Chapter 151: Ryugu Palace
Seeing the iconic golden trident of Poseidon, Fisher Tiger, who was about to unleash the ultimate Fishmen Karate technique to settle the score with White Ghost, suddenly changed his expression.
As a resident of Fishmen Island, Fisher Tiger knew very well what this golden trident symbolized!
He immediately abandoned his Fishmen Karate stance and respectfully bowed from a distance toward the direction of the trident. "Lord Neptune!"
At the same time, an enormous figure appeared in the sky. Riding atop a black whale with a crimson crown on its head, it floated slowly toward the Mermaid Cafe.
It was none other than the King of Fishmen Island, the "Knight of the Sea," Neptune!
Neptune was the largest merman Adrian had encountered so far, even more massive than the average Fishmen.
King Neptune sported a thick, bushy mane of orange-red hair and a matching beard. His head was adorned with an exquisite golden crown. Flame-like tattoos covered his robust arms, and his chest, abdomen, and forearms were covered in dense body hair. His lower half consisted of a massive ink-blue fish tail.
Seated atop the black whale, King Neptune crossed his arms and let out a deep chuckle.
"Hohoho… Tiger, when did you return to Fishmen Island? Weren't you off exploring the New World?"
Fisher Tiger replied respectfully, "Lord Neptune, I've just returned to Fishmen Island not long ago after an incredibly exciting adventure. I was hoping to share some of the interesting stories from my exploration with my fellow Fishmen Island residents."
At this time, Jinbe and the other members of Fishmen street had also emerged from Mermaid Cafe, only Arlong still knelt inside unable to get up.
Miss Serena had also exited with Love and Shyarly following the other patrons out.
Seeing the lofty King Neptune high up in midair, the Fishmen Island residents quickly bowed as a routine.
Love trotted over to Adrian's side, examining him carefully before concluding that Adrian was unharmed, finally letting out a breath in relief.
Adrian smiled slightly, reaching out to ruffle the little fox's head.
"Gurarara, Tiger, since you're planning to reunite with your brothers, I shall not disturb you all."
He then looked towards Jinbe.
"Jinbe, since Tiger is here today, I shall not invite you to join the Ryugu Palace Guards again. I hope you do not refuse me the next time."
As a responsible and benevolent king, Neptune naturally took note of some of the more outstanding youths among Fishmen Island's citizens.
In fact, not only Jinbe, including 'Hody Jones' and even 'Arlong', had all served as soldiers for Ryugu Kingdom in their younger years.
If not for Fisher Tiger's ambitions lying beyond Fishmen Island itself, he would have long ago been recruited into the royal guards by King Neptune.
Hearing the king's words, the youthful knight Jinbe could not help but force out an awkward laugh. "Lord Neptune…"
Neptune pretended not to hear Jinbe's response. He gazed at Fisher Tiger and said: "Tiger, bring your brothers away first."
"As you command, Lord Neptune." Fisher Tiger answered, then looked towards Jinbe and the other Fishmen companions.
"Take Arlong out from Mermaid Cafe, then tonight let's all go for a drink."
Only then did King Neptune finally direct his sight onto Adrian.
"Gurarara, human, you are that White Ghost who previously saved the Fishmen Island mermaid captured by pirates?"
Adrian easily responded: "Indeed I am."
"Human, I shall…"
King Neptune's eyes were tightly fixed on Adrian as he deliberately paused here.
This display made Love extremely anxious inside, while Miss Serena, the mermaid, and little Shyarly also watched Adrian somewhat apprehensively.
"I cordially invite you as a guest to Ryugu Palace!"
King Neptune's tone abruptly changed, like a child king who had yet to fully mature, as he grandly spread both thick arms towards the sky in a pose of hearty welcome.
"Ehhh???"
The surrounding residents of Fishmen Island were left dumbfounded by these words.
Adrian, who had anticipated this, chuckled softly. "Then I shall comply, King Neptune of Fishmen Island."
Ryugu Palace
Undoubtedly, it was the most magnificent and spectacular structure on Fishmen Island, without equal.
Compared to the grand Mermaid Cafe, which paled in comparison to the grandeur of the Ryugu Palace with its golden dragons coiling around its walls, it seemed like an unfinished mud hut.
Adrian gazed up at the golden dragon perched on the outer wall of the Ryugu Palace, lost in thought.
Even the mythical Eastern Sea Ryugu Palace, with its lush surroundings and intricate architecture, might not be much different…
Realizing his musings, Adrian snapped back to reality.
Wait a minute, if this is the Ryugu Palace of the Eastern Sea, then I'd be caught between two worlds!
…
Inside the Ryugu Palace
Dressed in regal attire, Queen Otohime sat on a side throne next to the king's seat. Her wavy golden hair was elegantly tied into a classical tassel bun, and her clear blue eyes sparkled like an autumn pond.
At this moment, Queen Otohime was engaged in a hushed conversation with the three princes, who were also dressed in their finest clothing.
Although Ryuboshi, Fukaboshi, and Manboshi were not Queen Otohime's biological children…
After all, there was no way a coelacanth merman and goldfish mermaid could give birth to a shark merman, oarfish merman, and opah merman of completely different species, not to mention their wildly varying appearances…
Yet, the gentle and kind-hearted Queen Otohime had already embraced these three princes as her own.
After a brief exchange of words between mother and sons, Queen Otohime suddenly fell silent.
Raising her head towards the palace gates, she parted her lips slightly, murmuring softly to herself: "…He's here."
Standing nearby, Fukaboshi overheard Queen Otohime's muttering and couldn't help but ask, "Who has arrived?"
Fukaboshi had a circle marking on his forehead. Possessing shark teeth and gill slits, he had wavy blue hair. His features were hard-lined, and his fish tail was patterned with pale round spots.
At the same time, among the three brothers, Fukaboshi's appearance was also the closest to humans.
Although Fukaboshi now was not yet the cool and steady Crown Prince of Fishmen Island he would grow into, glimpses of his future bearing could already be seen.
Queen Otohime smiled lightly, restraining her innate exceptional Kenbunshoku Haki as she gently patted Fukaboshi's head and softly said, "It is a guest whom Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi must jointly respect."
There was another line Queen Otohime did not say to the three merman princes.
"Moreover, this man could very possibly be Fishmen Island's savior."