Whitebeard watched the group of enthusiastic mermaid girls, the corner of his mouth twitching involuntarily.
"Raiver boy, you really are popular with the opposite sex."
Raiver glanced at the mermaid girls whose eyes were sparkling, a slight curve forming at the corner of his mouth.
Whitebeard turned sideways, extending his hand toward Raiver.
"Neptune, come, let me introduce you to an extraordinary friend."
Neptune's gaze finally settled on the young man in black.
Of course, he had noticed Raiver earlier—such a figure was hard to miss.
But now, with Whitebeard's formal introduction, he could carefully observe this legendary "God Slayer."
Young. That was his first impression.
He looked no more than twenty, yet he was already the world's strongest man with a bounty of 5 billion Belly.
Stern. That was the second impression.
His crimson eyes were like deep pools, revealing neither joy nor anger.
Profound. That was the third impression.
The moment their eyes met, Neptune felt as if his thoughts were being seen through.
"This is Raiver," Whitebeard's voice pulled him back to reality. "The emperor of the Fengtian Empire, my friend."
Raiver gave a slight nod.
"King Neptune."
Neptune quickly returned the gesture, respectful but not overly subservient:
"Lord Raiver's name is like thunder to my ears! God Slayer, the world's strongest man, the first emperor of the sea... These titles have long spread throughout Fish-Man Island. To see you in person today is truly an honor!"
Raiver: "You flatter me."
Neptune wanted to say more but noticed the growing crowd of fish-men gathering around.
Most were mermaid girls, their gazes almost glued to Raiver.
"Ahem!" Neptune cleared his throat, raising his voice:
"Everyone! Our esteemed guests have traveled from afar, and I must first take them to the Dragon Palace for a welcoming feast! Please disperse!"
...
The group made their way through the main street of Fish-Man Island, heading toward the Dragon Palace City at the island's center.
Just then, an impassioned speech echoed from ahead.
Raiver followed the sound.
In the center of the square, a mermaid woman with long golden hair stood on a makeshift platform, energetically waving her arms.
Her voice was clear and infectious, but the audience around her was sparse.
"As long as we persevere, one day, the people of Fish-Man Island will also stand under the sunlight! One day, we can coexist peacefully and equally with humans! As long as we—"
Her words abruptly stopped as her gaze met Raiver's.
Those eyes.
Raiver was slightly taken aback.
In those eyes, he saw a strange power.
An invisible ripple was spreading from her pupils, extending outward like waves.
This was a special type of Observation Haki—one that could both perceive and convey.
She could use it to sense others' emotions and also transmit her own emotions to others.
"King Neptune," Raiver spoke up, "who is that?"
Neptune followed his gaze, a proud yet helpless smile appearing on his face.
"That is my wife, Otohime. She's promoting her ideals again."
"Ideals?"
"The ideal of humans and fish-men coexisting peacefully." Neptune sighed:
"She collected countless signatures from residents for this cause, planning to take them to the World Government one day, to the Celestial Dragons... I've advised her many times, but she wouldn't listen."
Raiver remained silent, simply watching the golden-haired mermaid in the distance.
Otohime seemed to sense something. She hastily concluded her speech and hurried over.
"Your Majesty." She first bowed to Neptune, then turned her gaze to Raiver. "And this is..."
"This is Lord Raiver," Neptune introduced. "Emperor of the Fengtian Empire, friend of Newgate."
Otohime's eyes lit up.
"Lord Raiver!" Her voice carried surprise and delight. "Would... would you be willing to hear me out?"
Raiver looked at her, remaining silent for two seconds.
"Let's talk while walking."
...
Dragon Palace City.
The palace was far more magnificent than its exterior suggested.
In the banquet hall, the long dining table was laden with Fish-Man Island's specialty dishes—steamed tender meat of Sea Kings, grilled giant lobsters, deep-sea fish roe, seaweed salad... Each dish was exquisite and delicious.
A band played soothing music in the corner.
In the central dance area, a group of mermaid maidens in sheer veils danced gracefully to the rhythm.
After three rounds of drinks, Raiver set down his glass and looked at Otohime.
"Queen Otohime. Earlier in the square, I didn't get to hear your speech. Could you share it with me now?"
Otohime's eyes sparkled.
She took a deep breath and began:
"My dream is for all citizens of Fish-Man Island to coexist peacefully with humans, living together under the same sunlight."
"To that end, I've been collecting signatures from citizens willing to support this ideal."
"When there are enough signatures, I'll personally take them to the people on land, to the Marines, to the World Government."
"I'll request they sign the same petition, pledging to coexist peacefully with the fish-men race."
"As long as both sides are willing to take that first step, I believe someday—"
"Queen Otohime."
Raiver's calm voice interrupted her.
Otohime froze. "Lord Raiver?"
"This ideal of yours," Raiver said slowly, "has absolutely no possibility of being realized."
The smile on Otohime's face stiffened.
Tears welled in her eyes.
"I'll keep trying," she whispered, voice trembling slightly.
Then she took a deep breath and lifted her head:
"Lord Raiver! Why is it absolutely impossible? With effort, with persistence, someday—"
"Because you're too weak."
Raiver's second statement cut her off again.
Otohime stood stunned.
Raiver picked up his wine glass, took a sip, his tone still composed:
"Peace requires equivalent power as its foundation."
"True equal coexistence is impossible between two races with such disparity in strength."
He set down his glass and looked at Otohime:
"Moreover, humanity itself isn't a unified race."
"Kingdoms war with each other, Marines and Pirates constantly slaughter one another, commoners and nobles remain perpetually opposed..."
"If humans can't even coexist peacefully among themselves, what makes you think they'll peacefully coexist with another species?"
Otohime opened her mouth but no sound emerged.
She had never considered this question.
In her ideal, humanity was a single entity, peace was a state to be achieved.
As long as both sides were willing, it could be accomplished.
But Raiver's words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing the fire in her heart.
Neptune held his wife's hand, heart aching, wanting to comfort her but unsure what to say.
Whitebeard glanced at Raiver, then at Otohime, silently drinking his wine.
Just then, Raiver spoke again:
"But."
Otohime's head snapped up.
Raiver looked at her, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth:
"I know of a place where fish-men and merfolk can live on land and coexist peacefully with humans."