake' Gern!"
The moment his words fell, a thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd. Those who had long suffered at the hands of opportunistic pirates were especially overcome with excitement.
Gern raised one hand slightly, pressing downward to signal for silence, then continued:
"Any who dare commit crimes here or stir unrest—whether they hail from the Four Seas or the New World—will be regarded as provoking the banner of my 'Calamity' and will bear the consequences!"
His gaze sharpened, his voice growing colder.
"Furthermore, should I discover any member of the fish-man or merfolk races being illegally trafficked or enslaved, I—Gern Reginald Sigmar—will not stand idly by!"
This declaration was not merely a promise to Fish-Man Island—it was a stern warning to every dark corner of the sea.
At last, beneath countless gazes and the flashing lenses of camera Den Den Mushi, Gern and King Neptune stepped forward together.
Gern extended his hand, clasping firmly with Neptune's massive palm.
Click! Click! Click!
That moment—the historic handshake between a Marine Admiral and the King of Fish-Man Island, symbolizing the alliance of overwhelming force and sovereign rule—was captured precisely by the camera Den Den Mushi.
Almost the instant the ceremony concluded, news birds that had long been waiting above the sea spread their wings and took flight, carrying this earth-shaking headline across the world at breakneck speed.
"'Calamity' Declaration! Marine Admiral Gern Officially Announces Protection of Fish-Man Island—Is the World Government Merely a Spectator?"
"Union of Force and Kingship? The Question of Fish-Man Island's Allegiance Reignites!"
"A Shift in the Great Pirate Era? The Fifth Pole of Power Reaches Ten Thousand Meters Below the Sea!"
With his forceful and direct visit to Fish-Man Island, Gern sent an unmistakable signal to the entire world—
His sphere of influence now unquestionably extended into this paradise of the deep sea.