Chapter 187

Chapter 187:

Tiger was pleased with Jinbe's progress, but now wasn't the time for idle chatter.

Jinbe was still waiting for Tiger's praise, but Tiger turned toward the Right Minister instead.

"Right Minister, this is Admiral Carl! You are being rude!"

"What?!"

The Right Minister was stunned. He turned to Carl, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Carl merely smiled. "I've already said, I'm just a traveler now. No need to be nervous."

The Right Minister swallowed hard. Even if Carl claimed to be a simple traveler, an Admiral of the Navy was not someone to take lightly.

If what Tiger said was true, and this seemingly young man was indeed the legendary Navy Admiral, then as a mere Right Minister, he was wholly unqualified to host him.

Realizing this, he quickly stepped aside and, with a deep bow of respect, offered,

"Your Excellency the Admiral, if you don't mind, may I lead you to Ryugu Palace?"

At that moment, the Right Minister, one of the highest authorities on Fishman Island, showed nothing but humility and awe.

Most of the island's residents had never left Fishman Island. They didn't fully understand the weight of the title "Admiral of the Navy."

But seeing the Right Minister's reaction, they grasped the obvious—this man was someone of immense power.

Carl considered the offer for a moment, then nodded.

"Very well. I'd like to visit the famous Ryugu Palace. Lead the way."

The Right Minister exhaled in relief before quickly commanding the soldiers to form two lines, surrounding Carl as they proceeded.

The crowd quietly stepped aside, watching Carl and his entourage head toward Ryugu Palace.

On the way, Jinbe moved closer to Tiger and whispered,

"Tiger, is he really an Admiral? How did you meet him?"

Tiger glared at Jinbe. "If you have something to say, say it properly! If he's not an Admiral, then who is? And if not for him, you might never have seen me again!"

Jinbe flinched at the harsh response and fell silent.

Carl noticed the exchange and laughed inwardly.

He hadn't expected Jinbe to be so naïve in his youth. Compared to his future self—steady, wise, and level-headed—this young Jinbe was practically a different person.

Meanwhile, Jinbe couldn't stop glancing at Carl, curiosity burning in his gaze.

He couldn't understand how such a "fragile" human body could contain such immense strength.

At eighteen, Jinbe was roughly the same age as Carl. Naturally, a competitive fire ignited in his heart.

Lacking a full understanding of the rank of Admiral, he found himself wanting to see Carl's strength firsthand. But for now, he suppressed the urge.

Before long, they arrived at the royal palace of Fishman Island—Ryugu Palace.

To the average person, Ryugu Palace was magnificent, grand beyond imagination.

Yet, to Carl, who had grown up in the Figarland family's estate, it paled somewhat in comparison.

Inside the palace, Neptune was deep in discussion with the Left Minister.

Noticing the approaching group, Neptune paused.

The moment he saw Carl, his eyes widened in shock.

As the king of a World Government member nation, Neptune was well-informed about Navy leaders.

In his intelligence reports, Carl was ranked just behind Fleet Admiral Kong—a man of staggering significance.

Recently, Carl had been at the center of a world-shaking event.

Realizing who was standing before him, Neptune blurted out,

"Black Dragon Admiral?!"

His exclamation confirmed Carl's identity to all present.

The Right Minister, a seahorse merman, bowed even lower.

A young mermaid in elegant attire swam out from a side hall, drawn by Neptune's voice.

"Neptune, what's the matter?" she asked.

"Queen Otohime!" The Left Minister turned to her in surprise.

Neptune, however, ignored her for the moment. He left his throne, swimming swiftly toward Carl, his body visibly tense.

Otohime followed his gaze and locked eyes with Carl. Her expression changed instantly.

She was worried.

Not long ago, Carl had led the Navy into battle against Roger and Whitebeard—an event that had shaken the world.

The previous year, Roger had visited Fishman Island and befriended Neptune.

Otohime had always been uneasy about that friendship. She feared it would jeopardize the Ryugu Kingdom's fragile relationship with the World Government.

If their status as a member nation was revoked, Fishman Island's people would be even more vulnerable to slave traders. Both Fishmen and Mermaids could face a fate worse than before.

And now, an Admiral had arrived. Alone.

It was impossible not to assume the worst.

Carl, however, hadn't considered their worries.

His visit was purely out of curiosity.

Of course, if he had a deeper reason for coming, it had to do with *Poseidon*—Shirahoshi.

Though she had yet to be born, Carl intended to find a way to "reserve" her power for the Figarland family.

His eyes drifted toward Otohime.

Her lower body still bore a fish tail, meaning she hadn't yet reached thirty.

Meanwhile, Neptune already looked like he was in his forties.