"Oh?"
Hearing Prince Fukaboshi's words, Gern Reginald Sigmar did not refuse this time. Instead, he broke into a hearty laugh.
"Neptune's still as warm and hospitable as ever, huh? In that case, it would be rude to decline. We'll gladly impose on you."
This trip already carried a few vague, unspoken purposes of its own. Returning to Fish-Man Island also gave him a chance to rest for a bit—surely he could spare the time for a single meal.
More importantly, he wanted to see with his own eyes just what kind of changes Fish-Man Island had undergone beneath the "protection" of his flag.
And so, Gern and Mihawk descended from the warship, one after the other.
The impact of two figures standing at the pinnacle of the world appearing together at Fish-Man Island's harbor was overwhelming.
One was draped in the Justice coat of a Marine Admiral, youthful in appearance yet carrying a fearsome reputation—the Marine Headquarters Admiral known as "White Qilin," "Heaven-Shaking," "Natural Disaster,"the man whose name had shaken the New World: Gern Reginald Sigmar.
The other bore the Supreme Grade Great Blade Yoru, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, the man revered across the seas as the "World's Strongest Swordsman,"Dracule Mihawk.
Such a pairing instantly drew every eye in the port.
Beautiful mermaids hid behind coral outcroppings, peeking out with a mix of fear and curiosity as they whispered among themselves about the two human powerhouses.
The burly fish-man warriors wore expressions of awe—especially when looking at Gern, their eyes filled with gratitude and admiration.
His flag had truly brought Fish-Man Island a rare period of peace.
Meanwhile, pirates mixed in among the crowd, desperately trying to hide their identities, were terrified out of their wits. Cold sweat soaked through their backs in an instant.
"A–a Marine Admiral—'White Qilin'?! Why is he here?!"
"And 'Hawk-Eye' Mihawk too! Why are those two together?!"
"Quick, lower your heads! Don't let them notice us!"
"Damn it, they said it was just the flag! Why is that monster here too…?!"
"Forget capturing mermaids! Move! Cast off immediately—head for the New World! This place is cursed; we can't stay here another second!"
Several pirate crews who had originally planned to resupply at Fish-Man Island—and maybe do a bit of their "usual business" on the side—had every trace of ill intent snuffed out on the spot.
Gern's infamy had been built atop countless pirate corpses.
To these so-called "rookies" who hadn't even entered the New World yet, his deterrence was more immediate—and far more terrifying—than the title of a Sea Emperor.
After all, the Pirate Emperors might take you in.
Gern would only bury you.
And so, those pirates scrambled back to their ships in near-panic, practically tripping over themselves as they hastily set sail, desperate to escape an island now under the gaze of the "Natural Disaster."
With his Observation Haki, Gern naturally sensed the malicious intent fleeing in all directions.
He merely clicked his tongue in disdain and ignored it.
Those kinds of small fry weren't worth his personal attention.
Under the respectful guidance of the Ryugu Palace guard, Gern and Mihawk followed a beautiful coral-lined passage toward Ryugu Palace, which stood at the highest point of Fish-Man Island.
Along the way, residents of the island stopped to bow and pay their respects, openly expressing their reverence for Gern.
Just as they were about to reach the palace's grand bubble gate, a massive blue figure came into view, leading a patrol of soldiers.
He had eyebrows and sideburns like roaring winds, enormous teeth lining his jaw, and a steady, imposing presence—
It was none other than Jinbe, the current captain of Ryugu Palace's guard.
Jinbe noticed the commotion as well. When he clearly saw that the visitor was Gern, shock flashed across his normally composed face, followed by unmistakable respect.
He immediately ordered the patrol to halt, then strode forward and offered a solemn Fish-Man salute.
"Lord Gern! It has been a long time—welcome back to Fish-Man Island!"
His voice was deep, steady, and filled with sincere respect.
Gern looked at the familiar blue "big guy" and smiled.
"Yo, Jinbe. Long time no see. Looks like you're doing pretty well for yourself—Captain of the Ryugu Palace guard now, huh?"
Jinbe remembered Gern clearly.
Back then, after Gern had left Fish-Man Island, King Neptune had pushed through fierce opposition and insisted on raising the Marine flag that represented 'Heaven-Shaking' Gern.
At the time, opposition within Fish-Man Island—especially from the radicals of Fish-Man District—had been intense.
Many even tried to rally the highly respected Fisher Tiger, hoping he would persuade the king to take down that "useless" human flag that might only invite disaster.
Yet over the following years, Gern's actions across the seas had thoroughly proven the worth of that banner.
The brutal execution of Celestial Dragons, forcing the World Government to back down.The capture of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, earning him the title of Marine legend.Later, under the name "Admiral Contention," his decisive victory over fellow Admiral Aokiji, followed by personally standing in for the Marines to intimidate the Sea Emperors of the New World.Holding back the Whitebeard Pirates, led by the man known as the "World's Strongest Man," with just a handful of allies—and clashing with Whitebeard himself multiple times, each battle ending without a clear victor.
Then came his promotion to Marine Headquarters Admiral—"White Qilin."
And finally, his conquest of vast territories in the New World, becoming a recognized force on par with the Pirate "Emperors"—the so-called "Fifth Pole."
His ferocity and strength alone were enough to make countless great pirates quake in fear.
All of it had granted Fish-Man Island—the very first place to raise the "Heaven-Shaking" flag—an unprecedented period of peace, free from large-scale pirate harassment.
Any pirate setting foot here first had to ask themselves whether they could withstand the wrath of a Marine Admiral who had hunted Roger and dared to kill Celestial Dragons.
Because of that, Jinbe—and many residents of Fish-Man Island—felt genuine gratitude and respect toward Gern.
That flag did not symbolize submission.
It symbolized overwhelming, effective deterrence.
"It is thanks to His Majesty's trust, and Lord Gern's fearsome reputation," Jinbe said humbly.
He then glanced at Mihawk beside Gern, curiosity and caution flickering in his eyes. "And this gentleman is…?"
"Oh, right—introductions," Gern said casually, reaching out to clap a hand on Hawk-Eye's shoulder—only for Mihawk to coldly sidestep him.
"This is Dracule Mihawk—my new colleague. He also happens to work part-time as the world's strongest swordsman!"
Jinbe's pupils contracted slightly. He immediately offered another formal salute.
"So it's Lord Mihawk. I've long heard your name!"
The title of World's Strongest Swordsman resounded across the seas just as loudly.
Mihawk merely gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, his attitude as indifferent as ever.
Gern, long accustomed to this, just smiled and turned back to Jinbe.
"By the way, Jinbe—where's Fisher Tiger?""With his personality, now that he knows I'm here, he shouldn't be hiding from me."
At the mention of Tiger, a fleeting trace of complexity passed over Jinbe's face.
"Lord Gern… Tiger isn't on Fish-Man Island right now.""He set sail again a long time ago. Said he wanted to see a wider world."
"Oh? Out adventuring again?" Gern replied, his smile unchanged as he nodded meaningfully."Yeah… that does sound like him."
At the same time, a thought crossed his mind.
Adventuring, huh? Heh… looks like Fisher Tiger is gearing up to do something earth-shattering.
Combining hazy fragments of memories from his previous life with the current timeline, Gern was almost certain—
That world-shocking 'Mary Geoise Assault Incident,'and the massive Slave Liberation Movement that followed…
Would most likely occur next year.
Tiger's departure from the island was anything but a simple "adventure."