In the Sea Calendar Year 1501, it was the thirtieth day since Vice Admiral Sakazuki of the Marine Headquarters had stationed his forces within the vicinity of Fish-Man Island. It was also the first official visit of this Marine unit to the political center of Fish-Man Island—Ryugu Castle.
This grand and imposing palace was located at the uppermost level of Fish-Man Island, where light shone the brightest. Gigantic dragon sculptures coiled above the entire palace complex.
Accompanying Sakazuki were two Marine officers, Onigumo and Lindman.
According to Marine regulations, when a warship is docked in a foreign location, at least one high-ranking officer capable of making decisions must remain aboard. However, this time, the Vice Admiral had uncharacteristically brought along both of his subordinates, who were originally assigned to stay on the warship as a precautionary measure. One reason was that Sakazuki wanted his men to broaden their experience and knowledge. The other reason was that a certain individual was on the warship—Jinbe of the Neptune Army.
As the royal residence of the Fish-Man Island monarchy, Ryugu Castle had its own unique etiquette and customs. After disembarking from the warship, Sakazuki and his two subordinates were escorted by Neptune Army guards onto massive flounder fish equipped with large bubble containers. These giant deep-sea creatures were the designated transportation for bringing foreign visitors to the palace.
The legendary, mysterious Dragon King's Palace beneath the sea—Sakazuki had long yearned to see it. From childhood to adulthood, his earliest memory of the Dragon King's Palace remained tied to the image of the mighty Great Sage, Equal to Heaven, clad in his awe-inspiring and imposing armor, wielding the divine weapon that vanquished gods and demons alike—the Ruyi Jingu Bang.
But evidently, there were no such divine weapons here, nor was there a fearless Monkey King who defied both heaven and earth.
Waiting at the palace gates was the Grand Minister of Ryugu Kingdom, the official in charge of military affairs and defense. But what was truly surprising was that Fish-Man Island's protector, the highest authority of Ryugu Kingdom, the Great Knight of the Sea, Neptune himself, was also standing at the entrance.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, we are grateful for the assistance of the Marines," Neptune said.
"Your Majesty, you are too kind. The Marines are merely fulfilling our duty and responsibility," Sakazuki replied.
He turned to give a glance to the two officers beside him, who were still looking around at the exterior scenery of the Dragon King's Palace. He truly had not expected Neptune to personally welcome them at the gates.
The guardian of Fish-Man Island gestured to the Grand Minister standing beside him. "No need to be so humble. This is the gratitude and respect you deserve. The Grand Minister has already reported the situation to me, and he says the security of Fish-Man Island has improved significantly."
Sakazuki, unwilling to engage in excessive pleasantries, responded with the straightforwardness of a soldier. "Our purpose here is precisely to ensure an even greater stability for Fish-Man Island. We hope to seek Your Majesty's assistance in this endeavor."
The ruler of an entire nation bore not the slightest air of arrogance. Before the three Marines could even step forward, he had already approached them. "I have prepared some light wine in the palace. Let us drink and discuss matters as we go."
Standing slightly behind Sakazuki, Onigumo and Lindman exchanged glances. Their unit followed a rule set by Sakazuki himself—no alcohol was to be consumed during missions.
However, this was not a strict regulation within the Marines; it was an additional rule imposed by Sakazuki. Moreover, since Neptune had already invited them for drinks on a previous occasion, outright refusal this time might cause him to lose face or even wound his pride.
The more easygoing Lindman was the first to speak. "Your Majesty, do you happen to have tea? It has been a long time since I last had a proper cup of tea."
The burly coelacanth fish-man stroked his orange-red beard and let out a hearty laugh. "Of course, young Marine brother!"
Only then did the more composed Onigumo calmly offer an explanation. "Your Majesty may not be aware, but our Vice Admiral has a regulation forbidding alcohol consumption during missions to prevent any mishaps. We will substitute tea for wine and hope for Your Majesty's understanding."
"Oh!" Neptune's expression showed sudden realization. He then made a welcoming gesture. "That was my oversight. Please, let us have a tea gathering instead."
Sakazuki couldn't help but appreciate the support of his two subordinates. They had not only given Neptune and himself a graceful way out of the situation but had also skillfully redirected the conversation.
The Vice Admiral raised his hand, mirroring the gesture of the towering fish-man. "Of course, Your Majesty, please."
Inside the palace, just as Neptune had mentioned, numerous jars of alcohol had already been prepared. A middle-aged catfish fish-man, wearing a top hat, was anxiously instructing the palace guards to remove the alcohol from the banquet table.
Adjusting his slightly slipping monocle with his left hand, the catfish fish-man pointed his long, horned staff toward the remaining jars of liquor. "Quickly, quickly! His Majesty and the Marines are about to arrive. Yes, replace everything with tea!"
This was the Left Minister of Ryugu Kingdom, responsible for foreign affairs and administrative assistance. Watching his clumsy subordinates at work, the Left Minister's whiskers trembled with frustration. "Don't clear the tables, you fools! Move the alcohol! Move the alcohol!"
Without a doubt, the foreign minister and civil affairs minister, who was notorious for his poor judgment, had once again miscalculated the time it would take for His Majesty to walk from the palace gates to the inner hall.
Suddenly, his eyes widened in alarm, and his short figure leaped into the air. "Queen Otohime, please don't move that! Be careful, or your arm will dislocate again!"
In front of him stood a beautiful mermaid with wavy golden locks. She had lifted the hem of her scaled-patterned gown and was attempting to carry a massive jar of liquor.
"You're impossible, Your Highness! Your body is already more fragile than most. Just leave it to the guards!" The Left Minister quickly rushed to her side, chattering incessantly in protest.
The queen, with her deep blue eyes, smiled innocently, adjusting a slightly askew hair ornament. "But I just wanted to help Neptune."
The old minister, utterly exasperated, let out a sigh, half-crying, half-laughing. "If you truly wish to help, how about preparing the tea when His Majesty arrives?"
He was genuinely terrified that this queen, who could injure herself even when throwing a punch, might end up breaking her bones again.
"His Majesty Neptune has arrived!"
The Left Minister had barely finished speaking when a palace guard loudly announced the arrival of the King.
"..."
"Your Majesty, my deepest apologies—the tea ceremony setup is not yet complete." The catfish fish-man, now bearing a thoroughly defeated expression, knelt toward the entrance.
The Great Knight of the Sea, however, paid no mind to such matters. He simply waved a hand. "Hahaha, no worries! This was a sudden decision on our part, after all."
Neptune looked toward the Left Minister's side, his gaze growing even softer. "Otohime, these are the human Marine generals we have often spoken of recently."
The petite yet elegant mermaid lifted the hem of her dress and gracefully curtsied before them. "It is an honor to meet the esteemed generals."
Her conduct was dignified and flawless, leaving no room for criticism.
The three Marine officers exchanged glances. By proper etiquette, when meeting a queen, they were expected to kiss her hand in greeting.
Fortunately, Queen Otohime did not extend her hand, nor did she lower it. Instead, the Marines saluted her in the manner befitting their military status.
Sakazuki glanced at the Neptune Army guards, who were still busy at work, estimating that it would take them quite some time to finish.
Noticing the eager expression on the towering coelacanth fish-man beside him, he suddenly made a suggestion. "How about we lend a hand as well? That should speed things up a little."
His Majesty had yet to respond when the Minister of the Left, who had been prostrating on the ground, suddenly sprang up.
"This cannot be allowed! All of you are esteemed guests personally invited by His Majesty—how can you do such menial labor?"
The Marine Vice Admiral, however, shook his head indifferently.
"We soldiers are just rough men; there is nothing noble about us. This tea party was arranged on short notice to accommodate us, so it is only right that we do our part."
The rule-abiding Minister of the Left still wanted to dissuade them, but Neptune had already taken the lead, carrying several jars of wine toward the storage room of this house.
"Your Majesty?!?"
Sakazuki followed suit, picking up two crates of wine and walking in the direction of Neptune.
"Bye-bye~" A certain mischievous fox, hugging a wine jar, squinted with a sly smile and delivered the final blow to the nearly petrified Minister of the Left.
On the other hand, Onigumo was not as idle. He directly activated Life Return, using his six brown arms, each carrying a crate, as he followed the Vice Admiral.
Otohime, rolling up her sleeves in secret, was just about to imitate Neptune's movements and carry some wine herself when she noticed Onigumo's rather unconventional method of transportation. She couldn't help but be intrigued.
She tried to lift a strand of her hair, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't form it into an independent arm like the general had done.
"Your Highness, please don't try that!" The Minister of the Left, who could no longer hold it in, stomped his foot.
"Hehehehe, so it turns out, Rear Admiral Onigumo, that you're not an octopus fish-man!" Neptune exclaimed in amazement, holding a cup of tea in his hand.
Sakazuki and Lindemann both had a hint of amusement in their eyes. The Vice Admiral cleared his throat lightly and explained,
"Rear Admiral Onigumo is using a Marine combat technique—Life Return."
The subject of the conversation was currently smoking, and for the first time, Onigumo's usually fierce face showed a hint of helplessness. No one had expected that as soon as the tea party began, the topic would shift from military and political affairs to him.
Neptune took a sip of his tea, which had been sweetened with condensed milk, and teased,
"If Vice Admiral Sakazuki hadn't clarified, I was already considering finding a suitable female octopus fish-man for Rear Admiral Onigumo!"
Sharp-minded Lindemann noticed something—
From the official and formal tone between the Marines and the rulers of Fish-Man Island when they first entered Ryugu Palace, to their seamless cooperation in moving wine crates, and now to their casual conversations at the tea party—
Somehow, unknowingly, the relationship between both sides had drawn much closer.
The fox grinned cunningly.
"Actually, Mr. Onigumo, you should consider it. Who knows? You might become the first Marine officer to marry into Fish-Man Island!"
Onigumo took a sip of his tea, then retorted sarcastically,
"If this were before, I'd have shot you the moment you said that.
Fox, with your looks, you should be the one competing for that title."
Seeing the rare occasion of these two bickering, Sakazuki remained expressionless, but inwardly, he decided to fan the flames.
"Your Majesty Neptune, you may not know this, but this man, Lindemann, is the most handsome officer in my unit.
When he patrols Coral Hill, many mermaids request to take pictures with him."
Otohime, who had been quietly sipping her tea beside Neptune, suddenly let out a chuckle and joined the conversation.
"It seems Mr. Lindemann is quite popular."
Lindemann smiled bitterly.
"When I patrol the prosperous areas of Coral Hill, it's fine. But in other places, the fish-men don't have a favorable view of us Marines."
Neptune frowned slightly, looking apologetically at Sakazuki.
"I sincerely apologize, Sakazuki, that your men have suffered such grievances."
Sakazuki set his teacup down on the saucer. The serious but not rigid Vice Admiral remained composed as he replied,
"We know this isn't Your Majesty's fault."
He then turned his gaze toward the royal couple, whose faces now showed a trace of sorrow.
"In my personal opinion, the relationship between Fish-Man Island and the Marines is a reflection of the larger relationship between fish-men and humans.
It is only through our persistent efforts that we can change this situation."
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki's words truly speak to my heart."
Otohime nodded in deep agreement, looking at the Marine seated in the center with some surprise.
She clasped Neptune's large hand.
"I truly hope that we can have the citizens sign a petition.
I dream that one day, the children of Fish-Man Island can play and grow together with the children of the surface, under the warm sunlight."
Sakazuki shook his head almost imperceptibly.
Otohime was a woman with immense kindness—
But she was also an idealist who was far too naive.
She constantly dreamed of mutual understanding between fish-men and humans, urging her people to accept and embrace humanity.
Yet, she failed to acknowledge the deep-seated resentment that Fish-Man Island's residents harbored toward humans.
Centuries of discrimination could only be overcome through gradual transformation,
Through countless individuals working together to shift perspectives.
But Otohime wanted to shoulder this entire burden alone and achieve it in a short time.
Great benevolence.
Blind optimism.
"Sakazuki, did I say something wrong? Why did you shake your head?"
Otohime closed her eyes, puzzled.
This time, it was Sakazuki who was surprised.
He knew exactly how subtle his movement had been—
And the Queen had her eyes closed the entire time.
"This is…?"
Familiar with Life Return, Onigumo also had some understanding of Observation Haki. He looked at the mermaid queen in astonishment.
"Observation Haki?!"
Sakazuki and Onigumo spoke in unison.
This seemingly delicate Queen actually possessed impressive Observation Haki.
A grin tugged at the corner of Sakazuki's mouth, and he clapped his hands.
"As expected of someone with innate Observation Haki."
After a pause, he explained to Otohime,
"Your Highness, your ideals are not wrong at all. In fact, they align with what we Marines hope to achieve—this is one of the reasons for my visit."
"But no matter how noble a vision may be, it must be built upon reality."
Sakazuki shook his head.
"We can only start with small steps, gradually erasing misconceptions, changing perspectives bit by bit."
He looked up at Neptune.
"Only by understanding the real obstacles between us can both Fish-Man Island and humanity work together to overcome them."
Neptune clasped Otohime's small hand in return.
"He is right. We must not rush into this recklessly.
This is a grand cause that requires the joint efforts of both Fish-Man Island and humanity—it is not a burden you must bear alone, Otohime."
The issue of racial discrimination was never one that could be resolved from only one side.
The oppressed must fight tirelessly for equal rights,
While the oppressors must confront and correct their prejudices.
Sakazuki smoothly transitioned the conversation.
"Well then, why don't we discuss the most pressing issues at hand?
What do you think, Your Majesty Neptune?"