Next, led by Jinbe, Gern Reginald Sigmar and Mihawk passed through the corridors and formally entered Ryugu Palace.
Compared to the time years ago when Gern had come here with only Lipo, the palace now was clearly far more vast and magnificent.
Gigantic coral pillars supported the soaring domed ceiling. Rare shells and pearls of every color were embedded throughout, emitting a soft, radiant glow that bathed the entire hall in breathtaking splendor.Seawater was cleverly guided into flowing ornamental channels, where brilliantly colored fish swam leisurely through the currents.
At the center of the grand hall, a group was already waiting.
King Neptune stood tall and imposing, wearing his crown, his presence dignified—yet his face now bore a warm, welcoming smile.Beside him was Queen Otohime, smaller in stature but carrying an air of refined grace and nobility, her gentle, composed smile unchanged.
Behind them, the three princes—Sharkstar, Fukaboshi, and Ryuboshi—were doing their best to assume the solemn posture expected of royal heirs.
Of course, the most eye-catching figure was the one hiding behind them, yet impossible to fully conceal due to her sheer size—the young mermaid princess Shirahoshi.
Though only a few years old, Shirahoshi already possessed a body far larger than ordinary people. Her soft pink tail curled gently beneath her, and her long, light-pink hair flowed like seaweed, smooth and weightless.Her vast, sapphire-blue eyes—pure as the clearest ocean—were filled with unmistakable curiosity and shyness as she peeked out from behind her brothers, secretly observing Gern, the unfamiliar guest whom her parents were treating with such gravity.
"Admiral Gern! It truly has been a long time!" King Neptune's booming voice echoed through the hall as he stepped forward enthusiastically."To think you would visit Fish-Man Island again—it truly makes this humble place—"
Halfway through his sentence, Neptune clearly forgot what he was about to say, freezing in place with his mouth slightly open.
"Long time no see, Admiral Gern," Queen Otohime smoothly stepped in, inclining her body slightly in a polite bow, her voice gentle as she rescued her husband from the awkward pause."And this must be Mr. Mihawk? Your presence honors us both."
Seeing this, Gern didn't make a fuss, replying with an easy smile."King Neptune, Queen Otohime—please forgive the sudden visit."
His gaze swept across the royal family before settling on the little princess trying desperately to hide herself. A faint trace of surprise—and amusement—flashed through his eyes.
Neptune, finally catching up, noticed that Gern's attention was lingering on his youngest daughter. He paused for a moment, then realization dawned, and he slapped his forehead hard.
"Ah, my memory!""Admiral Gern, when you last visited, this child hadn't even been born yet!""Come, come—let me introduce her. This is my youngest daughter, Shirahoshi."
Turning slightly, he called gently toward his back."Shirahoshi, come now. Say hello to Admiral Gern."
Being singled out by her father only made Shirahoshi even more embarrassed. Her cheeks flushed pink as she fidgeted and slowly shuffled out from behind her brothers.
She lowered her head, stealing a timid glance at Gern with her huge, watery eyes, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.
"H-Hello… A-Admiral… Gern…"
Gern looked at the enormous yet painfully shy little mermaid before him and found the contrast oddly delightful.
Just as he was about to say something, Shirahoshi seemed to muster an enormous amount of courage. Carefully, hesitantly, she extended a slender, pale—
Yet still enormous by human standards—
Index finger, filled with pure curiosity, and gently, tentatively poked Gern on the cheek.
It was a game she often played with her brothers. She was still a child, after all, with no ulterior thoughts.And since her only playmates were those three brothers, the action came instinctively to her…
But because of the vast difference in size, even Shirahoshi's finger carried noticeable weight compared to Gern's nearly three-meter-tall frame.
The poke wasn't strong—but it was enough to make Gern's head sway slightly with her fingertip.
In that instant, the atmosphere in the entire hall seemed to freeze solid.
King Neptune and Queen Otohime's faces went pale at once.The three princes held their breath.
They knew all too well what Gern represented now.
Admiral "White Qilin."Heaven-Shaking.Natural Disaster.
A terrifying existence who could contend with Whitebeard in the New World, who had killed Celestial Dragons, who had captured Gol D. Roger.
At this point, Gern's ferocious reputation alone was enough to strike fear into the heart of any pirate on the seas.
Although years ago Gern had shown goodwill toward Fish-Man Island, time had passed.No one could be certain that this Admiral—now possessing power and authority far beyond his days as a vice admiral—still retained the same easygoing demeanor he'd had back then.
Shirahoshi's seemingly "disrespectful" act—What if it angered him…?
"Shirahoshi! That's rude!" Neptune scolded urgently under his breath, while Otohime instinctively reached out to pull her daughter's hand back.
Yet in the midst of that suffocating tension—
Gern suddenly laughed.
Not only was he not angry, he actually let Shirahoshi poke his cheek again out of curiosity—his head wobbling once more—before speaking in a relaxed tone.
"It's fine, King Neptune. Queen Otohime.""Just a child's curiosity."
He looked at Shirahoshi, who was still a little scared but now blinking her big eyes in surprise at his reaction, and smiled.
"A very adorable little princess."
Hearing Gern's praise—and clearly sensing that there wasn't a trace of anger in him—
Neptune and Otohime finally let out long, relieved breaths. The weight hanging over their hearts at last lifted.
Neptune's smile returned, even tinged with pride."Forgive her—she's simply very shy."
Shirahoshi seemed to understand that she wasn't being scolded. She shyly withdrew her finger and covered her burning cheeks with both hands.
Yet when she peeked at Gern through her fingers, there was far less fear in her eyes now—and noticeably more closeness.
Mihawk observed the entire scene in silence, his expression unchanged as ever.His gaze flicked briefly between Gern's wobbling head and the tiny princess.
It seemed… somewhat beyond his understanding of what a "Marine Admiral" was supposed to be.
If that girl dared to poke me like that…Hah. Dracule Mihawk would—
…Dodge.
Absolutely dodge.
Doing something that ruined his image in front of others?That was something he would never allow.
"Alright, let's not stand around here," Neptune said warmly, gesturing ahead."The banquet is ready. Admiral Gern, Mr. Mihawk—please allow us to properly host you!"