Chapter 145

Chapter 145: Farewell

"Is this the child you were talking about?" Even with his height, Neptune had to look up at Wadatsumi – who was currently only showing his head.

Wadatsumi cautiously "hid" behind the ship, observing Neptune "secretly," like an adult trying to hide behind their phone.

His round, chubby head, making such movements, unexpectedly appeared cute.

"It's him," Adrian turned and shouted, "Wadatsumi, don't be shy, come out and say hello."

Wadatsumi obediently moved out, "Hello, I'm Wadatsumi. Decken didn't want me anymore. Will you take me in?"

"Poor child, this will be your home from now on," Queen Otohime responded so quickly because she could feel his sadness and anxiety. She also trusted Adrian and his group.

If the princess said it, Neptune wouldn't refuse, "Would you like to join the Royal Army of the Ryugu?"

Wadatsumi asked directly, "Is there food?"

"Of course, I'll arrange your food and accommodation immediately," Neptune assured. He could afford to feed a few hundred more people.

"Then I'll join, and I'll behave," Wadatsumi promised.

Onlookers were shocked:

"Huh? The bald sea monster... No, Wadatsumi has joined the royal army!"

"That big guy is really reliable!"

"Do you want something to eat? I have freshly caught fish here!"

To some extent, body size represented combat power, especially someone as big as Wadatsumi. His presence in the army brought a strong sense of security to the residents.

Previously, they were frightened when they saw Wadatsumi, but now they were pleasantly surprised. So the residents were very welcoming.

"Everyone really likes you, Wadatsumi!" Queen Otohime smiled with narrowed eyes, giving him a nickname.

After Wadatsumi came ashore, Queen Otohime noticed the bandages on his hand and leg, "It seems you still have injuries. How about resting and having something to eat first?"

"Mm!" Wadatsumi obediently followed Otohime's arrangements and left with the Left Minister.

After Wadatsumi left, Neptune asked, "Where is that Vander Decken?"

"He's here," Adrian patted the large barrel beside him. Considering Wadatsumi's feelings, he had never opened the lid.

So Adrian's group boarded the ship to the Ryugu once more, taking a prisoner in a wooden barrel with them.

When they lifted the lid, Vander Decken had already woken up but was so weak he couldn't get up.

Adrian kindly lifted his head out of the water to facilitate questioning. But the moment Vander Decken saw Neptune and Queen Otohime, he blurted out:

"Please give Princess Shirahoshi to me, my Lord and Lady-in-law!"

"What?!" A punch the size of a cooking pot, no, a punch the size of a cooking pot lid, sent him back into the barrel, splashing quite a bit of water.

Neptune was furious, "Who are you calling your Lord and Lady-in-law? Princess Shirahoshi is only six years old, you bastard! Explain why you're fixated on Shirahoshi!"

Vander Decken didn't realize his mistake and believed Neptune was praising him. He showed an embarrassed expression while boasting.

Afterwards, he explained his Devil Fruit ability, complaining that if not for Tom, Shirahoshi would have received his love letters and gifts.

Neptune clenched his trident, gritting his teeth, "So, does that mean Hody was following your orders?"

Vander Decken readily admitted, proud of being in command for the most part, though he considered Hody useless.

In his mind, Neptune was praising him, and he wore a slightly embarrassed expression while claiming credit.

When Neptune inquired, "So, did Hody follow your orders?"

Vander Decken unhesitatingly admitted. He wanted to showcase his abilities to his "father-in-law."

Not everyone could understand his thought process, especially not Neptune. So he declared, holding up his trident, "In the name of the King of the Ryugu, I sentence Vander Decken to be executed!"

"What?!" Vander Decken was finally frightened. "Why are you killing me?"

Neptune raised his trident to knock him out. If not for Queen Otohime and the guests present, he probably would have skipped the trial and taken action himself.

Queen Otohime had mixed feelings. She felt regret for everyone who went astray, believed they should face punishment, and genuinely hoped they would repent.

Even when she visited Hody Jones in prison, she sensed only hatred and anger during their conversations. That person didn't believe he had done anything wrong and couldn't be persuaded to change.

Punishment was meant to make people deeply aware of their mistakes, so they wouldn't want to or dare to repeat them. But Vander Decken seemed beyond redemption, mentally and emotionally.

Adrian was satisfied with this judgment. He figured that even if Neptune didn't order a "beheading," he would still secretly find a way to cut off Vander Decken's "hand."

The Mato Mato no Mi required the user to use their hand to activate it. So chopping off the hand should be a foolproof solution.

Adrian thought about it; this fruit's ability was too absurd. He worried that one day he and Tom would be enjoying hotpot and singing, and suddenly, Fish-Man Island would fly over.

Tom couldn't die, but he, Adrian, couldn't handle it. So it was better to get rid of the enemy.

After returning to the Ryugu, Adrian mentioned leaving. Unconsciously, they had been here for a week. Although the food was excellent and the accommodations comfortable, he missed the slightly run-down tavern.

"Leaving so soon? Did we not host you well enough?" Queen Otohime asked.

Adrian replied, "No, no, you've been wonderful hosts. It

's just that we've been here for quite some time now, and we're not far from here. We can visit anytime."

"At least stay until tomorrow. Let us prepare a grand feast to bid you farewell," Neptune insisted, wanting to offer his guests some gifts.

Tom, catching the words "grand feast," tugged at Adrian's pants leg, wagging his tail.

"..." You're not a dog...

Altogether, Adrian tried to persuade, "Darn it, since King Neptune himself said so, it would be impolite to refuse. Besides, Tom looks a bit reluctant..."

"..." If your throat didn't bob up and down after speaking, I might believe you're considering courtesy and Tom's feelings.

Neptune added, "I believe Jinbe and your good friends, Camie and Pappug, would also like to say goodbye in person."

Mentioning Jinbe and their friends, Shirahoshi, Sharkler and Rui Mengmeng agreed to stay another day.

"Well, alright, we'll trouble you for one more day," Adrian decided. There was no rush, and it was good to accommodate everyone's wishes.