"Err..." Taro was rendered speechless. He scratched his hair and downed the wine in his glass in one go.
"Anyway, I'm sorry."
Vivi stared at Taro for a while longer before picking up her juice for a small sip. She asked softly, "Is the opponent very powerful?"
Taro was stunned for a moment, then a slight smile appeared on his face. "No, when I said trouble, I meant trouble in the literal sense."
Hearing this, Vivi's gaze lowered slightly, her tone faint. "The opponent is a woman, right? And a very beautiful one at that."
Eh! How did you know? Did you also discover Stussy?
Taro showed a look of astonishment.
Seeing Taro's shocked expression, Vivi couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. She slammed the juice in her hand heavily onto the table and stood up to leave the table directly.
Taro was completely bewildered. He looked at Pell next to him, asking with his eyes what was going on!
Pell looked at Taro with an expression as if he were looking at an idiot, then stood up and followed her out.
Only then did Taro react. He reached out his arm and shouted,
"Hey, don't go, Vivi! Pell! That woman is beautiful, but she's already an old hag!"
The noisy atmosphere of the entire restaurant froze. Vivi paused her steps upon hearing Taro's words, then turned around, pointing at Taro with anger and disdain.
"You really are a bastard!"
Pell also turned his head to glance at Taro, thinking to himself: This kid is truly stupid beyond measure.
Stunned like a wooden chicken, Taro's face twitched frantically until the two had left. He rubbed his face and sighed deeply.
"Lord Taro, what happened to Lady Vivi? Why is she angry?" Shirahoshi swam over and asked nervously.
Taro sighed again. "She's angry because I'm stupid!"
"Ah?"
Shirahoshi had a look of pure confusion.
Taro waved his hand. "Forget it, let's not talk about that."
He put on a smiling face. "Shirahoshi, do you want to go see the surface?"
Shirahoshi was instantly pleasantly surprised. "Is it okay? Lord Taro, is it really okay?"
Then, she looked at her father and royal brothers with some unease.
Neptune thought for a moment and nodded. Only then did Shirahoshi look back at Taro with delight.
Taro nodded heavily. "Of course!"
As he spoke, he glanced at the film crew members around him. "All Fish-Man Island residents involved in the filming can go together as the first batch of representatives for the mutual visits between Fish-Man Island and Sabaody Archipelago!"
"Yay~"
Waves of cheers instantly erupted within the restaurant, one higher than the last.
After Taro announced this news, the atmosphere of the banquet gradually reached its climax.
Taro also returned to sit beside Neptune.
"King Neptune, regarding the issue that ordinary ships cannot return to Sabaody Archipelago from Fish-Man Island, I wonder if you have thought of a good solution yet?"
This problem was one of many faced in the Fish-Man Island development plan that Taro had previously handed to Neptune.
The sea area near Sabaody Archipelago has no magnetic field interference, so diving from Sabaody to Fish-Man Island can be done at any time.
But starting from Fish-Man Island, normally, one can only head to the New World after coating the ship, and cannot return to Sabaody.
Of course, Marine warships with Dr. Vegapunk's technology can do it.
However, Taro could not use warships to carry ordinary tourists.
Neptune nodded with some excitement. "That's fine. We can modify human ships and use sea beasts to tow them, just like the dragon turtle ship!"
Taro was stunned for a moment. "That is indeed a way. What about the carrying capacity of one ship?"
"Theoretically, it can reach over 500 people!" Neptune spread his palms.
Taro frowned and pondered for a moment. "No, that's too many!"
Seeing Neptune's confusion, Taro explained, "Control the number of people. In the Early Stage, not many people will dare to come to Fish-Man Island, and they will likely be nobles."
As he spoke, he gave a cold laugh. "There's no reason not to take these people's money. Rarity makes things expensive. Only 300 spots per month—200 for travel agencies and 100 for Fish-Man Island as a technical franchise fee for the sea beast towing!"
Then, he detailed some tactics from travel groups in his previous life, such as how to arrange itineraries to pass by more shops and how to charge for entertainment projects.
"Will planning the route like this be too...?" Neptune looked at Taro, who had suddenly turned mercenary, with some bewilderment.
Taro waved his hand with a confident look.
"Not satisfied with the itinerary? No problem. If you pay more, we can switch you to a private tour—go wherever you want, with pick-up and drop-off services, and full escort throughout..."
He talked incessantly for a long time, leaving Neptune and The Three Princes dumbfounded!
After a long while, Neptune made a swallowing motion. "This... is it really okay?"
Taro patted his chest. "Absolutely no problem! Guaranteed to make money!"
What Neptune was considering, however, was not the issue of making money. He frowned. "Then our original purpose..."
The corner of Taro's mouth curled up slightly. "Isn't it all hidden inside?"
"Out of the 300 spots, set aside 30 for regular lucky draws—round-trip travel, meals, and accommodation all included! Give them to commoners who cannot afford the costs but have no prejudice against the Fish-Man Race. Once basic mutual trust between the two races is established, we'll gradually expand the scale!"
Finally, Taro looked at the four members of the royal family, his tone serious and solemn.
"This is a purely commercial act, with absolutely no other intentions behind it! We must believe this ourselves! Understand?"
The Neptune royal family instantly understood the meaning in Taro's words. Indeed, only in this way could they hide their deep-seated intentions as much as possible and lower the resistance and vigilance of the noble class!
The Three Princes looked on with admiration. Neptune looked at Taro with deep meaning in his eyes and murmured,
"The d clan is truly terrifying!"
"Hmm? What's terrifying?"
Between the lively atmosphere of the restaurant and Taro being slightly tipsy, he didn't hear very clearly.
Neptune shook his head gently and raised his glass to clink with Taro's again.
The Joy Boy of the new era, the identity of the d clan, and the meticulously thought-out plan.
These thoughts swirled in Neptune's heart. He looked at Taro, who was drinking unrestrainedly from a Barrel of Wine, and secretly made up his mind.
Garp, I believe what you said. Fish-Man Island is willing to bet everything.
In Vivi's bedroom.
Shirahoshi held Vivi in the palm of her hand, her face filled with anxiety and grievance, tears hanging in her eyes.
"Lady Vivi, everything I said is true. When Lord Taro mentioned that woman, a surge of killing intent rose from his heart!"
Vivi hugged Shirahoshi's finger. "Don't cry, Shirahoshi. Being so kind-hearted, it must be hard for you to sense someone else's desire to kill."
Hearing Vivi's words, Shirahoshi could no longer hold back her tears, which fell in large droplets. After a good while, she shook her head.
"Since it's Lord Taro, the person he wants to kill must be very, very bad. But I still feel very uncomfortable. Am I too useless like this?"
Vivi stroked Shirahoshi's palm. "No, you are very strong. There is nothing wrong with being kind, Shirahoshi!"
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