Chapter 346: Fish-Man Island - Shyarly's Divine Intervention

The death of Vander Decken IX was undoubtedly great news for Shirahoshi, who had long been tormented by his unknown threats.

Although Neptune was pleased in his heart, he could not bring himself to smile.

The same was true for his three sons.

All four of them remained silent.

Shirahoshi, although only eleven years old, understood many things.

The relationship between humans and merfolk, as well as the Fish-Man race, had always been fraught with prejudice. Despite Vander Decken IX's vile acts, he was, after all, a Fish-Man. Even if he committed crimes, he should have been dealt with by King Neptune, not by humans.

If the people of the island found out that Vander Decken IX had been killed by humans, it would only widen the gap and deepen the distrust between the merfolk and humans.

Queen Otohime had spent nearly her entire life trying to bridge the gap between merfolk and humans. Though she had passed away, her ideals were deeply inherited by Shirahoshi and her brothers.

Although Neptune shared her vision, as the king of Fish-Man Island, he was bound by his duties and had many situations where he had no choice but to compromise.

"This matter must not be made known to the people of the island," Sharky said gravely. "Although we are deeply grateful to you for eliminating the one who had been threatening our sister's life, you are humans. If the tensions between us worsen, all our years of effort will have been in vain."

"So what do we do now?" Shirahoshi asked, worried. "Father, isn't there another way?"

Neptune shook his head. "At present, only a few of us know what happened."

Sharky added, "If it is truly just us who know, then this can be resolved."

Crown Prince Ryu agreed, "Yes, as long as we all keep our mouths shut, there will be no trouble."

Neptune stroked his beard, feeling a nagging sense of unease. "To be safe, the three of you should stay in the palace for a while. By the way, where is your ship anchored? It's best to have it coated these next few days."

"What do you mean by that?" Enel asked irritably. "So what if people find out? Do you think we're afraid? Why should we listen to you?"

"Um, we were only trying to discuss how best to handle this," Sharky replied awkwardly. "I hope you understand—this is, after all, the seabed, our territory. If tensions arise, it will put you at a disadvantage."

"How amusing. It's just a worthless Fish-Man we've killed, and now you're making such a big deal of it," Enel laughed. "If it weren't for us being underwater, obliterating Fish-Man Island would be easy for the mighty Thunder God."

Hearing this, Neptune and his sons' faces changed.

Kaku sighed. "Can't you watch your words? You're just making trouble for the captain..."

Enel paused, glancing at Takumi, seeing that he seemed unaffected. Takumi didn't seem to care at all, so Enel smirked at Kaku, "Do you think I'm someone who doesn't know when to hold back?"

Kaku chuckled lightly and asked, "Are you not?"

At that moment, a Fish-Man soldier rushed over. "Report! Your Majesty, Vander Decken IX's men are making a scene at the plaza..."

"What?" Neptune frowned slightly.

The Fish-Man soldier wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, glancing at Takumi and the others before addressing Neptune, "Your Majesty, Vander Decken IX's men say that three humans killed their captain..."

"Huh? Are you sure?" Sharky asked in surprise.

The Fish-Man soldier nodded. "Yes, there were witnesses. Now a crowd of Fish-Men has gathered at the plaza, demanding to find and execute those three humans..."

"Father, this is bad," Sharky said gravely. "If the citizens see us with Takumi and his crew, it will surely affect your image in their eyes."

"But they saved me many times," Shirahoshi said tearfully. "Father, we can't abandon them."

"I know," Neptune replied, exasperated. "But given the situation... without a reasonable explanation, it will be very difficult to resolve this."

After a brief silence, Neptune looked at Takumi and asked, "You are their captain. What do you suggest?"

Takumi, always straightforward, replied, "I have none."

Neptune was taken aback. "You certainly are straightforward..."

Kaku smiled. "That's just how our captain is. We only came to Fish-Man Island to tour and relax. Once we're done here, we'll be on our way. As for any other issues, we'll handle them ourselves."

"Touring, huh." Neptune thought for a moment before responding, "Alright, since you've said so, then I'll stick to my word and host a feast for you. After three days, you can leave freely—just be careful."

"Understood, Your Majesty," Kaku replied with a nod.

As the Fish-Boat flew over the largest plaza of Fish-Man Island, the plaza was bustling with Fish-Men and merfolk.

A few merfolk noticed the royal Fish-Boat flying overhead.

"Look, that seems to be His Majesty's boat."

"I see King Neptune. Eh? Is that Princess Shirahoshi beside him?"

"Princess Shirahoshi? Really? The Princess is here? Ah, it's been so long since I've seen her."

The crowd in the plaza began waving and greeting the royal Fish-Boat.

Neptune cleared his throat and signaled to Sharky and his brothers.

Sharky quickly whispered to Takumi and the others, "Gentlemen, please lie low for now..."

Enel laughed, "Lie low? Who do you think you're talking to?"

Kaku patted Enel on the back. "Come on, the king's been pretty fair with us. Let's just help them out this time, consider it payback for hosting us."

Just as Kaku finished speaking, a chilling voice rang out distinctly from the plaza below, "Don't think I didn't see them—those three humans are on the King's boat!"

As soon as the voice echoed through the plaza, everyone gasped.

"What? The three humans are on His Majesty's boat?"

"Huh, what's going on? Although I couldn't see clearly, I think I saw them too..."

"Why are the criminals with His Majesty?"

"I understand now! His Majesty must have captured them! Yes, that must be it. His Majesty is amazing."

"Your Majesty, please punish these three humans severely!"

The voices of the crowd erupted once again.

While Neptune was grappling with a way to resolve the situation, a low female voice suddenly spoke up from the crowd behind them, "No matter what Takumi and his crew have done on Fish-Man Island, they cannot be apprehended."

Everyone froze, turning to see who had spoken, and were shocked when they saw it was Madam Shyarly.

"Why, Madam Shyarly?"

"Yeah, they killed a Fish-Man from our tribe!"

Everyone voiced their doubts.

Madam Shyarly took a puff of her pipe, looked up at the sky, and said calmly, "One cannot see the stars from beneath the sea."

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