Chapter 97

"Next, shall we let Rear Admiral Karl say a few words?"

"Yes!" "Long live Rear Admiral Karl!" "Rear Admiral Karl, I want to have little fish-babies with you!!!"

Karl did not lose himself in the praise. Whether it was praise or insults, it was all fleeting to him; after all, anyone can talk.

"Citizens of Fish-Man Island, I am very saddened by the passing of Queen Otohime, but what is done is done. We cannot dwell on the past; we must look to the future."

"We cannot let Queen Otohime’s efforts go to waste! There is no distinction of high or low between fish-men and humans. Fish-men and humans..."

"Having said so much, I just want to tell everyone that regardless of race, there will always be good people and bad people. Do not blindly believe that all humans are good, and do not paint everyone with the same brush, thinking all humans are evil..."

"Maintain kindness, stay vigilant, coexist in peace, and create a better future together!"

"Thank you all!"

As a member of the pro-peace faction that believes fish-men and merfolk should coexist peacefully with humans.

Neptune strongly agreed with Karl’s statement. Humans have good and bad, and the fish-man race is the same.

He believed that most humans and fish-men held goodwill toward each other, but it was a small group of greedy humans and fish-man supremacists who ruined this great situation.

Hody Jones was a clear example.

After the cheers and applause died down, Neptune took over from Karl.

"Citizens of Fish-Man Island, what Rear Admiral Karl just said is exactly what I wanted to say. Queen Otohime’s efforts..."

While Neptune was giving his long speech, Ain whispered to Karl: "Where did you learn these words? You sounded quite professional!"

Karl looked around and, finding no one paying attention to him, whispered: "Just some nonsense that sounds reasonable. Why, do you want to learn?"

"Forget it. With you here, would it ever be my turn to speak?"

Karl curled his lip; she had no ambition at all.

After a while, Neptune finally reached the main point.

"Next, I will announce two major events."

"First, from today on, no residents will be allowed to enter the Fish-Man District, and the Neptune Army will completely blockade the area."

"In addition, the Dragon Palace will fund the establishment of an orphanage to take in orphans..."

"Second, I believe everyone has heard of Princess Shirahoshi’s strange illness. However, with the help of Rear Admiral Karl and Miss Ain, Princess Shirahoshi’s strange illness has been cured."

"Therefore, I intend to find a husband for Shirahoshi in advance, to be married when Shirahoshi comes of age. The requirements are as follows..."

Neptune felt very awkward saying this, but since it was bait, he had to. However, the men of Fish-Man Island didn't care about that; they were instantly boiling with excitement.

"What! There’s such a good thing? If I become the Dragon Palace’s son-in-law, wouldn't that save me a dozen years of hard work!"

"I want to participate! Hahahaha!"

Seeing the excited crowd, Neptune glanced at Karl. Karl nodded slightly; the goal had been achieved, and it was time to withdraw.

One day later.

"What! Neptune is actually looking for a son-in-law so soon! Damn it! Shirahoshi is mine!!!"

Vander Decken was furious after being informed by his subordinates. In his eyes, Shirahoshi was his exclusive property, his destined wife. He would never allow any other male fish-man to spend his life with her.

Thinking this, he couldn't wait to head to Fish-Man Island and snatch Shirahoshi back to be his child bride, but the Marines were still on the island, and he didn't have the guts for that.

"Damn Marines! What if they just stay there forever..."

Vander Decken grew more anxious, thinking about just rushing to Fish-Man Island and having a fight with the Marines.

"Boss, the Marines have left!"

Vander Decken was stunned, then said with pleasant surprise: "What did you say? The Marines left? Is the news reliable?"

The underling nodded: "Of course. After the public execution of Hody Jones ended, the Marine warships sailed away from Fish-Man Island. They’re probably already ashore by now."

Vander Decken stood up with a start, full of spirit: "Depart immediately! Land on Fish-Man Island. We must not let Shirahoshi be tainted by anyone else!"

When the Marines were there, I was timid; now that the Marines have left, I’m striking hard.

As for the Neptune Army, sorry, in Vander Decken’s eyes, they were just a bunch of good-for-nothings. The only one to watch out for was Jinbe, but he could just send a few underlings to lure him away.

Meanwhile, Dragon Palace, Shirahoshi Hall—Shirahoshi’s original residence.

"Sister Ain, come find me! You’ll never guess where I’m hiding!"

Ain feigned annoyance: "Oh my, Shirahoshi, where are you? Why can't I find you!"

In reality, Shirahoshi’s large tail had long since given away her position, yet she thought she was well-hidden.

Karl gave a disdainful snort: "Children!" Then he continued reading his newspaper.

There was no help for it; to keep up the act, even he couldn't show his face on Fish-Man Island at will. Sigh~ He had wanted to hang out at the Mermaid Cafe; he had just gotten his membership card!

Ain, however, was having a lot of fun. She didn't know why, but she really liked this innocent and lively little princess, and she never tired of playing even the most childish games with her.

Now Shirahoshi liked Ain the most; Megalo was almost falling out of favor and could only serve as Karl’s backrest.

As for Karl, although Shirahoshi had always wanted to play with him, she was rejected every time. She felt Karl was just Move Move Like her older brothers.

Although he liked her, he... didn't want to play with her.

"Ding~ Cumulative slacking time has reached 8 hours. Daily task completed."

"Reward: Designated Attribute Enhancement *7, Random Reward (storable) *4."

Karl’s eyes lit up. Adding the random rewards he had saved up before, he now had 150 rewards to open—that was 150 draws!

With a 7% chance for rare rewards, 150 draws—he had to get something good! He had been holding back for so long!

"System, open all random... wait."

Just drawing Move Move Like this didn't feel Move Move Like it had any ritualistic sense. It would be best to wash his face, use some facial cleanser—forget it, Hancock wasn't here, couldn't do that.

So, Karl set his sights on Shirahoshi. She was a Poseidon, after all; she should have some luck or something!

He would just rub off some of it.

"Heehee, Sister Ain, I’m here!"

Shirahoshi suddenly popped out from behind the sofa, "scaring" Ain, and then Shirahoshi looked at Ain with anticipation.

"Mm, Shirahoshi, you’re great!"

Shirahoshi scratched her head shyly, revealing a silly, sweet smile.

Karl thought about it and decided against it; mysticism cannot change bad luck, and spending money cannot change one's fate.

"System, open all random rewards!"

"Drawing in progress! Please wait, tallying rewards!"

"Draw successful. Congratulations to the host for obtaining Rare Rewards *10, as follows."

"Designated Attribute Enhancement Card (Special Grade) *2, Haki Enhancement Card (Advanced) *5, Observation Haki: Weakness Perception, Special Skill Upgrade Card *2,"

"Common rewards are as follows: Designated Attribute Enhancement Card *2, 50 million Berries *39, Lifespan 694 days (total of 30 times), Fat-Boy Happy Water, Happy Potato Chips... 50 items in total."

[Observation Haki: Weakness Perception]: One of the advanced techniques of Observation Haki. Can perceive biological weaknesses after activating Observation Haki. Usable at Observation Haki Level 6.

Special Skill Upgrade Card: Can upgrade all special skills the host has already obtained. The usage limit for a single skill is 1.

Karl’s eyes widened. This—this was too lucky!

Just the Weakness Perception and the Special Skill Upgrade Cards were worth him holding back for so long.

After a long sigh of relief, Karl muttered in his heart.

Use all enhancement cards to enhance physique, use all Haki enhancement cards to enhance Observation Haki!