The Calm Belt, Nest of the Giant Sea Kings.
"What should we do? The bond between our 'King' and the 'King' who was supposed to meet is growing weaker and weaker!"
"That 'King' who wasn't supposed to meet so early has also begun to influence our 'King'!"
"And that person who stole the 'King's' position, he has appeared by our 'King's' side again!"
"Our 'King' won't allow us to interfere, what should we do?"
The giant Sea Kings were very anxious, but restricted by the "King's" command, they didn't dare stir the ocean currents, so they could only vibrate their bodies slightly.
Shirahoshi had wanted to comfort the angry Vivi, but to her surprise, she was comforted by Vivi instead.
Even after coming out of Vivi's room, she was still somewhat annoyed with herself, feeling that she still hadn't managed to be as "strong" as she had promised her mother and Taro, and her eyes were suddenly filled with tears again.
Returning to the dining room, the banquet had already ended, and everyone, having drunk to their heart's content, lay scattered on the floor.
Taro was holding a Barrel of Wine in his arms, the drunkenness rising, making him a bit dazed as he murmured to Neptune.
Neptune had already passed out drunk to the side, fast asleep, and didn't respond to Taro at all.
"Lord Taro, I really am too useless, aren't I?" Shirahoshi swam to Taro's side and asked weakly.
Taro's eyes were blurry with drink, "It's Shirahoshi! Hic~"
His abdomen rose and fell as he let out a drunken burp, then he waved his hand, "Look at me, I was just an ordinary person half a year ago, and now..."
"Don't worry, everything will get better, just wait a bit longer!"
Thinking of Luffy, Taro smiled, "Shirahoshi, believe in yourself, you can do it!"
After rambling a bunch of nonsense, Taro finally fell into a deep sleep.
Shirahoshi looked at Taro, who was leaning against the coral sleeping soundly while clutching an empty barrel. Tears shimmered in her eyes. After a long time, she reached out to gently take the barrel away and picked Taro up... The soft touch made Taro turn over contentedly, comfortably nuzzling his head.
Then, he suddenly snapped his eyes open.
Holy crap, this feeling is a bit familiar!
Rubbing his cheeks, the hangover-induced sleepiness instantly faded. Taro tilted his head and saw the exquisite, graceful curves beside him, and he immediately shuddered.
He hurriedly crawled out from the deep cleavage. Shirahoshi hadn't woken up this time; in her sleep, the Mermaid Princess looked serene and beautiful, inspiring pity and love.
But Taro was in no mood to admire her. He held his shoes in his hands while barefoot, quietly crouching as he slipped toward the door, not even daring to breathe loudly.
"Lord Taro, are you leaving already?" Shirahoshi rubbed her eyes and woke up, her weak voice sounding behind Taro.
Taro's body stiffened, and he didn't even dare to look back, "Uh, yes, I have something to take care of!"
After saying that, he ran out quickly.
Damn it, how did I end up sleeping there again?
Having made his escape, Taro scratched his hair in annoyance, utterly speechless.
Before he had gone very far, he saw Neptune and his three sons communicating about something.
The Grand Right and Left Ministers were leading a large group of palace guards, lined up and waiting to the side.
Taro's scalp tingled; this lineup for catching an adulterer was a bit too grand.
Just as he was about to slip away again, the ten-meter-tall Neptune had already spotted him.
Neptune seemed to be in a good mood as he beckoned to Taro.
"Taro, you're awake? Please come over here!"
If it weren't for Neptune's very kind tone, Taro would have almost instinctively transformed into a Falcon to flee for his life.
"Uh, His Majesty Neptune, Princes, morning!" Taro raised his hand, forcing an awkward smile as he greeted them.
"Hohohoho, morning to you too. Did you sleep well last night?" Neptune asked with a smile.
Taro's heart skipped a beat, "Uh, well, very well!"
Sleeping in a place like that, how could it not be well!
"Your Majesty the King, you guys are...?"
"Shirahoshi is about to go to the Sabaody Archipelago. As her father, I'm really a bit worried, so I wanted to select some suitable guards to accompany her..."
As Neptune spoke, he paused, "Ah, no, I don't have any doubts about whether you can ensure her safety..."
Holy crap, why make such a big scene just to pick guards?
Taro secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He thought for a moment and waved his hand.
"I understand a father's anxiety. You can arrange the accompanying personnel as you like, just not too many. After all, humans still have some fear of the Fish-Man Race!"
"That is only natural!" Neptune nodded.
Mermaid Cafe.
The mermaid Camie and the Quintuplet Little Mermaids were packing luggage for Madam Shyarly.
Madam Shyarly sat quietly to the side, smoking her pipe.
"Madam Shyarly, you don't need to worry. The vast majority of humans aren't that scary!"
Camie seemed to have sensed Madam Shyarly's anxiety and comforted her.
"Yeah, yeah, Camie is right this time!" Starfish Pappag jumped onto the table, shouting with his hands on his hips.
Madam Shyarly exhaled a cloud of smoke and looked at the mermaid girl.
"Camie, you almost became a slave to the Celestial Dragons there. If it weren't for... those pirates, you... even so, are you still willing to believe in humans?"
Camie's movements in packing slowed down as she seemed to recall that experience. After a moment of silence, she finally nodded.
"Because I have met many more friendly humans. I believe every race will have people like Hody."
Saying that, she smiled, "Aren't there good people among humans like Luffy and Taro?"
Listening to Camie's words, Madam Shyarly was slightly dazed. She remembered the prophecy she had once divined, that "Taro is a dead man."
"Madam Shyarly, it's fine. Lord Taro said he would guarantee everyone's safety, and he will definitely be able to do it! Besides, I also know some very powerful friends on Fish-Man Island!"
Seeing that Madam Shyarly was still in a daze, Camie spoke up again to comfort her.
"That's right, I know them too!" Pappag echoed loudly.
Only then did Madam Shyarly let out a laugh, "You two really have a lot of confidence in Taro!"
Camie also laughed, her eyes narrowing into slits.
"Of course, after all, Taro even held up a massive ship like the noah!"
...Marijoa.
Stussy sat elegantly on the sofa, her legs crossed, looking at Spandam.
"Spandam, was it because of this report of yours that the Gorosei made the decision to recall me?"
Her tone didn't betray any emotion. As a newcomer to CP0, although Spandam wasn't as arrogant as he was when he was the chief of CP9, he was still not very polite.
"This is intelligence sent back by Lucci. What, do you have some questions?"
A flash of coldness passed through Stussy's heart. Thinking of this fool's father, Spandine, she suppressed her anger and spoke with sarcasm.
"Could these be Lucci's original words?"
She didn't believe that, with Lucci's personality, he would ever say words requesting backup.
Spandam's breath hitched, and he became stubborn, "Regardless, the Gorosei have already given the order, we..."
Hearing the word "we," Stussy gave a sneer, stood up, and left.
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